Organizing our supplies better.

[DIM TIM]

For some time now, I've been adding to our medical supplies with a fury. Trouble came when I noticed that there was stuff EVERYWHERE.

I fixed part of the problem last night by going to WALLY WORLD and getting a few items to help better organize our stuff. Some time back I read a post at a favorite survival, blog site about the need to organize medical supplies, for faster identification and retreavel in an emergency. It used large, color coded, soft pencil cases with a clear plastic window. About a month or two ago I started looking for some, and of course I couldn't find any with the clear plastic, but I did find some that were in various colored cordura nylon, and so I started there.
Last night while doing some simple shopping for some hardware items, I remembered the need for some sort of case to organize it all, plus all the other items I wanted to add as well.

I found what I was looking for in the form of a red, 28-inch expandable duffel bag, and a couple of mesh lingerie bags for laundry use. :cool:

The duffel bag is prettty large, but with what I have now and what I plan to add, it will take something about that size to hold what I want to put in it. The lingerie bags will be used to contain bulky items, and since it has no inside compartments or pockets, I figure that these will work for that particular need with the help of a couple properly placed safety pins.
And since I worry about bottles (even though they're plastic), tubes, and jars of liquids, ointments, and creams getting crushed and spilling and oozing all over inside, I'll be looking for a few hard cases with tight latching lids to contain those particular items.

When it's all done, the duffel will be ready to go at a moments notice, and because it's red in color (rather appropriate I thought), it will be easily found if we need to grab it and go in a bug-out situation.
It makes me feel a bit more confident now that I'm organizing our medical supplies, and I've already started looking ahead to how to better organize some of our other supplies. :D

[justanothergunnut]

I'm stuck on the Home Depot black tote wih yellow lid. They are stackable and very durable you can even zip tie I shut for a little added security.

[Rmplstlskn]

Another hint for FAST access to what you want (for most medical needs will be under stress and needed fast), for those who cannot remember what bag holds what and where...

Create a spreadsheet and enter everything you have medically into it. Have a column for quantity, location, description, details, where you bought it, how much, etc... Be sure to use common terms in your descriptions so that it is easy to look up. For example:

BANDAGE, 2x4, non-adherent
BANDAGE, 4x4, non-adherent
BANDAGE, 4x4, gauze
DRESSING, 4x36, cotton camo
DRESSING, 4x36, cotton white
SYRINGE, 22g, 3cc, luer-lock
SUTURE, Size 0, absorbable
SUTURE, Size 5, silk
WRAP, 2", roll, camo
WRAP, 4", roll, camo

Look at how the military describes their medical gear and learn from it. They did it that way for a purpose and it works. Start with the basic description, then get more detailed afterwards, using commas, etc... This way when you sort it, you will find all the items together and then you can see WHERE it is by location.

For location, use some form of marking (I use a black sharpie) and mark you various bags and pouches with either numbers of letters. I use a combination of both, as I have multiple kits in multiple places. Then when it is all entered and accurate, sort ALPHABETICALLY for fast access. Then print it double-sided and laminate it in plastic. Keep these ON TOP so it is the first thing you reference when you open a kit.

I do this for more than medical gear too... Food, gear, BOB's, GHB's, etc...

Just something I have learned and adopted after many early years of frustration not remembering where something is when I needed it... I am sure most Preppers can relate... LOL!

Rmpl

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Organizing medical supplies can be difficult. Do you organize all the bandages together, all airway supplies together, all fracture supplies together, etc.? What if it's an airway problem and you need some bandages? I try and organize based on problem. What will I need for an airway emergency? OPAs, NPAs, suction, bandages, Cric supplies, etc. Bleeding emergency will need all types of bandages and wraps. You need to start an IV, well you will need the necessary supplies for that but you may need some extra bandages. I don't think there is a wrong way to organize, just be consistent and let other team members know how it's done.

I have smaller, grab and go boxes. Here are some pics of my IV box and some bandage boxes. I would then restock from bulk storage from larger totes that are at the homestead. If you are storing all the supplies in big boxes, which do you grab when someone is "down" outside fifty yards from the house?




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[Rmplstlskn]

Wow, it looks like DeWalt built those just for medical supplies the way everything fits in their nice and neat... I like it! But all that plastic might add too much weight compared with nylon bags, but the clear lids may overcome that downside... Very nice!

I too try to store "scenarios" together the best I can... Or maybe, LEVELS of care is more like it...

I have Medic Bags for vehicles and RV, smaller bags for BOB/GHB, the big SF Medic Bag for SHTF, and various bins for overflow...

Some pics from a few years ago... Always adding to it. Built up my IV stuff since the pics... Admin should recognize some stuff, came from JRH when in Florida... LOL!

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Nice!
Like I said, organizing can be done many ways. Find one you like and let the other team members know how it's done.


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[justanothergunnut]

I like to keep bulk supplies organized in large plastic stack-able bins with the more commonly used or emergency use items in a Voodoo medical backpack as well as smaller rip away EMT pouches for IFAK and first aid kits.

[610Alpha]

I like to keep bulk supplies organized in large plastic stack-able bins with the more commonly used or emergency use items in a Voodoo medical backpack as well as smaller rip away EMT pouches for IFAK and first aid kits.

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I noticed you had Epi-Pens in your pack....how long do you keep them past expiration date on package? My son has need of these and we have some on hand but wanted to know what your thoughts were on how long you keep them after expiration date.

[justanothergunnut]

The auto injectors have a window to check the eppi. If it is still clear and not cloudy I keep it. once it is cloudy I auto inject into the ground then dispose of it. I have a few in my backup supply that are two years expired and still look good. I store them at a constant Cool temp.

[610Alpha]

The auto injectors have a window to check the eppi. If it is still clear and not cloudy I keep it. once it is cloudy I auto inject into the ground then dispose of it. I have a few in my backup supply that are two years expired and still look good. I store them at a constant Cool temp.

Thanks!! If you ever see one that is cloudy take a pic of it and post...I will do the same.

[justanothergunnut]

Thanks!! If you ever see one that is cloudy take a pic of it and post...I will do the same.

lol I just axed one about a month ago... and resupplied

[PerryJeff]

Wow Those sure look nice and I like the labeling each pouch tip...
Thanks on the Epi pen info also, I have a coupe 2 year old ones also...