I went for a bandaid the other day and let’s just say it was old - like OLD. I don’t use them often, so I don’t often think about replacing them. That led me to wonder how bad my first aid kit was. The small kit that I keep in my car was bad… [Insert your favorite generic excuse here]
I know no one else here ever forgets to check the freshness of your supplies in your trauma kit, so how often do you check your kit to ensure everything in it is fresh?
I am ashamed to say that my trauma “kit” is scattered in a few bathrooms, and the kitchen catch-all cabinet. I build a good kit for hunting season, but my daughter and i re-scatter it shortly after. I’m not proud…I’ll be working on that one. Good thread to start!
I think it’s wise to distinguish between a gunshot trauma kit and a general first aid kit.
The USCCA GSTK is pretty handy and there’s a special on them now if you buy the First Aid for Gunshot DVD and book so you essentially get one free.
Those types of kits really don’t need any sort of frequent refreshing.
For a general first aid kit if you’ll seal your adhesives in ziplock bags they will last about five times longer. The adhesive dries out when exposed to air.
Anytime the adhesives appear to look old they are probably drying out so check them. In dry climates like the SW and High desert they can dry out in just a year or so but last longer where it’s humid.
Just as a general rule of thumb it’s a good idea to do an inventory and restock after every use of either and to at least do a good inspection of FA kits annually or semi annually for sure.
It’s a very good idea to keep a miminalist kit if not on your person, handy in your vehicle or office.
It’s an even better idea to put together a much more complete TK to keep at home. In a home invasion there’s a very high probability of multiple casualties and some likely to have multiple gunshot wounds. so we keep one at home all the time.
For classes I carry a personal minimalist kit that will always be with us in class and on the range and a rather extensive one will be in my vehicle just in case with enough supplies to treat five people with multiple GSW’s or fragment injuries.
I have been a paramedic for a number of years. On the rig, we did a quick daily check off and thorough monthly check off. For my kits at home, I have a similar set up. I utilize an excel sheet for my first aid, EDC bag, and full medical/trauma bag. I list all the supplies in each, when items were added and any expiration dates. If I use something from a kit, I replace it immediately so I always have a fresh supply.
Since I am not going through supplies at home as often as I am going through them at work, I do a check every 3 months for anything getting ready to expire, broken, leaking, or in need of replacement due to use. For my EDC bag, I do a monthly check or all supplies in it since it goes everywhere with me. This allows me to always have a fresh supply of everything I may possibly need at home and on the go.
Dawn,
Perfect topic! Funny you brought this up! I just purchased a new box of band aides 3 days ago. I do check my gear about once a month. Especially the bug out bags in the vehicles. (Being exposed to the heat/cold) .
I also just purchased more quick clot, while examining, i had no clue it had an expiration date on it! That was new one on me!
My wife thinks I am crazy(lol) yet I live by the mantra , better to have it and not need it then…
I just had the same experience. I went to get a disinfecting wipe and a bandaid and the wipe was dried up. I just ordered new supplies. Does anyone know how long Celox lasts?
I will let you know when I get my delivery next week.
You all will laugh, ordered towels from my pillow guy well they sell that stuff too! Wow! Who da thunk? Lol!
