So, I’m building out a home/farm emergency med kit/sack/box and thought it would be a good thing to draw on the wisdom of the emergency management/services crowd.
What are your absolute must-have real-world-practical essential individual items for such a kit? What has worked really well? What’s waste of space? What did you once use in a fix that turned out to be an unexpected bonus? Any really cool tools that you’d recommend everyone should have in a designated drawer?
I’ll update the replies here:
From Derek – “I would recommend, beyond what your provincial regs state you must have: pocket mask of some sort, safety glasses, protective Nitrile gloves with Ziploc bag, and a space blanket.”
From Greg – “I am in the ski patrol and teach among other things back-country skiing/camping. I have seen all the input and there are a few things I would add (which I don’t think I saw):
Many outdoor stores and even pharmacies now sell these cute little tweezer/magnifying glass combinations – sure comes in handy for grabbing splinters with old (bad) eyes.
Little baby suction bulb – when you need suction for fluids or blood there is no substitute for a device which can do it – this is small/portable yet does the job.
penlight/headlamp – always good to be able to work hands-free
moleskin – for blisters if folks are walking/hiking (can make due with duct tape if you need to
SAM Splint”
From Shannan – “My personal rule is nothing bigger than a snickers bar or it has to have more than 5 uses.
One of the essentials I have is a product called “vet wrap” which is a self adhesive tensor bandage product used to bandage animals. It clings well, holds its shape, holds pressure (doesnt get loose or tight over time) and is somewhat water proof. I believe it is a 3M product. I have used it for bandages, as a tensor on sprains/strains, and to secure a splint on suspected fracture. Its very light weight and compact.
Duct tape works really well in place of steri-strips if you need to.
It also does well to put pressure on a bandage made of 4×4 gauze – it sticks very well to skin and is waterproof. Duct tape also does great things for warts (smothers them if you put a piece over for a week) and to protect your ankles against painful
I keep about 100 meters of parachute cord in my kit as well. I started when I created a wilderness kit – 100M is enough to secure a tarp on an injured person to sled them out. it works great to secure splints.
Tea bags help draw infection out of an open wound (place a warm and wet teabag – i usually make a cup of tea first) and wrap with celophane (to keep wet in) after a few hours the bag will change color (as it draws the infection out to the surface) – wash the wound with soap and water and repeat daily as necessary.
Honey packets and jam packets (I usually steal a couple extra from a breakfast place once or twice a year) are very useful in my kit as one of my nephews has diabetes. I used to carry icing tubes (which is basically the same stuff we carried on the ambulance) but it tasted like crap – the jam/honey goes down nicely and is packed with sugar.”
From Kathleen – “My first aid is also combined with survival, so I always ensure that I have at least 2 ratchet straps, bungee cords of various length and a tarp. I also find it useful to have a good knife. I own a Leatherman multi-tool, but have never found it particularly useful when working with cold hands in extreme weather. A basic knife fits the bill in most conditions – it cuts, pries, can be used to dig and sometimes doubles as a screwdriver.”
From John – “Having been a Fire Chief and EMT I can relate to you the items that have served me best from where I have stood. A Gerber Responder knife is my favorite tool because it comes with a case/sheath that also holds the included accessories such as screwdriver tips that attach to the knife making it a multi-purpose tool. I used to carry 1 of those multipurpose tools that were similar to pliers but found they were not as useful as made out and take up wasted space. This knife is not cheap; around $80 at Firestore.com to over $130 at other fire service suppliers. Gerber also makes a black version for tactical (SWAT) teams, but I preferred the fire service red because it is easier to spot if you put it down or drop it while using it. I have had people tell me that they have found this knife on the Internet for less than the Firestore but you have to be careful that you don’t end up buying the version without the accessories and sheath. The other items I feel that are essential are a COUPLE of rolls of 2″ medical tape, 4×4 gauze pads, a gauze sling (can be used to tie stuff together or cut up to make more bandages) and 15′-25′ of webbing. Webbing can be used to tie stuff together, to retrieve items out of reach, to hold doors open, you can make a rescue “drag” device out of it, oh heck, google webbing and you’ll probably find at least a hundred uses for webbing between the military, fire service, rescue teams, etc. The only other item I would suggest is a pair of Channelock brand model 88 pliers, they have multiple uses that they are designed for and heavy enough to use in a pinch (experience talking here) as a hammer. While this is not an all inclusive list as to what I carry in my kit since leaving the Fire Service, it does represent what I have started around when I assembled kits for my wife and 2 kids for their cars. I also took the time to show them some of the uses for each item in their kits.”
from Bruce – “Farm setting mean sometimes dealing with major emergencies without professional assistance. My equivalent is a scuba diving trip, where professional help is minutes to hours away. Here are some ideas I have seen in homemade emergency kits, except the last two…..which I think would be very helpful when dealing
with a major emergency in an austere location.
Exam gloves
Eye protection
Paper towels
One way CPR mask
Knife/ scalpel
Tourniquet
Hydrogen peroxide
Magnifying glass
Sterile/filtered water
Can be used for cleaning or fluid replacement
Two 1 oz (airplane size) alcohol (to relax the victim)
One vial temazepam (to relax the responder)”
From April – “I think you have to consider some differing circumstances, and not assume this would be a one-victim, one responder (pro or not). Probably also best to assume prolonged waits for further assistance, and the reality that whoever is locally responding may not be able to be at the side of any victim(s) each minute of the entire duration.
I’m assuming you are already contemplating a lot of the usual array of
compresses, gauze rolls, and bandages, and probably fluids such as saline, sterile eye wash etc. It might be useful to consider throwing in some pouches of Coast Guard Approved drinking water. While not officially sterile, they still can be used for wound cleansing in a pinch, have a 5-year life even in the heat of a vehicle, and are far less likely to fail and leak like many of the other bottled fluids. If stashing some CGA pouches, I’d probably throw in a collapsible cup and some pre-measured powdered electolyte mix of some kind as well.
Some items that come quickly to mind that I don’t believe I’ve seen yet in the chain of emails and that may not have come to the mind of some of the list readers are:
Space blankets
SAM splint
Sea bands
Sandbag tarp
Duct tape
Magnifier/tweezer combo
Headlamp
Whistles (especially ones that require less air power from the victim)
Extra freezer-weight zip bags, various sizes
Extra-large, extra thick trash bags (I generally buy 1.2 mil 45 gallon at Costco)
“WAG” bags (Clean Waste)
EMT shears
Ring cutter”
From Joshua – “Hal, pick up some quick clot, an Israeli bandage and a tourniquet. These three things have individual uses but in the worst case farm accident, together they can literally be a life saver. Quick clot is available from medical supply houses but can also be purchased at outdoor gear suppliers like Eastern Mountain Sports or REI. I keep these three things bundled together in each vehicle and every medical pack I own personally and use professionally.
On a side note, quick clot served me well while I was out making maple syrup this past spring here in Maine. Chopping some kindling with a brand new ( and did i say SHARP?) hatchet, I had an unfortunate ricochet and the blade punctured my boots. Hit a pretty major artery in the top of my foot/ lower ankle and bled like a stuck pig. Quick clot served me well, and was back sugarin’ the next weekend after 12 stitches an updated tetanus and a round of antibiotics.”
From Jeff – “Hi, did not see kling, triangulars, space blanket, compact size water purifiers. (camp supply store)”
From Brendan – “Duct tape”
From Rene – “Sharp scissors and seat belt cutters to gain access to wound site. Flashlight, bright, things always happen at nite Blankets, warmth and splinting so 6 or so Triangulars Cold Packs Band Aids, soap, water, gauze, crepe usual Gloves (Large) so they fit anyone Stethescope I would say this is what has taken care of my family and pets 95% of the time All my other paramedic equipt, I rarely use, so it’s up to you to outfit for the outside of the norm events It’s a good project and a great question, so let us all know what comes back at you.”
From Jerry – “Celox or one of the other hemostatic agents in granular and bandage form is a must have.”
From Lou – “Given this is for a farm and the distance to definitive care may be an issue I would include a good tourniquet (I prefer the CAT) and perhaps a Quick-Clot type dressing.”
From James – “I spent several years taking groups over to Russia on mission trips – mostly high school/college kids and young ‘professionals’. I carried two kits – a small one for my carry on pack and a larger one that went in checked bags. Anyway here is my list:
First Aid Kit – small for pack
Advil
Airborne
Aleve
Anebsol
Bactine
Band-aids plus fingers & knuckles
Bayer Aspirin
Benadryl Allergy
Benadryl Insect Bite Pens
Burn Cream
Butterfly Strips
Carmex.
Cough Drops
Dramamine.
Gloves
Glucose Tablets
Gauze Bandages
Hand Sanitizert
Hand Warmers
Iodine Pads
Imodium AD Tablets
Joint Wrap Tape
Medical Tape
Nyquil Tablets
Penicillin
Pepto Tablets
Sudafed
Super Glue
Thermometer and covers
Tiger Balm
Trauma Bandage
Tweezers
Tylenol
Tylenol Allergy Sinus
Tylenol Cold and Sinus
Vaseline Intensive Care
Visine A/C
Larger Kit:
Advil
Airborne
Aleve
Aloe Vera
Anebsol
Bactine
Band-aids plus fingers & knuckles
Bayer Aspirin
Benadryl Allergy
Benadryl Insect Bite Pens
Burn Cream
Butterfly Strips
Carmex
Chigger Treatment
Cough Drops
Dramamine
Feminine Products
Gloves
Glucose Tablets
Gauze Bandages
Hand Sanitizer
Hand Warmers
Ice Packs
Icy Hot Patches
Iodine Pads
Imodium AD Tablets
Joint Wrap Tape
Lice Treatment
Medical Tape
Midol
Moleskin
Nyquil
Off
Penicillin
Pepto Tablets
Peroxide
Safety Pins
Scissors
Snake Bite Kit
Sudafed
Sunscreen
Super Glue
Suture Kit
Thermometer and covers
Tiger Balm
Trauma Bandage
Tweezers
Tylenol
Tylenol Allergy Sinus
Tylenol Cold and Sinus
Vaseline Intensive Care
Visine A/C”
From Dominic – “Essential: pocket mask, any model/any size & Trauma shears. Worked really well: irrigation fluids to clean up bloody/dirty wounds and Dex 4 products for diabetics. Waste of space: cardboard/plastic speedsplints. Unexpected bonus: popsicle sticks make for great finger splints, and cost less than tongue depressors. Recommend that everyone should have in the car glovebox, some sort of rescue tool with a knife blade/seatbelt cutter and window punch… you never know when you get caught in your vehicle and need to cut your way out of your seat and require possible window breaking to get out.”
