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--- gear:first-aid-kit [2024/05/19 21:47] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ gear:first-aid-kit [2024/08/06 05:47] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 ====== First Aid Kit ======
+Wherever you go, packing a **first aid kit** is important, as is knowing some basic first aid in case of an emergency. Sometimes a simple untreated cut is all it takes to turn a thrilling adventure into a draining slog.
-{{tag>Gear Stubs}}
+A properly stocked first aid kit is extremely cheap peace of mind to have around. You //can// purchase complete ready-made kits, but the kit will be more useful to you if you create your own //(for example: Many ready-made kits have latex gloves, so people with latex allergies would be more suited by a kit with nitrile or vinyl gloves)//.
+It is not hard to build your own first aid kit. It is basically a combination of two things: The **components** and the **case**.
+===== Kit Components =====
+[{{ :gear:firstaidopen.jpg?300|A properly stocked first aid kit should have everything within easy reach.}}]
+Bare minimum, a basic first-aid kit needs to have:
+  * Antiseptic wipes, preferably Betadine
+  * Gauze, vet wrap and medical tape
+  * Band-aids and liquid bandage
+  * Antibiotic cream and burn cream
+  * Tweezers and trauma shears
+  * Disposable gloves
+  * Hand sanitizer or Betadine in a small plastic bottle
+If you have room, you might also want to consider:
+  * Instant cold/hot pack
+  * Ace bandage and safety pins
+  * Finger splint //(especially for the protest crowd)//
+  * Blister pads //(especially for the hiking crowd)//
+Many of these components you can probably scavenge from other places for free, if you look hard enough.
+If you have any existing medical conditions, you should pack accordingly for those as well:
+  * If you're diabetic //(particularly Type 1)// you might have an issue with Hypoglycemia, so bring some small candies, dehydrated fruit snacks, etc.
+  * If you're asthmatic, pack your inhaler.
+  * If you have serious allergies, pack an Epipen.
+  * If you wear contacts, or your eyes dry out all the time, pack extra eyedrops.
+===== Holding it Together =====
+There is no "right" case for a first aid kit, except for whatever is most practical in the place which the first aid kit is going. If your first aid kit is going stay in one room, you might want it mounted to a wall, maybe in the form of a small cabinet, where everything inside is within easy reach without having to fish around.
+==== Portable First Aid Kits ====
+Most of you building first aid kits will probably be taking them out into the field, or leaving them in your cars. In this case you will want something **portable**. Any simple pouch will do. Even a //Crown Royal// bag would work. A zippered canvas pouch with [[gear:pals|tactical webbing]] is perfect. There are [[https://search.brave.com/search?q=empty+molle+first+aid+pouch|numerous results online]] for tactical pouches of all colors, shapes & sizes, with complimentary first aid patches. Some of them come with intermediary "rip away" panels, allowing the whole kit to be quickly detached from wherever it is mounted, and moved to the patient without having to undo the PALS/MOLLE straps.
+You will want to keep the case sorted, so that you are not emptying the entire thing out during emergencies trying to find that one thing you need. Basic organization in advance //(Band aids kept together in one spot, creams in another, etc)// helps reduce a lot of aggravation on the field. Some pouches might have internal compartments or slots to put things. Others might just be a big open space that quickly becomes a bottomless void. Forcing those voids to abide by set structure & boundaries is easily accomplished with a series of smaller (and thinner) pouches.
+{{tag>Gear}}

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