First Aid Kit

[mulepackin]

Curious what, if any, type of first aid kit you might keep handy? I have one that I've assembled myself as it is my opinion that most, if not all, store bought preassembled kits are good for only very minor injuries, and are usually overpriced. Do you keep one readiliy available like a fire extinguisher?

 

[wilbilt]

Honestly, I don't. I do have fire extinguishers handy, but generally treat any physical damage with a dousing in alcohol and a wrap of duct tape.

This allows me to finish what I am doing and inspect the damage later. If any major carnage occurs, I probably wouldn't be able to operate the first aid kit anyway. My cell phone will dial 911 with a single button.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Honestly, I don't. I do have fire extinguishers handy, but generally treat any physical damage with a dousing in alcohol and a wrap of duct tape.

This allows me to finish what I am doing and inspect the damage later. If any major carnage occurs, I probably wouldn't be able to operate the first aid kit anyway. My cell phone will dial 911 with a single button.

+1...brake cleaner and duct tape, hahaha.

 

[toolfreak]

All I have is a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. The hospital is only about 15 blocks away so if something bad does happen I hope I will be able to drive myself there. I do have a fire extinguisher by my welders.

 

[kartracer55]

All I have is a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. The hospital is only about 15 blocks away so if something bad does happen I hope I will be able to drive myself there. I do have a fire extinguisher by my welders.

Hydrogen peroxide isnt as effective as rubbing alcohol with a large amount of blood because enzymes in the blood decomposes
the hydrogen peroxide... probably the only thing I remembered from Biology lol. I have a bottle of rubbing alcohol by the utility sink and there is a huge basket of clean rags also in the area. I just walk upstairs or into the house to get anything else I need. Most importantly, I always have a phone closeby. Cordless in the garage and one hanging on the wall in reach of the workbench

Jim

 

[the dude]

We have a home brew kit in every vehicle, the house, and the shop. I agree with you on the kits you buy. Very basic for cuts and bruises and are a good start, and better then nothing... Our vehicle kits are pretty intense with sutures and drugs...

the home ones are more basic but do contain customized articles like saline, quality tweezers, scalpels, scissors etc...

Fire extinguisher everywhere as well.

Just good practice for both items.

 

[PAToyota]

I subscribe to Roger Welsch's list:

* Hernia trusses - You'll want to stock assorted sizes for every part of your body, including eyeball hernias from that new Sports Illustrated swimsuit calendar.

* Ice pack - Don't skimp on this one. A 50-pound potato sack should be just about right.

* Tetanus-booster syringes - 1 gross

* Full-body gauze pads

* Sanitized hospital-grade duct tape

* Bulk antiseptic system - 60 gallons with electric pump should get you started.

* Oxygen tanks - The tank from your gas welding outfit will do, but be sure you have the hoses straight and you are sucking on the oxygen hose, not the acetylene outlet. Especially if you smoke.

* Bulk burn ointment - One 30-gallon tub is a minimum, but you may want to add another for backup if you do any welding.

* Stretcher/gurney - If your shop is located more than 30 feet from your house, you may want to have a motorized version.

* Crutches - Make sure you have an assortment of sizes and grades.

* Surgical-grade Vise-Grip pliers - These are for removing splinters from various body parts as well as plucking sand, wood, bolts, or pistons from your eye.

* One sterile come-along - This is for the stuff stuck in you that the Vise-Grips won't pull out.

* Eye rinse - 60 gallons or a fire hydrant will work nicely.

* 2x4s for splints - Several hundred board feet should do.

* Large mirror - This allows you to see personal damage where you sat on that newly welded side rail. Note: While I do recommend a mirror, I strongly urge you not to include a magnifying glass in your medical kit. If you're in my league, all personal damage will be big enough to see, and you won't want to see it any closer.

* Paint brushes - Use these to apply ointments and disinfectant. For those larger wounds, a paint roller may work better.

* Jack Daniels Green Label - Deadens pain from external wounds and lifts the internal spirit.

* Cell phone - Predial it to 911.

* ****** - Order it in the bulk container size with handy wall dispenser. This item may strike you as a peculiar feature for a medical list, but if you watch the T.V. commercials for this particular medication, you'll see that it apparently makes old people dance and sing, which is always a desirable condition in which to both enter and leave the shop, wounded or not.

 

[-lecroix-]

By looks of that list, you may want to add ***** liners.

 

[MAD]

I am in the alcohol paper towel and duct tape camp as well. Since I do not have a sink in my garage, the more traditional first aid stuff is in the house where I would retreat to clean up a nasty cut. After that,The disposable nitrile gloves are handy to keep a recent bad cut clean while you finish the job.

I have always found the the commercial first aid kits to be pretty useless. whenever I need something from one of them the only thing left is a bunch of tiny bandaids and smelling salts.
The exception to this is if the kit is maintained by a contractor like Zee medical. I guess I still prefer duct tape and a paper towel.

 

[Junkman]

In my garage, not only do I have the first aid kit, air splints for broken bones, orthopedic stretcher in case of spinal injury, trauma dressings for the more than casual injury, medical oxygen and appropriate hardware for breathing emergencies, and then onto the emergency room we go.....................

 

[the intimidator]

PAToyota,

Awsome list

I have myself the standard on here anyways peroxide paper towels (large brown colour on a roll type) and duct tape (note to self running low on duct tape lol) I always have my cell phone in my pocket although if I have managed to chop my hand off the phone won't due much good (nor will scratching my head)

I highly reccomend you all have a pair/pair's of nitrile/latex gloves in you're car kit's and on you're person. I sure as hell don't want whatever the guy in a car accident with a big gushing cut on his head has I have made it a point to carry a pair in my bag or coat pocket after I go back to refresh myself on cpr I am going to get on of those neat little masks they have for such a thing to keep with my gloves.

 

[MAD]

PAToyota,

I always have my cell phone in my pocket although if I have managed to chop my hand off the phone won't due much good (nor will scratching my head)

I:

That reminded me of an incident that happened to me back when I was young and stupid(er) and the closest thing to a cell phones was the Startrek communicator. I was out in the driveway replacing some badly leaking rear shocks on my 77 Celica GT AT 5:00 AM to get ready for a state inspection appointment. I was working under the car which was only supported by a floor jack when I realized that my hand was stuck in the suspension and was slowly being crushed as the jack leaked down. I was able to somehow franticly pump the jack handle enough with my foot to get my hand out.- Never worked without jack stands after that.

Oh yeah, add clean underwear to the list for those close calls.

 

[justinmc]

Besides the standard fair of peroxide/alcohol and bandages I can't imagine having a first aid kit without a tourniquet. I mean you whack a hand off or something and are having heavy blood loss and your alone; etc your gonna want one. Could make the difference between living and dying pretty easy. Yeah you can always use your belt/etc... but just a thought

 

[eschoendorff]

In my garage, not only do I have the first aid kit, air splints for broken bones, orthopedic stretcher in case of spinal injury, trauma dressings for the more than casual injury, medical oxygen and appropriate hardware for breathing emergencies, and then onto the emergency room we go.....................

You have GOT to be KIDDING! :

 

[Dodgepu360]

By looks of that list, you may want to add ***** liners.

They work great for absorbing blood
just tape one over your cut and you are good to go

Do forget the super glue, it works great for holding a cut together and sealing out any thing would other wise get in there while you finish what you were doing

I once cut my arm pretty bad cutting the damn zip tie off a gun after we left a gun show and my GF started freaking out “do I need to take you to the ER?”
“No just take me home I have some super glue”
“What?”
“I am gonna glue it shut it will be fine”

 

[-lecroix-]

Tampons are great for nose bleeds too ... they are a bit tough to remove afterwards though.

 

[eschoendorff]

Tampons are great for nose bleeds too ... they are a bit tough to remove afterwards though.

Actually, that's true. I remember from my first aid class that you should keep maxi pads in your first aid kit....

 

[Larz]

By looks of that list, you may want to add ***** liners.

What do you recommend - Light Days or the Maxi pad variety?

 

[Major Ramifications]

All you guys who put rubbing alcohol on an open wound are WAY tougher than me. That stuff burns. Hydrogen peroxide has that cool fizzing action.

I keep a fire extinguisher in the garage, but the first aid stuff is in the house (attached garage).

A friend recommended maxi pads as a temporary fix for my transmission leak so that I could run the car on the dragstrip. I went ahead and changed the leaking seal instead.

 

[-lecroix-]

What do you recommend - Light Days or the Maxi pad variety?

Depends on the size & depth of the "gash"

 

[Larz]

Depends on the size & depth of the "gash"

 

[volvo]

They work great for absorbing blood
just tape one over your cut and you are good to go

Do forget the super glue, it works great for holding a cut together and sealing out any thing would other wise get in there while you finish what you were doing

I once cut my arm pretty bad cutting the damn zip tie off a gun after we left a gun show and my GF started freaking out “do I need to take you to the ER?”
“No just take me home I have some super glue”
“What?”
“I am gonna glue it shut it will be fine”

There you go, carb spray to stop the bleeding ( or take your mind off of things) super glue and a few butterfly bandages...H

 

[Junkman]

You have GOT to be KIDDING! :

No kidding..... that is my newest "antique". It is a 1978 Superior Cadillac Commercial Chassis Transport Ambulance. I found this in Alaska and had it transported to CT. It is one of 10 made for 1978. Production was halted in 1979, with a total run of 30 vehicles made.... 10 each year for 1977/1978/1979. There are about 15 left today, with the balance either being unknown whereabouts, and it is believed that the remainder have been scrapped.

 

[Batman]

Best first aid kit I've used is to keep a few Band Aids in my wallet for when they're needed. Don't have to worry about where the first aid kit is, and they're always there when you need them. Anything beyond that is duct tape and a red shop rag.

 

[wilbilt]

All you guys who put rubbing alcohol on an open wound are WAY tougher than me. That stuff burns. Hydrogen peroxide has that cool fizzing action.

It's not that bad. In a pinch, vodka would do as well.
I would definitely draw the line at acetone, though...

 

[eschoendorff]

It's not that bad. In a pinch, vodka would do as well.
I would definitely draw the line at acetone, though...

Whaddabout iodine? That stih stings!

 

[wilbilt]

Whaddabout iodine? That stih stings!

Do they still make iodine? I saw some in my grandma's medicine cabinet once.
That and castor oil. That stuff is naaasssty.

 

[eschoendorff]

Do they still make iodine? I saw some in my grandma's medicine cabinet once.
That and castor oil. That stuff is naaasssty.

Oh yeah... and iodine was both my grandpa and my dad's weapon of choice. they said if you could feel the burn, then it was working.

 

[mulepackin]

Do they still make iodine? I saw some in my grandma's medicine cabinet once.
That and castor oil. That stuff is naaasssty.

How about merthiolate and mecurichrome (s/p). Those were pain in a bottle. My dads shop first aid kit consisted of a 1 oz bottle of one of these in a tin band-aid can with a few mixed band aids.