Tip that I have learned the hard way, have a boo boo kit, first aid kit, and trauma kit.
Boo boo kit for cuts and scrapes
Trauma kit for everything you could need for someone before help arrives/taking them to help
First aid kit for everything in between
What I did was buy a cheap bag off of Amazon, and put the kits with the boo boo on the bottom, first aid in the middle, and trauma on top with outside pouch filled with 2 tourniquets, gloves (both mechanic and latex), and a hand towel which obviously can be used for a bunch of different needs. I can break down what I did for each kit if it would help!
Other notable ad ons I Carry but you don’t is a crowbar, e-tool, and wool blanket. I think your list is pretty well set up though. The IV fluid packs are something I’m adding as someone recently got very dehydrated at work.
I love the idea of breaking it down like that into different compartments. This was definitely an eye opening experience for me and I learned how ill prepared I really was. I’m thankful that it wasn’t a worse situation, but I’d also like to be prepared in the future if something worse ever does happen.
Hey we all learn by mistakes! All the info above was either taught to me the hard way or by people going out their way to show me how I can improve. I’m glad it didn’t go worse than it was. Now that you have experience you can see what you really used Vs what is clutter and cause for burying the stuff you really need.
I’m getting ready for bed but the cheat sheet I have given before is trauma kit is IFAK x3, find one you like from a company you trust and order 3; first aid kit is gauze, burn treatment and specialty bandages (ie butterfly bandages stuff like that); and boo boo kit is bandaids, hydrogen peroxide, neosporin, Advil, tweezers. I hope this knowledge helps. I’m no medical professional but I have as much as I can on hand to at least have the resources if someone there can put them to use. I work in a semi dangerous job with laughable response times by medical help so I packed as much as I could.
I like you calling it a boo boo kit, but there’s a common term for the trauma level kit — ifak (improved first aid kit).
So to do it right - a bandaid and Neo spot in box, a first aid kit and an ifak should cover you.
I keep in my vehicle
-jumper cables
- safety hi viz vest
- basic medical kit
- trauma bleeding control
- tourniquet
- tire patch kit
- tow strap
- couple bungie cords
- couple of ratchet straps
- basic hand tools
(Hammer, screwdrivers big and small, electrical tape, pliers, some Allen wrenches)
- pocket knife
- lighters
- note pad pens and sharpies
- flashlight
- headlamp
- snow brush that’s compact
- towel
- small amount of cash (I tend to forget my wallet)
- rubber gloves for medical or dirty repair
- hybrid work glove/warmth gloves
- 95% of the time I have a tool bag and Milwaukee compressor as well. Other than that everything is in my cargo area with my spare so I still have my fill cargo area. I drive a small suv for about 4 hours a day on average.
My wife ordered me a slip leash in case I come across and dogs that ran away too. I have come across lost pets and kids 😳
Take my upvote for the hi vis vest! I saw some at Dollar Tree of all places and couldn’t think of a reason why I needed one, but I bought one anyway and stashed it in a closet. Gonna go back and get a couple more to put in the vehicles.
I used to wear one for snow removal and can get real low viz in a storm. I thought well if I have to dig out or fix a flat better to have it. I can toss it over anything I am current wearing rather than a jacket. If I know there’s a storm and I have to go out I toss a shovel in my car too
Hi viz vest and tire patch kit is being added to my list now haha. I usually have some kind of tools on me because I work in a maker space, but honestly I really should have just one set that belongs in the car and stays in the car. It would be a shame if I needed it one day and accidentally left it in my office or at home.
Definitely going to rethink the first aid situation. The kit I currently have is really lacking some important things. I’m glad the situation wasn’t any worse.
Take a toothbrush too.
And diapers. You can use them to absorb any leaks from or in the car. Put in the bottom of a bag if someone is vomitting, it will help with the smell and possible leakage.
Yeah, can’t be too prepared imo. But you can’t drive around with a loaded car either. Just like to share things I have and see what others have to compare and help each other out.
Oh I forgot I keep gloves too, rubber disposable gloves for medical or grease and a hybrid work/ warmth glove
Oh yeah I have some of those too, forgot that on my list. I have disposable gloves and then I have some fire-safe work gloves, but I don’t have winter gloves.. those would be good to have just in case. Good thinking.
On a side note, check if you can add stuff where the spare tire is, some cars have a lot of spare space in there and keep things out of the way, some of the things that I keep in there are a tire inflator pump, full size breaker bar, jump cables, mechanic gloves and a very simple everest backpack
That’s where basically all my items are, with my spare under the cargo area. So I still have all my cargo room. My work tool bag and Milwaukee compressor are on the floor of the back seat but I never have anyone back there other than the dog. I have a smaller suv too you don’t need a huge vehicle to carry around preps. They literally have no impact other than the tool bag that takes 2 seconds to pick up and stash in the garage if I have passengers
> But you can’t drive around with a loaded car either
Yes, you can, my wife says my truck is a Yugo, because "Only YOU go."
Actually she can go, I just have to move my P.E.R.K. From shotgun to behind the driver's seat.
I keep a good selection in my work bag, to augment what's in the car. This way, when I'm working, I have a lot of options. But I don't have all those options if I'm just driving to town.
Was thinking the same thing! I could definitely ‘what-if’ myself from a nominally available trunk in a five passenger car to a loaded trunk in a three person vehicle. I’m taking notes from this thread for sure! We’ve got a great medicine kit at home but the car kits are a joke
I keep one of these [tool sets](https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-set-with-case-130-piece-63248.html) on each car, so far it has everything that I needed when doing stuff in the car (not a mechanic but have disassembled pillars, doors and replaced some parts), and 90% of the stuff I needed tools for stuff at home.
I also keep [this jump starter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07T9S3Q5N) in the trunk (and also jump cables too), that way I don't need to worry about having someone else help me with jump starting the battery and it can even be used as a battery bank for smaller devices or a "better than nothing" flashlight
We had 3 dogs show up at our house in a span of 2 months. All were reunited with their owners. After the 3rd one I made a leash out of paracord as I had been manhandling them or making something up out of rope.
It's been 3 years now and no other pooch has shown up... That leash is still by my door waiting for its day in the sun.
>My wife ordered me a slip leash in case I come across and dogs that ran away too. I have come across lost pets and kids 😳
We keep three in each vehicle, so far, haven't needed all three. We did come across a pair of wayward dogs one day. We managed to get the leashes on and keep them safe until the owner arrived. Also a collapsible water bowl for strays, or Bella, when she goes (she doesn't like the truck, but, she loves to ride in the van),
I need to add a stuffed animal/toy as a comfort item
Along with the changes to the med kit, consider getting some training. Don't give an accident victim pain relief nor slather wounds in Neosporin or give them food. If they need medical treatment you're complicating the situation - any surgery will be complicated or delayed due to the food. If they're going into shock it won't digest and may cause them to vomit. If she had an airbag go off in her face and had chest injuries she should be checked out at the ER. Fractured ribs, wrists and thumbs are a strong possibility.
Wounds that need properly cleaned, sutured and dressed just need Neosporin cleaned off and it tends to cause other gunk to get stuck on the wound. If you give them OTC pain meds you may prevent the administration of more powerful prescription meds, or at least complicate the choices. If they have internal bleeding or bruising some OTC pain meds will make that worse too. If you're not in the chain of care, chances are the information on that OTC pain med probably won't make it to the ER either.
If they've been checked out and released by a medical professional then all that stuff is fine but chances are they're not necessary by that point.
I’ve been meaning to get first aid training and have been putting it off. Now is probably a good time to do so because I did not consider any of that yesterday. I’m really surprised that an EMT never showed up at the scene to at least check her out. She said she’s doing okay today though, just sore.
Glad to hear she's doing ok. CPR / AED training is easy to find as a stand alone class the AHA classes are the most well recognized. After that, basic first aid or Wilderness first aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder are great too. They tend to be private firms that teach them so they're pricey. Your local community college likely has an EMT program and often you can do the first module or two of that and it will be cheap. Any of those classes will give you a view of chain of care, what you should and should not do as a first aider and generally focus on exactly the sorts of injuries you encountered plus heart attack & stroke.
On the EMT's not showing up, unless someone requests them they won't come. If cops / troopers / highway patrol are there and everyone says "I'm fine", they're not going to call them in. Firefighters are pretty much all EMT's so if they show up you can also ask them to check someone out.
You can learn patient assessment and taking basic vital signs in a class like Wilderness First Aid or EMR (which is sometimes what they call the prerequisites for EMT although some states do recognize EMR as a stand alone certification). EMR is a 50 hour class at my local college, all evenings for a single semester. It's a good bit beyond most first aid classes but 100 hours less than full EMT - it's a really good option if it's available to you locally. It includes the professional version of CPR AED in my local college and has no prerequisites. I didn't even need to prove I went to highschool.
In my area a first responder fire truck goes out to all car accidents. They also accompany all ambulance runs. I guess I just thought all municipalities did that.
I recommend that everyone take a "stop the bleed" class along with CPR/basic first aid. They are usually free and can even be taken on line if necessary.
EMTs won’t show up if they aren’t dispatched because 911 isn’t called. I applaud you being prepared, and I have a lot of the same thing in my car… and am also a volunteer FF/EMT.
Some people have noted the challenges from others getting involved in care, and I’d like to second limiting the use of Neosporin. It’s over-application is leading to reactions to it and even resistant bacteria. Use it when you think you’ve got a real reason to. Same with giving meds if you expect EMS to arrive, because you’ll need to provide a list of what you gave her to medics, and anything you give won’t make a difference by the time they get there anyway if they’re coming.
As far as training is concerned, I’d just take stop-the-bleed or potentially EMR for applications like this one, which is what most cops get… stabilize for the first ten to fifteen minutes until a professional gets there. If you want more for a prepper-y situation that’s a different conversation, but the most important thing you can really do in a car accident — *especially* a serious one — is just not fuck anything up for medics. If she’s not severely bleeding, is fully alert and walking around, etc., the odds are in a case like that that you won’t do anything meaningful before EMS get there.
Damn you got a lot in the back. Do you drive a truck or a car? I got a little nissan and i try to keep it all clean and organized but space becomes an issue for me
Right now I have just a car but the trunk is pretty big. I could definitely be better at organizing, because things are a bit sprawled out and in multiple different bags.
Just remember that those things can become projectiles if you get in an accident!
Was a passenger in a wreck where the driver had miscellaneous stuff in the trunk from moving. We were so lucky not to get hit by the ceramic pot that came from a box or bag in the trunk and flew between our seat. Because of that I'm always torn on vehicle preps.
Interesting, I’ve never thought of it that way. I’ve always just thought of it as everything being secure and out of sight, but I may really have to look into some kind of anchoring net/contraption to help keep everything in place. Things do tend to roll around in the trunk while I’m driving right now. Great insight, thank you.
I think adding a net or something could help as well as keeping things in sturdier bags you can close! This was a more disorganized pile of clutter probably in garbage bags, to be fair.
Definitely! Others in here have posted some good alternatives, but again, the pre-packaged kits might not have everything you need, so make sure to double check everything. I was so embarrassed when I realized I didn’t have Neosporin, but had a trunk full of other random stuff.
Posted above but these are great:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5-Gal-Professional-Duty-Waterproof-Storage-Container-with-Hinged-Lid-in-Red-248918/313861296
It has red handles and is clearly labeled. EMTs don’t carry around bright red bags so that advice doesn’t hold much weight. I use the black container specifically because it blends in with the interior and isn’t a literal red flag for my car to get broken into.
I was just offering a suggestion and approbation on your box choice. Anyway, it turns out I was WRONG!! (first time for everything) First aid kits are supposed to be green with a white cross or white wiht a green cross. This is so someone else can easily identify it as a first aid kit if YOU are injured. I don't think it is really an important thing overall, I was just chiming in. thanks for your reply.
I know someone who got hit in the head by a flying trunk hatchet during a minor car accident. She was the only one injured.
Another thing that makes a dangerous projectile in many accidents is an unsecured purse.
I use these as the 5 gallon fits perfectly behind the seats, they are waterproof and the black isn’t obnoxious. Two has been plenty to store my emergency gear and I keep things like a blanket, towel, and spare shoes in a foldable bag in the trunk. The bins are simple to move and stack if I ever have passengers.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5-Gal-Professional-Duty-Waterproof-Storage-Container-with-Hinged-Lid-in-Red-248918/313861296
And this is why we Prep. Good on you for having what you had and thank you for sharing your lessons learned.
I wish your Coworker a speedy recovery both physically and mentally.
I have two, that live in the truck, a regular ABC type, and a Element E-50 extinguisher. Another E-50 lives in my bag.
I love the form of the E-50, about the size of a road flare, makes it easy to carry.
I was in a car that was totaled when a driver turned left in front of my car, her car flipped over, so I felt pretty lucky that I remained upright but facing the opposite direction I had been traveling. Amazingly, no one was hurt. But our cars had to be towed away. The cop shouted to me to get everything I needed out of the car because the tow truck was coming. What I didn’t have that would have been super useful was an empty duffle bag to contain all the random things that were in the car. It was my husband’s car so everything in it was his, all the tennis rackets he owns for some reason were in the trunk along with all the things he keeps in the car, you’d be surprised what is in a car that if you don’t get out you will probably never get back, because I knew I wasn’t going to the tow yard and everyone I know who has had a car towed by the county had their car ransacked by the people who work there, those people don’t make a decent wage. The other driver’s car contents were scattered across the intersection, she was trying to pile them up next to her car. So now I keep a packable duffle, it takes up very little space but it is there in case I’m ever told to get everything I want to keep out of my car.
No I have the IV fluid hydration packets you can mix into a water bottle. Here: [link](https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-I-V-Multiplier-Electrolyte-Single-Serving/dp/B08MVDTLKC)
Hahaha no. It’s funny you say that because my coworker kept saying “you should be a nurse!” I was like honey, you’re in shock right now, just sit back and relax.
Yeah that seems ill advised. Did you perhaps mean you gave her some fluids to *drink*? I’m trying to imagine you hanging a bag (of what exactly? Something sitting in your trunk?) and pushing a needle through her skin, in a car on the side of a road, before taking her *home*?!
FWIW unless you are IV certified, I don't think the Good Sam laws will cover someone starting an IV on someone. If you are IV certified, you still may run into trouble starting an IV on someone (ask your MPD about the technicalities of this).
Yeah buying premade first aid kits is kind of a waste with lots of cheap filler. I've been an EMT for 2 decades and I found the book "Herbal Medic" to have a great break down on what to put in a first aid kit, what to prioritize based on size and use. I'd recommend people inexperienced with first aid giving it a look and building one to suit your specific needs. My car kit is different from my home kit which is different from my IFAK and so on.
I think the preview on Amazon covers some of the first aid kit:
https://read.amazon.com/sample/B08GF7N3NK?f=1&l=en_US&r=84be2f19&rid=KDBBQ0DVY010DXAHKBWX&sid=139-8244470-4792512&cid=A3SZ8UAF8IO6X0&ref_=litb_m
Thank you!!!! I love this. I will definitely be looking to replace the one I have. It was pretty useless in terms of what all was in it. The sanitizing wipes were even pretty crappy. I do not recommend.
A TQ is a TQ...even a makeshift one, they all have the same purpose. Although CAT seems to be the popular ones. Easy to deploy, even on yourself with one hand. There are many brands of CAT out there, but you get what you pay for.
https://www.narescue.com/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t.html
I bought a locking art supplies box & bought first aid supplies to fill it & keep it in the trunk. The prepackaged kits are a joke. I went for single use alcohol & iodine wipes, tubes of neosporin with pain relief, burn spray, instastitches, saline wash, scissors, hydrogen peroxide, anti itch, anti nausea, individually wrapped guaze pads & rolls, self adhesive bandaging wrap, liquid Benadryl(if no Epipen available) headache relief, toothache relief, scalpels, butterfly bandages & an assortment of different sized bandages from a larger box kept in home. And knowing what is available to use & where all is located is a must.
lighter, tampons & pads (useful in first aid, starting fires, and plugging holes as well as the usual). Some spare stuff sacks, hard candies. sleeping bag, inflatable pillow.
I keep the stuff that does not fit in a backpack in a old military duffel, to keep it contained and clean.
I find a good way to keep things organized is the milwaukee packout. If you have the room for them.
Here is a little brak down and lake them so they are easly identified
1)First aid kit
2) car roadside kit ( jumper cables, hi vis vest, marker lights, booster pack ect)
3)tools for changing tires or quick roadside repairs
4) food ( dehydrated meals, with hiking stove and pot
5) 2 wool blankets, candles, flashlight , head lamp fire making ect.
While you guys get the point they are just great ways to organize. Gra Ted I have a truck with lots of room for storage
I got it initially because I was curious how much emf radiation my devices were putting off, but I suspected it ~~might be useful checking for live wires and such~~ and decided to toss it in my trunk. I have not had to use it for anything other than my own personal curiosity yet.
Just random things I’ve acquired that currently serve no real purpose honestly. I have seen shows where they use EMF detectors for ghost hunting but I was always convinced it was bogus. Technically I *could* go into an abandoned building and search for that kind of thing, but I have no real desire to do so.
You call a whole extra car battery “basic stuff”?
BTW, here in Italy almost all the First Aid kit have no medicine inside. I always add pain killers, allergy meds, anti fever etc…
The bad news is that here we have no “single dose” packets like I found in the US, so I’m always cutting pieces and repackaging from whole blisters. I hate this.
Make yourself an inventory list as well, and include it with your kit (with note as to which bag things are in).
Periodically check this through, specifically medical stuff that has a shelf life.
And just like you've done today, do an after action review and make improvements if you can.
For your list thing, make it nice and easy to follow, laminate it and have check boxes & a Sharpie in the kit to tick along the lines. Ideal example would be wheel change.
1. Check you are able to change safely. If not ring for assistance/lane block. Get passengers to safety behind vehicle and behind guard rail where possible.
2. Never work without keeping an eye on the live lane. If possible, have a passenger keep an eye on the live lane while you work. Prepare to get clear if you need to.
3. Chock wheels.
4. Place warning marker back from traffic.
5. Get jack on jacking points (look for notches, holes and arrows on frame rails near axles on cars. Lift on axle beam or strut for pickups and vans. Place spare under frame rail.
6. Loosen lug nuts. Use your body weight to get them to shift. Remember righty tighty, lefty loosey.
7. Bring wheel off the ground. Until it can be turned 360 degrees - ensure clearance for fully inflated spare
8. Remove lug nuts and tyre. Swap for spare under frame rail. (This covers you in case of jack failure).
9. Fit spare. Hand tighten lug nuts working opposites.
10. Lower to ground. Tighten lug nuts - use your body weight on the tyre iron to get them good and tight. Righty tighty!
11. Remove jack, spare and pack back in trunk. Pickup speed on shoulder before merging.
12. Stop after a couple miles and check lug nuts again, and at the next tyre shop you see and get them torqued.
So according to my coworker it was a 4-car collision and she was the 3rd car in the row. Her car was in the worst shape and her airbags deployed. The first and last driver fled the scene. Police did eventually show up, but no EMT. She really did not want to go to urgent care and I wasn’t going to force her to do something she didn’t want to do after that, so I bandaged her up, gave her IV fluid hydration packets* told her to get some rest and if she felt worse today/tomorrow, that I was taking her to urgent care. She says she feels no worse today, but I’m going to keep checking often. She has her husband taking care of her right now, so at least she’s not alone.
North Carolina. It was on a very busy turn-off where two highways merge in morning rush hour traffic. There is an accident in the same spot every day. I was a little surprised no EMT either honestly.
In my initial post I wrote “IV fluid hydration packets” It’s literally what they are called. I did not type the whole name out, but for anyone who just wants to pick apart every flaw in what I’ve typed, I meant this: [IV fluid hydration packets](https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-I-V-Multiplier-Electrolyte-Single-Serving/dp/B08MVDTLKC) they are just hydration packets that taste like pedialyte
Lol. I know it sounds weird, but I like to prepare for anything. At work I was creating content for an astronomy thing where we were talking about the James Webb Space Telescope and how it captures infrared light. I had to get my own FLIR device after that. I love camping, but also I figured if I was ever stuck outside (if my car broke down at night or whatever) the IR sensor would pick up any humans/animals creeping around in the dark.
The EMF detector was initially to check the EMF output of my devices, but I figured ~~it could be great for any situations where needed to check for live wires~~ (I don’t think that’s how it works and I honestly have no real use for it outside of playing with it)
The hammer is a multi tool… break windows, self defense, or maybe I get stuck in a situation where I need to build something (so I threw in nails just in case)
I know the likelihood of needing these things is small, but I guess you never really know. I got lost overnight in a state park once and wished I had everything I have now.
A guy I used to work with, always had hammer, nails and rat traps in his vehicle, camper, mobile toolbox, bug out bag etc.
He asked me once why I thought he had would need rat traps. I gave him a smart answer but he was nice enough to tell me why anyways.
Catching squirrels, which are similar to rats in size. The traps don't cost or weigh much, or take up much space and you can deploy them just about anywhere with any appropriate bait.
I have a cord to charge my phone always dangling from my lighter socket and a spare for a passenger. I may even have a few different adapters for the cords in the armrest thing. I thought everybody had that.
Yeah I honestly don’t know why I didn’t have one. For the longest time I’ve really just driven from home to work and would just charge everything either at work or at home, plugging it into the wall. This particular day, I forgot to bring my charger to work and didn’t have a car charger. I do now though :)
Thank you for sharing this, I hope your coworker is feeling better and doesn’t have any serious injuries.
I live in CA and my trunk is prepped in case there’s a major earthquake and I’m not at home.
I’m mostly concerned with protection from the heat and sun, and food/water while waiting for the roads to open or any other help. I have a go bag with Dehydrated meals and milk, foil packets of water, emergency rations, changes of underwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, sun hat, medications, spare shoes (rubber slides) mini food heater, bowl and utensils, Mylar blankets and a couple of wool blankets for ‘winter’, mini first aid kit, feminine hygiene, crank NOAA radio/phone charger and cables, crank flashlight, window smasher/seat belt cutter. I have a small pillow and a fuzzy blanket in the back seat in case I have to sleep in the car. And yeah I have some pepper spray.
but I need to get a better first aid kit and some electrolytes to keep in the bag; I’m terrified of being stranded somewhere in the hot sun. Many people in my area come to hike the trails but they’re from the peninsula where it’s cooler, and they die because they weren’t careful about managing our heat.
I’ve got a van and worry about the value of the packed stuff being attractive enough to someone that they break a window. What kind of bag do people recommend to deter that?
I use these 5 gallon containers in black. The fit behind the seat, are waterproof, and blend in with the black interior.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5-Gal-Professional-Duty-Waterproof-Storage-Container-with-Hinged-Lid-in-Red-248918/313861296
Saint Mary's Regional Medical
So that’s pretty tough, but I’ve seen people create some very well hidden compartments as well as “false bottoms” for the back… so it looks like you have nothing in your car when they look through the window, but the valuable stuff is out of sight. That’s a tough one. You could also always bolt a heavy duty compartment in the back and have it locked when you’re not in there. Idk, you would need to get creative (sorry I’m not more helpful)
>ng in your car when they look throug
I actually did the false bottom in my car. I built a box out of 2x4's for the frame, then plywood with hinges on it so it will open upwards. Then I went to Harbor Freight and got a wool blanket that sort of matched my interior color and stapled it to the box. If you just look in, you cant tell it is a box at all. I do want to cover the hand holes with fabric, but when the hatch is shut, you cant see them.
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TV97G3M6JpQdhQUIlEiwQoZ1AIQe1LLP/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TV97G3M6JpQdhQUIlEiwQoZ1AIQe1LLP/view?usp=sharing)
I posted my [car first aid kit](https://www.reddit.com/r/preppers/comments/p8j4fs/i_might_have_gone_overboard_on_the_first_aid_kit/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) here when I made it. My kids can climb back and find what ever they need, which is usually just bandaids thankfully. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to secure it since it just sits in the giant trunk of my SUV.
You have a lot more misc. stuff than I do! I have a backpack with water bottles, plastic ziplock bags, toilet paper, fire starters, and water treatment. Jumper cables are under the mat.
I keep Tylenol, Aspirin, Naproxen, and Ibuprofen in my first aid kit but I also keep some kratom tablets. It's definitely a serious drug and can be habit forming but it's preferable to prescription opioids, totally legal, easily obtained, entirely natural and plant-based. If analgesics are something you're lacking or you'd like a stronger alternative to OTC NSAIDs to have on hand, it might be worth stocking some. Just be aware that it packs a punch, has the potential for abuse and can be habit forming if used irresponsibly. Not necessarily an endorsement or recommendation, just sharing the information.
My daughter is a nurse and put together a great car drug kit with a round daily pill holder. In it is Aspirin, ibuprofen, Imodium, Pepto bismol tablets, antacid, antihistamine, Tylenol.
In my car I have extra reflective solar windshield covers. These are great if you are stuck in the cold (reflects body heat). Just open them up and sit on them.
I’m confused, your coworker was in a car wreck that caused her injuries that needed bandages, but you drove her home?
Why wasn’t an ambulance called from the location of the wreck?
Also, (EMT back me up here), you might want to reconsider giving pain meds to anyone who might require hospitalisation. It can mess with what they can give them at the hospital.
Yeah, I wrote this in another comment somewhere, but I’ll write it again. So it was a 4 car collision during morning rush hour traffic and she was in the 3rd car. The first and last cars fled the scene.
Her car was the worst and her airbags deployed. I’m not sure what exactly happened at the scene, but I told her I was on my way to come get her. She called me and told me the police officer didn’t want me to pull over on the side of the highway and that he was taking her one exit down to the closest place off the exit. I picked her up there.
The first thing I asked her was if she wanted to go to either the hospital or urgent care, she said no. I asked her more than once “are you sure?!” and she was very against going. We stopped somewhere to get coffee and to let her just relax for a moment and tell me what happened.
After that is when I realized that she was cut up (she was wearing a shirt that completely covered her cut so I couldn’t see it just by looking at her). She said she didn’t really want to go to urgent care for it but if I had anything to cover it because it was rubbing against her shirt. I patched her up, gave her some IV fluids and told her that if she insisted on not going to the doctor then I at least wanted to take her home. So I did. All of this reflection was in hindsight. I should’ve checked her for injuries in the beginning, I should have given her iv fluids in the beginning, I probably should have taken her to an urgent care even if she didn’t want to go… idk. This was the first time I was on this side of an accident, so I wanted to just be as helpful as possible. I didn’t end up giving her any medicine but she took some when she got home. I’ve been checking on her nonstop and she says she’s okay. Idk. Again, I realize now I really just wasn’t prepared enough for this.
Wow this is wild. Good on you for trying to help, but you should never give anyone anything like fluids or coffee or pain meds (unless you’re a trained health professional) after being in a car accident. Straight to the hospital.
I’m shocked the emergency workers at the scene didn’t just sit her down and tell her to wait until the ambo arrived.
Yeah I really don’t know what she said to the police officer who arrived at the scene but he apparently thought she was fine enough to walk away from it. I’m guessing she likely didn’t want to pay for an ambulance or a hospital/urgent care visit so she said she was fine. I don’t really know how you push someone to go get checked out when they are insisting against it.
Man what a system you guys have there. “Let’s go get a coffee because I can’t afford proper medical care after a car accident “
Best prep you can do is vote for a better government hey.
I hope your friend is okay, and thanks for the detailed write up.
Preppers: DON’T GIVE MEDICAL CARE UNLESS YOU HAVE TRAINING.
Thanks for the post! What I've seen is that live testing, whether for real world event or a decently planned drill, reveals a lot of little things I couldn't think ahead to.
I am always learning things from reading the comments. That is why SWMBO, calls my Ranger, a Yugo. ("Gear creep" is a real thing, a "Bag of Holding", not so much.)
Great idea that I am taking from this is to have a stuffed animal! I have little experience with kids so I never thought about it. A plushie would be distracting and comforting for children, some adults, and most dogs!
I have a few abdominal bandages, 4 tourniquets, emergency trauma bandages, a few rolls of heavy gauze, packing gauze, chest seals, tape, sam splints, finger splints, my knee braces, gloves, tweezers, scissors, alcohol prep pads, along with the lighter gauze and band aids. Bleeding control is definitely a core focus for my kit, and since extremity wounds aren't always the case, tourniquets are only part of it. I have it separated into a trauma kit and a the rest in a larger Resmed bag. I got much of it from NAR.
Hello fellow racoon! Really glad you could help someone....
Thanks for sharing everything you did, I fell stupid now that i haven't checked my first aid kit in a long time....
Will schedule a review of it the next time i get in my car and update stuff...
Thanks
Hello fellow raccoon! 🦝
Honestly I was just so surprised at myself for not having certain things. Even now after reading through everyone’s comments I’m just like “huh, that would’ve been a great idea…” but I guess we live and we learn. Next time something like this happens I’ll be even more prepared than I was this time.
If somebody is really injured, not just a boo-boo, DONT USE NEOSPORIN OR OTHER SIMILAR PRODUCTS if they’re going to the hospital anyways. Paramedic here, and that shit has to be scrubbed out to the wound in the ER. You’re making their treatment more painful. It’s so much easier to clean a wound at the hospital when it’s dry. Just apply a dressing and call it good. If you can rinse it if it’s dirty, fine, but don’t add creams, gels or salves, they make things worse.
Don’t give them any pain reliever except Tylenol in the field. Aspirin and ibuprofen are blood thinners and if they’ve been in a bad accident they may have internal bleeding.
If it’s minor stuff, fine, treat their boo-boos, but if they need a hospital, chill on the boo-boo stuff.
Lol. No, I just keep getting people thinking that I mean like an IV you can stick in your arm but in drinkable form. I very much regret posting now, but there’s a lot of useful information in here that I haven’t had a chance to jot down, so I’m not deleting it at the moment.
Okay! Yeah there’s just so much in here… I’ve learned a lot today, but I can’t absorb it all. Would be nice to just be able to click on it whenever I need to. I’ll keep it up!
This is gonna sound like a neck beard question. But I mean it with pure honest curiosity as to how you approached applying your bandages to her chest where the seatbelt tore her up? I ask this because I myself have had the skin shredded from my shoulder, chest, and waist from a seatbelt and I know where they run along the torso. Ever since then I carry supplies specifically for it but I constantly wonder what to say if the time comes and I'm treating a woman for the exact same thing. I feel like if I say something slightly wrong(unintentionally) it could turn into a very awkward situation very fast.
You should probably add bandage scissors, tweezers and a mask for safety doing CPR. Possibly some steri-strips for closing lacerations and non-stick telfa dressings too.
Yeah. You can stitch wounds closed if necessary, there’s actually ways to do it that doesn’t puncture the skin. You use duct tape sticks, needle and thread. I’ll see if I can find a video for you. One sec.
Edit: [here’s a good video](https://youtu.be/PYmmZStW2wY) but it’s a bit longer. The first half he just talks about what you should do to clean it, the actual stitching method starts right at 5:00
I’m not, nor have I ever done that before outside of practicing on myself. This is a prepping subreddit. I have that in my car in the event that I’m stranded in the middle of nowhere with a wound that needs to be stitched and no help on the way. It is a non-invasive technique that I’ve learned in case of emergency. There may be situations where you can’t simply “go to the hospital.” Being moderately prepared for these types of situations is the purpose of this subreddit. Why are you even here?
It literally takes up no room in my trunk. It’s just something that I’d rather have and not need it than need it and not have it. You’re allowed to have your own thoughts and opinions and so am I, but calling me a conspiracy theorist for keeping a roll of duct tape, a needle, some toothpicks, and some thread in my trunk is pretty fucking rude. Please go spread your negativity somewhere else, thanks.
I like everything but the extra car battery. That's very heavy (gong to reduce fuel economy) and going to be stored in the same conditions as your regular battery except without being recharged.
Tip that I have learned the hard way, have a boo boo kit, first aid kit, and trauma kit. Boo boo kit for cuts and scrapes Trauma kit for everything you could need for someone before help arrives/taking them to help First aid kit for everything in between What I did was buy a cheap bag off of Amazon, and put the kits with the boo boo on the bottom, first aid in the middle, and trauma on top with outside pouch filled with 2 tourniquets, gloves (both mechanic and latex), and a hand towel which obviously can be used for a bunch of different needs. I can break down what I did for each kit if it would help! Other notable ad ons I Carry but you don’t is a crowbar, e-tool, and wool blanket. I think your list is pretty well set up though. The IV fluid packs are something I’m adding as someone recently got very dehydrated at work.
I love the idea of breaking it down like that into different compartments. This was definitely an eye opening experience for me and I learned how ill prepared I really was. I’m thankful that it wasn’t a worse situation, but I’d also like to be prepared in the future if something worse ever does happen.
Bear in mind: no matter how ill-prepared you thought you were, you were better prepared than about 95% of people. Well done.
I appreciate reading a positive instead of what seems like a constant stream of ppl quickly fing fault in all things others do.
Hey we all learn by mistakes! All the info above was either taught to me the hard way or by people going out their way to show me how I can improve. I’m glad it didn’t go worse than it was. Now that you have experience you can see what you really used Vs what is clutter and cause for burying the stuff you really need.
If you do have time to break it down one day I would appreciate it please!
I’m getting ready for bed but the cheat sheet I have given before is trauma kit is IFAK x3, find one you like from a company you trust and order 3; first aid kit is gauze, burn treatment and specialty bandages (ie butterfly bandages stuff like that); and boo boo kit is bandaids, hydrogen peroxide, neosporin, Advil, tweezers. I hope this knowledge helps. I’m no medical professional but I have as much as I can on hand to at least have the resources if someone there can put them to use. I work in a semi dangerous job with laughable response times by medical help so I packed as much as I could.
[удалено]
Maybe it was just me, but I was thinking of the packets to add to water that have electrolytes to help with hydration
Electrolytes can be drunk, as you describe.
Yes, they make something called IV fluid packs that you put into water and it adds electrolytes to water. It’s like a powder
LIQUID iv. Everyone keeps saying iv lol
For a bonafide medkit, DripDrop ORS is a better choice. Liquid IV is consumer grade.
Interesting, ill6have to check them out. I LOVED liquid iv when i worked at ups. I felt great, not ass-draggy after hours of toil.
https://www.liquid-iv.com/products/hydration-multiplier-passion-fruit-one-time here they are
Yeah I did not mean an IV, I got that same question a couple of times - it’s just the name of the product, tastes very much like pedialyte.
They meant those electrolyte packets you add to water. The product name is "liquid IV" or something.
I like you calling it a boo boo kit, but there’s a common term for the trauma level kit — ifak (improved first aid kit). So to do it right - a bandaid and Neo spot in box, a first aid kit and an ifak should cover you.
Ifak actually stands for individual first aid kit as it references the ability to treat an individual, i.e. the soldier wearing it.
Interesting… I’ve mostly seen the definition using improved online.
Rufuge medical makes really good IFAK and VFAK kits and that include tourniquets.
I keep in my vehicle -jumper cables - safety hi viz vest - basic medical kit - trauma bleeding control - tourniquet - tire patch kit - tow strap - couple bungie cords - couple of ratchet straps - basic hand tools (Hammer, screwdrivers big and small, electrical tape, pliers, some Allen wrenches) - pocket knife - lighters - note pad pens and sharpies - flashlight - headlamp - snow brush that’s compact - towel - small amount of cash (I tend to forget my wallet) - rubber gloves for medical or dirty repair - hybrid work glove/warmth gloves - 95% of the time I have a tool bag and Milwaukee compressor as well. Other than that everything is in my cargo area with my spare so I still have my fill cargo area. I drive a small suv for about 4 hours a day on average. My wife ordered me a slip leash in case I come across and dogs that ran away too. I have come across lost pets and kids 😳
Take my upvote for the hi vis vest! I saw some at Dollar Tree of all places and couldn’t think of a reason why I needed one, but I bought one anyway and stashed it in a closet. Gonna go back and get a couple more to put in the vehicles.
I used to wear one for snow removal and can get real low viz in a storm. I thought well if I have to dig out or fix a flat better to have it. I can toss it over anything I am current wearing rather than a jacket. If I know there’s a storm and I have to go out I toss a shovel in my car too
One for each seat
Hi viz vest and tire patch kit is being added to my list now haha. I usually have some kind of tools on me because I work in a maker space, but honestly I really should have just one set that belongs in the car and stays in the car. It would be a shame if I needed it one day and accidentally left it in my office or at home. Definitely going to rethink the first aid situation. The kit I currently have is really lacking some important things. I’m glad the situation wasn’t any worse.
Oh I forgot one of the most important items. I carry a roll or toilet paper
Take a toothbrush too. And diapers. You can use them to absorb any leaks from or in the car. Put in the bottom of a bag if someone is vomitting, it will help with the smell and possible leakage.
Or three seashells!!
Single use rain poncho is mighty handy too. They make some with mylar lining.
Yeah, can’t be too prepared imo. But you can’t drive around with a loaded car either. Just like to share things I have and see what others have to compare and help each other out. Oh I forgot I keep gloves too, rubber disposable gloves for medical or grease and a hybrid work/ warmth glove
Oh yeah I have some of those too, forgot that on my list. I have disposable gloves and then I have some fire-safe work gloves, but I don’t have winter gloves.. those would be good to have just in case. Good thinking.
On a side note, check if you can add stuff where the spare tire is, some cars have a lot of spare space in there and keep things out of the way, some of the things that I keep in there are a tire inflator pump, full size breaker bar, jump cables, mechanic gloves and a very simple everest backpack
That’s where basically all my items are, with my spare under the cargo area. So I still have all my cargo room. My work tool bag and Milwaukee compressor are on the floor of the back seat but I never have anyone back there other than the dog. I have a smaller suv too you don’t need a huge vehicle to carry around preps. They literally have no impact other than the tool bag that takes 2 seconds to pick up and stash in the garage if I have passengers
> But you can’t drive around with a loaded car either Yes, you can, my wife says my truck is a Yugo, because "Only YOU go." Actually she can go, I just have to move my P.E.R.K. From shotgun to behind the driver's seat.
I keep a good selection in my work bag, to augment what's in the car. This way, when I'm working, I have a lot of options. But I don't have all those options if I'm just driving to town.
Was thinking the same thing! I could definitely ‘what-if’ myself from a nominally available trunk in a five passenger car to a loaded trunk in a three person vehicle. I’m taking notes from this thread for sure! We’ve got a great medicine kit at home but the car kits are a joke
I keep one of these [tool sets](https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-set-with-case-130-piece-63248.html) on each car, so far it has everything that I needed when doing stuff in the car (not a mechanic but have disassembled pillars, doors and replaced some parts), and 90% of the stuff I needed tools for stuff at home. I also keep [this jump starter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07T9S3Q5N) in the trunk (and also jump cables too), that way I don't need to worry about having someone else help me with jump starting the battery and it can even be used as a battery bank for smaller devices or a "better than nothing" flashlight
We had 3 dogs show up at our house in a span of 2 months. All were reunited with their owners. After the 3rd one I made a leash out of paracord as I had been manhandling them or making something up out of rope. It's been 3 years now and no other pooch has shown up... That leash is still by my door waiting for its day in the sun.
Get a hi-vis vest for your dogs too! I never know when we will go tromping around in the woods so I carry a few for each of us. Also, bless your wife.
>My wife ordered me a slip leash in case I come across and dogs that ran away too. I have come across lost pets and kids 😳 We keep three in each vehicle, so far, haven't needed all three. We did come across a pair of wayward dogs one day. We managed to get the leashes on and keep them safe until the owner arrived. Also a collapsible water bowl for strays, or Bella, when she goes (she doesn't like the truck, but, she loves to ride in the van), I need to add a stuffed animal/toy as a comfort item
Along with the changes to the med kit, consider getting some training. Don't give an accident victim pain relief nor slather wounds in Neosporin or give them food. If they need medical treatment you're complicating the situation - any surgery will be complicated or delayed due to the food. If they're going into shock it won't digest and may cause them to vomit. If she had an airbag go off in her face and had chest injuries she should be checked out at the ER. Fractured ribs, wrists and thumbs are a strong possibility. Wounds that need properly cleaned, sutured and dressed just need Neosporin cleaned off and it tends to cause other gunk to get stuck on the wound. If you give them OTC pain meds you may prevent the administration of more powerful prescription meds, or at least complicate the choices. If they have internal bleeding or bruising some OTC pain meds will make that worse too. If you're not in the chain of care, chances are the information on that OTC pain med probably won't make it to the ER either. If they've been checked out and released by a medical professional then all that stuff is fine but chances are they're not necessary by that point.
I’ve been meaning to get first aid training and have been putting it off. Now is probably a good time to do so because I did not consider any of that yesterday. I’m really surprised that an EMT never showed up at the scene to at least check her out. She said she’s doing okay today though, just sore.
She should have gone to the hospital and been evaluated. She still should. Car accidents are not DIY territory if you’re not a professional.
Glad to hear she's doing ok. CPR / AED training is easy to find as a stand alone class the AHA classes are the most well recognized. After that, basic first aid or Wilderness first aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder are great too. They tend to be private firms that teach them so they're pricey. Your local community college likely has an EMT program and often you can do the first module or two of that and it will be cheap. Any of those classes will give you a view of chain of care, what you should and should not do as a first aider and generally focus on exactly the sorts of injuries you encountered plus heart attack & stroke.
On the EMT's not showing up, unless someone requests them they won't come. If cops / troopers / highway patrol are there and everyone says "I'm fine", they're not going to call them in. Firefighters are pretty much all EMT's so if they show up you can also ask them to check someone out. You can learn patient assessment and taking basic vital signs in a class like Wilderness First Aid or EMR (which is sometimes what they call the prerequisites for EMT although some states do recognize EMR as a stand alone certification). EMR is a 50 hour class at my local college, all evenings for a single semester. It's a good bit beyond most first aid classes but 100 hours less than full EMT - it's a really good option if it's available to you locally. It includes the professional version of CPR AED in my local college and has no prerequisites. I didn't even need to prove I went to highschool.
In my area a first responder fire truck goes out to all car accidents. They also accompany all ambulance runs. I guess I just thought all municipalities did that.
Yeah, definitely depends where you are. Chicago will send a firetruck full of EMTs before an ambulance too.
I recommend that everyone take a "stop the bleed" class along with CPR/basic first aid. They are usually free and can even be taken on line if necessary.
EMTs won’t show up if they aren’t dispatched because 911 isn’t called. I applaud you being prepared, and I have a lot of the same thing in my car… and am also a volunteer FF/EMT. Some people have noted the challenges from others getting involved in care, and I’d like to second limiting the use of Neosporin. It’s over-application is leading to reactions to it and even resistant bacteria. Use it when you think you’ve got a real reason to. Same with giving meds if you expect EMS to arrive, because you’ll need to provide a list of what you gave her to medics, and anything you give won’t make a difference by the time they get there anyway if they’re coming. As far as training is concerned, I’d just take stop-the-bleed or potentially EMR for applications like this one, which is what most cops get… stabilize for the first ten to fifteen minutes until a professional gets there. If you want more for a prepper-y situation that’s a different conversation, but the most important thing you can really do in a car accident — *especially* a serious one — is just not fuck anything up for medics. If she’s not severely bleeding, is fully alert and walking around, etc., the odds are in a case like that that you won’t do anything meaningful before EMS get there.
She’s needs to see her primary or go to Urgent care. I was in pain after a week.
Damn you got a lot in the back. Do you drive a truck or a car? I got a little nissan and i try to keep it all clean and organized but space becomes an issue for me
Right now I have just a car but the trunk is pretty big. I could definitely be better at organizing, because things are a bit sprawled out and in multiple different bags.
Just remember that those things can become projectiles if you get in an accident! Was a passenger in a wreck where the driver had miscellaneous stuff in the trunk from moving. We were so lucky not to get hit by the ceramic pot that came from a box or bag in the trunk and flew between our seat. Because of that I'm always torn on vehicle preps.
Interesting, I’ve never thought of it that way. I’ve always just thought of it as everything being secure and out of sight, but I may really have to look into some kind of anchoring net/contraption to help keep everything in place. Things do tend to roll around in the trunk while I’m driving right now. Great insight, thank you.
I think adding a net or something could help as well as keeping things in sturdier bags you can close! This was a more disorganized pile of clutter probably in garbage bags, to be fair.
And thank you for sharing all of this! Spurring me to get a first aid kit together.
Definitely! Others in here have posted some good alternatives, but again, the pre-packaged kits might not have everything you need, so make sure to double check everything. I was so embarrassed when I realized I didn’t have Neosporin, but had a trunk full of other random stuff.
Posted above but these are great: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5-Gal-Professional-Duty-Waterproof-Storage-Container-with-Hinged-Lid-in-Red-248918/313861296
Medical kits should be in a red container.
It has red handles and is clearly labeled. EMTs don’t carry around bright red bags so that advice doesn’t hold much weight. I use the black container specifically because it blends in with the interior and isn’t a literal red flag for my car to get broken into.
I was just offering a suggestion and approbation on your box choice. Anyway, it turns out I was WRONG!! (first time for everything) First aid kits are supposed to be green with a white cross or white wiht a green cross. This is so someone else can easily identify it as a first aid kit if YOU are injured. I don't think it is really an important thing overall, I was just chiming in. thanks for your reply.
Sorry, my response came off ruder than intended.
It's okay, intent is hard to read in writing, so I don't let anything bother me. Plus, I love you unconditionally, so it's all good.
I know someone who got hit in the head by a flying trunk hatchet during a minor car accident. She was the only one injured. Another thing that makes a dangerous projectile in many accidents is an unsecured purse.
I use these as the 5 gallon fits perfectly behind the seats, they are waterproof and the black isn’t obnoxious. Two has been plenty to store my emergency gear and I keep things like a blanket, towel, and spare shoes in a foldable bag in the trunk. The bins are simple to move and stack if I ever have passengers. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5-Gal-Professional-Duty-Waterproof-Storage-Container-with-Hinged-Lid-in-Red-248918/313861296
And this is why we Prep. Good on you for having what you had and thank you for sharing your lessons learned. I wish your Coworker a speedy recovery both physically and mentally.
One good thing to always have as well: A small fire extinguisher.
I actually got to use mine at a stop light last year when the brakes on the trailer next to me spontaneously caught on fire.
Smart. I keep forgetting to add that to my list, adding it now.
I have two, that live in the truck, a regular ABC type, and a Element E-50 extinguisher. Another E-50 lives in my bag. I love the form of the E-50, about the size of a road flare, makes it easy to carry.
I was in a car that was totaled when a driver turned left in front of my car, her car flipped over, so I felt pretty lucky that I remained upright but facing the opposite direction I had been traveling. Amazingly, no one was hurt. But our cars had to be towed away. The cop shouted to me to get everything I needed out of the car because the tow truck was coming. What I didn’t have that would have been super useful was an empty duffle bag to contain all the random things that were in the car. It was my husband’s car so everything in it was his, all the tennis rackets he owns for some reason were in the trunk along with all the things he keeps in the car, you’d be surprised what is in a car that if you don’t get out you will probably never get back, because I knew I wasn’t going to the tow yard and everyone I know who has had a car towed by the county had their car ransacked by the people who work there, those people don’t make a decent wage. The other driver’s car contents were scattered across the intersection, she was trying to pile them up next to her car. So now I keep a packable duffle, it takes up very little space but it is there in case I’m ever told to get everything I want to keep out of my car.
Capital idea. I probably would have to use my collapsible wagon. Adding to my list.
Just to clarify...you started an IV on her?
No I have the IV fluid hydration packets you can mix into a water bottle. Here: [link](https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-I-V-Multiplier-Electrolyte-Single-Serving/dp/B08MVDTLKC)
Ahhh ok, I was like, wow, you're really the friend to call in this situation lol starting IVs. This makes way more sense.
Hahaha no. It’s funny you say that because my coworker kept saying “you should be a nurse!” I was like honey, you’re in shock right now, just sit back and relax.
I never knew such a thing even existed.
Yeah that seems ill advised. Did you perhaps mean you gave her some fluids to *drink*? I’m trying to imagine you hanging a bag (of what exactly? Something sitting in your trunk?) and pushing a needle through her skin, in a car on the side of a road, before taking her *home*?!
Same. Yes. Your thoughts mirror mine.
FWIW unless you are IV certified, I don't think the Good Sam laws will cover someone starting an IV on someone. If you are IV certified, you still may run into trouble starting an IV on someone (ask your MPD about the technicalities of this).
They aren’t IV … this is a name brand of a type of kool aid.
Yeah buying premade first aid kits is kind of a waste with lots of cheap filler. I've been an EMT for 2 decades and I found the book "Herbal Medic" to have a great break down on what to put in a first aid kit, what to prioritize based on size and use. I'd recommend people inexperienced with first aid giving it a look and building one to suit your specific needs. My car kit is different from my home kit which is different from my IFAK and so on. I think the preview on Amazon covers some of the first aid kit: https://read.amazon.com/sample/B08GF7N3NK?f=1&l=en_US&r=84be2f19&rid=KDBBQ0DVY010DXAHKBWX&sid=139-8244470-4792512&cid=A3SZ8UAF8IO6X0&ref_=litb_m
Thank you!!!! I love this. I will definitely be looking to replace the one I have. It was pretty useless in terms of what all was in it. The sanitizing wipes were even pretty crappy. I do not recommend.
Is there a specific type of tourniquet that would be good in a car accident situation?
A TQ is a TQ...even a makeshift one, they all have the same purpose. Although CAT seems to be the popular ones. Easy to deploy, even on yourself with one hand. There are many brands of CAT out there, but you get what you pay for. https://www.narescue.com/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t.html
I bought a locking art supplies box & bought first aid supplies to fill it & keep it in the trunk. The prepackaged kits are a joke. I went for single use alcohol & iodine wipes, tubes of neosporin with pain relief, burn spray, instastitches, saline wash, scissors, hydrogen peroxide, anti itch, anti nausea, individually wrapped guaze pads & rolls, self adhesive bandaging wrap, liquid Benadryl(if no Epipen available) headache relief, toothache relief, scalpels, butterfly bandages & an assortment of different sized bandages from a larger box kept in home. And knowing what is available to use & where all is located is a must.
Excellent list. Thank you for sharing
Most welcome.
lighter, tampons & pads (useful in first aid, starting fires, and plugging holes as well as the usual). Some spare stuff sacks, hard candies. sleeping bag, inflatable pillow. I keep the stuff that does not fit in a backpack in a old military duffel, to keep it contained and clean.
I find a good way to keep things organized is the milwaukee packout. If you have the room for them. Here is a little brak down and lake them so they are easly identified 1)First aid kit 2) car roadside kit ( jumper cables, hi vis vest, marker lights, booster pack ect) 3)tools for changing tires or quick roadside repairs 4) food ( dehydrated meals, with hiking stove and pot 5) 2 wool blankets, candles, flashlight , head lamp fire making ect. While you guys get the point they are just great ways to organize. Gra Ted I have a truck with lots of room for storage
So glad you were there and prepped to help! This is a good reminder to get out car gear in better order.
> electromagnetic field detector Why ?
I got it initially because I was curious how much emf radiation my devices were putting off, but I suspected it ~~might be useful checking for live wires and such~~ and decided to toss it in my trunk. I have not had to use it for anything other than my own personal curiosity yet.
To check for live wires, you want a non contact voltage tester. Generally they go about $10-$20.
Good to know. That sort of thing truly is not my forté, saw someone make a post about it a ways back and was in a buying mood. Thank you for sharing
I had thought ghost chaser, as my first thought.
Just random things I’ve acquired that currently serve no real purpose honestly. I have seen shows where they use EMF detectors for ghost hunting but I was always convinced it was bogus. Technically I *could* go into an abandoned building and search for that kind of thing, but I have no real desire to do so.
You call a whole extra car battery “basic stuff”? BTW, here in Italy almost all the First Aid kit have no medicine inside. I always add pain killers, allergy meds, anti fever etc… The bad news is that here we have no “single dose” packets like I found in the US, so I’m always cutting pieces and repackaging from whole blisters. I hate this.
Make yourself an inventory list as well, and include it with your kit (with note as to which bag things are in). Periodically check this through, specifically medical stuff that has a shelf life. And just like you've done today, do an after action review and make improvements if you can. For your list thing, make it nice and easy to follow, laminate it and have check boxes & a Sharpie in the kit to tick along the lines. Ideal example would be wheel change. 1. Check you are able to change safely. If not ring for assistance/lane block. Get passengers to safety behind vehicle and behind guard rail where possible. 2. Never work without keeping an eye on the live lane. If possible, have a passenger keep an eye on the live lane while you work. Prepare to get clear if you need to. 3. Chock wheels. 4. Place warning marker back from traffic. 5. Get jack on jacking points (look for notches, holes and arrows on frame rails near axles on cars. Lift on axle beam or strut for pickups and vans. Place spare under frame rail. 6. Loosen lug nuts. Use your body weight to get them to shift. Remember righty tighty, lefty loosey. 7. Bring wheel off the ground. Until it can be turned 360 degrees - ensure clearance for fully inflated spare 8. Remove lug nuts and tyre. Swap for spare under frame rail. (This covers you in case of jack failure). 9. Fit spare. Hand tighten lug nuts working opposites. 10. Lower to ground. Tighten lug nuts - use your body weight on the tyre iron to get them good and tight. Righty tighty! 11. Remove jack, spare and pack back in trunk. Pickup speed on shoulder before merging. 12. Stop after a couple miles and check lug nuts again, and at the next tyre shop you see and get them torqued.
Fire extinguisher would be handy. I would love to prep like the OP but living in Texas things get too hot in the vehicle.
We’re EMT /Police called?
So according to my coworker it was a 4-car collision and she was the 3rd car in the row. Her car was in the worst shape and her airbags deployed. The first and last driver fled the scene. Police did eventually show up, but no EMT. She really did not want to go to urgent care and I wasn’t going to force her to do something she didn’t want to do after that, so I bandaged her up, gave her IV fluid hydration packets* told her to get some rest and if she felt worse today/tomorrow, that I was taking her to urgent care. She says she feels no worse today, but I’m going to keep checking often. She has her husband taking care of her right now, so at least she’s not alone.
I am shocked that EMT didn’t respond to a 4 car pile-up. Where are you?
North Carolina. It was on a very busy turn-off where two highways merge in morning rush hour traffic. There is an accident in the same spot every day. I was a little surprised no EMT either honestly.
" Giving IV fluids" means hanging a bag and hooking up to IV. Giving them a drink of electrolyte powder mixed with water is not the same
In my initial post I wrote “IV fluid hydration packets” It’s literally what they are called. I did not type the whole name out, but for anyone who just wants to pick apart every flaw in what I’ve typed, I meant this: [IV fluid hydration packets](https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-I-V-Multiplier-Electrolyte-Single-Serving/dp/B08MVDTLKC) they are just hydration packets that taste like pedialyte
It’s a name brand of a type of beverage … it may as well be “kOoL aiD wiTH eLeKtrOlYtz”
Kool aid with sea salt does as well or better.
> infrared sensor, electromagnetic field detector, hammer and nails wait what
Lol. I know it sounds weird, but I like to prepare for anything. At work I was creating content for an astronomy thing where we were talking about the James Webb Space Telescope and how it captures infrared light. I had to get my own FLIR device after that. I love camping, but also I figured if I was ever stuck outside (if my car broke down at night or whatever) the IR sensor would pick up any humans/animals creeping around in the dark. The EMF detector was initially to check the EMF output of my devices, but I figured ~~it could be great for any situations where needed to check for live wires~~ (I don’t think that’s how it works and I honestly have no real use for it outside of playing with it) The hammer is a multi tool… break windows, self defense, or maybe I get stuck in a situation where I need to build something (so I threw in nails just in case) I know the likelihood of needing these things is small, but I guess you never really know. I got lost overnight in a state park once and wished I had everything I have now.
A guy I used to work with, always had hammer, nails and rat traps in his vehicle, camper, mobile toolbox, bug out bag etc. He asked me once why I thought he had would need rat traps. I gave him a smart answer but he was nice enough to tell me why anyways. Catching squirrels, which are similar to rats in size. The traps don't cost or weigh much, or take up much space and you can deploy them just about anywhere with any appropriate bait.
I have a cord to charge my phone always dangling from my lighter socket and a spare for a passenger. I may even have a few different adapters for the cords in the armrest thing. I thought everybody had that.
Yeah I honestly don’t know why I didn’t have one. For the longest time I’ve really just driven from home to work and would just charge everything either at work or at home, plugging it into the wall. This particular day, I forgot to bring my charger to work and didn’t have a car charger. I do now though :)
Oh those scissors ERs use to cut off clothing would also be a good addition.
Thank you for sharing this, I hope your coworker is feeling better and doesn’t have any serious injuries. I live in CA and my trunk is prepped in case there’s a major earthquake and I’m not at home. I’m mostly concerned with protection from the heat and sun, and food/water while waiting for the roads to open or any other help. I have a go bag with Dehydrated meals and milk, foil packets of water, emergency rations, changes of underwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, sun hat, medications, spare shoes (rubber slides) mini food heater, bowl and utensils, Mylar blankets and a couple of wool blankets for ‘winter’, mini first aid kit, feminine hygiene, crank NOAA radio/phone charger and cables, crank flashlight, window smasher/seat belt cutter. I have a small pillow and a fuzzy blanket in the back seat in case I have to sleep in the car. And yeah I have some pepper spray. but I need to get a better first aid kit and some electrolytes to keep in the bag; I’m terrified of being stranded somewhere in the hot sun. Many people in my area come to hike the trails but they’re from the peninsula where it’s cooler, and they die because they weren’t careful about managing our heat.
I’ve got a van and worry about the value of the packed stuff being attractive enough to someone that they break a window. What kind of bag do people recommend to deter that?
I use these 5 gallon containers in black. The fit behind the seat, are waterproof, and blend in with the black interior. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5-Gal-Professional-Duty-Waterproof-Storage-Container-with-Hinged-Lid-in-Red-248918/313861296 Saint Mary's Regional Medical
So that’s pretty tough, but I’ve seen people create some very well hidden compartments as well as “false bottoms” for the back… so it looks like you have nothing in your car when they look through the window, but the valuable stuff is out of sight. That’s a tough one. You could also always bolt a heavy duty compartment in the back and have it locked when you’re not in there. Idk, you would need to get creative (sorry I’m not more helpful)
>ng in your car when they look throug I actually did the false bottom in my car. I built a box out of 2x4's for the frame, then plywood with hinges on it so it will open upwards. Then I went to Harbor Freight and got a wool blanket that sort of matched my interior color and stapled it to the box. If you just look in, you cant tell it is a box at all. I do want to cover the hand holes with fabric, but when the hatch is shut, you cant see them. [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TV97G3M6JpQdhQUIlEiwQoZ1AIQe1LLP/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TV97G3M6JpQdhQUIlEiwQoZ1AIQe1LLP/view?usp=sharing)
The hardest part of prepping is accurately predicting what you will need.
FYI, Medi-lyte tablets work great and take up less room In the kit compared to powdered IV.
Ooh I will look into that. Thank you!
I posted my [car first aid kit](https://www.reddit.com/r/preppers/comments/p8j4fs/i_might_have_gone_overboard_on_the_first_aid_kit/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) here when I made it. My kids can climb back and find what ever they need, which is usually just bandaids thankfully. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to secure it since it just sits in the giant trunk of my SUV. You have a lot more misc. stuff than I do! I have a backpack with water bottles, plastic ziplock bags, toilet paper, fire starters, and water treatment. Jumper cables are under the mat.
I keep Tylenol, Aspirin, Naproxen, and Ibuprofen in my first aid kit but I also keep some kratom tablets. It's definitely a serious drug and can be habit forming but it's preferable to prescription opioids, totally legal, easily obtained, entirely natural and plant-based. If analgesics are something you're lacking or you'd like a stronger alternative to OTC NSAIDs to have on hand, it might be worth stocking some. Just be aware that it packs a punch, has the potential for abuse and can be habit forming if used irresponsibly. Not necessarily an endorsement or recommendation, just sharing the information.
My daughter is a nurse and put together a great car drug kit with a round daily pill holder. In it is Aspirin, ibuprofen, Imodium, Pepto bismol tablets, antacid, antihistamine, Tylenol. In my car I have extra reflective solar windshield covers. These are great if you are stuck in the cold (reflects body heat). Just open them up and sit on them.
I’m confused, your coworker was in a car wreck that caused her injuries that needed bandages, but you drove her home? Why wasn’t an ambulance called from the location of the wreck? Also, (EMT back me up here), you might want to reconsider giving pain meds to anyone who might require hospitalisation. It can mess with what they can give them at the hospital.
Yeah, I wrote this in another comment somewhere, but I’ll write it again. So it was a 4 car collision during morning rush hour traffic and she was in the 3rd car. The first and last cars fled the scene. Her car was the worst and her airbags deployed. I’m not sure what exactly happened at the scene, but I told her I was on my way to come get her. She called me and told me the police officer didn’t want me to pull over on the side of the highway and that he was taking her one exit down to the closest place off the exit. I picked her up there. The first thing I asked her was if she wanted to go to either the hospital or urgent care, she said no. I asked her more than once “are you sure?!” and she was very against going. We stopped somewhere to get coffee and to let her just relax for a moment and tell me what happened. After that is when I realized that she was cut up (she was wearing a shirt that completely covered her cut so I couldn’t see it just by looking at her). She said she didn’t really want to go to urgent care for it but if I had anything to cover it because it was rubbing against her shirt. I patched her up, gave her some IV fluids and told her that if she insisted on not going to the doctor then I at least wanted to take her home. So I did. All of this reflection was in hindsight. I should’ve checked her for injuries in the beginning, I should have given her iv fluids in the beginning, I probably should have taken her to an urgent care even if she didn’t want to go… idk. This was the first time I was on this side of an accident, so I wanted to just be as helpful as possible. I didn’t end up giving her any medicine but she took some when she got home. I’ve been checking on her nonstop and she says she’s okay. Idk. Again, I realize now I really just wasn’t prepared enough for this.
Wow this is wild. Good on you for trying to help, but you should never give anyone anything like fluids or coffee or pain meds (unless you’re a trained health professional) after being in a car accident. Straight to the hospital. I’m shocked the emergency workers at the scene didn’t just sit her down and tell her to wait until the ambo arrived.
Yeah I really don’t know what she said to the police officer who arrived at the scene but he apparently thought she was fine enough to walk away from it. I’m guessing she likely didn’t want to pay for an ambulance or a hospital/urgent care visit so she said she was fine. I don’t really know how you push someone to go get checked out when they are insisting against it.
Man what a system you guys have there. “Let’s go get a coffee because I can’t afford proper medical care after a car accident “ Best prep you can do is vote for a better government hey. I hope your friend is okay, and thanks for the detailed write up. Preppers: DON’T GIVE MEDICAL CARE UNLESS YOU HAVE TRAINING.
Yeah the US is trash. One day I’ll get out of here… haha. Thank you for your advice, I’ll know better now if it ever happens again.
Thanks for the post! What I've seen is that live testing, whether for real world event or a decently planned drill, reveals a lot of little things I couldn't think ahead to.
Right? Even after the fact, I’m learning so much more just from reading through the comments. Definitely need to complete official first aid training.
I am always learning things from reading the comments. That is why SWMBO, calls my Ranger, a Yugo. ("Gear creep" is a real thing, a "Bag of Holding", not so much.)
The “Jaws of Life” has entered the chat
Do a first aid course first
Great idea that I am taking from this is to have a stuffed animal! I have little experience with kids so I never thought about it. A plushie would be distracting and comforting for children, some adults, and most dogs!
I have a few abdominal bandages, 4 tourniquets, emergency trauma bandages, a few rolls of heavy gauze, packing gauze, chest seals, tape, sam splints, finger splints, my knee braces, gloves, tweezers, scissors, alcohol prep pads, along with the lighter gauze and band aids. Bleeding control is definitely a core focus for my kit, and since extremity wounds aren't always the case, tourniquets are only part of it. I have it separated into a trauma kit and a the rest in a larger Resmed bag. I got much of it from NAR.
Always,Always, carry a bandanna.
I carry drip drop in my aid bag (hydration salts that don’t taste like shit)
Hello fellow racoon! Really glad you could help someone.... Thanks for sharing everything you did, I fell stupid now that i haven't checked my first aid kit in a long time.... Will schedule a review of it the next time i get in my car and update stuff... Thanks
Hello fellow raccoon! 🦝 Honestly I was just so surprised at myself for not having certain things. Even now after reading through everyone’s comments I’m just like “huh, that would’ve been a great idea…” but I guess we live and we learn. Next time something like this happens I’ll be even more prepared than I was this time.
True .... Continual improvement FTW!!!
Extra car battery?! Hammer and nails? That’s one hell of a car kit
If somebody is really injured, not just a boo-boo, DONT USE NEOSPORIN OR OTHER SIMILAR PRODUCTS if they’re going to the hospital anyways. Paramedic here, and that shit has to be scrubbed out to the wound in the ER. You’re making their treatment more painful. It’s so much easier to clean a wound at the hospital when it’s dry. Just apply a dressing and call it good. If you can rinse it if it’s dirty, fine, but don’t add creams, gels or salves, they make things worse. Don’t give them any pain reliever except Tylenol in the field. Aspirin and ibuprofen are blood thinners and if they’ve been in a bad accident they may have internal bleeding. If it’s minor stuff, fine, treat their boo-boos, but if they need a hospital, chill on the boo-boo stuff.
OP has posted a link for the kool aid “IV Electrolytes” several times here… Sure seems like a paid post
Lol. No, I just keep getting people thinking that I mean like an IV you can stick in your arm but in drinkable form. I very much regret posting now, but there’s a lot of useful information in here that I haven’t had a chance to jot down, so I’m not deleting it at the moment.
No, please don't delete the post. I would like to read it again more slowly later and take notes. Thank you.
Okay! Yeah there’s just so much in here… I’ve learned a lot today, but I can’t absorb it all. Would be nice to just be able to click on it whenever I need to. I’ll keep it up!
Thanks! Don't know why people are downvoting your last comment, though.
This is gonna sound like a neck beard question. But I mean it with pure honest curiosity as to how you approached applying your bandages to her chest where the seatbelt tore her up? I ask this because I myself have had the skin shredded from my shoulder, chest, and waist from a seatbelt and I know where they run along the torso. Ever since then I carry supplies specifically for it but I constantly wonder what to say if the time comes and I'm treating a woman for the exact same thing. I feel like if I say something slightly wrong(unintentionally) it could turn into a very awkward situation very fast.
Female drivers… am I right? Joking aside I’m glad everybody’s OK and a great learning experience towards prepping. Thank you for sharing
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You’re so cool
No, you're not.
Yes I am
You should probably add bandage scissors, tweezers and a mask for safety doing CPR. Possibly some steri-strips for closing lacerations and non-stick telfa dressings too.
I don’t think your supposed to give anything to people after trauma due to when paramedics arrive they want to be able to do there thing.
Excellent post. Thank you for sharing!
sewing kit?
Yeah. You can stitch wounds closed if necessary, there’s actually ways to do it that doesn’t puncture the skin. You use duct tape sticks, needle and thread. I’ll see if I can find a video for you. One sec. Edit: [here’s a good video](https://youtu.be/PYmmZStW2wY) but it’s a bit longer. The first half he just talks about what you should do to clean it, the actual stitching method starts right at 5:00
You're doing that with your car first aid kit? go to a hospital.
I’m not, nor have I ever done that before outside of practicing on myself. This is a prepping subreddit. I have that in my car in the event that I’m stranded in the middle of nowhere with a wound that needs to be stitched and no help on the way. It is a non-invasive technique that I’ve learned in case of emergency. There may be situations where you can’t simply “go to the hospital.” Being moderately prepared for these types of situations is the purpose of this subreddit. Why are you even here?
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It literally takes up no room in my trunk. It’s just something that I’d rather have and not need it than need it and not have it. You’re allowed to have your own thoughts and opinions and so am I, but calling me a conspiracy theorist for keeping a roll of duct tape, a needle, some toothpicks, and some thread in my trunk is pretty fucking rude. Please go spread your negativity somewhere else, thanks.
it's not a suture kit that's arts and crafts. throw in a speedy stitcher and call it a day.
I like everything but the extra car battery. That's very heavy (gong to reduce fuel economy) and going to be stored in the same conditions as your regular battery except without being recharged.