In addition to a well stocked Trauma Kit I’ve assembled the following Medical kit to cover booboos and medical issues that can be addressed with OTC meds.
This isn’t a Trauma kit; that is separate and covers everything beyond Bandaids. It’s built in the same bag as my Trauma kit but is a different color and is obviously tagged differently. Comments? Suggestions? What have I overlooked?
I’m having my wife write up a Pediatric kit with meds appropriate for the Grandkids as they can’t take adult doses.
Here’s what’s currently contained in this kit but in no particular order:
I have a sick call kit next to my trauma kit that I keep similarly loaded out. Besides meds, some stuff I also pack (I’m also in healthcare, so some of the items may not necessarily be of any use for you):
I don’t know what your medical background is, so if you’re not in the field I suggest a BLS/ACLS/ATLS course. Perhaps some Tac Med training as well. An EMT basic course? Wilderness medicine course ? A myriad of training /educational options exist.
I have all of that in my large Trauma kit except for the OTO scope, but I think I’m ordering a one for my Squad kit. The “dental cream” is Orajel type; added that after a comment on another forum.
I have four levels of kits: a large bin with resupply and for “home” use, a large Squad kit that contains larger stuff and greater quantities, small trauma kits (same bag as these but larger than IFAKs), and now these OTC med kits.
Burn cream is a waste of space and money. Simple burns really don’t need anything, and severe partial-thickness/full-thickness, it doesn’t help. Burn dressing, sure. Burn gel, OK, up to you.
If you carry meds make sure you rotate stock and check expiry dates.
Sutures in austere environment is close to useless for most people for most reasons.
ACLS is overkill unless you are a paramedic or work in a hospital. ATLS is a physician/mid-level-only course (non-providers can audit it), and essentially little value to out-of-hospital medical care. First responder or even basic first aid with Stop The Bleed is the sweet spot, good for everyone. Unless one is on a tac team, tac med does not offer any advantages that Stop The Bleed won’t cover.
I am all for training, training, and more training, but just like gear and guns, mission drives the training and the gear: what is the purpose, and what can I (legally) do? (relative to the cert/license/training)
Thanks for the feedback; Pedialyte powder are electrolytes so that’s covered. One of the antibiotic ointments is also pain reduction component and can be used for mild burns.
As a semi retired physician, who used to work with various allied health providers, and unaware of his background, I merely provided various suggestions
Agreed, plus, ACLS is about a lot of drugs and equipment. Not bad knowledge, but not first aid either.
OP… looks like you just raided your local CVS. Personally I’d parce it down, but you don’t really define your mission. Honestly, that just looks like some people’s medicine cabinet - why does it need to be in a kit?
As for your wife, why is she doing kid doses? What’s her Knowledge base that makes her a better person for the job?
Yeah, no worries. As a physician, the world is your oyster and all. For everyone else, there are a lot of hard ceilings on what we can and can’t take, much less do and don’t do. Again, I am all for train, train, and train again. Almost anyone can audit most any course in which they cannot obtain a cert.
