First Aid Kit - What's needed?

[peyote2004]

I was wondering what items are good for a first aid kit that will be taken to BRC.

I am going to be creating my own first aid kit for when I go to the playa. The place where I work buys first aid supplies in bulk, so I can get some stuff at cost.

I already have a basic kit... band-aids, antiseptic, hand sanitizer, medical tape, sterile pads, surgical gloves and triangular bandages. What else should I add?

Oh... I also have Benadril, ibuprofen and Imodium in it.

[theCryptofishist]

Spray skin.
Tape. Whoops, didn't see that.

And prepare with a tetanus shot if you haven't had one in ten years. Rebar injuries are one of hte top two.
Something for sunburn.

Sam Splint?
Salt pills?

[phil]

Let me make an alternative suggestion: take first responder courses and wilderness first aid courses, then pick the supplies you'll expect to need based on your training.

I'm sure lots of people will tell you what they bring, but we don't know the level of their expertise if any -- so some of it may be dead wrong (snake bite kits) and some of it may be beyond your capabilities. In either event, each person will expect her or his suggestions to be dead right for you. And it won't be.

Get the appropriate training, then pick based on your own knowledge and expertise.

[peyote2004]

Let me make an alternative suggestion: take first responder courses and wilderness first aid courses, then pick the supplies you'll expect to need based on your training.

I'm sure lots of people will tell you what they bring, but we don't know the level of their expertise if any -- so some of it may be dead wrong (snake bite kits) and some of it may be beyond your capabilities. In either event, each person will expect her or his suggestions to be dead right for you. And it won't be.

Get the appropriate training, then pick based on your own knowledge and expertise.

I have taken the St. John Ambulance standard and emergency first aid courses as well as CPR level 'C'. My certification has expired, but will likely renew it next year (work pays for it, but I was unavailable when they had the courses this year).

the wilderness first aid course is a great idea. I'll look into it.

[Savannah]

Here's my list:

Pepcid
Laxative
Ibuprofen
Aspirin - safer for hangovers
Ginger candy - by "The Ginger People" (great for upset stomach)
Glucose tablets for diabetics (Juice boxes are in the cooler)
Immodium
Pedialyte powder

Tweezers
Scissors
Finger cots - finger condoms; keeps bandaids cleaner & drier when one is working on something
Liquid bandage - this is great for hangnails, papercuts & other tiny cuts often received during camp setup
Cotton balls
Alcohol wipes
Neosporin
Peroxide

First aid tape (1 flexible waterproof roll; 1 classic)
Rolled gauze (2)
Solarcaine
Sanitizer pump
Preservative-free single use Tears (I like Thera Tears; it's not a redness reducer . . . redness reducer goes in cosmetics!)

CPR mask (for use if you've had basic training)
Extra vinyl gloves
Bandaids, assorted
Gauze squares (2"x2" and 3"x3")
Ace bandage
Coban self-adherent wrap (reinforce with a fat dab of tape)
Note pad and pen

Here's another good thread:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 77&t=51756

[maladroit]

I needed sunscreen, burn cream, neosporin, ibuprofen, sterile wipes, bandages, and medical tape to keep the bandages in place because everything is too dusty to stick. I HAD ice packs, gauze, sutures, large trauma pads, sterile gloves, and many other things but I really wouldn't have enjoyed needing them.

[gyre]

tourniquets
stitching supplies
black tar heroin

[Savannah]

The 17-year-old kid in my Wilderness First Aid class put his head between his knees when the instructor started tightening a tourniquet on the disembodied dummy arm. We got to help the boy into the recovery position.

On the upside, we can be certain that youth and enthusiasm for tricky, dangerous, last-ditch efforts such as tourniquets will not override his nausea/good sense.

[Nipple]

tourniquets
stitching supplies
black tar heroin

Oh, no thank you!


PREPARATION.

[peyote2004]

...
Here's another good thread:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 77&t=51756

Thanks Savannah.... I had searched it back in the spring. I even book marked it on my computer. Then, completely forgot about it.

I need to look through my Burning Man folder and see what other useful stuff I've bookmarked and forgotten about.

[Bob]

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/e ... staid.html

[peyote2004]

Maladroit's post made me think ...

Since the playa is so dusty, and things have trouble sticking, I was wondering if anyone has tried the rolls of bandage wrap that they use on animals. It's not a sticky adhesive, but the material sticks to itself. I've used it to hold bandages on my dog. It would work well for holding sterile pads on wounds in the playa dust.

[theCryptofishist]

Maladroit's post made me think ...

Since the playa is so dusty, and things have trouble sticking, I was wondering if anyone has tried the rolls of bandage wrap that they use on animals. It's not a sticky adhesive, but the material sticks to itself. I've used it to hold bandages on my dog. It would work well for holding sterile pads on wounds in the playa dust.

That's actually what ESD uses, although, I was told the rationale was that it was cheaper.

[Savannah]

Maladroit's post made me think ...

Since the playa is so dusty, and things have trouble sticking, I was wondering if anyone has tried the rolls of bandage wrap that they use on animals. It's not a sticky adhesive, but the material sticks to itself. I've used it to hold bandages on my dog. It would work well for holding sterile pads on wounds in the playa dust.

Yes! Look for "Coban". That's one brand name. It's very nice on playa. I like to finish with a strip of tape maybe 2" long on top, to cement the final bond.

[Runs; With Scissors]

While it's not necessary for severe emergencies, I always end up knowing someone who needs...

Moleskin.
Some sort of electrolyte replenishment system (I like shot blocks)
Eyedrops.

And like he said, Sam Splint and the Bandages you'll need for it.
Silver Nitrate can be a wonderful gift if you know pyros or haphazard engine mechanics.

Other than pity and kleenex, I'm not sure what would actually help a nosebleed.

[graidawg]

.

Other than pity and kleenex, I'm not sure what would actually help a nosebleed.

scorn and mockery work well on nosebleeds, though if you plug the end of your nose the resulting clot can lead to an interesting experience

[Runs; With Scissors]

You say scorn, I say pity. Potato / Potato. We can't all be accustomed to high elevation climates, it happens.

[Savannah]

Folks inclined to nosebleeds should pack some nasal saline in their first aid kit or wash bag; a daily dose can be great prevention. (I'm a contact lense wearer, so I just up-end the bottle and drip some up there from a semi-hygienic distance.)

It's very glam, I assure you.

Eyewash is also nice, though the preservative free tears and saline I already have negate the need for it (personally).

[gypsy68]

Savannah is right, nasal saline. Nose bleeds are not something I had had to deal with as an adult, but after my first year, I now make sure it's always in my first aid kit. It has actually come in helpful on other camping trips as well.

[trilobyte]

Duct tape. Zip ties.

As you might guess, I'm not in charge of our camp's first aid kit.

I trust that my gf does an excellent job planning and stocking our med bin. There are usually a few extras that I double check our stock levels on and make sure we have enough for the needs of the camp, they include advil, immodium AD, electrolyte tablets, 5-htp, plain saline solution nasal spray, and plain non-medicated eyedrops (I think they're called refresh). Aside from the all-important treatment of injuries, I think it's important to care for your eyes, nose, mood, energy levels, and general purpose. The immodium is something you hope no one will need, But take at the first sign of 'consistency issues' to avoid having to spending long periods of time during a hot day in a funky porto.

[maladroit]

Oh god, trilobyte, you reminded me of the absolute salvation offered to me by a friend on playa when he let me break into his Immodium stash. I will never travel without it again.

It may be advantageous to try your planned playa diet a few weeks in advance.

[Lonesomebri]

Maybe this is self evident, but the only time I have ever needed to provide emergency assistance out on the playa was when some hippy dread had passed out in his own vomit, he needed water. Right then. No one helping was gonna give up their own water bottle to him, but I carry extra to hand out.

[graidawg]

Duct tape. Zip ties.

.

thats just being fancy. duct tape AND zip ties, next you'll have some glue as well

[BBadger]

Magnesium supplements. Feel that tinge of a cramp because you've been bicycling around the playa all day and now it's cold and your muscles are too? Pop one of those and you'll feel much better. Good for preventing jaw clenching too, for those who happen to suffer that.

[peyote2004]

wow ... some great things i hadn't thought of.

eye drops, nasal spray anda couple of other items are now on the list.

Magnesium supplements sound like something i should look into too.

First Aid is one thing i would prefer to be way over prepared for, than need something and not have it

[Savannah]

wow ... some great things i hadn't thought of.

eye drops, nasal spray anda couple of other items are now on the list.

Magnesium supplements sound like something i should look into too.

First Aid is one thing i would prefer to be way over prepared for, than need something and not have it

Exactly. There's free medical treatment in 3 locations (3:00 & C Street, 9:00 & C Street, and 5:15 & Esplanade) and they will even come get you if you dispatch a campmate to notify them, but if it's a simple wound, it's really nice to be able to take care of yourself (or someone else, so don't forget gloves).

[teardropper]

DON'T. GET. HURT.

OK.. My wife was a nurse before she was a shrink. SHE carries the kit.

Me? I faint at someone else's blood.

[Dr Helix]

tourniquets
stitching supplies
black tar heroin

And gum. Lots of gum.

[gyre]

Ha!

I don't know why that's so funny, but it is.

[gyre]

According to Bryan Fuller, the medium-point Bic Round Stic is the preferred pen for emergency tracheotomies.

Benadryl works for some extreme allergic reactions though.
Maybe try that first?