My Family of first aid kits...

by **cap6888** » Wed Mar 07, 2012 3:20 pm

I have now uploaded pics of all my stuff. Many thanks to Moab for some instruction on this. Hopefully you all can give me some comments of what you think.

My EDC FAK and Janus FAK have the same contents, it just depends on which EDC bag I have that day. My Travel FAK is a bit bigger and meant for family trips/vacations when I may need more supplies (over a longer period of time). My Trauma bag/Large FAK is my newest endeavor. This bag would go out in a bug out situation, or be used if need be in a bug in scenario. As with most of you, I will be opting for bugging in since I have kids, and will only bug out in a necessity. Anyhow, from my experiences (firefighter/paramedic for 20+ years and a Combat Lifesaver when I was in Iraq), I feel what I have will handle *most* injuries. I intend on adding some chest seals, some CATs, and I am contemplating a hemostatic agent. When I was in Iraq (2003) Quikclot was brand new, and I wasn't too keen on using it. Not sure how much the formulary has changed, but I have been looking at the Celox, and am leaning towards that. Any suggestions? I would love to get your input of my set up. Here are links to the videos......Hope you enjoy!

EDC FAK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F80udzC3bA

Janus FAK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGSlQbyQI3M

Travel FAK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69NofzgWINM

Trauma Bag http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdi7FD5yUNo

My EDC FAK

Clockwise from top: (2) 10 packs of 4x4 gauze pads vacuumed sealed, (1) 5x9 ABD pad vacuumed sealed, (1) pack of Steri Strips, (2) 2x3 Large Band Aid, (4) Tegaderms, Ziplock Baggie w/ Various meds, Bendaryl Anti Itch spray, 10cc Saline Flush, (10) Bandaids, Splinter tweezers, Neosporin, Sterile Saline wipes.

Janus FAK

Clockwise from top: (1) 5x9 ABD pad vacuumed sealed, (1) pack of Steri Strips, (4) Tegaderms, (2) 2x3 Large Band Aid, Ziplock Baggie w/ Various meds,10cc Saline Flush, Bendaryl Anti Itch spray, Insect Spray, Lip Balm, Neosporin, Alcohol wipes, (10) Bandaids, Splinter tweezers, Neosporin, Sterile Saline wipes, 1 set of Nitrile gloves.

Travel FAK

Clockwise from top: Medical tape, small bittle of sterile water, Ace bandage, Tegaderms, Steri Strips, Triple Antibiotic spray, hand sanitizer spray, Benadryl Spray, Neosporin, Lip Balm, Safety Pins, Nail Clippers, Splinter Tweezers, Triangular bandages, Nitrile gloves, Titanium scissors, Benzocaine Sting relief swabs, 5x9 ABD pad vacuumed sealed, 10cc Saline Flushes.

Clockwise from top: (2) 10 packs of 4x4 gauze pads vacuumed sealed, Sterile saline wipes, alcohol pads, Spare batteries for flashlight on outside of FAK, nitrile gloves, lighter, bandaids, 4x4 gauze pads, moleskin, Ziplock Baggie w/ Various meds, Extra Large tegaderm, 2x3 bandaids, (2) 4 inxh kling vacuumed sealed, 2x2 gauze pads, and Childrens Benadryl single serving doses.

Sorry about the sizing and rotation of some of the pics of my Large FAK. I was not able to figure out the right sizing and way to get them rotated so they would fit on the forum. I gave up out of frustration after a while.

The outer pocket is for smaller injuries that would be used more frequently.

The tan mesh "bag" is a piece that I cut out of a 5.11 Tool bag. It holds 10cc saline flushes, tampons, bandaids, tape, splinter tweezers, nail clippers, safety pins, nesporin, and lip balm. The following items are tucked into the various pockets of the outer pouch: Bandage scissors, bite sticks, Glucose paste, alcohol and betadine swabs, toungue depressors, pen, mylar blanket, notepad, thermometer, and long Q tips.

The next outer pocket is my "trauma" pocket. This houses all the big dressings.

Ziplock bag with various NPA's and lube, pocket mask, burn dressings, Z pack gauze dressings, nitrile gloves, shears, old style combat dressings, 4 inch and 6 inch Israeli dressings, (2) Vacuum sealed 10x30 trauma pads. It is amazing how much these pack down when the are vacuum sealed.

This is the meat and potatoes of the FAK. I am sure there are some things I am missing from here, and there is still room for me to fit things in without it being stuffed to the brim......

Box of Nitrile gloves, 2 flat pack Sam splints, and one rolled Sam splint, 2 large and 2 small Coban dressings, Bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide, Betadine, and Caladryl, Topical Burn Gel, cotton pads, 3 bottles of sterile water, bulb syringe, ace bandage, Sam finger splints, tegaderms, sterile gloves, kling, triangular dressings, 4x4 gauze pads, (2) sponge packs (each contain 10 4x4 gauze pads), glucometer, cold compresses, and the yellow pouch contains a ziplock back with various meds.

by **cap6888** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:39 am

So I am guessing that since I haven't gotten any replies, pictures would be better? I guess I will try and get some pics together and posted. I would love input from others. The constructive criticism, ideas, and suggestions are always a big help.

by **TacAir** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 1:39 pm

cap6888 wrote:So I am guessing that since I haven't gotten any replies, pictures would be better? I guess I will try and get some pics together and posted. I would love input from others. The constructive criticism, ideas, and suggestions are always a big help.

Just a thought, since you are a : firefighter/paramedic for 20+ years and a Combat Lifesaver when I was in Iraq -- I suspect a lot of folks doubt they could even offer advice.

(Shrug) I know that beats my time in the military as a medical type and as an EMT.

OTOH, pics would be nice, folks here just may benefit from seeing how you've set up your bags etc.

Thanks for the post.

by **cap6888** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:02 am

TacAir wrote:Just a thought, since you are a : firefighter/paramedic for 20+ years and a Combat Lifesaver when I was in Iraq -- I suspect a lot of folks doubt they could even offer advice.

(Shrug) I know that beats my time in the military as a medical type and as an EMT.

OTOH, pics would be nice, folks here just may benefit from seeing how you've set up your bags etc.

Thanks for the post.

I get what you are saying, but just because I have some experience does not mean I know everything. I tell my rookies all the time, you can learn something new everyday. I served in Iraq in 2003 at the start of the war. There have been HUGE advances in combat medicine since then. The only info I know about those advances is what I read on the Internet (especially forums like these). Also, being in the fire service, the West Coast is much more progressive in their thinking, especially in EMS. People who don't have as much medical experience than me may have better ideas on how I carry stuff. It's easy to carry huge bags/boxes on a fire truck when we only have to walk 20 feet or so with them. Even easier when you are in the back of a medic unit and you just have to reach onto a shelf or drawer to get what you need. I will try and get some pics together and post them. At least there would be some instant gratification when people read this thread.

by **cap6888** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 1:43 pm

UPDATE OP WITH PICS OF ALL MY FAKS....

by **alysonshaw** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:46 pm

It's a must to be prepared. I will take a pic of our kit too.

by **IANMCDEVITT** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:24 am

Hey, how is the West Coast "much more progressive in their thinking, especially in EMS" ?...........I'm willing to learn. Explain it to me.

by **cap6888** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:00 am

Many interventions, equipment, techniques, etc. are used out there much sooner than on the east coast. Also a lot of western states have a much larger scope of practice. I guess I should add the caveat that my experience is primarily limited to the greater Baltimore/Washington area. That being said, Virginia has more/does more than we do in Maryland. DC is surprisingly VERY limited.

by **benja455** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:03 am

Tag for reference.

by **IANMCDEVITT** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:41 pm

Does the DC area constitute the entire East Coast????............Hey capp, do you really wanna get into this, especially with me, here on your thead about your FA kits? I'm guessing not.......soo, we'll stick to your kits.

by **cap6888** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:24 pm

Whoa!!! I didn't realize my statement was so offensive! I didn't think the comment was really that over the top, I guess my generalization of "the east coast" struck a nerve. I didn't mean it to offend. In reading, seminars, and google fu, it always seems that areas out west have a much broader scope of practice and more "tools" in their kit.

Ian- I see from your profile that you are obviously well trained in EMS, more so than me. I didnt know I was starting a turf war with my comment, that wasn't my intent. Truth be told, I would welcome the criticisms. I am by no means an expert and am always willing to learn. I am sure there are things I can improve upon.

by **IANMCDEVITT** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:33 pm

I'm just busting your ass dude, just kidding.............I personally can't stand anyone having control over me, especially MEDICAL control....... :lol:

by **cap6888** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:53 pm

You got me......where in CT do you work? I grew up in Fairfield/Bridgeport. One of my old friends works for Fairfield Fire Dept. We are lucky to have a great medical director. Unfortunately our hands get tied because of the way our jurisdictions are run, and they are trying to produce a quantity of medics, not necessarily quality ones.

by **IANMCDEVITT** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:42 pm

I started the Paramedic Intercept Program at Windham Hospital in Willimantic, CT. back in '95. I did Intercepts out of Rockville Hospital back in the early '90's also. Then Day Kimbal out of Putnam CT.........I worked in Bridgeport, New Haven, Waterbury, all the highest quality cities doing Intercept's lately but couldn't last. I can't handle coordinators anymore and doctors that run tests to up the costs to insurance companies. Makes me wanna vomit.........EMS had changed for the worse............ Now I work for several diffrent security companies teaching and doing hands-on overseas. In one week, Africa to teach for awhile. I love Africa and I love the people. They are very good students................and they are all armed with RPG's and AK's........ They have a longer attention span and really good questions. They are also very positive. They know and have too much respect about the importance of the class to be F-ing with their cell phones during class.