What’s an ideal first aid kit for use with the GFC/during offroading adventures?
I’ve been looking at the “MYFAK mini PRO” . While it seems pretty expensive, so is a hospital visit or dying in the great outdoors.
I’ve had a few rough experiences and now always carry a couple small fire extinguishers, a nice toolkit, etc, but first aid is something I don’t have handled yet.
Depends on your activities/ needs.
Training is almost more important to invest in than the actual gear.
A lot of these high speed IFAK kits companies are coming from the LEO/MIL world and have stuff that the average camper/hiker/overlander may never benefit from.
I recommend thinking about your common activities and researching some of the common injuries associated with that
In general a SAM splint is something you can cheaply add to many injuries that can provide stabilization and relief and has a pretty low learning curve/barrier to entry.
If you have the time I would recommend looking at the pricier kits and seeing what devices you don’t know/ have never seen and learn how they are used.
You don’t want the first time you use a tourniquet or a NPA to be when someone is hemorrhaging or has a compromised airway.
Some stuff can be learned from YouTube University but in general I recommend First Aid to be learned in person.
Outside of a Red Cross training or EMT school at the local CC I’d recommend getting a kit from an EMS or hospital supply shop and not a tacticool supplier.
Someplace like Galls or the EMS Store makes fully assembled kits without the molle upcharge
For simple hiking kits I recommend the Adventure Medical Kits brand, much more likely to get a blister than a sucking chest wound in most scenarios.
Are you looking for a “boo-boo kit” for general cuts and scrapes? Or a trauma kit to treat “dying in the great outdoors”? If the former, what you’ve got is probably okay. If the latter, don’t go cheap. I’d recommend anything from North American Rescue. They have package options that will suit any budget and/or use case. Link below. They also offer training on how to use these tools which is arguably more important than the tools themselves.
Great answers, thanks. For a “boo-boo kit” I’m pretty covered. Bandaids, gauze, burn creme, ibuprofen, alcohol wipes etc.
I agree totally that training may be the most important thing and am happy to invest required time and energy into that (and have done a fair bit of training in the past, but a long time ago).
I think my aim here is “sensibly prepared for most things up to a car accident/hiking accident in a remote area”. I have two trucks and want a kit in each truck. I acknowledge that training and communication devices are the better part of that, but I’m specifically thinking about what items should be readily available.
Speaking specifically to that, focusing on gear or interventions that aren’t in the general boo-boo kit , from generally from lower to higher complexity/liability:
Water
“Blood sugar” snacks or fruits
Israeli Bandage
SAM Splint
C-collar
Climate appropriate weather protection (space blanket/ ice sheets)
Tourniquet
NarCan
QuikClot
OPA
NPA
Chest seal
Needle decompression
how to start an IV
If you know what to look for a BP cuff, and stethoscope can be useful for taking vitals before handoff to higher level of care
Same thing with general knowledge assessment of things like brain trauma, temperature injuries, stabilizing joints or bones when injured and how to buddy carry, or fashion carrying aids (or having a portable drag litter)
When it comes to serious injury in remote areas I believe pain management is critical. Prescription drugs and even anti-nausea medicine can play a huge role in helping an injured person that has to wait for search and rescue or a long trip to the hospital. Like other said proper training is key or go camping with doctors and nurses they always know what to do and often carry the good stuff.
Totally right. I suggest getting a WFR.
After that, you’ll know what you want in your kit. Most stock kits have lots of things you’ll never use. I build mine and tweak them for the activities I do and the most likely unfortunate possible injuries. That said, there are some newer things out there that are really helpful (like clotting gauze).
Investing in tools you don’t know how to use tho is probably not worth it. And this isn’t a scenario where you are hoping someone who knows how to use the tools comes by soon to help 
“No one is coming, it’s up to us”
G
This is one of my mottos and approach to life. Respectfully to everybody here, the note on training is heard, understood, and taken to heart. I know a tourniquet won’t tie itself, much less properly.
I guess “WFR” means taking a Wilderness First Responder class. With tuition starting around $700 and heading north of $3,000, I don’t need to worry about “wasting” an extra $50 on supplies, course or no course.
Tools & training are a killer combo. Or a lifesaving combo. Here I’m thinking/asking about the tools. Looks like I’ll just buy that “expensive” red kit with everything, and budget some time and money to get some training beyond the self-teaching I usually do.
Thanks.
Yeah, around here they are about $700 and and are ~3-7d of training.
Sorry, should have linked to them in the response: WFR Courses