The Cellar - View Single Post

glatt · 08-28-2014, 11:19 AM

I think you need to decide exactly what you want to be able to do with the kit. Do you want something portable that you have with you at all times, or something big that you bury in the woods where you can get to it after a tornado has flattened all the homes in the area? A first aid kit isn't much use unless you have it right at hand. Taking half an hour to get to your 1st aid kit means it's really not a 1st aid kit any more. Survival is a different thing. Lots of guides out there on FEMA's site and so on, but you want water, shelter, food, money, medication, etc.

I have an urban survival/1st aid kit that I carry on my back on my subway commute twice a day, and it sits on the shelf at arm's length while I'm at work. The most used items are my foul weather gear: rain coat, rain pants, and an umbrella. But I also have:
sunglasses
pencil
pen
a travel pack of tissues
a travel pack of shout wipes stain removers
1 CPR mouth barrier
3 evacuation smoke hoods
3 NIOSH N95 face masks
5 high intensity 30 minute glow sticks
1 reflective arm band with internal LED
1 space blanket
a small 4x6 inch first aid pouch containing:
tweezers
tape
gauze roll
liquid skin
8 antiseptic wipes
7 knuckle bandages
5 large patches
4 finger bandaids
3 1st aid cream packets
3 triple antibiotic packets
1 burn relief gel pad
4 wound closures
4 quick heal bandages

I'd like to incorporate some blood clotting pads in there too. Need to pick some up some time.

I think you need a basic plan. What's the largest kit you can have with you all the time? If it's not with you, it's no good.

08-28-2014, 11:19 AM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I think you need to decide exactly what you want to be able to do with the kit. Do you want something portable that you have with you at all times, or something big that you bury in the woods where you can get to it after a tornado has flattened all the homes in the area? A first aid kit isn't much use unless you have it right at hand. Taking half an hour to get to your 1st aid kit means it's really not a 1st aid kit any more. Survival is a different thing. Lots of guides out there on FEMA's site and so on, but you want water, shelter, food, money, medication, etc. I have an urban survival/1st aid kit that I carry on my back on my subway commute twice a day, and it sits on the shelf at arm's length while I'm at work. The most used items are my foul weather gear: rain coat, rain pants, and an umbrella. But I also have: sunglasses pencil pen a travel pack of tissues a travel pack of shout wipes stain removers 1 CPR mouth barrier 3 evacuation smoke hoods 3 NIOSH N95 face masks 5 high intensity 30 minute glow sticks 1 reflective arm band with internal LED 1 space blanket a small 4x6 inch first aid pouch containing: tweezers tape gauze roll liquid skin 8 antiseptic wipes 7 knuckle bandages 5 large patches 4 finger bandaids 3 1st aid cream packets 3 triple antibiotic packets 1 burn relief gel pad 4 wound closures 4 quick heal bandages I'd like to incorporate some blood clotting pads in there too. Need to pick some up some time. I think you need a basic plan. What's the largest kit you can have with you all the time? If it's not with you, it's no good.