Hi, first off thanks to everyone for this very interesting thread.
I've attended some very basic tactical medicine training (3-day course) but in reality my abilities are not much. I'm trying to make a personal blow-out kit for use against gunshot wounds (and possibly blast injuries) in places away from rapid medical care and with items that I realistically would be able to use myself, and with the intention of keeping it as small as possible. It has to fit on a belt-pouch, and should contain only those items that I am realistically able to use without causing more harm. So far I'm thinking:
Quikclot Combat gauze
1 or 2 OLAES bandages or similar
CAT TQ
Shears
My thinking was there was little point me carrying an NPA or decompression needle as realistically I'm not going to be able to use it.
Regarding a chest seal - is this something that a person with very basic training could use and benefit from? I've read many people recommend HALO seals, but also that tension pneumo is a leading problem. Would a seal with no valve such as the HALO used by a person NOT able to do a chest decompression be problematic? Would it be better for such a person to use a seal with a valve (Hyfin, Bolin, Asherman???) that would avoid a tension pneumo developing? Or does the use of chest seals require a level of training/diagnosis such that it is not worth me carrying?
Regarding pressure bandages, I see the OLAES gets recommended a lot but also I saw it discussed here that the package size is quite large. If packed size is an issue, what would you recommend?
Before someone points out that there is value in carrying items you can't use but better-trained others can use on you... I do accept that point, but the people I am with are unlikely to have any real medical training either, so the first medically-trained person encountered post-injury would likely be on arrival by car at hospital that may not be close-by. I may well put such items in a more extensive vehicle-kit, but for now i'm just thinking about a belt/vest pouch with items I can actually use on myself and or others injured next to me.
I realise these are very basic questions, but appreciate any help you can give.
Thanks...
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