Survival Life

Inpart 1of Building a Target First Aid Kit, we discussed what a First Aid kit was for, and looked at
the type of conditions where one can be useful. In this part, we start to populate the kit.
Building a Target First Aid Kit (Part 2)
A first aid kit is a must for any survivalist or anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency.
But a first aid kit is only as good as the supplies in it. You have to make sure your kit is well-stocked
with everything you need to treat injury and illness.

A first
aid kit is a must for your family. (Image via)
Check out our tips below for stocking your first aid kit.
Bandaging Cuts and Scrapes
When starting a first aid kit, the initial thing to address is cuts and scrapes. Why? Because these are
usually the most common problems needing attention, the problems which tend to need the widest
range of supplies, and because many other problems have this as a secondary (post-treatment) need.
It is helpful that the sale concentrated on these supplies.

Cuts
and scrapes are among the many ailments you can treat with your first aid kit. (Image via)
Any time the skin is penetrated there are always three or four steps to go through for optimal
results: cleansing the wound, disinfecting the wound, closing the wound (in some cases) and
protecting the wound. Cleansing a minor wound is best done with running, hot, clean and
biologically safe water, but this will not always be available. Manually removing particulates and
wiping with a sterile cloth may be all that is practical. As for disinfecting, wiping (which may aid in
the cleansing) or dousing with an antiseptic may be adequate, particularly if the cleansed wound is
filled with an antibiotic as well. Minor wounds are often self closing by the bandaging; if any help is
needed, butterfly bandages or surgical strips will do the job. Some wounds are best left open to
reduce the chances of infection and to encourage healing from the inside out. Finally, protecting the
wound is what bandaging is primarily concerned with.
For a small kit, the best source of antiseptics is individually packaged towelettes (wipes), usually
alcohol (which has a tendency to evaporate in storage, and stings when applied), Providone-Iodine
(may stain) or Benzalkonium Chloride (sting-free, clear). As for an antibiotic, you generally cant do
better than Neosporin or equivalent triple antibiotic (Bacitracin, Neomycin and Polymyxin B)
ointment. This is available in individual pouches or various sized tubes. The pouches are smaller; the
tubes are more convenient and durable. Be aware that some people, particularly children, may have
allergic reactions to Neomycin; there is a dual antibiotic without the Neomycin available for kids,
but it may be hard to find in individual pouches. Avoid the versions of antibacterial ointment which
include pain relief; it sounds like a good idea, but these tend to use a petroleum jelly base because it
is cheap and helps the topical anesthetic relieve pain, but the petroleum can react with the
Bacitracin, making it unstable. If you cant find what you want in individual packets, and you dont
have room for a regular tube, you can make your own individual packets using a bit of plastic
drinking straw. ( https://equippedcat.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/drinking-straws-for-survival/ )

Neosporin is the go-to antibiotic ointment for treating minor cuts and scrapes. (Image via)
For small minor wounds, the bandaging of choice is the Band-Aid. Most everyone knows about these
pads with adhesive wings. They come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, types and appearances. A
larger bandage can usually be used for a smaller wound, but a small bandage should never be used
for a larger wound (any wound bigger than the Band-aids pad). Thus, my preference is to not bother
with Band-Aids less than 1 in size (unless young children are to be covered by the kit). Band-aids can
be divided into two classes, water-proof and regular. I prefer water-proof, but they are sealed on all
sides of the pad with adhesive, which means the pad is smaller, and thus they are for smaller
wounds than regular Band-aids of the same size. They can come dosed with an antibiotic; I prefer to
administer my own antibiotic. There are several types which are marketed as comfortable,
decorative and/or invisible; these may be fine or even preferable under normal circumstances, but
they are not as durable and should be avoided in any serious first aid kit (again, unless children are
to be covered). The minimum class of Band-aid to consider, in my opinion, are the flexible fabric
ones. Even better are the heavy duty ones (J&J calls them Tough Strips) which come with an
enhanced adhesive. Finally, there are special case Band-Aids, most commonly for fingertips and
knuckles.
Then there is Tegaderm, which is a waterproof film to cover and protect wounds from liquid, dirt
and germs, while still allowing moisture out and oxygen in. It does not prevent using a small amount
of ointment in the center, and being fully transparent, allows monitoring the wound without
removing the bandage. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, big and small, and have a fairly
high price in normal quantities ($1 each for small ones, on up). They are thin, flexible and hardly
noticeable; almost artificial skin. There is also a +pad version which includes a pad in the center to
provide some absorption and padding for the wound, but Im not sure this is enough better than a
waterproof Band-Aid to be worth the higher cost.

(Image
via)
If the wound is too big or otherwise unable to be handled with the appropriate Band-Aid, then the
solution is usually a gauze pad of an appropriate size. And some way to hold the pad on. Roller gauze
(roller bandage) or tape are the classical ways to do this, although lately there is the cling wrap
option. Roller gauze is just a roll of cloth (gauze) you wrap around to hold the pad in place and
fasten by taping or pinning. It is available in various widths to match the size of the body part to be
wrapped. Tape is also an old standard, but there are dozens of types of tape these days, and most
dont seem to hold very well under extreme conditions. The more comfort oriented the tape, the less
likely it is to hold for very long or under stress. Good old cloth tape may be the most reliable; 3M has
Nexcare Flexible Clear which seems to be a bit less obnoxious than cloth but seems to hold nearly as
well. Whichever tape you choose, a 1 roll would seem to be the best size of tape for a smaller kit; 10
yards is a good length and commonly available. There is half inch tape available, but Id avoid it
(doesnt hold as well as the equivalent 1 tape) unless it is all that will fit in your kit.
As mentioned, a modern competitor to the roller gauze is cling wrap. It might be called selfadherent, Coban (by 3M), Co-Flex, cohesive bandage, VetRap or Vet Wrap. This is a roll of material
which sticks to itself but does not have an adhesive. It is used like roller gauze, but does not have to
be externally fastened in place. Like roller gauze, it is available in various widths. Of course, some
modern roller gauze also claims to be self fastening. From the examples I have seen, the roller gauze
does not stick nearly as securely as the cling wrap, so I would still use tape or pins, but at least it
should stick well enough and long enough for you to securely apply the tape or pins even if you have
only one hand for the task. Roller gauze is more compact than cling wrap at each size, and smoother
and more absorbent, so could actually be used without a dressing. If you wanted to shrink the size of
the cling wrap, you could re-wrap it around a smaller hub; a section of drinking straw or popsicle
stick perhaps.

Cling
wrap is a good first aid alternative to gauze. (Image via)
When choosing your gauze pads, be aware that there are both pads and sponges available; make
sure you know which you need and which you are getting. The pads are often better for bandaging,
as you can get ones which are non-stick, which means that when you go to remove it for a change or
to inspect the wound, it does not hurt or cause any damage. The sponges are good for cleaning and
soaking up, but can stick to a wound and cause pain or even reopen the wound when removed. In
the sponges, the more plys (layers), the better. Another pad option is called Xeroform, which is a pad
soaked in petrolatum with 3% Bismuth Tribromophenate. These are non-stick and great for wounds
which should be kept moist, such as burns and surface wounds (scrapes, road rash), plus they
provide some antiseptic and antibacterial benefits. They are quite thin, and do not have a dry side,
so probably should be covered with a dry pad or some other covering.
This mostly covers bandaging. There are a few additional considerations. For one thing, it is
important that the bandage stays in place. One way to enhance this is to paint the skin with
Compound Tincture of Benzoin (CTB) which protects the skin from the adhesive, and, more
importantly, makes the adhesive work better. The best choice here is individual ampoules, but these
are hard to find in small lots and the big lots seem quite expensive. SwabSticks are somewhat
bigger, but easier to find in reasonably priced lots, and a bit easier to use.

(Image
via)
Next, wound dressings (particularly non-waterproof adhesives) and water do not get along at all
well. And, after going to all the trouble of disinfecting a wound, it would be unfortunate if new
infections were washed into the wound. One of the items included in the sale is the J&J Shower Care,
an adhesive film which covers the bandage and protects it from showers. These allegedly dont help if
the wound is immersed in water, but any additional protection from external infection or loosening
of adhesion is worth considering. In the same vein (so to speak), fingers are tough to bandage, both
because they move a lot which encourages adhesive failure, and because they get wet a lot. Finger
cots, sort of like just the fingers of exam gloves, can be helpful to keep the bandaging in place, and
the water off.
Finally, there is a common inclusion in first aid kits called a triangular bandage. Despite the name, it
is not primarily a bandage although it can be used as one. Being a large triangle of cloth, it has many
other potential medical uses, including fastening on a dressing or splint, or making a tourniquet or
sling. I prefer the Dry Sterile Burn Dressing Super Combat Cravat by H&H Medical. Why I like it is
that it is 1) sterile, thus provides some large bandaging options, and 2) larger than many, 45 on a
side and 63 on the diagonal. Standard triangular bandages would probably be adequate, and
possibly be in a smaller package and/or cheaper.

A
triangular bandage. (Image via)
Best Protective Items
You should have noted the importance of preventing bacterial contamination of wounds during the
discussion of Bandaging. Plus, in this day and age, you will want to protect yourself from the blood
and bodily fluids of those you are performing first aid on. So at a minimum, you want to have several
pairs of gloves. There are a wide range of possibilities. I prefer sterile, since it is just one less source
of contamination. Unfortunately, as with many things sterile, the packaging significantly increases
the volume, so a combination of sterile and non-sterile may be necessary if space is limited. I prefer
non-latex because some people are allergic to latex, and I prefer non-powdered because the powder
can be messy. And I prefer surgical gloves, since they have a right and a left and are more
comfortable than the universal exam gloves.

Gloves
are vital for preventing the spread of bacteria and germs. (Image via)
Surgical gloves are sized by number, up to 10.5 or so, as opposed to the S/M/L/XL/XXL of standard
(exam) gloves. Unfortunately, each manufacturer uses their own forms, so a size 9 from one
company may not be the same size as a size 9 from a different company. It is best to try out pairs of
various sizes each time you get gloves from a new company. Too small and they will be difficult to
put on and more subject to tearing; too big and you will lose dexterity and they can get in the way of
what you are doing.
Similarly, in case mouth to mouth resuscitation or classic CPR will be done, some kind of barrier
between your mouth and the patients would be appropriate. I like the mini full face shields like those
by Ambu. They inexpensive and very compact, cover much of the face to prevent contamination
either way, are clear so you can monitor the patient, hook over the ears for security, and have a one
way valve for safe performance of artificial respiration.

(Image
via)
Finally, you will want to be able to clean yourself up before doing first aid, and possibly after. A
disinfectant towelette is the most practical method to include in the kit. Any non-staining
disinfectant or antiseptic will do, but I prefer VioNex from Metrex as being gentle to use and not
messy.
Quantity
Choosing the items to include is not too difficult. Choosing the NUMBER of each is rather more of a
challenge. Obviously, the more of each item you have, the more things you can deal with. On the
other hand, it should be obvious that the more stuff you have, the more space you will need (or you
will have to leave other useful things out), and the more it will cost. I tend to use a doubling formula,
where I have one of something big or less likely to be used, two of smaller or more likely things, four
of even smaller or even more likely things and so on. In some cases, the product packaging may
influence the decision. If the package contains four, putting five in the kit would require extensive
justification since you would have to buy another package, and have three left over.
Summary of Medications, Bandaging and Basic Protection

My contents list to cover these:

(The number under Uses refers to the number(s) listed after the problem(s) to indicate which are
addressed by the item)
Part of Sale?#ItemAlternatives (Notes)Uses0Prescription medications(No current ongoing
conditions)0OTC Medications(To be listed under the problem addressed)0Fresnel lens, 2 x 3 1/4
(credit card)(Will use splinter magnifier instead)8Benzalkonium Chloride Towelette/Wipeor
providone-iodine or alcohol or a combo1yes1Neosporin 0.5 oz tube Triple Antibioticor individual
pouches or dual antibiotic113M 1/4 x 4 Steri-Strip, pack of 10or large butterfly bandages123M 1/8 x
3 Steri-Strip, pack of 5or medium butterfly bandages1yes8J&J 1 Waterproof Tough Strip Bandaid1yes8J&J 1 Tough Strip Band-aid1yes4J&J XL Waterproof Tough Strip Band-aid (1 3/4)1yes4J&J
XL Flexible Fabric Band-aid (1 3/4)(Tough Strip version has the smaller waterproof pad, so would be
duplicate)1yes4J&J Large Waterproof Pad (2 7/8 x 4)(Hybrid between a pad and a BandAid)1yes2J&J Waterproof Knuckle Band-aid1yes2J&J Waterproof Fingertip Band-aid14Curad 2 x 3
gauze pador 2 x 2 (They didnt have J&J 23)1yes2J&J 3 x 4 gauze pador 3 x 3 or 4 x 412McKesson 4 x
4 12 ply sponge, 2 pack1, 32Integrity Xeroform 4 x 4or 2 x 2 or 5 x 9 or other size or combo1, 303M
Tegaderm 2 3/8 x 2 3/4or 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 or 4 x 4 3/4 or 6 x 8 or other size or combo (Will probably add
some if I find them at an attractive price)1, 3yes0J&J 2 x 2.5 yard Kling roller gauzeor cling wrap or
3 (Too big for my case)1yes0J&J 4 x 2.5 yard Kling roller gauzeor cling wrap (Too big for my
case)14Safety pin size 3 (2)11Nexcare 1 x 10 yard Flexible Clear Tapeor J&J cloth tape12PTI
Compound Tincture of Benzoin (CTB) SwabStickor ampoules1yes2J&J Medium Shower Care Sheet
(4 x 5)16Flents Finger Cot (2 each S, M, L)11H&H Sterile Super Combat Cravator other triangular
bandage1, 7, others2Medline Sterile Surgical Latex Free Glove, pair4SemperShield exam glove
(individual)1Galarneau Mini CPR Face Maskor Ambu (in 2 x 2 case)11, 12, 144Metrex VioNex
towelette
In this list, the items are fairly comprehensive, but some of the numbers are a bit small since I
spread the products purchased over 4 kits. In particular, the number of sponges is way low
according to some experts. Adjust the numbers to your preferences and situation. The Target cases
are not really sized to include roller gauze and probably cant contain cling wrap wider than 1 unless
it is repackaged.
Part 3 coming soon.]]>
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