Thread: First aid kits

Any recommend a good off the shelf first aid kit for the pack. I am not going to war or operating. just a good basic first aid kit. Will add couple of my own personal items
Have a PLB i carry if its life threatening
Have looked at one of these https://www.blademaster.co.nz/shop/S...ical/-292.html
I know @Ryan_Songhurst recommended the the AMK .7 but can't seem to find one
A lot of first aid kits are out of stock and there,s a lot of shit out there.

The .5 and .9 still seem available, haven't looked much into the differences the 9 isn't much more weight/bulk.
These look ok https://www.furtherfaster.co.nz/coll...ro-1st-aid-kit
Although I'd possibly chuck a roll of insulation tape in there also

Have brought a couple from an Australian outfit, survival.net.au

Come in a good canvas case, well labeled and organised inside

Wanted to replace some older things in my kit, but after looking at the cost of some things at the chemist decided to buy a whole new kit from the big red shed of all places. Comes in a zipper plasticy bag thing, removed some unneeded things added a few bits and the original bag sealed it in a vacuumed bag. I cant remember what it cost but it was around $15- $20 from memory.

Mines basic but you can improvise with many other things

To my mind, there is so much unnecessary stuff in pre-packed kits, so better to put your own together. If it's going to live in the car, doesn't matter, but if you're hauling it around the hills...

In my opinion - first aid kits can be one of two things. Option 1) very basic first aid kit for scrapes and small cuts etc - minimal and light.
2) Larger footprint first aid kit that could could treat a life threatening injury.
In saying that - option 2) would only be useful if you know how to use it - otherwise it is just more things to carry around.
If going for option 1, that looks like a very light basic pack that ticks the box for covering scrapes / cuts etc. I would suggest taking some over the counter antihistamines and anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen) as well (looks like it should come with that).

For option 2), I would really endorse this pack from PracMed (https://pracmednz.com/product/rapid-action-kit-rak/). I would then add the anti-inflammatories and antihistamines as above, along with some gauze and coban tape (self adhesive bandage, easy to get from a vet for cheap and so practical), and a couple of plasters. However - again this will only help if you are aware how to/when to use the tourniquet and Israeli style bandage. If unfamiliar with using the above - absolutely recommend the PracMed first aid courses, theres very few like it in NZ to my knowledge. To me - this would be a very worthwhile investment and one that genuinely could save your life.

As an aside - I have seen tourniquets and israeli style bandages in action (applied predominately prehospital) and these items used effectively and appropriately can and do save lives, regularly. Speaking from experience here (I work in a tertiary level hospital ED in NZ).

Going through my kit i didn't realize how much i have, only couple items need replacing and couple extras need to be brought. Then i am going to buy the likes of a sea to summit first aid bag. Easy identified by others or young ones
Also then put couple other items for survival in there.

First priority is to realistically determine what sort of injuries you, or a companion, or a total stranger you encounter, is likely to incur: bad bleeding (do you use a knife?); gunshot wound (carry a rifle?); fracture (traverse steep country?); multiple wasp stings; ligament/tendon damage. Work from there, and make up your own kit. Include paracetamol for pain, strapping tape for sprains, antihistamine for stings, nettles. Don't worry about snake bite, or childbirth: haven't ever had to deal with either in 50 years in the backcountry. Although.....I ALWAYS carry a hip flask of snake repellant in the bush..it obviously works cos I've never seen a snake in New Zealand. There are several different brands: mine is labelled "Single Malt". Otherwise, stay in bed and never go out.

I got one of these earlier this week:

https://buy.stjohn.org.nz/first-aid-...Kit%20Contents

Added eurosutures, tweezers, splinter probes and 3m transpore tape.

Should cover most situations.

I've also done first aid training (workplace and outdoor) and carry a plb.

Originally Posted by cbfb

I got one of these earlier this week:

https://buy.stjohn.org.nz/first-aid-...Kit%20Contents

Added eurosutures, tweezers, splinter probes and 3m transpore tape.

Should cover most situations.

I've also done first aid training (workplace and outdoor) and carry a plb.

That kit looks good, you just need enough to cover cutting yourself (Plaster,etc) battering yourself up if you arse over (Panadol, voltaren, codine) & stings- antihistamine, eye wash tube is good as I once had a stick go in my eye bush bashing, anything more serious like breaking a leg, broken ribs, etc and it’s PLB time.

Originally Posted by JoelA

In my opinion - first aid kits can be one of two things. Option 1) very basic first aid kit for scrapes and small cuts etc - minimal and light.
2) Larger footprint first aid kit that could could treat a life threatening injury.
In saying that - option 2) would only be useful if you know how to use it - otherwise it is just more things to carry around.
If going for option 1, that looks like a very light basic pack that ticks the box for covering scrapes / cuts etc. I would suggest taking some over the counter antihistamines and anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen) as well (looks like it should come with that).

For option 2), I would really endorse this pack from PracMed (https://pracmednz.com/product/rapid-action-kit-rak/). I would then add the anti-inflammatories and antihistamines as above, along with some gauze and coban tape (self adhesive bandage, easy to get from a vet for cheap and so practical), and a couple of plasters. However - again this will only help if you are aware how to/when to use the tourniquet and Israeli style bandage. If unfamiliar with using the above - absolutely recommend the PracMed first aid courses, theres very few like it in NZ to my knowledge. To me - this would be a very worthwhile investment and one that genuinely could save your life.

As an aside - I have seen tourniquets and israeli style bandages in action (applied predominately prehospital) and these items used effectively and appropriately can and do save lives, regularly. Speaking from experience here (I work in a tertiary level hospital ED in NZ).

@JoelA You beat me to it. I carry one of the IFAS kits. But you are aso very correct in stating that you need to know HOW to use the gear. People practise their shooting, train on shooting technigue etc but most wont open their kit until its really needed....and when its really needed, most times a bandaid or bandage is not going to help......I did the Paracmed Stop the bleed course. And now there is a former St Johns guy here in Chch doing an almost identical course and kit (calls his the IFAK)

Absolutely I can recommend Pracmed.

Originally Posted by MB

To my mind, there is so much unnecessary stuff in pre-packed kits, so better to put your own together. If it's going to live in the car, doesn't matter, but if you're hauling it around the hills...

+1

What I hate about people lugging a single 'kit' around is that everything is in it... what if you lose your pack or are away from it when shit happens?

I learnt my lesson after getting away with accidentally stabbing myself with a Leatherman knife blade (forgot the proper knife at home!) when gutting a deer up a steep slope, stupid move as I could have dragged the deer down to a flatter area and the accident would never have happened (slipped over into the slope with knife in hand).

Few inches more and I could have got the femoral and been a goner, but another stupid mistake was wanting to save the expensive hunting trousers I'd just bought, so take them off slowly whilst bleeding into them

Should have used a tourniquet but still wanted to get the deer out, so walking was the only option, so no tourniquet and just a pressure/Israeli bandage which took time to get out because it was in a 'kit', which was in my rucksack

Luckily car not far away and managed to get into A&E but still look back and think 'What an idiot!'

Now just carry a tourniquet in a side pouch for easy access.

Have heard of guys being shot point blank with hunting rifles by accident (usually in the limbs) and wonder how they hell they survive without immediate treatment...

IFAK
Pracmed Course
Survival blanket
PLB
A few plasters, eye flush, antihistimines

Probably a few more but that's the bulk of it.

Originally Posted by outdoorlad

That kit looks good, you just need enough to cover cutting yourself (Plaster,etc) battering yourself up if you arse over (Panadol, voltaren, codine) & stings- antihistamine, eye wash tube is good as I once had a stick go in my eye bush bashing, anything more serious like breaking a leg, broken ribs, etc and it’s PLB time.

Yes I forgot to mention, paracetamol, antihistamine and diamide.

The eye thing sounds nasty.