There was a failure last month related to the car first aid kit. Yes, it happens, even to the best of us. I thought I would share though, to serve as a reminder to everyone to do a quick check up of your kits.
Hubby works long hours away from home, (when he isn’t being the stay-at-home parent.) He also works a slightly dangerous job. Lots of heavy things, lots of sharp things, large crowds, generators and equipment. He is one of the best I know for being safety minded. It was one of the many qualities that drew me to him. Ahem, I digress. He was working a show and had an accident and abraded the heck out of his knee on a metal ramp. Thankfully it was during the show and the medics on hand got him basic clean-and-cover care. It was free, so you could say he got his money’s worth, but he was still a long way from home and needing to care for a large abrasion until he could get home to me and the large stash of medical supplies.
Sadly, the car first aid kit was not up to the task. We have multiple first aid kits. One in the house, one in the car, one in the camping tub and a small one in my work bag. I have no doubt that a year ago, (the last time we sorted through everything) there was antibacterial ointment and a few gauze bandages and wraps in that car kit. Over the past year a couple of those items had been used or moved and not returned. Admittedly, we’ve been a bit busy, what with doubling our children and what not. But, it’s never a good time to get complacent and let something as important as first aid supplies slip.
Luckily, that job was in the same town as some relatives and he was able to get some disinfecting and bandaging done there the next morning. And of course, we had plenty of supplies to keep things clean and comfy once he made it home.
Have you checked your first aid kits recently? How many band-aids are left? Do you still have enough pads and gauze to cover large wounds for a couple of days? Anything expired?Make a date with your kits and go over them at least once a year people. Save yourself some worry, and keep your loved ones safe.
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Keep cool out there folks. Check in on elderly folks and those who are without AC or power. Hydration and evaporation are your friends. More tips for keeping cool without AC.
– Calamity Jane
First Aid Fail
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9 comments
Sadly, our vehicle first aid kits are fairly pathetic too. I really just threw together a few things for minor problems. It does need to be upgraded to deal with more traumatic injuries.
Great post, and thanks for the reminder. Our first aid kit will be gone through, updated and placed back in the truck.
Interesting, My car first aid kit might not be up to that, at least not for very long. It is much more of a trama/ initial boo boo kit than a home kit made to sustain changing bandages or whatnot.
First aid kits are not talked about enough in detail , and one of the most important things in a preppers inventory . Keeping healthy and preventing injury will be a challenge if TSHTF . Wearing gloves is also downplayed . It shouldn’t be ! you do EVERYTHING with your hands . Wearing gloves will protect you from injury and infection from injury . Heavy work gloves for heavy tasks , light nylon and rubber combo gloves for all other tasks .
Jane My wife is an APNP , she came up with this; checklist all of your first aid kits . Chart what gets used and when. DATE in and out. for ALL supplys ,replace as needed. Chart all treatment & follow up. This way you ALLWAYS know ;what you got ;what you had ; where it went and why. Just put a gold star on your calender to mark your inspection/test dates and done. Ray in ky
either the turn of the century about 1910 , or the 1950s .
Read your post and took a little time upgrading the first aid supplies in the truck’s get home bag. It was lacking. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks for the checkup checklist idea. Recently had an emergency in which I saw my first aid kit should be bright red and highly accessible to people I didn’t know (yet!)
Don’t forget to check the first aid kit when you first purchase it. I’ve seen a lot lately that are pathetic from the get go – maybe TWO packages of antibiotic, both expiring last month, three small bandaids, and all the aspirin and safety pins you’ll never use, for 29.95.
I added tubes&bottles of antibiotic, betadine, alcohol, prescription painkiller, more gauze, giant bandaids & pads, etc. I assume that if you need it, either it’ll be a paper cut, or it’ll be majorly bad.
Sorry izzy, I just assume that everybody lives with a Nurse. Val ‘s been at this for 27 years , so I just’ figger that everbody carries a crash/ tauma kit in the trunk and Has a medical supply closet.’ Corse the downside is I can’t stand to go out to eat with her friends/coworkers. Ya’ll REALY DO NOT want to know what nurses talk about over food. Ray in ky