Comprehensive Home Medical Kit

[Edgemont]

I'm not sure if anyone has posted something like this here before... But I just wanted to post it and get some reactions/feedback/ideas. Am I way off? What is overkill? What do I need more of? What is needed? Just for clarification, I am treating this like an off grid/WROL type of kit. I haven't assembled this kit yet and I still need to do some research about some of the medications. Make sure everything is legal and obtainable (Not to mention actually needed). Thoughts are welcome.



Comprehensive Medical / First Aid List

Personal Protection:
Rubber/Latex Gloves (Nitrile Gloves are better) 2+ Packages
CPR Shield/Mask 1
N95 HEPA Mask Several

Instruments/Tools:
Needle and sterile thread 3
Scissors - Medical/Surgical 1
Tweezers - Pointed end from REI 1
Thermometers

[Edgemont]

I forgot to mention that I am working on a book list as well. AND just so everyone doesn't just think that I am only a planner and not a doer (Not that I care:)... I am happy to announce that I already have a couple of basic med kits... AND I just recently made another large purchase of food!!! So exciting! (Is it weird that food storaget is what gets me excited?)

[goatlady]

Based on personal experiences through the years you will need LOTS more than 20 gauze pads. For a really bad bleeding gash those 20 would be gone in a few hours. All those injectable antibiotics will need to be kept refridgerated to stay potent. You will need LOTS of containers of sterile normal saline for irrigation of wounds. You might need more than 1 hemostat - one is usually used as a needle holder/driver so at least 1 more as a clamp of sorts. MOST importantly you need to know WHEN and How to use all that stuff - like never use lidocaine with epinephrine on fingers, toes, or nose. Suturing can cause more problems from infection than just leaving the wound open, keeping it clean via irrigation, and letting it heal from the inside out. Suture that wound closed with even a microscopic bit of dirt, etc. in the wound and that will set up a terrible infection. I don't see any splinting materials listed for bad sprains or broken bones? Air splints or wire mesh work well and also cast materials like plaster-impregnated gauze but you need LOTS of those rolls to do an adequate job. How about a neck collar/support? Do you have a handy way to sterilize those instruments. Got a scalpel handle for those blades?

[EX121]

Yep I agree with Goatlady, more gauze, and I like like triangular bandages for many things. What about quickclot or something like it? And again training and practice.

[1Admin]

We bought cases and cases of sterile 4x4's. Having took care of more than a few wounds of various types at home, I can tell you your going to go through a LOT of 4x4's cleaning and dressing wounds, etc. Ditto for tape. One of the guys I fight with got injured at work and he didn't want to report it. So I grabbed my small bag from the car. Thinking immediately as I got it out- "it's been too long to check this stuff..." Tape was gummed up from the heat. Replaced now.

Ditto on more hemos. We were taught at the SF medics that in a bad situation and you didn't have sterile gloves to sterilize the hemos and essentially use them as "hands."

PSD brought up gloves one time we were at a "staff meeting" :) and honestly, since I've only ever worked on friends and family members, I hadn't given the idea of a BULK quantity of gloves any serious thought. Bought some more after that. Was glad I had some in the bag in the car when I worked on my buddy's finger. It healed up well by the way, despite working at a dirty job.

Honestly I didn't read the whole list. The more you try to take care of at home (within reason obviously) the more things you'll start thinking about that you'll need.

[Edgemont]

Ok, ok... I kinda figured I had way underestimated on the gauze. I'll add a bunch more to the 4x4's and maybe another hemo. The training part is hard because both my wife and I get nausea at the sight of blood. I got nausea at a basic first aid class! But then again, I cut my leg to the bone once and was able to handle it really well. Even watched the nurse scrubbing my shin bone with a scrub brush! It was weird. Anyway, thanks for the ideas.
Question... Is it just me, or does this subject not quite get as much coverage as it should in prepper circles? I started to address this issue SPECIFICALLY because it's uncomfortable! I'd much rather talk about "Beans n Bullets"!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Question... Is it just me, or does this subject not quite get as much coverage as it should in prepper circles? I started to address this issue SPECIFICALLY because it's uncomfortable!

I think it gets covered but there are 2 things that hamper it. One is that everyones skills and needs in medical are in a wide range and there is no "one size fits all". The trauma wounds are easiest and the disease is the hardest because of the wide range and the fact that allergies come into it. All the antibiotics wont help if all 3 family members are allergic to a different one or one is allergic to latex etc .
and the second is that medical folks can actually get in trouble for showing/saying to much in some cases.
Blood and gore does make some folks uncomforatable, kudos to those like yourself who struggle to overcome it. I struggle when it's my kids but otherwise am detached but that is an issue I must overcome because in this it will be my children that are hurt

[1Admin]

Breathe.... I heard it helps :)

No seriously, "tactical breathing" does help in that sort of thing.

I'll never forget one of the medics giving a bunch of us IV training, this would have been around 1990. A bunch of us were actually sitting around a friend's dining room table taking turns sticking each other. One of the guys was needle and blood 'phobic. Now to talk to him, he was a hardcore killer, merciless, etc. We always joked that he better hope he could do that 400 yards away cause if he said blood it was all over with LMAO. Anyways, He was across the table from the guy currently getting stuck. The medic's brother had been their for the training but missed a couple little points like having all your stuff ready before you made the stick. So the medic's brother makes the stick, gets good flashback and just stands there like "now what?" His brother, the medic, P.O'ed cause he didn't listen, said "well hell if you had listened you would know." As we are all laughing at this, the guy across the table (Ming the Merciless) arms cross and he starts to put his head down on the table. Another medic is right behind him and we tell him "keep on eye on Merciless there, he's gonna pass out." "Nah, he's tough", the other medic said. He about cracked his head open when he fell out of the chair.

Later this same guy "Ming the Merciless" LOL, got a very minor cut doing some blade work. He looked at the wound, looked at one of the medics and simply said "I'm going into shock guys" and slouched down against a tree. We caught him before he busted his head open again....

You gotta know these things and recognize them. You gotta know and recognize them in your people as well.

Burst breathing may help also and/or a combination of rapid nose breathing.

[SCinPNW]

This is an area that both my skills and supplies are truly lacking. Matt, I think you are exactly right, with regards to "there is no one size that fits all". I look at my skills which are very very low, and I look at my family situation, and the medical needs of my family which are very high with severe food allergies, two family members who gets migraines, a medically fragile child who is on a feeding tube with special formula and medications, etc. I have been stocking basic medical items, and have lots of books, but really need to start taking some basic medical courses. I did take a "Tactical First Aid" course this past summer which was good, but that only covered major trauma to limbs; however, I really need to start looking for a basic medical class to start filling in the gaps.

Once again, another great thread.

SC

[claymore]

Wow, I thought that was a pretty comprehensive list Edgemont. What do use to store all that in ? I've got a small daypack with lots of pockets and it's crammed full. Guess I'll use a larger pack with multiple bags or something. How does everyone else store their first aid stuff ?

[Matt In Oklahoma]

How does everyone else store their first aid stuff ?

I have multiple levels in different bags and stuff on a shelf in the bathroom, cant possibly carry it all nor would I want to.
My GMHB has this http://www.jrhenterprises.com/produc...5&categoryId=2
My BOB has this http://www.jrhenterprises.com/produc...3&categoryId=2
My Shelf has this http://www.jrhenterprises.com/produc...4&categoryId=2 along with alot of other stuff
and my storm cellar, 2 man bass buggy boat, camper and tourist bag has this http://www.jrhenterprises.com/produc...5&categoryId=2

[Grand58742]

Like Matt, I have several different bags for several different situations. At work I carry a boo boo kit (which gets used far more frequently than the rest) with band aids, a couple of 2x2s, knuckle bandages, etc. Not really a lot of trauma control, but it's not intended for that. I have recently found out our work first aid kits suck so I'm going to put together an IFAK of sorts to carry with my duty gear.

I have another vehicle kit in an M3 bag that I've put together over the years. Goes from boo boo kit stuff all the way up to heavy bleeding, chest seals and tourniquets, etc. Not every possibility, but enough to provide care until professionals get there.

My IFAK I've put a lot of thought into redoing for a while. I have a mix of boo boo kit items and full on immediate trauma. But the problem is space. I'm probably going to drop the small items and go with the trauma for the moment. The other stuff isn't lifesaving critical and could be packed away in a BOB or GHB.

The household supplies are stored in plastic bins, but I do need a better way of organizing what I have. Got a whole box full of stuff, but with no organized principle. Something to put some thought into.

[goatlady]

Since I don't plan to bug out ever and I only go to town 15 miles down the road, it has been easy for me to organize my med. supplies by body system basically. I use the LARGE Rubbermaid tubs, well labeled, like Orthopedics which has the splints, casting materials, slings, braces; Pulmonary which has Resuscitation bags, trach tubes, masks, airways, etc,; Surgery which has the scalpels, sutures, hemostates, retractors, etc. One tube full of nothing but dressing materials like gauze rolls, Ace wraps, 4x4's, various tapes, etc. One tub full of long term care stuff like bed pads, Depends, heel protectors, bed pans, etc.; one smaller tub with all the IV set-ups sitting on top of several cases of various IV fluids one might need. Also have 2 large red tackle boxes full of the ordinary stuff for quick emergency help like tweezers, bandaids, slaves, stethascope, bp monitor cuff, thermometers, etc. Then I have separate tubs for all the Vet equipment for the goats, etc. BUT, I've been prepping for over 30 years and it has taken that long to accumulate my good supply of equipment PLUS get some training on how to use it properly. I'm a whiz at starting IV's and suck at suturing though! My friend is just the opposite so between us we can get a good job done when necessary. Just what works best for me, YMMV as each of us have different goals and outlooks.

[claymore]

Good thread Edgemont, sorry to butt in with the storage question. I've got to reorganize and BUY MORE stuff!

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Great thread. I like to see people thinking about Medical issues, as there are many more threads related to prepping, Gear, Ammo and such. I like the list, but make sure you know how to use each item you listed. I would agree with what others have said. I would also add that you need to learn how to improvise as well. You will go through bandaids, gauze (sterile and non-sterile) of various sizes, 2x2, 4x4 would be most common sizes, tape, Kerlix/Coban wrap, topical antibiotics, antihistamines, aspirin, Tylenol, Advil/Motrin and gloves. Things you will use the least but will need are things for major trauma, GSW, splints, braces, and crutches. My reasoning is that there will be many more minor problems than major problems. We always think big stuff, but diminish the day to day little things that will happen.

Thanks Edgemont for the list.