Max's Trauma Kit (56KDIE!)

[maxfarrand]

Hello All,
Up for review/criticism/suggestions is my M9 Trauma Kit. I keep this kit in whatever vehicle I'm in, with the point of focus being basic trauma such as a car accident. I'm looking to provide basic lifesaving.

So with further ado, heeeere we go:

The bag itself is an M9 Medic Bag, made by Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc. It is current issue to Navy Corpsmen in country.

The Pack itself:

Front:
Seen here is an adjustable C-Collar (I can't fit it in the bag!)


R Side:
Benchmade seat belt cutter. Also you can see how thin the bag is (approximately 5")


L Side:
Trauma Shears and two CAT Tourniquets.


Bottom Pouch:
Its basically an 'I need it NOW' kinda set up. Pictured, L to R, is two sets of gloves, NP Airway, basic OP airway, CPR mask, hand sanitizer, BP Cuff, eye wash, First Aid Reference, stethoscope, and 'trauma roll' of gauze, pressure dressing and Kerlix.


Main Compartment:
On top: two SAM splints, burn dressing, and two empty MRE bags. Not pictured is an occlusive dressing.



Main Compartment:


First Pouch:
L to R, Ibuprofen, Mucinex, Immodium, Benadryl, Electrolyte packs, Pepto-bismul, Neosporin, two rolls of tape, prep wipes, more Ibuprofen, Glucose tablets, and Tums


Second Pouch:
L to R, Tegaderm, two triangle bandages, butterfly strips, two 'Ace' wraps, 4x4 gauze


Third Pouch:
L to R, medical tape and two abdominal pads, big H&H cinch tight pressure dressing, 3x5 dressing, another large H&H cinch tight, two packs of Combat Gauze, and a small H&H pressure dressing.


Fourth Pouch:
L to R, two cold packs, Duct Tape, Burn Gel, Crick Kit, baby wipes


Internal Bottom Pouch:
L to R, Complete OP Airway kit, Emergency blanket, NP Airway, hand warmers, Decompression needle, Penlight, Triage tag, Sharpie, hand sanitizer, extra Nitrile gloves


The Whole Kit:


For Scale:
(Hey, we rent, ok? I know the wallpaper sucks but the landlords won't authorize me to paint it Coyote Tan with a MARPAT accent wall...psh....some people.)



I welcome your input!

[Sixty-Eight Whiskey]

You say you're "looking to provide basic lifesaving", yet you carry things like nasopharyngeal airway, decompression needles and a stiffneck.

First of all, I'd be interested in what kind of qualification you have, you don't mention it in your post.
I like this bag because it's mostly basic stuff, but then you carry some things I can't quite see the point of.

Why do you carry guedel and NP airways for example? The only time you really get to use it is in case of CPR anyway, the NP is contraindicated for any head trauma and the guedel doesn't do much good apart from taking up space for all the sizes you need. Simply tilting the head back to open the airway would bring the same result.
Then there's the stiffneck issue. First of all it's so big you can't even really put it in your bag anyway, then there's the problem that you can't put it on alone so you'd always need to find an assistant and third when are you going to use it. If the person is awake and responding it's probably better to just hold the head yourself if needed and an unconscious person needs to be brought in lateral recumbent position which you can't do with an immobilised head. And as far as I can tell you're lacking any kind of suction device to just leave the patient on the back. Also, this way of carrying it probably violates the instruction manual; you even took it out of its plastic bag.
The decompression needle... I won't go into detail here, I hope you are trained how to use it if you want to because if not I'd really advice you against even carrying that thing.
And as a last point, if this is a trauma bag may I suggest getting A LOT of extra gloves and possibly a few more emergency blankets.

It's a neat bag, I just would like to give you a few suggestions for keeping it basic. I'm sure there'll be other people disagreeing with me over one thing or another.

[maxfarrand]

You say you're "looking to provide basic lifesaving", yet you carry things like nasopharyngeal airway, decompression needles and a stiffneck.

First of all, I'd be interested in what kind of qualification you have, you don't mention it in your post.
I like this bag because it's mostly basic stuff, but then you carry some things I can't quite see the point of.

Why do you carry guedel and NP airways for example? The only time you really get to use it is in case of CPR anyway, the NP is contraindicated for any head trauma and the guedel doesn't do much good apart from taking up space for all the sizes you need. Simply tilting the head back to open the airway would bring the same result.
Then there's the stiffneck issue. First of all it's so big you can't even really put it in your bag anyway, then there's the problem that you can't put it on alone so you'd always need to find an assistant and third when are you going to use it. If the person is awake and responding it's probably better to just hold the head yourself if needed and an unconscious person needs to be brought in lateral recumbent position which you can't do with an immobilised head. And as far as I can tell you're lacking any kind of suction device to just leave the patient on the back. Also, this way of carrying it probably violates the instruction manual; you even took it out of its plastic bag.
The decompression needle... I won't go into detail here, I hope you are trained how to use it if you want to because if not I'd really advice you against even carrying that thing.
And as a last point, if this is a trauma bag may I suggest getting A LOT of extra gloves and possibly a few more emergency blankets.

It's a neat bag, I just would like to give you a few suggestions for keeping it basic. I'm sure there'll be other people disagreeing with me over one thing or another.

68W,
Thanks for the reply. I completely understand your concern over training and qualifications and that's legit. I assure you I have appropriate training all all my gear. I also understand that some stuff doesn't make much sense to you to carry. Without sounding too lame, I carry some of it....well, because I have it.

With the C Collar, it came with neither instructions or a plastic bag. It did come in a box, but I thought it be a tad silly to have a box on the outside .

Your are also right about your recomendations regarding extras. Suction has been on my "To Buy" list, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Extra blankets and gloves are also on there. This was really the first time I assembled most of my first aid stuff together in a bag.

I guess at the end of the day, it IS a trauma kit, but perhaps with a few extra things needed in case different things happen while people run screaming from the shambling hordes of the undead.

Hope this clarifies some stuff.

[PotatoMuncher]

It always amazes me how much stuff you can put in an M9 bag. I love mine to death, just wish it was a different color.

As for the C-Collar, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I kept mine out of the wrapper for a solid eight months before I had to actually use it. Worked fine for me at that point, and I took that sucker out on patrol damn near every day. We had a saying in the Army "If it's still in the wrapper, you're doing it wrong." OBVIOUSLY it doesn't apply to everything, but you get the idea.

My first suggestion: Ditch the medication pouch and place those items into a separate pouch (like this), place all the meds into zip-lock bags, label them and keep it close. Instead, use it for the great suggestion of more gloves and casualty blankets (These were by far the best I used).

Another suggestion: Organize that kit. Airway pouch, bleeding pouch, PPE pouch, etc. Lack of organization can cause a delay in patient care, and in medicine, time is everything.

[RustyMedic]

I find it interesting that you said you are keeping it basic yet you have a cricothyroidotomy kit in your pack. Have you ever performed a cricothyroidotomy in the field? If you haven't, might I suggest you get some training on doing one before you attempt one on a patient who if you are making incisions into their trachea obviously needs a surgical airway.

[Sixty-Eight Whiskey]

As for the C-Collar, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I kept mine out of the wrapper for a solid eight months before I had to actually use it. Worked fine for me at that point, and I took that sucker out on patrol damn near every day. We had a saying in the Army "If it's still in the wrapper, you're doing it wrong." OBVIOUSLY it doesn't apply to everything, but you get the idea.

Sure it will work if treated properly. It's just that it is not supposed to be removed from the wrapper up until usage. If you're a private person you can do what the hell you want anyway, on our ambulances if it's open I go get another one.

[PotatoMuncher]

As for the C-Collar, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I kept mine out of the wrapper for a solid eight months before I had to actually use it. Worked fine for me at that point, and I took that sucker out on patrol damn near every day. We had a saying in the Army "If it's still in the wrapper, you're doing it wrong." OBVIOUSLY it doesn't apply to everything, but you get the idea.

Sure it will work if treated properly. It's just that it is not supposed to be removed from the wrapper up until usage. If you're a private person you can do what the hell you want anyway, on our ambulances if it's open I go get another one.

To each their own. I can absolutely see where you're coming from, but I like to have supplies accessible to my own standard. As long as the equipment is not meant to be kept absolutely sterile, I tend to keep it out of the wrapper.

[maxfarrand]

I tend to agree with PotatoMuncher here. I don't keep my TQ's in their plastic either. But to both Muncher and 68W, different rules apply as everyone has recognized.

With regards to Muncher's advice, I agree completely and more gloves and blankets were on the list, just ain't got there yet! Yesterday, however, my friend gave me about 10 pair of nitrile gloves, so they went into the bag. I still have a 'gottagit' list, but I'm working on it. My organization for the kit was along the lines of "Bad, Worse, WORST!" I may have to revisit that and spend an evening playing around with it.

RustyMedic, in case you missed my response to 68W, I'm qual'd and have bureaucratic pats on the back. I'm good. I do appreciate the concern, and I do think that medically trained people should continue to police their own. Just don't come at me all sideways next time, k?

Good feedback, all around, though. Let's keep it going!

[maxfarrand]

I find it interesting that you said you are keeping it basic yet you have a cricothyroidotomy kit in your pack. Have you ever performed a cricothyroidotomy in the field? If you haven't, might I suggest you get some training on doing one before you attempt one on a patient who if you are making incisions into their trachea obviously needs a surgical airway.

Also, the FOCUS is just basic, that doesn't mean I can't throw in a lil' crazy sumpin' sumpin'.

[emtmark]

Your ambulance company must go through a crap ton of collars. If it isn't sterile to start with we almost always open it at quarters. One packaging is a pain to clean up when you would rather be boogying down the road to definitive care and two folks are pretty dam unsterile to begin with. Excepting iv/io sites and et's the focus is on transport. Somebody else later will scrape the gravel out I want to stop the bleeding and start the breathing. Our collars are either around the ER roll ( much like the OP post) as local protocol dictates a c collar with every tube, or stored flat in our collar bag. Back to topic, I'd like to see less ALS stuff in a car kit less opportunity to get yourself in hot water. Just cause you can doesn't always mean you should. My .02

[RustyMedic]

Your ambulance company must go through a crap ton of collars. If it isn't sterile to start with we almost always open it at quarters. One packaging is a pain to clean up when you would rather be boogying down the road to definitive care and two folks are pretty dam unsterile to begin with. Excepting iv/io sites and et's the focus is on transport. Somebody else later will scrape the gravel out I want to stop the bleeding and start the breathing. Our collars are either around the ER roll ( much like the OP post) as local protocol dictates a c collar with every tube, or stored flat in our collar bag. Back to topic, I'd like to see less ALS stuff in a car kit less opportunity to get yourself in hot water. Just cause you can doesn't always mean you should. My .02

Am I the only one who didn't understand half of this jibberish?

[PotatoMuncher]

Your ambulance company must go through a crap ton of collars. If it isn't sterile to start with we almost always open it at quarters. One packaging is a pain to clean up when you would rather be boogying down the road to definitive care and two folks are pretty dam unsterile to begin with. Excepting iv/io sites and et's the focus is on transport. Somebody else later will scrape the gravel out I want to stop the bleeding and start the breathing. Our collars are either around the ER roll ( much like the OP post) as local protocol dictates a c collar with every tube, or stored flat in our collar bag. Back to topic, I'd like to see less ALS stuff in a car kit less opportunity to get yourself in hot water. Just cause you can doesn't always mean you should. My .02

Am I the only one who didn't understand half of this jibberish?

lol No, came across pretty clear to me. Maybe that's because I had to deal with infantry and tankers for three years, now I can understand anyone.

[emtmark]

Might have to do with posting half asleep while working in a "system status" aka street corner posting system. I was trying to stay awake. Condensed version, folks who throw stuff away because the plastic wrapping got opened are wasting non sterile supplies. Cut the ALS stuff to save your self some grief. More BLS stuff if you feel the need to cram every square inch of your bag full.

[maxfarrand]

lol No, came across pretty clear to me. Maybe that's because I had to deal with infantry and tankers for three years, now I can understand anyone.

Ain't that the truth!

[RustyMedic]

I was in recce in the infantry before getting into paramedicine....I must be losing my touch

[IANMCDEVITT]

Max, not bad. You do not have to keep everything in packaging. EMT Mark and PotatoMuncher are correct. Send me a PM offline and I'll give you some advice about your gear.

[maxfarrand]

It always amazes me how much stuff you can put in an M9 bag. I love mine to death, just wish it was a different color.

PotatoMuncher....THERE IS NO OTHER COLOR BUT COYOTE! ('least not 'round these parts)

[PotatoMuncher]

It always amazes me how much stuff you can put in an M9 bag. I love mine to death, just wish it was a different color.

PotatoMuncher....THERE IS NO OTHER COLOR BUT COYOTE! ('least not 'round these parts)

Im slowly, but surely, converting from ACU (Damn Army has no fashion sense) to BDU and Coyote. Its looking wicked.

[maxfarrand]

Munch,
(Can I call you Munch? It makes me feel like I'm on SVU.)
True, the army has no fashion sense...but at least you're not rocking some crazy Navy digital stuff or <gasp> that weird tiger-stripe thing the Air Force has going on!

[Doctorr Fabulous]

It always amazes me how much stuff you can put in an M9 bag. I love mine to death, just wish it was a different color.

PotatoMuncher....THERE IS NO OTHER COLOR BUT COYOTE! ('least not 'round these parts)

Im slowly, but surely, converting from ACU (Damn Army has no fashion sense) to BDU and Coyote. Its looking wicked.

Remember, fixing ACU is as easy as a can of krylon.

[PotatoMuncher]

It always amazes me how much stuff you can put in an M9 bag. I love mine to death, just wish it was a different color.

PotatoMuncher....THERE IS NO OTHER COLOR BUT COYOTE! ('least not 'round these parts)

Im slowly, but surely, converting from ACU (Damn Army has no fashion sense) to BDU and Coyote. Its looking wicked.

Remember, fixing ACU is as easy as a can of krylon.

That's actually what I did to they front of my M9 aid bag. It did its job, but it looks absolutely horrible lol. I really wanna try giving it a green dye wash, but I'd rather just do my best to stick with BDU or coyote. I think my next big purchase will be a set of RAID BDUs.

On topic- Max (and yes, you can call me Munch), you might wanna look into a retention cord for your sheers and switch them from your bag to your belt loop or thigh rig or whatever you got.

[maxfarrand]

On topic, Munch, I tucked the waist band into the padded back. I keep this kit in my car so semblance of a slim profile is better for me since I have to take a metric ton of crap with me to work every day. I also don't have a proper holder for the shears, they are jammed in the molle and jimmy-rigged with some velcro.

Recently, Dynabreach and I switched bags so now I have a slightly larger MARPAT Corpsman bag, and he has the M9....pics soon.