Advanced Custom First Aid Kit for Urban Bug-Out

[@SomeReefer]

That speed threader is gold. I used a butter knife for molly webbing when doing several pouches.

[@heatherjasper97]

Thanks for the idea about the first aid kit refills! I, too, bought basic first aid kits and dismantled them and wanted to know how to get the small, individual packs of medications, etc.

[@gjhoward]

I really appreciate the way that you presented your contents in the kit. You laid it all out and showed each part. So many YTbers point to the equipment in the kit and blow though it really quickly. The way you do it, allows for pause of the video and comparison of items I might have or need. Again, thank you for that. You got yourself another subscriber. :-) Cheers!

[@DesertPrep]

Thanks for the feedback - your comments will echo as I produce new videos into the future. Thanks for the sub - much appreciated.

[@preppingsapper7541]

Great kit, I also watched quite a bit of different videos before building mine. Great items.

[@TheSpindrift76]

Looks like a great tool you found.thanks for sharing. I pick up many basic medical things from discount places and I keep iodine and a few other things in my kit. I also replace liquids and creams every year.

[@DesertPrep]

Excellent ideas. I’m always surprised at the refill kits - everything from a robust high-end kit at a fraction of the price.

[@traveler7249]

Where are you? - I like your videos and look forward to seeing more. - I hope you and yours are well during these unusual times.

[@kellym6019]

I'm new to your channel right at this moment. Want to say thank you. This info will come in handy when I escape my current life and build a new one. Be well and take care.

[@DesertPrep]

Many thanks for the kindness. Best wishes on your escape...

[@blulight1170]

I think it is a well thought out IFAK, since I too live in the desert, I would have more electrolyte, either in the IFAK, or in your pack. In the desert during the summer, you would need more of it. The" Speedthreader" is a great idea, thanks!

[@DesertPrep]

You’re right about the electrolytes in the desert. I do have both electrolyte drink mix and a bag of salt in the gray man bags. Thanks for pointing out the importance of this item.

[@blulight1170]

You have very good sources, the only other comment I would make is, that the tourniquet be removed from the package and be "pre-staged"...again well thought out kit!

[@robertmill7755]

Consider a piece of flat cardboard that can slide along the back of your backpack. It should be thicker than a cereal box but not as thick as a corrugated box. You can roll it, cut it and tape it, depending on the situation, to use as a splint or splints. If it is roughly the size of the pack where it rides on your back it should take up minimal space. There may not be other material around to make a splint. Very good kit. It is evident you put a lot of time and effort into putting your kit together.

[@DesertPrep]

Excellent idea. I already carry an 8 x 10 fresnel lens in the pack, just as you described. Backing it with some paper board stock as you suggested would work perfectly. It also occurs that the fresnel lens is both stiff and flexible, and could work similarly.

[@grahamclark2299]

Well thought out kit. Agree with comments below on adding an airway and also a decompression needle if you know how to use it. On a more basic level I always include a roll of zinc oxide tape for any hotspots that happen on a long, unplanned walk!

[@DesertPrep]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ve got NPAs on order - no needles until I have some training. Used to use duct tape on my heels if I felt a blister coming in my ski boots, and have that. Also there are blister pads in the kit. Great advice - much appreciated.

[@UltimateUnnamed]

Good comprehensive kit. In mine I also carry a small syringe with needles to flush out wounds.

[@DesertPrep]

Excellent suggestion -- much appreciated.

[@Eric-ew8jt]

Very straight forward and well put together videos

[@DesertPrep]

Thaks for the kind comments.

[@mrchiefbs]

Highly recommend you check out Josh Enyarts first aid kit ideas. Splits are a good idea for a kit.

[@andyw4849]

I've recently started redoing my current b.o.b. I was curious on where you sourced all of your individual medicine packets. I have most in bulk in my medicine cabinet but like the idea of individually wrapped packets for those who might need those items without me around. Great pack by the way. It's helped me immensely on rebuilding my current setup.

[@DesertPrep]

It was challenging to get the IFAK right in the beginning. Then I discovered the refill kits available online. (amzn.to/2HTs0n7). I also purchased an inexpensive First Aid Kit at the drug store, ordered a Trauma Kit, and cannibalized them to make a reasonably robust kit. You might like the “gray man” bags, which are carefully planned, much lighter, and incorporate the best of the viewer suggestions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJW5kqSBqdRribM

[@evopwrmods]

thnxx 4 sharing I just subbed from watching some of your solar vids

[@surviveanything4765]

Add a NPA and your covered. Good kit.

[@DesertPrep]

Good tip. I’ve got two ordered now... Many thanks.

[@davidcox2264]

Nice kit. Thanks for sharing.

[@DesertPrep]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@UrbanSurvivor]

Excellent video!

[@DesertPrep]

Thank you!

[@j.a.6866]

Very solid, Sir

[@Martyntd5]

Good kit generally. On the point of quick clot and a tourniquet, you say a lot more needs to be understood about their use, it's not just a question of applying them. This is so true. I personally think they are of very little use. Many people fantasise about a 'black hawk down' femoral bleed or similar and see the QC and TQ as a solution. It isnt. Most people with that kind of injury will die no matter what you do. But those who survive, do so because of the med-e-vac, vascular surgeons, ITU and medical after-care. The QC and TQ simply buy a little bit of time in order to access this support. It's important to understand that emergency services in any major event will be overwhelmed immediately and in the event of the 'apocalypse' this support will not exist. You will be on your own. So what would happen in that situation? Well lets say you used the QC and TQ and managed to stop the bleed. You have to release the TQ as soon as possible or the limb will die and need to be amputated. If you dont amputate, you will die. About 2 hours is the longest amount of time you can get away with it, although anything after 30 minutes and you run the risk of blood clots being sprayed into the circulation, causing a cardiac arrest or a stroke or both and you will die. Release too soon and you'll blow the femoral clot and the bleed will start again and you will die. If you release the TQ and it doesn't blow the clot, then the limb will die anyway, because it has no blood supply. It will then need to be amputated as before or you will die. The only way to avoid this, is to surgically open up the leg and repair the femoral artery. That is beyond the skill of most doctors, let alone a first-aider in the field. In other words, without quickly getting to a sophisticated hospital, this injury is not survivable regardless of the first aid. But miracles sometimes happen, you have to try, right? Well, lets think about that? If you do stop the bleed and are pondering your options, consider your situation. You cannot easily be moved or the bleed will start again and you'll die. Even transportation by ambulance is high risk - a helicopter would be the best option. But given that none of those are available you certainly cant walk. You are stuck, waiting to die. That also means the people with you are stuck, waiting for you to die. Either that, or they leave you to die on your own. Which they may have to do if they have limited water. If you had a pistol, you could take your own life. That might be the smart choice, but it certainly wouldn't be easy and your beliefs may not allow it anyway. If you were unconscious, those with you may decide to euthanase you in preference to leaving you to die on your own. Most could not do that. If you had loved ones with you, they may choose to stay and die with you, rather than leave you. If you applied the QC and TQ to someone else, then IMO you would be morally bound to stay with them. You may have saved their life in the immediate term, but you have also sentenced them to a slow, agonising death instead. You should see that through. This is the problem I have with people who put together these advanced 'military' style trauma kits, with little or no medical knowledge. They really dont know what they are getting into and in many cases, they may be doing more ham than good. These trauma kits are designed to be used in battlefield situations, by the modern military who have huge resources to back up their troops. You dont have that and it changes everything. My advice is to build a kit that is consistent with your skill and your knowledge. If you dont have the training or knowledge to safely use this equipment (very few do), dont pack it. Stick to bandages, blisters and general first aid.

[@blulight1170]

Martyntd5: Whoever you might think you are, your knowledge about TQ is very wrong. First, what are you going to do, just stand there and let someone bleed out? It has a very long track record that the TQ's can be left on for much longer than you stated WITHOUT the loss of the limb. Second, YOU NEVER release the TQ, unless your a vascular surgeon in an ER, period. So I suggest that you do a lot more research and also take a class on TQ's before you make more foolish statements. I read your reply, and I'm sure that you are a moron!

[@Martyntd5]

Isnt the premise here that this is a 'bug out bag'? If you have an ER and a working vascular surgeon, why are you bugging out? /// I read your reply, and I'm sure that you are a moron!/// No doubt, but then I'm sure you carry QC and a TQ in your bug out bag, confident that there will be helicopters, vascular surgeons and working ER's in the apocalypse..

[@Martyntd5]

Blulight 11 ///It has a very long track record that the TQ's can be left on for much longer than you stated WITHOUT the loss of the limb./// Just to expand on this, we can argue all day long about the time it takes to lose the limb, but it's irrelevant. The point is, you are on the clock. At some point, you WILL lose the limb, unless you release the TQ. If the S has HTF, the grid is down, the apocalypse is here, no rule of law, no infrastructure, no help, no helicopters and no vascular surgeons - what do you do next? Because that is the purpose of a BOB right? To cover you for this exact scenario, right? To provide you with the essentials of survival when there is no help. But Quick Clot and a Tourniquet are 100% dependant on extensive help. Without that help, they dont save lives, they just delay death - and all that this means is on YOU. I'd love to hear from anyone who has a 'plan' for this? Everyone carries Quick Clot and a Tourniquet like it's some kind of magic wand, but nobody ever expands on what they plan to do after they have used it? Anyone? What are you going to do? Walk away? Let the limb rot, let the patient get septic and succumb to a slow, agonising death from multi-organ failure? Perhaps you are going to attempt a roadside repair of the femoral artery? No? Amputate the leg then? Or are you just going to shoot them in the head? If you are going to use this stuff, you have to have a plan, because it's all on you. There is no help, you are it, from start to finish. So what do you do?

[@derealovesurvival7549]

Good kit thanks for sharing...

[@DesertPrep]

Thanks for the kind comment. Love the videos on your channel BTW.

[@derealovesurvival7549]

Thank you for the kind comment. God bless you..

[@kfsrmn]

The comb makes short work of removing cholla pads. Use a comb with a handle.

[@ofera4413]

I would also keep a sterile blade and a paraphine pad good burns

[@kfsrmn]

Nicely done but how about a face mask and eye protection? Since you are in the desert do you keep a comb for removing cactus clumps? I know you have a multi tool for removing spines.

[@DesertPrep]

We do have sunglasses in the top pocket - very important in the desert. The cactus species around here can be very aggressive, and the Ka-Bar and multitool can address them all. I not familiar with anything a comb would work on... Thanks for the kind comment.

[@kfsrmn]

The eye protection and face mask are for the med kit. Working on bleeding wounds can be dangerous to your health. Most of our old fart hiking group carried the combs for dealing with cholla (jumping cactus). Some things we learned. Always wear a hat or some form of head cover and never put sun screen on your forehead. It will run down into your eyes when you sweat. Bandannas are very useful for many things like sweat bands or covering your ears under a hat. Also make bandages. Having a couple would not add much weight.

[@dutchcourage7312]

- Think the 'blister pack' could do with a needle and some thread, 'popping' a blister with the needle (heated first to disinfect) to then weave some (wicking) thread through it helps the fluid to drain over night (i recall that neutral dental floss can be used ~ but may have to look into that some more, i should to apparently), while keeping the skin on there to keep skin underneath protected, then you can apply moleskin the next day. - Learn how to treat sprained ankles, these are one of the most common ways to get injured while traversing irregular terrain, and you won't want to be immobile while on the move, as that contradiction will slow you down considerably. - Glad to find some tweezers in the pack, as your terrain has a high dosage of needled plants, very likely to get some... - Some more gausse pads if it fits, area's with scrapes may also be common due to the flora, these are hard to treat with bandaids. Also, any wound and care afterwards will need gausse pads, just get the largest size that fits the bag and get as many in there as you can, they are lightweight, and can always make them smaller if needed. - And yes, get good medical training before using a tourniquet, because a large head wound is not treated with a tourniquet around the neck ;) - Other than that, great kit !

[@DesertPrep]

Thanks once again for the detailed and thoughtful commentary. (You may have noticed a few of your previous suggestions influencing the equipment.). There are gauze pads in the kit, but I’ve added a roll of gauze since the video. Also an NPA and Celox. We carry multitools, and the pliers in them are better suited to the industrial-sized cactus spines around here than the tweezers are. I alway discourage tourniquets for head wounds. :)

[@dutchcourage7312]

Yeah i noticed :) ... Think the common rule is that you can never have to much gauze, so glad you used all available space for more. A roll is great too, likely more versatile than patches tbh. :) ... auch, well then at least your wife can use the tweezers in conjunction with the signal mirrors for the girly stuff ... as you should ;D

[@tonykubrak43]

Good kid very comprehensive thank you for sharing your video. I noticed your Saguaro for your icon are you in the Tucson area? I am would love to get together and chat

[@RMACIAS2460]

Great video

[@DesertPrep]

Thanks - appreciate the comment.

[@VPGRIP1]

How do you manage to get chest seal in the 5.11 med pouch?

[@kan-zee]

😍 👍 Do you have personal/family *I.C.E.* (In Case of Emergency) Documents/ charts/ medication records/ emergency contact info of doctors, family etc... on USB Card or paper ?? I love your organization mindset on your kits. cheers

[@Tony-dh7mz]

ibuprofen with codeine, if you can find it, fast acting, long lasting, and relieve swelling, (which if caught early enough can circumvent other issues) A flask of vodka, it’s a liquid multitool,

[@DesertPrep]

Thanks for the advice. Vodka does have a lot of uses. Here we can buy Everclear which, at 95% ethanol, amplifies the benefits.

[@Tony-dh7mz]

But can you drink it without going blind? Jest,

[@DesertPrep]

LOL - so far, so good...

[@adamdaughtrey8676]

Where did you get your 1st aid kit bag?

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

I found both my first aid kits had no burn gel after I burnt myself.

[@azure6392]

Sutures? You need training (USNERDOC and Bloom & Doom do offer it, but you've got potential legal problems), a needle holder and skin forceps. It's gonna really hurt, so injectable (Rx) lidocaine and knowledge of where to stick it is needed. Be damn sure your patient won't sue you (i.e. yourself). The docs always give antibiotics, and they are using aseptic technique. I don't see enough gauze to get through 3 days of bandage changes. Sutures are not for field use. Unless you are a licensed doc, stick with the steri-strips or duct tape cut like them.

[@DesertPrep]

Appreciate the advice - thanks for offering it.

[@mrchiefbs]

Steri strips saved me from getting stitches for a bad head wound!

[@LogicBob]

Good video, but those tiny Celox packets are not nearly enough a life threatening bleed. I speak from experience. :-)

[@tleone911]

Where is the KOTEX, the Best bandage for a Big Bleeder?

[@DesertPrep]

Yup - good field-expedient alternative, and quite inexpensive. I hear the tampon idea as well, and SkinnyMedic has done a pretty interesting video on it. Bottom line: it doesn’t have much absorbent material. The Israeli bandage and pads are reasonably robust, but I’ve added a rolled gauze (and NPA) to the kit since I shot the video. Thanks for the feedback.

[@k.s.3748]

Kotex are ok but sterile abdominal pads are cheap and cleaner.