Medical Supplies

Joel Clouse · Mar 27, 2012

I've been looking at putting my jump kit back together. I carried a jump kit in my pickup as a firefighter/emt back when that was my career path. Over the years, I've used stuff out of it, things have expired or disappeared. It was nice that the FD supplied all of it back then, just as nice as having the Army buy my bullets, but now it's time I foot the bill to put it back together again.

I looked at Cheaper than Dirt, and some of the other surplus/survival online stores, but it all seemed too high. I went to Galls FF/LEO/EMS supply and found their prices to be very reasonable. Also, member and brotha Michael Ray told me about Patriot Nurse, who recommends another medical supply link.

http://www.galls.com...edical+Supplies

http://www.shopmedvet.com/

Please post links/discuss where you have found your FAK/med supplies.

Cheers!

dennishoddy · Mar 27, 2012

I've been fortunate enough to get some moblile first aid kits from my company in drawings, and had an elk hunting friend got us some of the trauma kits that have one can use to stop major bleeding, and splint broken bones with inflatable devices that fits in our back packs.

Fyrtwuck · Oct 7, 2013

dennishoddy said:
I've been fortunate enough to get some moblile first aid kits from my company in drawings, and had an elk hunting friend got us some of the trauma kits that have one can use to stop major bleeding, and splint broken bones with inflatable devices that fits in our back packs.

The inflatable splints are nice, but you have to be careful to not over inflate and cut off circulation to the extremities which can cause lots worse problems.

dennishoddy · Oct 8, 2013

Larry Rigsby said:
The inflatable splints are nice, but you have to be careful to not over inflate and cut off circulation to the extremities which can cause lots worse problems.

Good advice!

Brandi · Oct 13, 2013

I really need to put together my own personal medkit, I did the fire/EMT thing also which gave me a lot of great training and unfortunately way more experience than I wish I had. Doesn't make much sense to not be prepared all things considered. I'll probably just piece mine together since I find most commercial bags have a lot of stuff that sounds helpful but never seems to get field use. When people ask me what they should put in their bag I always say "sterile 4x4's...as many as you can fit, a good supply of wrap and high quality tape (never, ever, ever skimp on medical tape)". After that you can get creative. I really need to actually do it, I guess.

P.S. Cheaper Than Dirt is the debil! May they go out of business soon! (Sorry Jerry, I love you but CTD is slime).

Fyrtwuck · Oct 13, 2013

You can build kits for different needs. One for the house, one for the car etc. Try to pre-plan for your needs. In my truck, I have two different kits. One for little cuts and scrapes that can be taken care of with band-aids and stuff like that. The other is for more serious trauma. 4x4's, pressure bandages, airways and a pocket valve mask.

One key rule is to never take on more than you've been trained for. The good samatarian law will only take you so far.

harpstr · Jul 12, 2014

I'm on massive blood thinners where if you look at me real hard I bleed! The hospital once used a rubber wrap somewhat like an ace bandage on steroids to stop an injury from bleeding out. That stuff was awesome but I can't find it anywhere.

striped1 · Jul 12, 2014

Austere provisions carries a pretty decent supply.

http://www.austereprovisions.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=4

Ksmirk · Jul 16, 2014

I NEED to get a good one for when we go on our RZR trips! in Cass there's not a good way to get you out of the mountains real easy and most of the time we don't see another person. I was going to just get a tackle box and fill it full of whatever I could think we could need just need to find a place to get the goodies especially the blood clot powder, vet wrap is another awesome thing I have found.

If anyone finds a good place with this stuff I'd like to know about it please. Later,

Kirk

Bentsight · Jul 17, 2014

Our medical/trauma kits were initially purchased from Galls.com and we just restock them at the hospital as needed. Another good one stop shop place for kits and individual supplies is at Thefirestore.com. Both sites provide great service and they carry the basics to advanced care products.

Fyrtwuck · Jul 17, 2014

Most drug stores have bandages that can be put in a kit. You can do some reading and use your imagination for bigger injuries. As an example, a Kotex pad and an ace bandage makes a pretty good pressure bandage. Tampons can be used for larger puncture wounds. Both come individually wrapped and I would have no trouble using either if the need arose.

Jefpainthorse · Jul 17, 2014

Ebay is a good place to shop

Trauma gauze, GI individual aid kits..... surgical kits.....

A couple of maxi pads and vet wrapp are handy too.

Whenever you splint or bandage keep an eye on the limb downstream..... a little color says circulations good.

cajunautoxer · Jul 17, 2014

I actually buy a good bit of surgical instruments on Amazon. Hell of a lot cheaper than ordering thru our medical supplier

gondo · Jul 17, 2014

buy one of these and fill it up:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EMS-BAG-EMT-BAG-First-Response-Paramedic-Medical-Medium-Transport-Back-Pack-NWT-/221299779276?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33867ea6cc
my wife is a nurse and accidently comes home with some random stuff everyday (i think they all do), ive been snagging it off her dresser for a while now

Josh Beauchamp · Jul 17, 2014

Just a quick note. I remember them cautioning us on using quickclot (or similar blood clotting agents) when I was in the Army (scout not medic). Best I can remember was something the quickclot having a catalyst in it which reacted with blood causing a thermal reaction and basically cauterizing (sp) the wound.

Bentsight · Jul 17, 2014

^^^ Early formulations did create an increased temperature at the wound site and it was in a powdered form that really caused problems in windy conditions when you got it in your eyes. Our current supplies of "quick clot" compounds are very effective and are actually woven into sterile dressings that you simply pack into wounds/punctures and we no longer have to deal with issues mentioned earlier.

gondo · Jul 18, 2014

Bentsight said:
^^^ Early formulations did create an increased temperature at the wound site and it was in a powdered form that really caused problems in windy conditions when you got it in your eyes. Our current supplies of "quick clot" compounds are very effective and are actually woven into sterile dressings that you simply pack into wounds/punctures and we no longer have to deal with issues mentioned earlier.

thats good info, what product exactly should we be looking for?

Josh Beauchamp · Jul 19, 2014

Bentsight said:
^^^ Early formulations did create an increased temperature at the wound site and it was in a powdered form that really caused problems in windy conditions when you got it in your eyes. Our current supplies of "quick clot" compounds are very effective and are actually woven into sterile dressings that you simply pack into wounds/punctures and we no longer have to deal with issues mentioned earlier.

Thanks for the info. I have been out about 2.5 years now. Glad to see that they got the issues fixed.

Fyrtwuck · Sep 26, 2014

harpstr said:
I'm on massive blood thinners where if you look at me real hard I bleed! The hospital once used a rubber wrap somewhat like an ace bandage on steroids to stop an injury from bleeding out. That stuff was awesome but I can't find it anywhere.

I know the stuff you're talking about. Walmart has it in the drug/med section.

michaelclm · Sep 27, 2014

Yes, avoid the powder coagulant products. They're ineffective except under ideal circumstances. Get the impregnated gauze products and don't look back.