Reminder to check your first aid kits.

[Dcav]

I generally keep a pretty well stocked trauma level kit in my jeep, it goes to all the meets/shoots and has been in my jeep for the most part all summer. Brought it in to check over tonight and discovered all the alcohol wipes, iodine wipes, burn cream etc (anything liquid in a small packet) was completely dried out. Figured I would post the reminder about checking your kits for those who have one in there vehicles.

 

[scap99]

On a side note, how accurate are the expiration dates on items in the first aid kits?

 

[TrailDust]

On a side note, how accurate are the expiration dates on items in the first aid kits?

Provided you keep your kit in a cool, dry location, the dates are on the conservative side. But if your kit is exposed to lots of heat, any item with liquid like Dcav mentioned will deteriorate more quickly, and medications will also degrade quickly. Use your better judgment regarding the expiration date, and try to keep your kit in a good location.

 

[scap99]

Thanks guys!
Did you all assemble your own kits, or is there a good "factory selected components" kit to keep on hand?

 

[Dcav]

I reviewed the kit I have here:

http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/...ns/26639-review-ctd-master-first-aid-kit.html

 

[TrailDust]

I've done both. I've bought factory kits and supplemented them, and also created my own from scratch. BTW, one additional item you might think about that is often forgotten is a bee kit. There's enough people out there who will go into anaphylactic shock from a bee sting, and a bee kit is literally a life saver.

 

[txinvestigator]

I generally keep a pretty well stocked trauma level kit in my jeep, it goes to all the meets/shoots and has been in my jeep for the most part all summer. Brought it in to check over tonight and discovered all the alcohol wipes, iodine wipes, burn cream etc (anything liquid in a small packet) was completely dried out. Figured I would post the reminder about checking your kits for those who have one in there vehicles.

Thanks. On my list for tomorrow.

 

[majormadmax]

Don't forget to check your fire extinguishers as well!

Cheers! M2

 

[Chupacabra Hunter]

thanks for the reminder guys...... I just check the home kit and I need to re-stock a few items. My truck also needs a first aid kit..... gotta work on that today.....

 

[Mikewood]

Good advice. Having wipes is ok but really won't help much if you need them. A bottle of alcohol or betadine is a much better choice. If you need it you seem to need the whole damn bottle. Another good item is Tincture of iodine because it can both disinfect and sterilize water and if it dries out you can rehydrate it with water. As an aside Having a real first aid tool box vs a soft bag is also better because you can store your emergency trauma packs, tools and tourniquets on the removable top shelf and lots of extras below in the main compartment.
take care.

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

Thanks for the reminder. This is pretty important in case you ever need it.

Our kit (more like foot locker) in the house gets used regularly for minor stuff on the kids so I check the dates on everything in it fairly often.

But...the small kit and fire extinguisher in the vehicles just sit there. I probably need to go back through and replace some items.

I started throwing quick clot packs in the range bag as well so probably need to see if those expire.

 

[Dcav]

I'll disagree with the toolbox first aid kit, a softsided case that opens fully holds way more stuff. And when opened fully make items more accessible. Large trauma pads will not fit in a tool box (unless it is quite large) without folding bending. Plus in a toolbox type kit everything is stacked on top of each other. When in an emergency finding items quickly is important.

 

[barstoolguru]

with the time change a couple of weekends ago..... change the batterys in them smoke detectors while you are stocking up on other stuff

 

[Texas42]

Good advice. Having wipes is ok but really won't help much if you need them. A bottle of alcohol or betadine is a much better choice. If you need it you seem to need the whole damn bottle. Another good item is Tincture of iodine because it can both disinfect and sterilize water and if it dries out you can rehydrate it with water. As an aside Having a real first aid tool box vs a soft bag is also better because you can store your emergency trauma packs, tools and tourniquets on the removable top shelf and lots of extras below in the main compartment.
take care.

The betadine is a good idea, but you should probably dilute it. When I was in the ER, we'd take some betadine and poor it into a bottle of saline, punch holes in the top of the mixture and sprinkle it on the wound. Worked pretty well, but that hurts and makes a mess.

I need to get a kit ready, but I don't know what I'd put in it. . . so many things I'd need. An epi pen, sugar drops, Aspirin. . heck I'd like an AED and a chest tube kit. . . . but maybe that is pushing it a little far.

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

The betadine is a good idea, but you should probably dilute it. When I was in the ER, we'd take some betadine and poor it into a bottle of saline, punch holes in the top of the mixture and sprinkle it on the wound. Worked pretty well, but that hurts and makes a mess.

I need to get a kit ready, but I don't know what I'd put in it. . . so many things I'd need. An epi pen, sugar drops, Aspirin. . heck I'd like an AED and a chest tube kit. . . . but maybe that is pushing it a little far.

I mentioned an AED to my wife the other day. If you can afford it it's great to have around. I can name two people very close to me that may still be alive if they had one. Of course, had they known we would have chipped in. The point being you don't know if you may need it, but if you do it's a life saver.

 

[Vaquero]

Thanks for the reminder. Hell, I probly just need to get a new kit seein' as mine is over 10 years old.
I'll check the home kit this weekend, it's got some age on it too.

 

[scap99]

Dangit, now you guys have the wheels turning in my head...

Good grief, Epi Pens are $$$$$.

 

[TrailDust]

Dangit, now you guys have the wheels turning in my head...

Good grief, Epi Pens are $$$$$.

But when you need it they're worth every penny. I'm lucky in that my Dad is a medical doctor, so I created my own bee kit with two disposable syringes and two vials of adrenaline that I take from his fridge and put in my med kit each time I go into the boonies so that they're as fresh as possible. If I couldn't do that I'd still buy an Epi Pen and/or other bee kits on the market. Shop around, though, because prices do vary.

 

[LJH]

replacing items now

 

[shortround]

Good advice.

Bandages, sutures, scalpels, scissors, and clamps tend to last indefinitely when stored properly.

It is imperative to rotate aspirin/ibuprofen/alcohol pads/anti biotics/disinfectants on a regular basis.

Expiration date matters because the chemistry of active ingredients changes over time.

Just like ammo: First in, First out.

Be well.