| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| katiedid |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 04:34:05 AM
I was just wondering what everyone took along in their backcountry first aid kit?
I am thinking of expanding mine, and would like to buy a suture kit...to put in stitches. My husband is a knife maker, he is always cutting himself. Right now a trip to the urgent care for stitches costs us $100, but soon he will be self employed with no insurance, but I am pretty sure I can sew as straight as the Doc-in-the-Box!
Anyone know where I can get one?
I was wondering if IFA or another feed and seed has one, or any horse supply?
What else do you keep in your first aid kit?
Love
Kate |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| cmandle |
Posted - Jul 20 2006 : 10:51:26 AM
Wow! Thanks for all of the links to first aid books, Buttercup! Everyone, great ideas. I'm going to get right on this one! Hopefully, we'll take baby camping yet this summer!
Catherine |
| Libbie |
Posted - Jul 19 2006 : 9:38:37 PM
I really like the Adventure Medical first-aid kits - I have a "day hike" one and a "comprehensive" one - I took a wilderness first responder course too many years ago to be still qualified, probably, but those were the ones our instructor recommended.
Getting the suture kit sounds like a really good idea - I remember once when I was younger I cut the back of my hand pretty badly on barbed wire, and my grandfather sewed it up with a needle and thread. It was a mighty sharp needle, but I have a strange suspicion that it wasn't any sort of surgical anything - thread or needle. This I am certainly NOT recommending, but I do have to say that I have the nicest, straightest thinnest scar on my hand! It's much better looking than the few others that have been "professionally" done!!!
I just love all of the ideas and suggestions - I really need to revisit my kits, too!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 6:08:39 PM
One thing I did not mention is if you have anyone with diabetes you should always have some hard candies in there too! Also what Di mentioned about a triangler bandage is a great help! I have never used the sanitary napkins but being that they are individually wrapped, I would think they would be a wonderful addition!! As for a book, mine are all in the States and my cards I got YEARS ago from a camping supply store. They are great because they are laminated so they do not get wet or dirty! LL Bean might have some...let me see... No they do not but here are some things I found...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C8CWU6/qid=1153269927/sr=8-16/ref=sr_1_16/002-5295205-4077656?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=3375251
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47833094&parent_category_rn=10574127&vcat=REI_SSHP_BOOKS_MAPS_TOC
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=11838363&parent_category_rn=10574127&vcat=REI_SSHP_BOOKS_MAPS_TOC
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47588325&parent_category_rn=10574127&vcat=REI_SSHP_BOOKS_MAPS_TOC
I think the Red Cross First aid book would be a must to have BUT when you are out and about you really want something laminated! If it is not a thick book I would take it apart and go have it laminated and put on some small O rings if you can not find a good one that is already laminated!
And I forgot to mention one other thing I ALWAYS have in my kit...a few zip lock bags. These are great for many things and I always have a few tucked in my kit!
Also, in my car I have a blanket and a few bottles of unopened water always (not to mention what I have for my car).
Hope this helps Kate!!! 
Hugz!!
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 4:44:42 PM
One of the best things for a compress bandage for heavy bleeding is maxi-pads. Nowadays they even come individually wrapped. Also, saline eyewash and sanitizing wipes, triangular bandage for a sling (from paramedic daughter).
I've used butterfly bandaids for stitches more than once (I HATE hospitals!)...except when I fall into the river when the bank gives way...lol.
Don't forget waterproof matches for hiking/camping and also those reflective blankets. Even a couple granola bars are a good idea and extra prescription meds if you need them.
Ok, now she's talking my ear off. There's some ideas anyway.
Di
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| katiedid |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 3:59:16 PM
Catherin with a C
I just have one of the American Red Cross first aid books, it is pretty straight forward, we have a book of my husbands, it is from the Boy Scouts of America, it has alot of really good, simple pictures and illustrations...I will ask him where someone could buy it.
Katherine with a K |
| cmandle |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 12:48:55 PM
Oh my gosh, you guys are brilliant. I'm totally going to re-visit our hiking "first aid kit" (Tylenol and Band-Aids!) now. Having a kid changes everything, doesn't it? I don't know where I'd turn first if a little one got hurt in my house right now.
Can anyone recommend a good, short book on general first aid with diagrams? Both my husband and I have had courses, but it's always so helpful to have pictures and reminders to turn to in a jam.
Thanks!
Catherine |
| sleepless reader |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 12:23:27 PM
http://beprepared.com/category.asp_Q_c_E_183 Emergency essentials has a surgical kit for about $40. I've seen them on other "preparedness" sites too.
Hoping you never need it,
Sharon
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
| katiedid |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 11:17:57 AM
Buttercup,
Thanks!! This just what I need!! I want a well stocked kit that I can use at home and take with me for hiking, camping etc...as well has have handy if we have any sort of emergency evacuation etc....
You rock
Kate |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 09:01:56 AM
Probably the only two things I keep out of the norm in mine is Crest Original paste toothpaste for burns (if you put it on immediately it will heal without scaring) and powdered activated charcoal for poultices and to mix with water or juice for help with all kinds of things from flu and upset stomachs to sore throats etc.
Otherwise, first aid cards that are laminated, snake bite kit, wistle, compass, bandaids, butterfly strips, eye patches, gauze, medical tape, pocket knife, disinfectant, ace bandage, twine, cigerette lighters, small scissors, tweezers, pen, sergical gloves, thermometer, lubercation jelly, hand sanitizer, instant cold pack, ice bag, benedryl, motrin, first aid cream, and anti itch cream, and insect bite wand, small reflective blanket, and collapsible cup.
But please remember that I take mine when we go for hikes and stuff as well as have it at home so I am pretty stocked! 
Til Next Time...
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| Destiny~ |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 05:39:22 AM
My #1 item, no matter where I go be it camping or staying in a hotel, is Tea Tree Oil. I love the way it disinfects and heals cuts faster. Plus it immediately stops the pain for cuts, burns and bug bites. It's small and easy to carry.
"Let us, together, sow seeds for a better harvest-a harvest for hope."
Jane Goodall, Harvest for Hope |
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