Kit Recommendations

[K.L. Davis]

Active Lists:
Burn Pack
GSW Kit
Lightweight Hiking/Backpacking Kit
Let's talk bare-bones BOK
Officer Down Bleeder Kit
Building a couple first aid kits...Need feedback on contents
GSW/Blowout kit
Boo Boo & Trauma Kits
"Full" kit
Components of a decent trauma kit
Patrol First Aid Kit

Feel free to post recommendations or ideas... links to discussions.

[FMF_Doc]

Burn Kit - burn care gets overlooked a lot.

[Pathfinder Ops]

Burn Kit - burn care gets overlooked a lot.

Yes it does and oddly enough it is not an uncommon issue. especially amongst Backpacker camper types.

[vaspence]

Yup, I was ignorant of it myself (burn kit), until I took the WFR course this year. It is not an uncommon injury amongst the back country folk due to the amount of tiny ass stoves. Gave me chills when we discussed it, how many times have you cooked with your stove on the picnic table or rock above your waist?

And since the GSW post was directed here, I took 2 TK-4s and a SOF-T with me to the WFR course. The TK 4s were very versatile from use as a compression bandage, splint wrap, immobilizing the head on a stretcher, etc. I was very impressed with it's versatility especially for its size. I do struggle putting it on one handed as a tourniquet though. Any tips?

Spence

[rob_s]

On the non-professional side...

One thing I was completely clueless about before buying a bunch of gear was the shear size of some of this stuff. The biggest offender in terms of size is the compression bandages. Oales, Israeli, whatever, they take up a LOT of space. Go with a 6"' (that most seem to prefer) and it's even harder to store. One of the things I'm working on for my site is some pictures of all these things to show the relative sizes so that people have an idea what to expect. Pretty much all my plans went out the window once I had some of these things in hand.

Something else I had started working on and lost track of was comparing a lot of known IFAK and the like, from the USMC to the Army to other commercially packed kits like the BFG TKN.

[Flight-ER-Doc]

On the non-professional side...

One thing I was completely clueless about before buying a bunch of gear was the shear size of some of this stuff. The biggest offender in terms of size is the compression bandages. Oales, Israeli, whatever, they take up a LOT of space. Go with a 6"' (that most seem to prefer) and it's even harder to store. One of the things I'm working on for my site is some pictures of all these things to show the relative sizes so that people have an idea what to expect. Pretty much all my plans went out the window once I had some of these things in hand.

Something else I had started working on and lost track of was comparing a lot of known IFAK and the like, from the USMC to the Army to other commercially packed kits like the BFG TKN.

I carry a few 4" bandages (Izzy or OALES) and only 1 or 2 bigger (6") bandages. The stuff is bulky though...pretty much all medical supplies except drugs are.

[Pathfinder Ops]

On the non-professional side...

One thing I was completely clueless about before buying a bunch of gear was the shear size of some of this stuff. The biggest offender in terms of size is the compression bandages. Oales, Israeli, whatever, they take up a LOT of space. Go with a 6"' (that most seem to prefer) and it's even harder to store. One of the things I'm working on for my site is some pictures of all these things to show the relative sizes so that people have an idea what to expect. Pretty much all my plans went out the window once I had some of these things in hand.

Something else I had started working on and lost track of was comparing a lot of known IFAK and the like, from the USMC to the Army to other commercially packed kits like the BFG TKN.

This is a topic we spend a fair amount of time and energy with through working with our clients and students. The truth is this stuff does get bulky and a if you are trying to put together a truly across the board IFAK some concessions need to be made.

Its a matter of your skills/ knowledge/ mission and relative access to the next level of care in a timely fashion.

If access to a higher level of care is not in short order and you may need to care for your self longer you will need more stuff.

Its a balancing act and there is not a definitive equation.

I struggle with this personally beyond my professional endeavor. As a Paramedic (20+years) and Tactical Medic on SRT (8+years) I still haven't figured out what is "BEST" and certainly for "every" mission.

[sniperbusch@hotmail.com]

This why I ended up mounting my OSOE Tear Off on third line gear as it became to bulky for my preference on my rig. I opted for a HSGI Bleeder Pouch and a TK Carrier for the low pro. Everything is still work in progress.

[Dann in Ohio]

Short of driving an ambulance everywhere you go, you are going to have to make some compromises. I've been fairly please with the Tactical Medical Packs since they are vacuum packed and easily slide into a BDU/ACU pocket or into and existing first-aid kit.

I'm no expert, but I had a post on my blog about this topic last month if any one is interested:

http://godgalsgunsgrub.blogspot.com/...with-guns.html

Dann in Ohio

[K.L. Davis]

I am working with a couple of sources right now to put out a "boo-boo bag"

It is designed to augment an IFAK/BOK and give you a lot of the smaller stuff and snivel kit. The list has been put together from the input of several people and the contents fit in a very compact little bag.

Here is the rundown:
Duct Tape
Q-Tips
Tweezers
finger scalpel
1 X 3 adhesive bandages
large adhesive bandages
knuckle bandages
Steri-Strips
Aspirin
Acetaminophen
Ibuprophen
Diphenhydramine
Bismuth Subsalicylate
Electrolyte Tabs
Sun Block
Blistex
Floss picks
4X4 Gauze Pad
2X2 Gauze Pads
2X3 non-adherent dressing
Triple Antibiotic
Petroleum Jelly
Burn Cream
Insect Rep Wipe
Iodine Wipe
Alcohol Wipe
Sting eze
PAWS Wipes

One of the "beta" kits


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