Troop First Aid Kit
Every troop should have a good first aid kit for all outings. Here on my thoughts as a Scouter and physician on how to put one together.
You need a container to put it in. I chose the box below from Cabela's. It is approximately 15x8x10". Similar boxes are made by Plano and Flambeau. An economical option is the Harbor Freight Tactical Ammo/Utility box. Keep in mind that this box is a little larger than most of the plastic ammo can type boxes that you see for sale. If we are comparing to military ammo cans, this one is the size of a .50 cal can, not the smaller .30 cal can.
Now you have to figure out what to put in it and where to get it. I like the list on page 42 of the BSA Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines. This is similar to the list in the First Aid MB pamphlet, but better IMO.
It lists a few items as optional:
instant cold compress
space blanket
original size SAM splint
hemostatic wound dressing
tourniquet
I wouldn't bother with the cold compress or space blanket. The former is of limited utility and the latter is superfluous if you have sleeping bags. The SAM splint is a must have in my opinion. 36" is the size you want. Hemostatic gauze is a lifesaver, but expensive and it expires. Combat Gauze / Quick Clot and Celox are brands I would recommend if you decide to include this. Make sure you get gauze and not granules. I would not skimp on a tourniquet. I recommend the CAT tourniquet by North American Rescue.
A good source for most of the items in the kit is Bound Tree. You can get most items in the exact quantities you need at very reasonable prices if you go with their Curaplex house brand.
If you don't want to buy a whole box of nitrile gloves, you can get a 10 pack at Harbor Freight for a couple bucks. The Harbor Freight safety glasses are also a good deal for $1.99.
One of the items that can be hard to find is the "gel pads". Try looking for "hydrogel pads" at your local pharmacy. This item is not 100% essential however.
One more item I would include is duct tape. A wise man once said, "You cant' improvise duct tape." Wrap it around an old credit card for compact storage in your kit.
Organize the items in your kit in Ziploc bags. Put the items you might need quickly, like gloves, eyewear, CPR mask, tourniquet and hemostatic gauze all in one bag on top of everything else so you can get to it quickly.
I recommend covering the point of your pencil with some heat shrink tubing. You can do this for tweezers also. Print out an inventory of your kit contents. The pencil, inventory and some extra paper can all go in the same bag. I threw in a Sharpie as well.
You need a container to put it in. I chose the box below from Cabela's. It is approximately 15x8x10". Similar boxes are made by Plano and Flambeau. An economical option is the Harbor Freight Tactical Ammo/Utility box. Keep in mind that this box is a little larger than most of the plastic ammo can type boxes that you see for sale. If we are comparing to military ammo cans, this one is the size of a .50 cal can, not the smaller .30 cal can.
I used red electrical tape to make the red cross.
Now you have to figure out what to put in it and where to get it. I like the list on page 42 of the BSA Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines. This is similar to the list in the First Aid MB pamphlet, but better IMO.
It lists a few items as optional:
instant cold compress
space blanket
original size SAM splint
hemostatic wound dressing
tourniquet
I wouldn't bother with the cold compress or space blanket. The former is of limited utility and the latter is superfluous if you have sleeping bags. The SAM splint is a must have in my opinion. 36" is the size you want. Hemostatic gauze is a lifesaver, but expensive and it expires. Combat Gauze / Quick Clot and Celox are brands I would recommend if you decide to include this. Make sure you get gauze and not granules. I would not skimp on a tourniquet. I recommend the CAT tourniquet by North American Rescue.
A good source for most of the items in the kit is Bound Tree. You can get most items in the exact quantities you need at very reasonable prices if you go with their Curaplex house brand.
If you don't want to buy a whole box of nitrile gloves, you can get a 10 pack at Harbor Freight for a couple bucks. The Harbor Freight safety glasses are also a good deal for $1.99.
One of the items that can be hard to find is the "gel pads". Try looking for "hydrogel pads" at your local pharmacy. This item is not 100% essential however.
One more item I would include is duct tape. A wise man once said, "You cant' improvise duct tape." Wrap it around an old credit card for compact storage in your kit.
Organize the items in your kit in Ziploc bags. Put the items you might need quickly, like gloves, eyewear, CPR mask, tourniquet and hemostatic gauze all in one bag on top of everything else so you can get to it quickly.
Hurry Case Bag
I recommend covering the point of your pencil with some heat shrink tubing. You can do this for tweezers also. Print out an inventory of your kit contents. The pencil, inventory and some extra paper can all go in the same bag. I threw in a Sharpie as well.
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