What constitutes a First Aid Kit

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TheRealMcCoy

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Hello, someone asked me today what constitutes a First aid kit. I explained that would be a basic kit or one to your skill level.
Is there a certain quantity or quality to include experience in the medical field.
Thanks
Kevin
 
Different for everyone. It needs to address general cuts/burns/etc as well as specific needs such as insulin/allergic reactions, etc
Also can be specific to region you are travelling in.
Everyone in vehicle should be versed in how to use everything in the first aid kit, or it's useless.
 
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OTH Overland

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Size and complexity of the kit should be tailored to your intended type travel, for example how far off the beaten path are you going, how difficult is the terrain, and what risks do you take on your adventures. You can get by with a simple off the shelf kit when 911 services are likely to be within a few minutes away, but if you are 100 miles from nowhere you need to be able to stabilize and maintain a patient for much longer. being in the wilderness exposes you to many different opportunities for injury or sickness; trauma from an accident, burns from a fire, environmental (heat, cold, animals etc.). Even a simple cut may need several dressing changes before you get to civilization or medical help. Most importantly make sure to get at least some basic first aid instruction, if possible orientated toward outdoor adventure travel. Also remember to check your kit on a regular basis to make sure everything is in good shape and nothing has expired. Personally I carry an extensive kit with lots of trauma supplies and a separate boo boo kit for the every day scrapes and bumps. As my wife and I travel alone much of the time, several different types of communication are as instrumental as the first aid kit itself to summon help in a timely manner
 
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El-Dracho

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I do not know how it is in other regions exactly, but here in Germany the traffic law determines the obligation for example for all passenger car drivers to carry a first aid kit in the car. Since 2014, only first-aid kits that comply with DIN standard No. 13164 have been allowed to be sold. So the content is exactly determined by the DIN standard.

That would be the starting point for me. For overlanding I extened the content of course and my first aid kit covers all basic situation plus is tailored to the intended usage, type of travel, region and so on.

Check out also the Overland Bound First Aid Boot Camp section here in the OB forum. You will find plenty of information there about this topic.
 

Boostpowered

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If you want to be a minimalist A roll of t rex tape can handle most physical emergencies from major cuts to broken bones.
Otherwise get a afik and learn how to properly use a tourniquet or you can make things worse.
 

4Wheelexplorer

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Agreed on the training on proper use of the tourniquet! Not something to take lightly, I personally like all of my limbs and would hate to lose one due to an improperly used one (though bleeding out would be a worse option).