Realistic Medical Kit

[MrSalty]

OK.

So I posted this thread on another first aid forum and I recieved some interesting answers to say the least. (Most not very helpful!)

I am a combat lifesaver instructor attached to the national guard. I have the standard EMT B cert as well as the army training. I currently serve in a medical unit.

As this is something I do as a "weekend warrior" I would not say that I am as proficient as someone that does this for a living.

I was thinking about putting a kit together in case of a natural disaster on the West Coast where our unit would be called to respond. Now - I know that we will have a standard kit issued to us in case something goes down but this would be a kit that I would want to have avaialble to me at all times at home. The idea being is that on my way to the armory, if the armory is still standing, that I could help people along the way. Also - the army kit is strong on GSW and quite frankly, I would be more interested in crush injuries in this situation.

So - my guess is that most likely I would want to stock BLS supplies. I would think immobilization, splinting, bandaging.

What I would like to hear from the professionals is what are your thoughts? I would really appreciate if someone that responded to Katrina or another major disaster would respond. I really want to get realistic information on what would be most useful. I understand that gear is mission dependent but if you had to buid a kit for a disaster - what would be the best bang for the buck or in this case what would you be willing to hump around on your back for an extended peiod of time that would do the most good?

Thanks!

 

[mycrofft]

Point one

Asking about a kit to address crush injuries is like asking which handgun to use to take down attack helicopters, especially if the situation is a wide area disaster like a town being hit with a landslide , a tsunami, or garden variety Mag 6 earthquake.
The best kit would be one with lots of sterile 4X4's and securing bandages (Ace, MediRip, cravats, whatever), tourniquets, SAM or similar splints, sterile normal saline for eyes and irrigation, lights and batteries, a couple MRE's and a water filter for you, good commo, and being backed up by your unit and a few Chinooks and APC's and some combat engineers and their road-clearing ability.
Point two: search "New Orleans", "Katrina" and "Haiti", then PM those folks. I have found our co-participants here very responsive ti PM's when specific info they have posted upon is asked for in an informed and civilized manner.

 

[MrSalty]

Sounds good.

I was thinking the same thing in reference to the MRE's.

The 4x4's cravats, saline, etc.

All good calls.

Anyone else?

 

[Bosco836]

Having been involved in and had extensive training in disaster response and emergency managment, generally speaking, many of the problems encountered are medical ones rather then trauma.

Although there is will be trauma-type pt's in the event of a tornado, hurricane, etc. - after the initial rush, there will be more people suffering from medical aliments (i.e. not having access to food, pills, etc. causing problems with pre-existing conditions, heat/cold emergencies [depending on the climate], etc.)

If you're looking for stuff to "stock up on" in preparation for dealing with traumatic injuries, I think you've got a pretty good idea already. Go with the basics:

- Dressings
- Bandaging materials
- SAM Splints
- Foil blankets


Keep in mind you may be able to (or be forced to) use everyday objects as well (i.e. rolled up newspaper/magazines as splints, belts as cravats, etc.).

It is also important to remember that in a disaster situation, triage is essential. In the field, we simply want to stabilize people until they can seek follow up care at either a shelter or medical facility.

As a first-responder in to a natural disaster, your goal should be to treat the most serious life threats. Although splinting and other advanced care may be a priority in day to day EMS operations, disaster response is a whole different animal. I certainly don't suggest that splinting is not necessary, but when 100's or 1000's of people are injured - we have to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people. In many cases, that means simply stopping anything that may cause an immediate threat to life (i.e. controlling deadly bleeding, repositioning the pt. to better open his/her airway, etc.)

 

[Steam Engine]

Bare minimum PPE for you...plenty of nitrile gloves, leather work gloves, safety glasses, N95 masks or similar. Maybe a multitool as well, along with some rope or cord and a flashlight with extra batteries.

Lots of 4x4's, cravats, a few larger gauze pads, ace wraps, vet wrap, kerlix or similar self-clinging wrap, waterproof tape, a couple of SAM splints. Also, plastic wrap, tinfoil, vaseline gauze, or whatever you prefer to treat a pneumothorax as best you can in the field.

I feel like in a true MCI with multiple crush injuries and multi-system traumas, your supplies are going to go quickly, so you'll be improvising quite a bit after the first few PT's.

 

[RocketMedic]

For a domestic situation, I have two kits- the 'legal' 'aid other people in extremis/Army range bag for when I don't have enough notice to sign out the unit's stuff" and the "apocalypse survival kit". The legal kit is primarily immobilization, splinting, hypothermia prevention, and food/water- it's built for me and/or my passengers should I, say, nail a deer at highway speeds between here and Van Horn, or roll over or something off-road. (Even on an interstate, you could be looking at an hour, minimum, to get a response vehicle). There's some other stuff in there too.

The 'apocalypse kit' contains most of a few Army survival kits, medication stocks, contacts, spare glasses for myself and my wife, money, ammunition, and tools/parts/fuel, plus food and water. Remember, folks, we're just one horrible disaster away from the Third World...

 

[mycrofft]

More bang for your buck:

Get involved with disaster preparedness in your unit, find out about their ops plans, load outs, etc. In my experience dedicated upwardly mobile Guard folks don't like DP because it is a professional dead end if you stay with it, but it can be gotten into because of that, and because no one else wants it for other reasons. Also, milm reserve response plans for disasters are usually just silly for reporting in if there is a disaster, you might be able to help change that. Be a force multiplier.

Since you are not full time Guard, follow the CERT philosophy: first you get you and yours prepared. Then, if something happens, once you are secure, you can help others around you. If there are enough of you folks in a location with training, then you can work together. Teach others what to do and not to do.
Just as "Tactics are for amateurs, logistics is for officer", then being fixated on kits is for armchair warriors, figuring out how to get the most on scene the fastest is for the professionals.

 

[JPINFV]

http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=33826

 

[MrSalty]

Thanks!

I guess what I was trying to day was that the Guard is not a full time deal.- more of one weekend a month and two weeks a year type of thing. So - no - not a professional soldier. (That doesn't mean that others have not been deployed for much longer times overseas in much harsher environments.)

In reference to the trauma pack link - yes - I saw it! It is absolutely amazing!

What I found more amazing was the fact that I believe, and correct me if I am wrong, that the person that built the pack had no real medical training. Scary!

While I found the pack to be perhaps the most incredible medical pack I have ever seen - I wonder how much of it is truly useful and how much of it is just first aid "porn".

Getting back to my original point/ thought for this thread and based on the responses I have recieved so far I would conclude that basic bandaging, SAM splints, cravats and saline are pretty much a good solution to help out in a first response environment.

Thanks again!

 

[MrSalty]

Not running down the guard

BeforeI get flamed on I was not trying to imply that the Guard was not professional nor that the harships that some have endured are not real.

Last annual training I had a chance to speak to a Major who was re-qualifying at the rifle range. I was basically acting as the range medic in case anything went wrong.

He mentioned that he had just come back from his fifth deployment overseas.

So, yes, the Guard is professional and the soldiers I serve with are fantastic people and true patriots.

I was just trying to respond to the earlier comment when it was indicated that I was not full time.

 

[usafmedic45]

Why not talk to some of the active duty medical teams? I'm certain that they have gear for this sort of thing.

 

[mycrofft]

Rremember the old "Murphy's Law of Combat"

"The side with the simplest uniforms wins".

I have found soft-sided undivided carriers are the best generic carriers, but those with a few suitable dividers (camera bags) serve very well. A M-16 cloth ammo bandolier is a great individual ad hoc kit. Lots of little compartments means you need an index to find stuff and you lose space when space is at a premium.

Consider a vest also. THey tend to have too may little pockets as well (fishing), but tool vests and even camera vests can be pretty good.

I love the "first aid porn" thing, I will use it in a class when the language thing is not an issue.

 

[usafmedic45]

BeforeI get flamed on I was not trying to imply that the Guard was not professional nor that the harships that some have endured are not real.

Last annual training I had a chance to speak to a Major who was re-qualifying at the rifle range. I was basically acting as the range medic in case anything went wrong.

He mentioned that he had just come back from his fifth deployment overseas.

So, yes, the Guard is professional and the soldiers I serve with are fantastic people and true patriots.

I was just trying to respond to the earlier comment when it was indicated that I was not full time.

Anything I can do to help with training or packing lists, please feel free to let me know.

 

[MrSalty]

I definately agree with the vest idea. I have utilized that in the past.

Thanks for the other suggestions as well!

The "first aid porn" comment I actually heard from an instructor of mine that had indicated that the natural tendency was to carry too much and not focus on what was really necessary or appropriate.

Thanks Again!

 

[MrSalty]

Thanks!

I appreciate the input. I will check with some of the active duty teams - they may have some good suggestions.

As far as packing lists I would be open to suggestion! I am trying to keep the kit simple with the goal of being able to help as many as I can. I understand that patient viability will be of chief concern and that the best help I most likely will be able to render will be simple and to the poiint.

Thanks again!

Thanks!

 

[AK_SAR]

.....Consider a vest also. THey tend to have too may little pockets as well (fishing), but tool vests and even camera vests can be pretty good.

If you are thinking about vests, check out some of the ones designed for ski patrollers. Another alternative to look at is a timber cruiser vest, or a surveyor's vest. They make lots of different styles with various pocket configurations. Generally bigger, better designed pockets than fishing vests. They're availabie in high visibility colors that might be appropriate for a disaster type scenario.

Personally, I think a well designed and appropriately sized backpack is the best all around choice. However, different situations may call for different options.