Ha ha clunk I was thinking that but not going there!
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Pads and Tampons are the best things to use as you mentioned for heavy bleeds like punctures / gashes etc, always kept some in my webbing more so for gun shot wounds but pads can be used instead of compress pads when needed.
I bought 5 of the same COTD kits the same as clunk and then butchered / combined them into each other and then added more again. I also got 1 of the COTD black 10 man kits as well that stays in my survival bag and has extras put in as well.
http://www.catchoftheday.com.au/even...n-black-180678
Hi all. Saw this thread and thought that I would add my thoughts on this...
I normally take my trauma pack and oxygen when I go out on runs. Why? Because I have it and can use more things than a first aider. Do I really need it? Not really but as I said, I have it at home so might as well make use of it, plus, unlike first aiders, if I come across an accident, I am obliged to stop and render assistance.
(Some of) What I carry in my First Aid kit:-
Rubber gloves. (as I never know who I may have to treat.)
2 x Tweezers
2 x Desent Scissors
A decent Antibacterial creme. (There are several different types including ones with a mild anestetic in them.)
2 x pkts Splinter probes (I have both probes as well as syringe needles so usually just use those)
Quantity of "Wound Wipes". (I use alcohol wipes or "Iso-wipes". They sting but kill most bacteria on the skin.)
10cm x 10cm Combine Dressing pads
20cm x 20cm Combine Dressing pads (for the larger wounds)
1 x roll of Hyperfix or Fixomull stretch adhesive permeable dressing tape. (My absolute favorite for dressings. Hypoallergenic too.)
Quantity of Melonin Non-Adhesive dressing pads. (Combine these with the Fixomull tape and you get excellent wound dressings such as Primapore dressings.)
A magnfying glass (Great for old buggers like me as well as starting fires if needed)
A penlight torch
Sterile water. (I use Sodium Chloride either in the 500ml bottles or 30ml squeezies for irrigation. Cheaper to buy the bigger bottles but any clean water will do. With burns, secondary infection is the biggest concern.)
Instant Icepacks. (Great for soft tissue injuries... remember R.I.C.E.... NEVER PUT ICE DIRECTLY ON A BURN!)
15cm x 5 metre Compression bandages. (At least x 2. Great for Snake Bite. Normal badages are no good for snake bite as they do not apply enough compression, plus you can still strap a limb with a complression bandage.)
Steri-Strips (aka Butterfly stitches)
A couple of plain bandages for binding wounds.
Triangle Bandges for Slings.
Band Aids, including finger and knuckle dressings. (I make all of my own dressings using the Melonin and Fixomull tape. Try and stay away from the Elastoplast-types. They stick great but, in my experience, there are a lot of people that have reactions to their adhesive)
Quantity of safety pins.
Space Blanket. (I also carry a woollen one as well)
That should cover just about any situation.
A couple of things to note...
Sanitary pads are great in an emergency but don't forget that they are designed to absorb blood, not clot it or prevent flow.
Burns need lots and lots of (clean if at all possible) water. The old saying... "Seconds to burn, Minutes to cool." If all you have is dirty water ie a puddle, pond or river, that will do in a pinch. They will get cleaned up in Hospital and your priority is to stop the burning prosess.)
Spider webs can be used as wound dressings in an emergency.
Folks, this is just a basic list. If you have any questions about it, always happy to chat.
That reminds me that I need to refresh my kit. Costs a mint but I have had to use it a few times and was damn glad I had it.
A kit is fine and all. But knowing how to use it could be handy.
First aid courses arent that expensive.
I have a level 2.
I was a first aid instructor for a number of years. Not any more though.
Everybody should do a course. There have been trials in some countries to make a first aid certificate a prereq for your drivers licence.
Definitely the best thing to have in your first aid kit in Australia is a wide pressure bandage = Snake Bite Bandage.
I am an Emergency Nurse and I recently did a little research project on Australian Snake Bite management, and statistics have shown that no-one has died from a serious snake bite in Australia, who had a proper Pressure Immobilisation bandage correctly and timely applied!
Also good to have is some sterile Saline (salty water) sachets and lots of absorbent gauze, as the best practice for wounds now, is to keep it clean and moist (once bleeding is controlled that is).