Stopping the Flow: Planning a Trauma Kit

            In any emergency situation, having a well-stocked trauma kit can literally save your life. But having the supplies is only the beginning of the solution. For example, how are you going to be effective with a bag valve mask if you have never used one? You may elect to spend several hundred dollars on a trauma kit that includes IV supplies and fluids, have you ever started an IV? What fluids do you run, and how much do you give? Yes, you can accidentally kill someone if you water-down their blood by giving too much fluids.

            I hope that you have some sort of basic first aid supplies at this point, and I will add my list to the bottom of this post, but I want to stress that you need to make the time investment to learning how and when to use your equipment. Take a class, then practice your skills as often as you practice target shooting your rifle. (If you are still shooting, with the ammo shortage being what it is.) I will always recommend taking an EMT class and becoming a volunteer at your local department as a great method not only to get the training, but to practice your skills. As a basic EMT in the United States, you will not use IV’s and many other more advanced skills, but the experience is wonderful and you will also gain great practice in handling emergencies calmly.

I have been lucky enough to progress in my EMT training through the different levels to paramedic and have made a career of it. I no longer get nervous during emergencies, or around loud, unexpected noises. This lack of jumpiness carries over into my everyday life and is a huge plus on the gun range with someone yelling at you to shoot a specific target that is “running toward you.”

Some items that I stock in my BOB:

Bandaids – do not go for the cheapest ones here, try out a bunch of different ones and chose the one you like the best.

Tweezers

Saline flushes – 3 of them. Great for emergency eyewash, and rinsing contacts in a pinch

Tourniquet – I only recommend using this IF you know when and how, and proper removal technique

Tape

Gauze bandages

Gauze dressings – dressings should be sterile, bandages do not have to be

IV needle – I use this one to remove splinters

Trauma sheers

Plastic baggies

Gloves

N95 mask – fitted for me

Prepackaged cake icing in a tube – for low blood sugar but ONLY if the person can swallow

For my home stock I add more of everything above and the following:

Bag Valve Mask – google this if you’re unsure what it is; they can save your life.

Entire IV kit with different size needles and fluids

Airway management supplies

Suture kits

Surgical soap

This list is not meant to be exhaustive, only a basic guide for some of the things you may want to consider. Remember that amassing the stuff is rarely the problem, being able to use it however, can present a problem. Start small and build your kit as you go, but learn how to use new additions in concert with the items you already have. There is rarely a second chance in medical emergencies, and knowledge of how to handle an emergency is often better than having every medical doo-dad at your fingertips.

Thanks for reading, and Happy Prepping!