Dawn recently started a thread about ear protection, which prompted me to take a closer look at the contents of my range bag. What I discovered was a first aid kit that is more appropriate for camping or hiking, minor cuts and scrapes and bug bites, but totally inadequate for the kind of serious trauma that would result from an incident at the range or in the field .
I need to acquire a new kit with all of the proper equipment for handling gunshot wounds or other serious injuries. Does anyone in the community have any suggestions for what to buy? I know these kits can be fairly expensive, but as far as I am concerned price is no object when preparing for the unthinkable.
As an Instructor and former LEO, I stay informed of trauma care procedures and stock my range kit with the basics of wound care that I might encounter at the range when alone or, with students.
During a recent discussion, I was reminded of an often-forgotten condition that one of my students might have and that might manifest itself on the range. And that is diabetes. When I was working, I always had access to glucose paste in case I had to attend to a person who was “crashing” and who was a diabetic.
I know that we can’t carry everything in our Range IFAK, but glucose paste might be one of those things that you may need someday. Someone that you are at the range with may be diabetic and may need your help.
I personally like the Recon Medical Kit. They are good on price and the quality of the product is good as well. I ordered a few from Amazon and put the contents into a MOLLE pack that I attach to my range bag.
5.11 has a good kit (as does the USCCA), Opt for the Adventure Medical Kit Field Trauma. One thing that is commonly ignored are burn dressings, this 5.11 kit has some. The Kit does lack tourniquets, so I have two JIC. It was around $50 in store, so I do not know If it is on their site. Actually I need to get more of these, one for each car and my range bag. Their are some excellent suggestions on this string too.
@Christopher_S1 Good call on the burn dressings, my daughter in law called last night she had a large first degree burn from the oven on her arm from the inside of her forearm to the elbow and bicep. She was in pain and had nothing in the house. Finally after questioning her we asked her if she had any Aloe she did and it really helped with the pain, I told her to slather it on her arm with a loose bandage for the night. She lives 1 1/2 hours away, Nancy took 2 of my burn dressings to her today.
So Nancy and I ordered $200.00 worth of burn creams, burn bandages, gauze and tape.
Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas.
If it can still be bought over the counter, the best burn cream is silvadene. I suspect it is not currently available without prescription. One thing I have learned is to keep your Emergency kits separate from your everyday stuff. A box of bandaids, Hydrogen Pyroxide, Neosporin Ointment, gauze pads, tape, ace bandages. Needles for slivers and tweezers too. Masks (N95, not surgical) and Neoprene gloves. I digress a bit to home first aid, but Trauma Kits are special. A word about tourniquets as well. This is from a valid source, once applied keep them applied until they get to a Doctor and Hospital. Record the time applied. Old school First aid was to apply the tourniquette and loosen it every 15 to 20 minutes then tighten. Currently I am told keep it applied until the victim can bee seen by a Doctor. One last thing, check expiration dates on your medical supplies too, replace if necessary.
Not directly related to IFAK items: But in reference to Silvadene cream - I have it on very good authority (a salty old Navy Corpsman who treated me once) that a mixture of Preparation H cream and Silvadene Cream in equal portions is the magic elixir for severe sunburn.
I should know, I was the patient while out at sea with a severe case of it
she did and it really helped with the pain, I told her to slather it on her arm with a loose bandage for the night. She lives 1 1/2 hours away, Nancy took 2 of my burn dressings to her today.
