Don't forget 4 to 6 triangular bandages to go with the gauze pads. Google "sealed trauma bandage". Carry one or two and double seal all your stuff in good quality freezer rated zip-locks.
That where I use the cravats.
Don't forget 4 to 6 triangular bandages to go with the gauze pads. Google "sealed trauma bandage". Carry one or two and double seal all your stuff in good quality freezer rated zip-locks.
I'll take my chances when appropriate, those injured in offroad accidents usually have more to worry about than a skin rash. I've seen enough trauma to not be overly worried about any possible resulting rash from cleaning the exterior parts of a wound with a Wash 'n Wipe.I carry a small bottle of saline along with another small bottle of eye flush. Wash n wipes have a chemical in them that causes a bad reaction for some people. As a last resort flush a wound with clean water and wipe off crap with a piece of the gauze.
I am not talking about a rash but what the hell do I know. Use plain water.I'll take my chances when appropriate, those injured in offroad accidents usually have more to worry about than a skin rash. I've seen enough trauma to not be overly worried about any possible resulting rash from cleaning the exterior parts of a wound with a Wash 'n Wipe.
Yup, should have one of those, and training to go with it.
Don't go nuts with the first aid kit. Really. Most of the medical problems you'll run into are minor, or beyond your skill set and above your paygrade. Take a good first aid class. Carry the basics like analgesics, bandaids, and such. I always build my own kits because the stuff in the cheapo premade ones are usually crap. And expensive for what you actually get. Build your own for your conditions. Get slivers? Get tweezers. Lots of poise oak in the area? Throw in some poison oak remedy. Gauze squares are useful. Butterfly bandages come in handy.
Yup. Started in Boy Scouts through the US Navy and now yearly through my employer. The training and focus has changed a lot over the decades. Remember iodine and snakebite kits? It pays to keep up to date.Also attend a first aid class--A first aid kit is only as good as your training---the knowledge you gain may save a life when on the trail and a long way from help
Being an EMT as well I can't emphasize enough merely knowing how to use what's in your kit. I have friends that have extensive kits in their car or house but they are just soccer moms and besides know what the band-aids are and how to use them, the rest of their kit is somewhat useless for them. You can always hope someone else near by has more extensive knowledge, but we are rarely that lucky in emergency situations. I took my EMT through NOLS and that trained me on both front country EMT practices and backcountry improvisation. Check out MyMedic.com if you're looking for a pre-made kit that is fairly well rounded. Pricey, but quality.
I've been first on scene a few times and had to bust out windows, cut seat belts, and pull people out of vehicles. So a seatbelt cutter and window punch are both things I typically have on me and have a spare in my med kit.
I don't worry all that much about clean and sterile (in the backcountry) because chances of dying from using using "unclean" items is much less likely than avoiding to treat an injury or wound infections, virus, and other sorts setting in isn't the highest priority. Some of those on here with medical experience might dispute that with me and that's fine.