Tinny Little FAK.

[Woods Walker]

Tinny Little FAK.

I have been working on posting my FAK for the 72-hour BOB but first I wanted to post my tinny little FAK. I take this on day hikes and short trips. Everything must be able to fit inside this little pull-out. This is small and not meant to replace a larger FAK. Just something that is very small and light weight.


http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_3795.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_3799.jpg

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n220/Daytraderwon/100_3805.jpg

1. Roll of gauze.
2. Chap stick
3. 4 cough drops
4. 12 tabs Rolaids
5. 11 tabs Imodium AD.
6. 3 tabs Gas-X
7. 6 tabs Benadryl
8. 4 tabs Tylenol
9. Povidone-Iodine Ointment packet
10. Neomycin packet
11. 8 Alcohol swabs
12. 2 Moist Towelettes
13. 2 Benzalkonium Chloride Towelettes
14. Sting relief pad
15. Tweezers
16. 2 safety pins
17. 20 Aspirin
18. 20 Advil
19. 4 3x3 gauze pads
20. 1 2x2 gauze pads
21. Deep woods off towelette
22. 3 strips 4 5/8 x 3 3/8 Moleskin padding
23. QR stop bleeding powder packet
24. Small tube of Liquid Bandage 10 applications
25. 5 swabs
26. 3 corn pads
27. 2 Callus Cushions
28. Small roll of medical tape
29. 19 Band-aid sized from very large to small with preference to larger sizes.
30. 5 sutures type bandage


I think everything is properly listed. I don’t really have anymore room for additional items. Maybe I can squeeze in a pair of those medical gloves. Have a box of them around some place. I gave up on those little packets of Advil and Aspirin. Got too expensive to replace as they are always used up by friends. I tend not to use any of that stuff unless real sick or hurt and even than it has to be ugly. If anyone has any suggestions I am all ears but keep in mind that all items must fit inside that little pull out.

[rambler_wannabe]

nice. Mine is in the same package /images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

I use duct tape for callous, blisters, med tape.

I carry a small bottle of tincture of iodine intead of the packets--can use it to purify water as well.

I used to have a signal mirror in there to use to get stuff out of your eye and other self-exams.


Somehow I have an orange bandanna in there, too. signaling and cravet.

[duckear]

Where is the tin in your tiny kit?
/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif


ETA
Curious about your thinking leading to your choice of the # of doses of meds.

Lot of GI stuff ???? Based on past personal experience and use?

[Woods Walker]

I packed larger doses of certain meds because I got tired of running out. I did try little packets but the Aspirin and Advil are always in high demand. Any stiff dogs seems to work better with Aspirin. Stiff people seem to mostly ask for Advil. A few tabs of Tylenol because I think it is better for people who are bleeding. Somehow think Aspirin type stuff is not so good in those cases. Every once in a while someone will insist on just Tylenol.

The GI stuff for the same reason. I tend to only use the Imodium and Rolaids and then only once in a blue moon. I used to pack only a few tabs of each. However GI problems seem real common for anyone traveling some distance and eating new stuff. So I got tied of running out. I think someone had a sour stomach at the ECR and the only thing left from my little medical fit was 4 tabs of Imodium so started to pack more. The Gas-X works great and is also sometimes asked for but only packed a few as the demand is low. Anyways GI problems can really screw up a good time. Over the course of a year most of this stuff will get used. Due to the small size of this kit I tend to actually have it on hand. The same can’t be said about my larger FAK.

[duckear]

Thanks for your reply.

I am always interested in the "why" behind certain items or certain numbers.

I was at a wilderness medical society meeting a few years ago and heard a funny story. I may have some of the details wrong, and things may have changed onboard the ISS, but the gist of the story is correct

When what medical items to stock on the International Space Station and what quantities were initially being considered, NASA contacted the speaker, a rather well known outdoor/expedition MD, regarding how much IV fluid to stock. At a loss, he said six liters off the top of his head. A few years later, at another meeting for a remote, earthbound expedition, he was in a meeting lead by another MD when the question came up on how much IV fluid to carry. The medical director confidently said they would go with what NASA did on the ISS-six liters. The speaker didn't have the heart to tell the medical director just how NASA decided on six liters!



fun links
http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/Apollo_18-43_Apollo_Medical_Kits.htm

http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/Apollo_18-42_Apollo_Medical_Kits.htm

[Brotzie]

"Urine Collection and Transfer Assembly Roll-On Cuffs"... I'm somewhere between intrigued and horrified! /images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

[spunky2268]

Brotizie,

Those are also called Texas or condom catheters. They roll over the "member" and funnel the urine into the bag. Wonder if they use the reverse osmosis water purifiers with these now???

[poel]

Our flight survival kits in the late 60s and early 70s used to contain condoms referred to as "water bags,latex", or something similar. They do work that way too. Also sounds like a sensible way to pee in zero G if you don't have a milking machine.

I'm sure if someone had referred to a platypus in those days it would have warranted a giggle also.

[conner]

very cool and creative

[poel]

I've got several FAKs of different weights. This is the very lightest day-trip, jogging variant that goes everywhere, even in a butt pack. Similar in concept to WW's but not intended for overnight use. Since I usually travel with two gonzo dogs, it has been handy to have the clamp for splinters and quills, and the Vet Wrap is useful for a bunch of things from sprains and strains to more serious cuts needing some compression. Comb is for major burr encounters. This fits well in a 5 x 8" zip-lock plastic bag.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b382/poel01/LightKit.jpg

The larger kits might be considered FAEKs, since they have more emergency gear too, like a bigger fire kits, heavier cord, more duct tape, wrap and bandaging, etc.

[Woods Walker]

Looks nice Poel.

[Woods Walker]

I added 4 more 2x2 gauze pads and two 2x2 gauze sponges.

[MWCAMP7]

I WOULD JUST ADD THAT ASPIRIN IS A BLOOD THINNER AND DEPENDING ON INJURY, IT COULD MAKE BLEEDING MORE SEVERE. TYLENOL IS A VERY GOOD ALL AROUND ANALGESIC.

[Chucker]

That's a good idea, WW.

Not knowing very much about first aid and such, I just used what I had and put my similar kit into a small chamber pocket. I also have Tylenol and band aids and Alieve but I should probably get some asprin and a little gauze like you have. Typically, I would buy the bigger jars of pill meds and put them in little zip lock bags. They got too beat up and wadded up to see what was actually inside so I got some little plastic vials like these: http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=427&

I use a label maker to ID what it is and the expiration date. They work good if you have the space. Also, I put a tube of Airborne in my kit on a seasonale basis.

Not very compact or lightweight but it works for where I usually am or go.

[duckear]

One substitution you may wish to consider. The OFF! towelettes ( alcohol wipes as well) have a nasty habit of drying out if the package gets stressed and develops a pinhole. Get some bug/sunscreen combo cream and repackage in a small 1 or 2 oz bottle. REI carries it.

ETA
It is Coppertone Bug and Sun

[Woods Walker]

I don't have the room for the bottles. The OFF! towelettes do have issues but they are more for back ups. Also packed in a location that would make a pinhole unlikely. I do agree about these things drying out. It happens if they get folded or crushed a few times. Has not happened yet in the little FAK but see it when tossed into my gear sacks as stuff tends to move around in the sack.