Building a pack with space restrictions

[NeverReady]

Hi all, here is what I have so far. I do have some space restriction, but some of these items will be kept in a separate area because they will be labeled as toiletries rather than straight medical, but fall into the category of preventative health care.

Even though most people just ignore it when I say it. Eventually I will not add anything to my pack, I will only take stuff out because of size constants. But I am hoping people know how to re-size or repack things in a better manner than I can. I looking at have about 50cu in. left. So if you have a suggestion, please keep in mind my limitations.

Sanitizing solution
Vitamins
Two Types of water purification tablets

Alcohol 91%
Neosporin
Burn Jel Plus
Eye Drops
2x2in Guaze (12)
4x4in Guaze (10)
2.8x2.4 water proof Guaze (4)
Fabric Bandaids (20), best type of bandaid in my opinion.
White 3in duct tape (More the 30 feet, I stopped counting)
0.5 inch water proof tape (30feet)
3in, 1 yard Ace wraps (2)

I am thinking of adding.......
Ibuprofen
Excedrin for migraines
Some sort of throat numbing agent for coughing
Non prescription sleep pills.

I am wondering if I am not prepared at all for deep wounds such as a gunshot? I don't even know what are the best practices for a gun shot. And........Did I buy too much of anything? Anything there that you would cut down or take out?

Edit: Pics.........

[TacAir]

Good start, generally folks need to know a few things in order to make suggestions.

How many people, for how long.
Level of your training, level of training of others you might be supporting.

Size limitations (inches in height, width and 'thickness')

The alcohol might be better seen a prep pads, take less space and less likely to spill.

I'd suggestion more gauze, a couple of Apaptic pads, some moleskin, and some OTC meds in travel sized containers.

I'm sure others will chip in.

[NeverReady]

Good start, generally folks need to know a few things in order to make suggestions.

How many people, for how long.
Level of your training, level of training of others you might be supporting.

Size limitations (inches in height, width and 'thickness')

The alcohol might be better seen a prep pads, take less space and less likely to spill.

I'd suggestion more gauze, a couple of Apaptic pads, some moleskin, and some OTC meds in travel sized containers.

I'm sure others will chip in.

I have pretty low training. I try and read articles, but that is all. A few CPR classes.
180cu in.
What size Gauze and how many of them?
Are you saying to get alcohol wipes? I don't understand this comment.

[TacAir]

Good start, generally folks need to know a few things in order to make suggestions.

How many people, for how long.
Level of your training, level of training of others you might be supporting.

Size limitations (inches in height, width and 'thickness')

The alcohol might be better seen a prep pads, take less space and less likely to spill.

I'd suggestion more gauze, a couple of Apaptic pads, some moleskin, and some OTC meds in travel sized containers.

I'm sure others will chip in.

I have pretty low training. I try and read articles, but that is all. A few CPR classes.
180cu in.
What size Gauze and how many of them?
Are you saying to get alcohol wipes? I don't understand this comment.

Alcohol prep pads are small cotton pads thet are wet with alcohol - saves carring a bottle, if you need to have alcohol.

The American Red Cross suggests a basic fist aid kit have these items
2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
5 antiseptic wipe packets
2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
1 blanket (space blanket)
1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
1 instant cold compress
2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
Scissors
1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
2 triangular bandages
Tweezers
First aid instruction booklet

I also add some 5x9 'sponges' (thick gauze pads) in my kit as well.

Adapatic pads allow you cover small burns to keep them clean.

[KnightoftheRoc]

You've got a pretty good start there, and with only a basic level of training, about all you'd be able to properly use. I agree on the alcohol prep pads- these would allow you to drop the bottle of 91% alcohol, AND the sterilizing stuff, as the pads could do the job of both, with the added benefit of being spill proof, and lighter. They can also make a dandy fire starter.

I'd drop the 2x2 pads, and stick with 4x4's- the larger pads can be folded for smaller wounds, but the smaller pads can't be stretched out for bigger boo-boos. Also, in every kit I've ever had with two sizes of pads, I ALWAYS end up digging past the bigger ones to get the smaller ones, sometimes just pulling the big ones out, wasting time I need to stop bleeding with, and possibly screwing up the bigger pads.

If you want to prep for gunshot wounds, start off with training before you buy a single thing devoted to it. The only thing more dangerous than the bullet that just hit you is untrained assistance with the GSW. The bullet, at least, is no longer ACTIVELY trying to kill you. The same cannot always be said for the person "assisting", from the POV of the GSW victim.

After you get trained in dealing with them, there's a great thread sticky-ed here on ZS about where to buy FA supplies that can help you put together a kit. I would set up the traumatic injury kit separate from the general FAK, so you don't need to dig for emergency supplies.

[Jorian]

You'll be able to carry a lot more gauze in a given space if you go with something like PriMed or NAR S-rolled or NAR Compressed gauze.

Also, what KotR said. Celox-A is made for the job but training is recommended, and required in most areas.

[SNAFU84]

You can have all the latest and greatest toys in the world, but your most valuable tool in the chest is a proper level of training. If you're serious about wanting to prep for gunshot wound management or a heavy bleeder situation, I strongly urge/recommend you take a course on it. The most basic method is apply firm and direct pressure over the wound. If you have enough gauze with you, you can hold out until the EMT's arrive. Not tryin' to be a dick, just throwin' that out there.

I'd suggest some non-latex medical gloves. Some more gauze, i'd replace the 2"x2" gauze pads with more 4"x4", but I think thats already been mentioned so I won't kick a dead horse. Maybe some cough drops. If you want a really decent kit, you can't really have a space restriction. I first started out with a small kit...then it just kept growing. It grew to the point where I had to keep switching it into bigger pouches until eventually I needed a backpack to fit it all in, lol.

[NeverReady]

You can have all the latest and greatest toys in the world, but your most valuable tool in the chest is a proper level of training. If you're serious about wanting to prep for gunshot wound management or a heavy bleeder situation, I strongly urge/recommend you take a course on it. The most basic method is apply firm and direct pressure over the wound. If you have enough gauze with you, you can hold out until the EMT's arrive. Not tryin' to be a dick, just throwin' that out there.

Actually if they had training for those things from our community college I would take it. I looked around for medical training and the only course I could qualify for was a basic certification course in CPR, drawing blood, and a few other things. But I have already been certified in CPR twice. And my kit just isn't set up for drawing blood.

[SNAFU84]

Really? That sucks. I'm in the military so part of my FA is basic GSW treatment and what not. I've never looked into getting certified on the civilian side because the training is mandatory for me and is provided free of charge. Forgive the quesstion, but what do you mean by "qualified"? I didn't know you had to be qualified to get training on how to effectively save someones life. Not a shot at you, but to me that sounds like a ridiculous reason for someone to not let you take part in a course for First Aid. Or do you mean those are the only courses offered to you for free/low charge from your school? Again, everything i've done first aid wise has been provided for me from St. Johns Ambulance through the military so the procedures and steps on taking a first aid course civie side is new to me.

Just curious, whats the size of the pack you use to store your first aid stuff? You have any pictures? Maybe I can help.

[NeverReady]

Forgive the quesstion, but what do you mean by "qualified"?

Lol, it's a college, you have to have per-requisite classes to take the ones that go into true emergency situations. But I didn't look into thoroughly. There might very well be classes that discuss such things that I could take, but the people in administration seem to believe there wasn't any classes that I could take without first taking the corresponding Science, English, and Math classes. I was only able to find the one Nurses assistant class through online search of their website.

[SNAFU84]

Ohhhh ok. That makes much more sense now, lol. My mind was pudding for a second, lol. "You have to be qualified...to be qualified for this qualifying course." Haha.