Use North American Rescue as a resource for this equipment in the US. Please consider the CAT tourniquet over other options. Actual, sterile and useful equipment that can...and has saved lives is not cheap. Please refrain from giving or taking meds without having a good grasp of what's happening, pertinent medical history, and know the actions, contraindications and benefits/drawbacks. Last but not least.....TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING. You are protected to the extent you are trained. Do not go above your training level. Do not carry equipment you have not been trained on or are VERY familiar with. Awesome presentation as usual. US Army veteran / Firefighter Paramedic for 30 years.
I have carried equipment I am not trained for with the hope that someone else there may be of trained assistance or that I may be the one receiving aid from someone who is trained.
As a schmuck that has fortunately got a few people in distress to the people that actually saved their lives I adore this video and this comment. Well said. Well done.
As an EM physician, I applaud your first aid and trauma kits contents which very closely mimic my own kits. I would just add that you should check the expiration dates on your meds periodically since you might not use them for years. Also replacing band-aids periodically as well since in my experience, the adhesive tends to weaken over time. 👍😎
I have been puttting some money in upgrading our first aid kits for our vehicles. We have j&j kits which r awsome once u take out about 200 bandaids and the smaller cool packets. I bought gauze rolls and pads and upgraded the cool packs.
I’ve been a licensed paramedic in the US for almost 15 years and I love seeing people talk about carrying medical gear; it’s so important. I have to say, your trauma kit is pretty well thought out. If you ask 10 paramedics what should be included in a kit you’ll get 10 different answers, but you’ve covered most of your bases. The only addition I’d recommend as being critical would be a set of Hyfin Compact Chest Seals. Although normally associated with gunshot and stab wounds, I’ve experienced penetrating chest trauma in a patient who was mountain biking on a remote trail, had a bad wreck, and landed on an exposed piece of tree root which impaled through his chest wall creating a pneumothorax. They’re inexpensive and very compact for storage.
Great comment, especially mentioning that chest seals are not just for gunshot wounds. Some people need reminding, also, that just because it is called a "Combat Action Tourniquet" it isn't just for combat. I just saw a youtuber today who argued hikers don't need all that IFAK stuff unless you hike in America where you might get shot. Trauma is trauma. Wound packing gauze and pressure bandages are good for any deep puncture or laceration, not just one from a weapon.
You always have the best practical kits that include price and weight. Everyone else seems to carry medical professional stuff when the majority of people dont need everything. Please keep your videos coming.
Those are both great kits. I have just a few suggestions: - A large triangle bandage is super versatile, can be a tourniquet, a sling, a wrap to support a sprained ankle, a large bandage for bigger wounds, etc. - Glucose tablets can be a life-saver if someone is having a diabetic emergency. - A plastic eye shield is lightweight and can protect an injured eye that you may not want to apply pressure to.
I trained as a nurse many years ago and have been a first aider at work in more recent years. It's only in the last few years that tourniquets have featured in the First Aid at Work courses, but only for use on "catastrophic injuries". I think the reasoning behind this is that a less-than fully-effective tourniquet can make blood loss greater as it compresses the veins (which are nearer the surface) and may not compress the arteries (which are deeper). For very serious injuries, such as a limb being blown off by a bomb blast, the person probably won't survive untreated so an ineffective tourniquet won't make things any worse but may not help. Pressure on the wound is recommended for less than catastrophic, but still serious, bleeding.
Thanks for the feedback and information - my researche identified Tourniquets stop being used for the reasons mentioned but that the thinking has changed over recent years (as a result of recent wars) especially with effective and relatively easy to use options like the CAT. Agree if pressure dressing does the trick then tourniquet is not needed.
Certainly improvised tourniquets are usually ineffective, and tend to do more harm than good. But a CAT is relatively easy to apply and can save a life, especially when applied *before* the patient has gone into haemorrhagic shock. First aid courses are still far too conservative in recommending them, and in fact I've heard first aid trainers promulgating myths, such as that as soon as a tourniquet goes on you should regard the limb as lost, and so they should only be used as a last resort. As a result, even with a proper medical tourniquet available, most people only apply it after everything else has failed and a patient is in haemorrhagic shock, and then survival of arterial bleeding drops from over 90% to less than 10%. People die because of this outdated advice! In fact, limb survival is generally good for at least two hours - plenty of time for most people to get to a hospital, and arterial bleeding can kill in minutes, before most ambulances arrive. If the bleeding is arterial and a CAT is available, it should be the *first* option, not the last.
@@jeanwatson189 We had a student die when I was in junior high, his leg went through glass and it cut his artery, the paramedics apparently refused to apply a tourniquet and instead opted for an artery clamp and packing, but failed to fully clamp the artery. He died 1 minute out from hospital from bleeding, the hospital was 5 minutes from the school. The tourniquet they had was an old wire core one with some fabric around it and a manual crank ratchet. Apparently the old ones were either extremely thin, slippery to use, and the medic could easily apply so much force the tourniquet could sever muscle and crack bones, and then there was no guarantee the tourniquet would hold its position. Or they were unreliably loose (Thus only fit for areas below the knees/elbows) requiring the medic to stand on the tourniquet to keep its position tight, which in turn caused its own issues. New tourniquets apply less pressure evenly over a larger surface area with better materials and so are significantly less likely to cause traumatic injuries from application, and thanks to good Velcro and quality plastics/metal furniture they rarely slip loose. Hopefully more people learn to use them and at the least have one within reach for things like car crashes.
If you can, I would recommend attending a Stop The Bleed class to learn about proper applications of TQs, packing, compression, and assessment. Not sure if this is in the US only, but to your American viewers, it's definitely worth the training.
Never forget a mirror (two is better for back-sides), pen light, and a magnifying device. When you are treating yourself, you have to be able to see what you are treating.
Mum was a nurse in 80’s 90’s and 00’s - she had an amazing edc/1st aid kit in her handbag which she carry to work and back - think it was the done thing 👍
Going to the beach could be dangerous too...one time I saw this kid cut his foot with a piece of broken glass in the sand... I would carry this kind of kit ANYWHERE...thanks for your videos Jon.. we love you!
Some good advice and gear 👍. A permanent marker attached to the kit works for writing T(for tourniquet) and time on the casualty forehead as you can't always be when help arrives. Paramedics will always check airways so will see the tourniquet warning (or M for morphine). Airway management is usually the key to survival, even without an aid , ie passive management. Good stuff thanks 👍
Bear in mind, that those thick, sealed plastic packages are going to be hard to open when covered with slippery, slick blood while your panicking. Stage your stuff. Get it as close to ready and easy assessable as you possible can.
I've just started to get back into hiking and wild camping after about a 20 year break and stumbled upon your channel, which is by far the best I have found in regard to equipment relevance and suitability for UK environments! It's refreshing to watch someone that lives in the real world, while many others are reviewing or promoting gear that is simply not needed nor suitable for the UK. It's appreciated, thank you.
Depending on your experience, an arterial splint is a good addition to an ifac. It can be used in conjunction with a tourniquet and is very useful for deep wounds in the groin or armpit.
Great video! For you being a "non medical person" I must say you provide more useful, accurate and better info than 95% of all the videos I have watched here on TH-cam! Take care! Regards from Sweden
Wonderfully done, Jon Gadget. And you have quite a solid follower base as there are many great and informative comments below, and I didn't see any rudeness or complaining. One thing I would ask you to consider on that tourniquet. Please consider getting that out of the plastic bag -- definitely not at the bottom of the bag -- and stage it in a place where you can get to it behind no more than one enclosure (like a zipper). If you need that one piece of gear, you will not want to lose the time it takes to unzip a bag, dig out another bag, open that bag, and dump out the contents to get to it. If you are bleeding bad enough to need it, or are missing part of a limb, all the more difficult it will be. You should make it work for your context, but I use two 1/2" hook-and-loop cable straps (think computer cord bundle ties) and strap it to the inside of the shoulder strap on my backpack or sling bag. With some bags, I put it in an outer elastic pouch. Or, you can buy a little clip-on pouch for the TQ and affix it wherever it works for you. I hope you will never need it, but I hope it is close at hand if you do. Excellent video, and CHEERS! to you.
Great video. I have a similar trauma kit in the car glovebox. I have a similar small first aid kit which I use forwalking, travel etc but have included a swisscard lite. It gives me scissors, tweezers, a sharp blade and a torch as well as a pen for noting vital signs etc.
Excellent Kit Jon! I enjoyed how you showed the trauma kit in action. Some useful additions for the booboo kit would be some moleskin or blister plaster, and a small insect poison extractor, which can also be used to extract splinters. Also a little tube of antibacterial ointment to help reduce infection. For the trauma kit it makes sense to include whistle and a face shield mask for CPR.
Thanks for the great feedback. When outdoors I carry an additional kit which includes a whistle - I was always taught the 30 compressions and 2 breaths CPR - but people are saying now to just focus on compressions which delivers enough air to the lungs initially - so I ditched the face shield.
@@JonGadget I'd still recommend a face shield as the plastic surround or it's wrapper can double as a chest puncture seal using your micro/trans pore tape and the mouthpiece could be used as a protector for a small, deep penetrant (glass/nail) you don't want to be extracting while you put protective dressing /bandage over it.
@@JonGadget agree that trend is for bystander cpr hands only. That's because there is enough oxygen in the blood to get to the brain til the professionals arrive with their resuscitation kit and supplementary oxygen. BUT if you are in the wilds there may be a significant delay in raising the alarm and help arriving, so I'd encourage the re-addition of the face mask to offer rescue breaths at 30:2 as you said in those circumstances.
@@JonGadget The other reason to include the face shield is that for children the cause of cardiac arrest is usually respiratory. There may be situations where rescue breaths in young children will prevent cardiac arrest. And with children in cardiac arrest, it is important to give breaths using the 30:2 (or 15:2 if you have help) ratio because you would be treating the cause of the cardiac arrest by giving breaths. (EM doc; just found your channel; great kit).
Jon, given the prevalence of knife crime here in the UK, you should definitely have a chest seal. Plus you need to consider if a member of your party falls on a downed branch while out in the woods etc. To save buying one, pack a couple of plastic sandwich bags. These can be cut down the sides (the inside of the bags will be cleanest), placed over a sucking chest wound and secured with the tape on THREE sides to form a vented seal. Then position the casualty with the affected side down-most so the uninjured lung isn't impeded by the weight of the injured side.
You should reconsider planning on improvising a life saving tool. They are cheap, just buy them. Improvisation is for when you are in the field and out of options.
Good video! If I'm not wrong you initially pull the strap of the CAT as tight as possible to already create pressure so one of two turns on the windless are enough to acclude blood flow. And in my option the steri-strips and the wipes to clean around the wound can be put in to the "boo boo kit" instead you should add a mylar blanket to prevent hypothermia
TCCC standards are TQ remains in place to be removed by medical professionals once in a hospital environment. (Yes, the 6 hour rules has been standardized by military MEDEVAC time windows. Also, the placement is no longer 2-3” above the wound, but as high up as possible (thigh, arm) to ensure proper effectiveness by placing TQ on the single-bone limb portion.
Absolutely. One consideration in remote areas is that if the tourniquet is left in place for a very long time it will cause damage. I worked with someone who had an above knee amputation as a result. I would have led with presenting the gauze, and then the Israeli bandage, making the point that the tourniquet is for life or death situations when the previous options are going to be insufficient.
Very wise to be 1st aid accident prepared: house hold, work shop, traffic, outdoor etc.! I carry daily band aids in my purse and in my daily city bag pack an extra pack with gauze bandage material, bandage scissors. I own two car 1st aid kits which are too big for daily carry, so I keep them: 1. at home in my bathrooms first aid cabinet beside horse/bruise ointment gel, sun protection and painkillers, 2. in my travel luggage/bag pack.
I love this. Your kits always seem to be very well planned and executed, and although I rely a lot on standard packed first aid kits, I will use this to supplement them to handle more situations. I also happen to love your "EDC micro urban essentials kit" because it is a kit that is small enough to ALWAYS be with you. I wonder: What would be included if you would put together an "EDC micro first aid kit" with about the same size restrictions as the "EDC micro urban essentials kit", or rather a kit small enough to always be with you. The best kit is after all the one you have at hand.
Fantastic information! Current research says Do apply tourniquets as high as possible on the limb now. Completely severed arteries tend to retract under tension if they run along large muscle groups. Applying two to three inches above a wound could prove ineffective if after is severed.
Im a paramedic in the USA and I have a cheep pair of tramma siccors in the back of my multi tool pouch and my raptors are in my trauma bag and first aid kit
Good choices! An update on the tourniquet location... I'm Stop the Bleed Certified. Tourniquet's should be applied as high on a limb as possible, regardless of the wound location. The reason for this is that if an artery is severed it will retract, sometimes all the way into the torso. This creates a huge problem for the surgeon who will do the repair. In a metro area a tourniquet can be left on for up to 4 hours without risking the limb, and should never be removed by anyone lacking the initials M.D. after their name. In any case losing the limb is preferable to death. I would also add the space blanket to the trauma kit as anyone in need of that kit will likely go into shock which the blanket can help mitigate. Having the blankets in both kits would be a plus as they can be used separately as you mentioned. I also added the chest seals to my kit, but not the decompression needle as I'm not certified to use one.
The big point raised, and that really needs to be hammered home about the CAT Tourniquet is there are a lot of fakes for sale that won’t work or straight out break, if you are going to have one make sure as Jon says it’s the genuine article from a reputable source not Wish, Ali or even Amazon. For life saving items buy the proper items not knock off’s, if you are going to do it, do it right, it’s a trauma kit not cosplay.
I like the swat t only because it is more likely to be used as a pressure bandage than a tourniquet. Just pack. With gauze and give it a wrap and off you go to the hospital. Love it. 🤠👍
As a physician and former nurse, I recommend the X shears over the generic trauma shears or Leatherman Raptor. The X shears cut far more easily for less experienced users, and more durable, and handle better (and easier to clean) when covered in slippery blood. XSHEAR® 7.5” Extreme Duty Trauma Shears
EMT here. A few other considerations worth making would be: A pocket CPR mask. Compression only CPR was created to reduce the hesitancy of bystanders to render aid, but a healthy person might only have as much as 8 minutes of oxygen in their blood. If breaths aren't being delivered then after that time all the pumping you're doing isn't really helping all that much. This of course would also require CPR training... which is now available online! Diphenhydramine/Benadryl. This is another lifesaving OTC medication, but I personally use it most often for pet allergies. Glucose. Pick your poison: gel, frosting, honey stick, etc. The more liquidy stuff can be be applied to the inside of a persons gums if they're unable to swallow. Too much sugar isn't going to kill someone right away, but not having enough very well could. Where I'm currently located our protocols don't even have us taking a blood glucose level before giving sugar. A pulseoximeter. This one is a bit more fluff than the first 3, but still potentially useful. A basic one only costs $10-$20, but it can give you two useful metrics to pass along to a dispatcher. Cheers!
Yet another well-thought-out and informative video! I didn't know about the swat-t, but I'll be adding that for sure to my PFAK as well as the kit I keep in my car! Very useful in multiple situations. I love gear that has more than one function, especially when it's small in form and lightweight. I don't have chest seals either, but after reading a couple of the comments, I think I'll be adding those as well. Cheers!
The best first aid kit you can carry is the one in your head. A good first aid and wilderness first aid course can perpare you for an emergency. Knowing how use common items in emergency is a good skill.
Love it, after just being on holiday and becoming ill. I’ve been prompted to create a kit for personal use. One thing that I will be including in my kit which you didn’t mention is a sugar source, although I am not diabetic I’m am aware that those who are prepared tend to help those who aren’t. A simple dextrose tablet in your kit, could at any point in time be a life safer for a diabetic having a hypo.
Great kits Jon! Very well thought out. I like the use of the clear pouch for the trauma kit. Living in Australia, the most important addition I would make would be a snake bandage. For outdoor adventure use, I also include some strapping tape, in case somebody needs to hobble out of somewhere with a twisted ankle, and a low-temp thermometer to check for hypothermia, which can be a big killer. A mirror should also be included if there isn't already one somewhere else in your gear, eg on your compass or in your survival kit, as well as a source of light and a small notebook and pen/pencil for medical notes. (I realise you would always have these items in your EDC, but some people might not carry one.)
great feedback - I'm sure people will find this useful - I have an outdoor adventure kit (it's in one of the vids) for when outdoor - and it has much of what you mentioned.
I will say, the TCCC recommended tourniquet list is worth a look, not only do some of the alternatives have advantages but most of them are far less likely to have fakes floating around, for public access or kits for less trained people i specifically recommend the SAM XT as it forces you to start at the proper tightness before you start on the windless
As someone living in Europe and having been threatened multiple times with melee weapons and injured once by a sword, I do emphasize that you need to be able to treat chest wounds and shallow cuts to the neck. The only people I know personally that got shot were shot in wars. However, I do know other people who got stabbed and one guy was even attacked by a frigging spear! (actually, a big kitchen knife mounted on a broom handle, but that happened during a riot revolving around a soccer match, thus in broad daylight in a public place in front of countless witnesses and even cops! One of the cops was beaten into a coma with a steel pipe!) As a side note: when I got (accidentally) injured by a sword, there were 5 or 6 people around me, but I had to apply first aid myself because they were totally useless! They were all panicking despite me being injured and not them. I applied some makeshift bandages after I had cleaned and inspected the wound and then walked to the pharmacy next door and asked for some supplies. The clerk then asked me what type of injury I had and I replied sword cut and her eyes nearly popped out. I had to ensure her that I was serious and basically needed to tell her what I needed, despite not being trained as a medic. It should really be another Murphy law: when it's about life and death, chances are, you are surrounded by idiots! PS: I lied about the nature of my wound at my work because I had enough of people reacting in stupid ways. PPS: I didn't see anything in the kit to keep cuts closed, but I do know that there are multiple items that can help.
I would throw an extra pair of gloves or two into the kits. Being able to change gloves, or in a trauma situation having multiple people assisting safely can be a big help.
Glad to see you're continuing to spread the good word, how devastating it can be to know you could have saved a life but for a carrying small med kit. One thing I was told (unofficially) by an SJA instructor 20+ yrs ago was put any meds in a separate poly bag boldly marked "For Personal Use Only", still something I do. Also worth annual check, if you don't already, to make sure nothings gone out of date, active dressings, plasters can loose adhesion, analgesics, loperamide etc expire. If you can still get them, I have a small gatefold credit card sized SJA 1st aid guide in each kit on how to treat wounds, burns, heart attack, cpr etc. Stuff I know but in dire emergency give it someone who doesn't. Something another SJA instructor said at end of the week that's still etched in my mind was 'if you don't remember exactly how to do something, do something and give that person a chance to live.'
I made a similar kit after a lot of research and a first aid course from the Red Cross. My FAK is attached by Velcro to the driver’s headrest of my car and can be pulled off it’s mount quickly, folds open, includes both the smaller stuff and the trauma kit, and also includes a folding aluminum splint. I tried to get a CAT but they are sold out many places. I’m thinking I’ll get the SWAT tourniquet as it’s multi-purpose. Aggressive driving is a huge problem here in the US, as well as gun violence, leading to many traumatic injuries and deaths. It’s rare to be far from my car except when hiking, so the kit comes with me when in the backcountry. I really think everyone should take a first aid course to train how to do CPR, stop life threatening bleeding, choking, and other simple life-saving actions. It’s only a few hours.
12:03 - *Laughs in American.* Also, very excited to see you finally posted this! I remember you mentioned doing so when I first found your channel late last year. I knew it was going to be well thought-out and comprehensive. Distinguishing between First Aid and Trauma Kit was also a really useful touch. Cheers!
Thanks Jon another winner. I very much like the idea of two kits that can work independently as well as being complimentary in certain situations. You mentioned your lighter duty kit was modified from the original, how much more did you need to add? I imagine the tourniquet and meds?
Great video! I have a similar kit but do keep it on a Maxpedition TC so I can keep it on my belt if hiking. Some others have mentioned the chest seals for the trauma kit but I’d throw a Mylar blanket in there as well, many paramedics will have this to cover the casualty for both preventing hypothermia and overheating. They are also a liquid barrier in heavy rain and have even been shown helpful in lowering the chances of the casualty going into shock. I’d ditch the swat tourniquet in the other it as it is more difficult to get full occlusion and less than that can be more harmful than beneficial.
Thanks for the feedback. The SWAT-T people are very confident in their product though. Mylar blanket is in first aid kit and if I have Trauma Kit I will always have this as well.
For the med part, I'm just missing some active charcoal for poisoning situations. I bring it up, because I've been in a situation where I needed it during a hike. Apart from that: excellent kit. Steristrips are a blessing
Very good kit Jon. Thx for sharing and sourcing products supply by UK based company. I've ordered some of them using your discount code which worked. 👍
It’s good the see such a comprehensive kit but I hope folks also take the time to get the appropriate training and education to use basic or advanced kit.
Great video Jon thanks for the information. I have just ordered all of the products for my kit and applied the voucher, really appreciate your professionalism and attention to detail
Great video, I came to the same conclusion about the general emergency kits on the market in the UK. I have been ra king my brain as to building a light medical from scratch. Very useful video
I carry the NAR for myself cause its easier to apply one-handed and also the TacMed Solutions to aid anybody else. An original Israeli bandage is in reach any time as well.
Nice kit. If anybody wants to use the SWAT T tourniquet too, I recommend a lot of practice. It’s much harder to apply enough pressure with it than with the CAT. You really don’t want to try it the first time in an emergency situation.
Great kits as always. I find your kits are more practical and more easy to carry. I did notice what seems to be a glitch in the editing of your video, (or maybe you have a roaming spirit). At 11:45 the statue behind your head somehow moves to your left and then reappears back in it's original position. I had to slow down the video and watch this section four or five times to confirm what I actually was seeing.
It's best to have more than 1 pair of gloves, either in a car accident or similar you may have multiple casualties, or even with 1 casualty you might get your gloves dirty doing a primary survey, then need to access your kit, then go back to the patient. For a smaller kit like this I would think 2 pairs would be adequate, 3 or 4 pairs better, 5 or more pairs probably excessive.
Well done.I am a fan of Jon's EDC videos. Sadly, many over the counter bags are of little real use. I am a surgeon who has traveled the world and have taught and examined on First Aid courses. I would NEVER drive out, go on holiday in the UK (let alone "up the Amazon") without an "EDC" kit and a First Aid set. I have a farm and the First Aid bag there is BIG - so the first challenge for a carry kit is size, weight, and actually what to exclude. The next problem for most people who are not trained is that you need to know what to do in a medical situation and what NOT to do. Thirdly, having a First Aid bag is great but do you know when and how to use the contents? I wish First Aid was a compulsory subject in schools. Nevertheless, Jon's kits are pretty well thought out - except any drugs is a NO NO unless just or personal use. Add a marker pen to the kits. Also, I have been told that the use of emergency dental packs can compromise later professional dental work.
As someone with medical training I applaude your choices. First class. I also carry a couple of mini tampons for wound packing. I might disagree with the supposition that gunshot would be the primary cause of a penetrating chest wound. I'd have thought stabbing would be much more common in the UK .
Thank you for the feedback - really good to know - yes I plan to include a chest seal following feedback - although to put it in perspective in 21/22 there were 282 fatal stabbings in UK with a population of 67.5m - in US 2020 there were 20k murders by shooting with a population of 330m - more chest seals needed in US per population from my rough maths.
@@JonGadget perhaps more chest seals were used on the ones that didn't prove fatal :) maybe also include resus mask? Looks like cling film but with a valve (although the current trend is to teach bystander CPR with hands only, no rescue breaths. That said, if you are in the wilderness.....)
Hi Martin - thanks for the comment - blanket is in the smaller kit - there are two schools of thought on CPR masks - one being that chest compressions deliver enough oxygen in a cardiac arrest situation - but no harm in carrying one of course
Thank you, Jon. I have never seen how to apply these tourniquets before. Very educational! One certainly can improvise a splint, but I'm wondering if you gave any consideration to a SAM splint?
Newer subscriber here, enjoying the content. The breakdowns and the reasoning behind your decisions on gear to use are legit. I use the Wysi Wipe brand of expandable towels, they are super comfortable and strong, I always have one or two with me. I also carry one of those reactive ice packs and a couple of Ace bandages or the self adhering bandage wraps. A friend of mine was a SF medic in Afghanistan , he said they used tightly wrapped Ace bandages as tourniquets on children many times due to their limbs being so small so I guess there is some multi use capabilty for them in a kit. Keep the content coming!
Hi Jon. Could you add a link so that I can find those small ziplock bags that you used for your meds please? I know that you have featured them previously on another episode but I can’t remember which one.
Hi Jon. Firstly, I'd like to thank you for making this very informative video. I have a question to ask you, or anyone who can answer it. Scissors. If they're part of a first aid kit, are you allowed to carry them with you, or can they be looked at as an offensive weapon? I understand it depends on what the use of them is, but I'm interested in what others have to say or think before putting my kit together. Many thanks, Ash.
Consider carrying more than one CAT. One is none and 2 is one. If the bleeding doesn't stop, you'll need 2 at least. The Swat is, in my opinion, not a viable alternative for a CAT. the CoTCCC will not give the SWAT-T an Approval, so I would personally avoid them unless you have actual training with them. But definitely carry more than 1 CAT and definitely get some some training.
Agree with carry two if you can although one is def better than none. I picked up the SWAT-T won't pass combat approval because it doesn't always stay on if injured party is being dragged to safety
have you consider some skin glue? I always put a tiny 10ml tube of skin glue in every go-out-pouch, it's way more effective than gauze and bandaids. that and surgical tapes, those two thing pretty much seals up most injuries we might come across.
good to know - surgical tape is in there - I know super glue is often frowned upon from what I've seen - I didn't realise there was skin glue - will check it out
How do you find out what medical kits and equipment the military use? Is this information that can be readily found? Great video btw and totally agree with your kit
I have an important suggestion: You should clearly label the names and the expiration dates of all the medications. Keep any loose pills in separate labeled baggies. I'd also keep the original informational booklet if it's not too bulky because it may contain some edge cases (children, pregnancy, etc.) or side effects that you probably won't remember.
I have 2, C.A.T GEN 7 tourniquets both in orange, but neither have a red tab on the end, does yours? I couldn't notice in the video. I see that most NAR tourniquet videos (American) seem to have a red tab on the end of them, on the orange tourniquets aswell as the tactical black. Maybe it's slightly different here in the UK.
I've been looking for a decent UK med kit for ages and I think Jon you've summed it all up :) thank you very much. Could you possibly tell us roughly how much it cost to put together?
good to know it was useful - the trauma kit would be about £60 (half being the CAT-T) the basic kit would probably be around £30 (half of that being the SWAT-T) hope that helps. Also check out Mere Supplies - they do some complete kits - owner is a paramedic and knows his stuff
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Use North American Rescue as a resource for this equipment in the US. Please consider the CAT tourniquet over other options. Actual, sterile and useful equipment that can...and has saved lives is not cheap. Please refrain from giving or taking meds without having a good grasp of what's happening, pertinent medical history, and know the actions, contraindications and benefits/drawbacks. Last but not least.....TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING. You are protected to the extent you are trained. Do not go above your training level. Do not carry equipment you have not been trained on or are VERY familiar with. Awesome presentation as usual. US Army veteran / Firefighter Paramedic for 30 years.
Very wise words - thank you for taking the time to comment - appreciated
I have one always on my belt in a belt holder as a firefighter paramedic as well
I have carried equipment I am not trained for with the hope that someone else there may be of trained assistance or that I may be the one receiving aid from someone who is trained.
SOFTT-W is also a good option, as good as a CAT, may be more available and more affordable depending on where you live.
As a schmuck that has fortunately got a few people in distress to the people that actually saved their lives I adore this video and this comment. Well said. Well done.
As an EM physician, I applaud your first aid and trauma kits contents which very closely mimic my own kits. I would just add that you should check the expiration dates on your meds periodically since you might not use them for years. Also replacing band-aids periodically as well since in my experience, the adhesive tends to weaken over time. 👍😎
great feedback and info - thanks for taking the time to share
I have been puttting some money in upgrading our first aid kits for our vehicles. We have j&j kits which r awsome once u take out about 200 bandaids and the smaller cool packets. I bought gauze rolls and pads and upgraded the cool packs.
he produced it tourni-kay 😂
I’ve been a licensed paramedic in the US for almost 15 years and I love seeing people talk about carrying medical gear; it’s so important. I have to say, your trauma kit is pretty well thought out. If you ask 10 paramedics what should be included in a kit you’ll get 10 different answers, but you’ve covered most of your bases.
The only addition I’d recommend as being critical would be a set of Hyfin Compact Chest Seals. Although normally associated with gunshot and stab wounds, I’ve experienced penetrating chest trauma in a patient who was mountain biking on a remote trail, had a bad wreck, and landed on an exposed piece of tree root which impaled through his chest wall creating a pneumothorax. They’re inexpensive and very compact for storage.
Interesting to hear, thanks for the feedback and the information, much appreciated.
Gosh, that's a specific ingjory 🤦🏻♂️😂 completely 100% true though and you're totally right
Great comment, especially mentioning that chest seals are not just for gunshot wounds. Some people need reminding, also, that just because it is called a "Combat Action Tourniquet" it isn't just for combat. I just saw a youtuber today who argued hikers don't need all that IFAK stuff unless you hike in America where you might get shot. Trauma is trauma. Wound packing gauze and pressure bandages are good for any deep puncture or laceration, not just one from a weapon.
You always have the best practical kits that include price and weight. Everyone else seems to carry medical professional stuff when the majority of people dont need everything. Please keep your videos coming.
Really kind comment - thank you 👍
Those are both great kits. I have just a few suggestions:
- A large triangle bandage is super versatile, can be a tourniquet, a sling, a wrap to support a sprained ankle, a large bandage for bigger wounds, etc.
- Glucose tablets can be a life-saver if someone is having a diabetic emergency.
- A plastic eye shield is lightweight and can protect an injured eye that you may not want to apply pressure to.
Triangle bandage won't do sh*t on a bleeding have a tourniquet for this use, you don't need to improvise if you carry the correct equipment
or just call 911
I trained as a nurse many years ago and have been a first aider at work in more recent years. It's only in the last few years that tourniquets have featured in the First Aid at Work courses, but only for use on "catastrophic injuries".
I think the reasoning behind this is that a less-than fully-effective tourniquet can make blood loss greater as it compresses the veins (which are nearer the surface) and may not compress the arteries (which are deeper).
For very serious injuries, such as a limb being blown off by a bomb blast, the person probably won't survive untreated so an ineffective tourniquet won't make things any worse but may not help.
Pressure on the wound is recommended for less than catastrophic, but still serious, bleeding.
Thanks for the feedback and information - my researche identified Tourniquets stop being used for the reasons mentioned but that the thinking has changed over recent years (as a result of recent wars) especially with effective and relatively easy to use options like the CAT. Agree if pressure dressing does the trick then tourniquet is not needed.
Certainly improvised tourniquets are usually ineffective, and tend to do more harm than good. But a CAT is relatively easy to apply and can save a life, especially when applied *before* the patient has gone into haemorrhagic shock. First aid courses are still far too conservative in recommending them, and in fact I've heard first aid trainers promulgating myths, such as that as soon as a tourniquet goes on you should regard the limb as lost, and so they should only be used as a last resort. As a result, even with a proper medical tourniquet available, most people only apply it after everything else has failed and a patient is in haemorrhagic shock, and then survival of arterial bleeding drops from over 90% to less than 10%. People die because of this outdated advice! In fact, limb survival is generally good for at least two hours - plenty of time for most people to get to a hospital, and arterial bleeding can kill in minutes, before most ambulances arrive. If the bleeding is arterial and a CAT is available, it should be the *first* option, not the last.
@@jeanwatson189 We had a student die when I was in junior high, his leg went through glass and it cut his artery, the paramedics apparently refused to apply a tourniquet and instead opted for an artery clamp and packing, but failed to fully clamp the artery. He died 1 minute out from hospital from bleeding, the hospital was 5 minutes from the school. The tourniquet they had was an old wire core one with some fabric around it and a manual crank ratchet. Apparently the old ones were either extremely thin, slippery to use, and the medic could easily apply so much force the tourniquet could sever muscle and crack bones, and then there was no guarantee the tourniquet would hold its position. Or they were unreliably loose (Thus only fit for areas below the knees/elbows) requiring the medic to stand on the tourniquet to keep its position tight, which in turn caused its own issues. New tourniquets apply less pressure evenly over a larger surface area with better materials and so are significantly less likely to cause traumatic injuries from application, and thanks to good Velcro and quality plastics/metal furniture they rarely slip loose. Hopefully more people learn to use them and at the least have one within reach for things like car crashes.
If you can, I would recommend attending a Stop The Bleed class to learn about proper applications of TQs, packing, compression, and assessment. Not sure if this is in the US only, but to your American viewers, it's definitely worth the training.
Yes, I've heard a lot about this and it sounds like a brilliant scheme - nothing like it in the UK as far as I know
or just watch a couple youtube vids on the subject 😂
I’ve participated in a Stop the Bleed class. It was well worth the refresher.
@@uuuultra I'd rather get hands-on training with certified professionals.
Never forget a mirror (two is better for back-sides), pen light, and a magnifying device. When you are treating yourself, you have to be able to see what you are treating.
Mum was a nurse in 80’s 90’s and 00’s - she had an amazing edc/1st aid kit in her handbag which she carry to work and back - think it was the done thing 👍
Going to the beach could be dangerous too...one time I saw this kid cut his foot with a piece of broken glass in the sand... I would carry this kind of kit ANYWHERE...thanks for your videos Jon.. we love you!
Thanks for that - I might well do that 400g doesn't seem a lot if you need it!
There’s also the risk of shark attack. Two people died near me recently from this.
@@amyduro1967there's no edc kit for that
Some good advice and gear 👍. A permanent marker attached to the kit works for writing T(for tourniquet) and time on the casualty forehead as you can't always be when help arrives. Paramedics will always check airways so will see the tourniquet warning (or M for morphine). Airway management is usually the key to survival, even without an aid , ie passive management. Good stuff thanks 👍
Bear in mind, that those thick, sealed plastic packages are going to be hard to open when covered with slippery, slick blood while your panicking. Stage your stuff. Get it as close to ready and easy assessable as you possible can.
good point 👍
I've just started to get back into hiking and wild camping after about a 20 year break and stumbled upon your channel, which is by far the best I have found in regard to equipment relevance and suitability for UK environments! It's refreshing to watch someone that lives in the real world, while many others are reviewing or promoting gear that is simply not needed nor suitable for the UK.
It's appreciated, thank you.
Thanks for the kind comment - much appreciated and welcome to the channel
If you need to write the time on the tourniquet I would recommend to include a sharpie in the trauma kit
good idea
I am glad there are EMS and MEDIC's, people who love working trauma. Because I could never do it. Thank God we have people who do this work..
Depending on your experience, an arterial splint is a good addition to an ifac. It can be used in conjunction with a tourniquet and is very useful for deep wounds in the groin or armpit.
Great video!
For you being a "non medical person" I must say you provide more useful, accurate and better info than 95% of all the videos I have watched here on TH-cam!
Take care!
Regards from Sweden
Wonderfully done, Jon Gadget. And you have quite a solid follower base as there are many great and informative comments below, and I didn't see any rudeness or complaining. One thing I would ask you to consider on that tourniquet. Please consider getting that out of the plastic bag -- definitely not at the bottom of the bag -- and stage it in a place where you can get to it behind no more than one enclosure (like a zipper). If you need that one piece of gear, you will not want to lose the time it takes to unzip a bag, dig out another bag, open that bag, and dump out the contents to get to it. If you are bleeding bad enough to need it, or are missing part of a limb, all the more difficult it will be. You should make it work for your context, but I use two 1/2" hook-and-loop cable straps (think computer cord bundle ties) and strap it to the inside of the shoulder strap on my backpack or sling bag. With some bags, I put it in an outer elastic pouch. Or, you can buy a little clip-on pouch for the TQ and affix it wherever it works for you. I hope you will never need it, but I hope it is close at hand if you do. Excellent video, and CHEERS! to you.
Great video. I have a similar trauma kit in the car glovebox. I have a similar small first aid kit which I use forwalking, travel etc but have included a swisscard lite. It gives me scissors, tweezers, a sharp blade and a torch as well as a pen for noting vital signs etc.
Nice addition 👍 thanks for sharing
Excellent Kit Jon! I enjoyed how you showed the trauma kit in action. Some useful additions for the booboo kit would be some moleskin or blister plaster, and a small insect poison extractor, which can also be used to extract splinters. Also a little tube of antibacterial ointment to help reduce infection. For the trauma kit it makes sense to include whistle and a face shield mask for CPR.
Thanks for the great feedback. When outdoors I carry an additional kit which includes a whistle - I was always taught the 30 compressions and 2 breaths CPR - but people are saying now to just focus on compressions which delivers enough air to the lungs initially - so I ditched the face shield.
@@JonGadget I'd still recommend a face shield as the plastic surround or it's wrapper can double as a chest puncture seal using your micro/trans pore tape and the mouthpiece could be used as a protector for a small, deep penetrant (glass/nail) you don't want to be extracting while you put protective dressing /bandage over it.
@@JonGadget agree that trend is for bystander cpr hands only. That's because there is enough oxygen in the blood to get to the brain til the professionals arrive with their resuscitation kit and supplementary oxygen. BUT if you are in the wilds there may be a significant delay in raising the alarm and help arriving, so I'd encourage the re-addition of the face mask to offer rescue breaths at 30:2 as you said in those circumstances.
@@JonGadget The other reason to include the face shield is that for children the cause of cardiac arrest is usually respiratory. There may be situations where rescue breaths in young children will prevent cardiac arrest. And with children in cardiac arrest, it is important to give breaths using the 30:2 (or 15:2 if you have help) ratio because you would be treating the cause of the cardiac arrest by giving breaths. (EM doc; just found your channel; great kit).
I always find your videos enjoyable and informative, with just the right amount of detail about the given subject. Thank you, Sir.
Really kind of you to say - thank you
Jon, given the prevalence of knife crime here in the UK, you should definitely have a chest seal. Plus you need to consider if a member of your party falls on a downed branch while out in the woods etc.
To save buying one, pack a couple of plastic sandwich bags. These can be cut down the sides (the inside of the bags will be cleanest), placed over a sucking chest wound and secured with the tape on THREE sides to form a vented seal. Then position the casualty with the affected side down-most so the uninjured lung isn't impeded by the weight of the injured side.
Great feedback, thanks for taking the time to share this. I'm re-thinking chest seals 👍
This is a top tip. My go-to for improv chest seals is the packaging for the packing gauze.
Or at a squeeze put a hand over the hole.
You should reconsider planning on improvising a life saving tool. They are cheap, just buy them. Improvisation is for when you are in the field and out of options.
Hyfin seals are easy to apply and highly recommended for chest wounds that would cause tension pneumothorax.
Good video!
If I'm not wrong you initially pull the strap of the CAT as tight as possible to already create pressure so one of two turns on the windless are enough to acclude blood flow.
And in my option the steri-strips and the wipes to clean around the wound can be put in to the "boo boo kit" instead you should add a mylar blanket to prevent hypothermia
blanket is in the basic kit - I would agree re CAT but I wanted to closely follow makers instructions to be sure
TCCC standards are TQ remains in place to be removed by medical professionals once in a hospital environment. (Yes, the 6 hour rules has been standardized by military MEDEVAC time windows. Also, the placement is no longer 2-3” above the wound, but as high up as possible (thigh, arm) to ensure proper effectiveness by placing TQ on the single-bone limb portion.
Useful feedback and good to know - thanks for sharing
@@JonGadget and thanks for the great and informative videos you post. They are very insightful and well presented!
Absolutely. One consideration in remote areas is that if the tourniquet is left in place for a very long time it will cause damage. I worked with someone who had an above knee amputation as a result.
I would have led with presenting the gauze, and then the Israeli bandage, making the point that the tourniquet is for life or death situations when the previous options are going to be insufficient.
Civilian standards are 2-3 inches as proximal to the wound to reduce damage.
Very wise to be 1st aid accident prepared: house hold, work shop, traffic, outdoor etc.!
I carry daily band aids in my purse and in my daily city bag pack an extra pack with gauze bandage material, bandage scissors. I own two car 1st aid kits which are too big for daily carry, so I keep them:
1. at home in my bathrooms first aid cabinet beside horse/bruise ointment gel, sun protection and painkillers,
2. in my travel luggage/bag pack.
Good stuff- thanks for sharing
Save this video. Watch it again and again. Thank you, Jon.
thanks Bob
Very practical kit -small, light and above all useful. I would add chest seal's (min 2). You're good to go!!
Yes, I think I will now - been mentioned a couple of times
Excellent and selfless use of your channel and resources, Jon. Thank you.
Kind of you to say - thank you
I love this. Your kits always seem to be very well planned and executed, and although I rely a lot on standard packed first aid kits, I will use this to supplement them to handle more situations.
I also happen to love your "EDC micro urban essentials kit" because it is a kit that is small enough to ALWAYS be with you. I wonder: What would be included if you would put together an "EDC micro first aid kit" with about the same size restrictions as the "EDC micro urban essentials kit", or rather a kit small enough to always be with you.
The best kit is after all the one you have at hand.
The mylar blanket should be included in the trauma kit as your blood stops clotting at 95°
Fantastic information! Current research says Do apply tourniquets as high as possible on the limb now. Completely severed arteries tend to retract under tension if they run along large muscle groups. Applying two to three inches above a wound could prove ineffective if after is severed.
Im a paramedic in the USA and I have a cheep pair of tramma siccors in the back of my multi tool pouch and my raptors are in my trauma bag and first aid kit
Adding a SAM Splint to treat fractures is also an option (though it adds a bit of bulk)
yes - great to include - some bulk but very little weight
Good choices! An update on the tourniquet location... I'm Stop the Bleed Certified. Tourniquet's should be applied as high on a limb as possible, regardless of the wound location. The reason for this is that if an artery is severed it will retract, sometimes all the way into the torso. This creates a huge problem for the surgeon who will do the repair. In a metro area a tourniquet can be left on for up to 4 hours without risking the limb, and should never be removed by anyone lacking the initials M.D. after their name. In any case losing the limb is preferable to death. I would also add the space blanket to the trauma kit as anyone in need of that kit will likely go into shock which the blanket can help mitigate. Having the blankets in both kits would be a plus as they can be used separately as you mentioned. I also added the chest seals to my kit, but not the decompression needle as I'm not certified to use one.
The big point raised, and that really needs to be hammered home about the CAT Tourniquet is there are a lot of fakes for sale that won’t work or straight out break, if you are going to have one make sure as Jon says it’s the genuine article from a reputable source not Wish, Ali or even Amazon. For life saving items buy the proper items not knock off’s, if you are going to do it, do it right, it’s a trauma kit not cosplay.
well said 👍
I like the swat t only because it is more likely to be used as a pressure bandage than a tourniquet. Just pack. With gauze and give it a wrap and off you go to the hospital.
Love it. 🤠👍
good Video. I spent around $50 at a dollar store and made 3 first aid kits for home and our two cars with pretty good stuff. Not a bad deal
As a physician and former nurse, I recommend the X shears over the generic trauma shears or Leatherman Raptor. The X shears cut far more easily for less experienced users, and more durable, and handle better (and easier to clean) when covered in slippery blood. XSHEAR® 7.5” Extreme Duty Trauma Shears
EMT here. A few other considerations worth making would be:
A pocket CPR mask. Compression only CPR was created to reduce the hesitancy of bystanders to render aid, but a healthy person might only have as much as 8 minutes of oxygen in their blood. If breaths aren't being delivered then after that time all the pumping you're doing isn't really helping all that much.
This of course would also require CPR training... which is now available online!
Diphenhydramine/Benadryl. This is another lifesaving OTC medication, but I personally use it most often for pet allergies.
Glucose. Pick your poison: gel, frosting, honey stick, etc. The more liquidy stuff can be be applied to the inside of a persons gums if they're unable to swallow. Too much sugar isn't going to kill someone right away, but not having enough very well could. Where I'm currently located our protocols don't even have us taking a blood glucose level before giving sugar.
A pulseoximeter. This one is a bit more fluff than the first 3, but still potentially useful. A basic one only costs $10-$20, but it can give you two useful metrics to pass along to a dispatcher.
Cheers!
Yet another well-thought-out and informative video! I didn't know about the swat-t, but I'll be adding that for sure to my PFAK as well as the kit I keep in my car! Very useful in multiple situations. I love gear that has more than one function, especially when it's small in form and lightweight. I don't have chest seals either, but after reading a couple of the comments, I think I'll be adding those as well. Cheers!
thanks for the comment - good to know its been useful - I'm adding chest seal too!
The best first aid kit you can carry is the one in your head. A good first aid and wilderness first aid course can perpare you for an emergency. Knowing how use common items in emergency is a good skill.
Love it, after just being on holiday and becoming ill. I’ve been prompted to create a kit for personal use. One thing that I will be including in my kit which you didn’t mention is a sugar source, although I am not diabetic I’m am aware that those who are prepared tend to help those who aren’t. A simple dextrose tablet in your kit, could at any point in time be a life safer for a diabetic having a hypo.
Great kits Jon! Very well thought out. I like the use of the clear pouch for the trauma kit. Living in Australia, the most important addition I would make would be a snake bandage. For outdoor adventure use, I also include some strapping tape, in case somebody needs to hobble out of somewhere with a twisted ankle, and a low-temp thermometer to check for hypothermia, which can be a big killer. A mirror should also be included if there isn't already one somewhere else in your gear, eg on your compass or in your survival kit, as well as a source of light and a small notebook and pen/pencil for medical notes. (I realise you would always have these items in your EDC, but some people might not carry one.)
great feedback - I'm sure people will find this useful - I have an outdoor adventure kit (it's in one of the vids) for when outdoor - and it has much of what you mentioned.
Great Video! The only thing I would add is Bleed Stop. Works very well with small wounds.
A very good video! I especially liked how you showed how to use the products included.
I will say, the TCCC recommended tourniquet list is worth a look, not only do some of the alternatives have advantages but most of them are far less likely to have fakes floating around, for public access or kits for less trained people i specifically recommend the SAM XT as it forces you to start at the proper tightness before you start on the windless
As someone living in Europe and having been threatened multiple times with melee weapons and injured once by a sword, I do emphasize that you need to be able to treat chest wounds and shallow cuts to the neck. The only people I know personally that got shot were shot in wars. However, I do know other people who got stabbed and one guy was even attacked by a frigging spear! (actually, a big kitchen knife mounted on a broom handle, but that happened during a riot revolving around a soccer match, thus in broad daylight in a public place in front of countless witnesses and even cops! One of the cops was beaten into a coma with a steel pipe!)
As a side note: when I got (accidentally) injured by a sword, there were 5 or 6 people around me, but I had to apply first aid myself because they were totally useless! They were all panicking despite me being injured and not them. I applied some makeshift bandages after I had cleaned and inspected the wound and then walked to the pharmacy next door and asked for some supplies. The clerk then asked me what type of injury I had and I replied sword cut and her eyes nearly popped out. I had to ensure her that I was serious and basically needed to tell her what I needed, despite not being trained as a medic. It should really be another Murphy law: when it's about life and death, chances are, you are surrounded by idiots!
PS: I lied about the nature of my wound at my work because I had enough of people reacting in stupid ways.
PPS: I didn't see anything in the kit to keep cuts closed, but I do know that there are multiple items that can help.
I would throw an extra pair of gloves or two into the kits. Being able to change gloves, or in a trauma situation having multiple people assisting safely can be a big help.
Great video Jon - well thought through as always!
Thank you - appreciated
Glad to see you're continuing to spread the good word, how devastating it can be to know you could have saved a life but for a carrying small med kit. One thing I was told (unofficially) by an SJA instructor 20+ yrs ago was put any meds in a separate poly bag boldly marked "For Personal Use Only", still something I do. Also worth annual check, if you don't already, to make sure nothings gone out of date, active dressings, plasters can loose adhesion, analgesics, loperamide etc expire. If you can still get them, I have a small gatefold credit card sized SJA 1st aid guide in each kit on how to treat wounds, burns, heart attack, cpr etc. Stuff I know but in dire emergency give it someone who doesn't. Something another SJA instructor said at end of the week that's still etched in my mind was 'if you don't remember exactly how to do something, do something and give that person a chance to live.'
Great feedback and comments - thanks so much for taking the time
I made a similar kit after a lot of research and a first aid course from the Red Cross. My FAK is attached by Velcro to the driver’s headrest of my car and can be pulled off it’s mount quickly, folds open, includes both the smaller stuff and the trauma kit, and also includes a folding aluminum splint. I tried to get a CAT but they are sold out many places. I’m thinking I’ll get the SWAT tourniquet as it’s multi-purpose. Aggressive driving is a huge problem here in the US, as well as gun violence, leading to many traumatic injuries and deaths. It’s rare to be far from my car except when hiking, so the kit comes with me when in the backcountry. I really think everyone should take a first aid course to train how to do CPR, stop life threatening bleeding, choking, and other simple life-saving actions. It’s only a few hours.
great feedback - thanks for sharing - I'm a fan of the aluminium/foam splint too - lightweight and a good addition - agree with taking training 👍
Thanks Jon.
12:03 - *Laughs in American.*
Also, very excited to see you finally posted this! I remember you mentioned doing so when I first found your channel late last year. I knew it was going to be well thought-out and comprehensive. Distinguishing between First Aid and Trauma Kit was also a really useful touch. Cheers!
Yes, sorry it took so long! - thanks for the feedback
Thanks Jon another winner. I very much like the idea of two kits that can work independently as well as being complimentary in certain situations. You mentioned your lighter duty kit was modified from the original, how much more did you need to add? I imagine the tourniquet and meds?
Thanks for that - good to hear - really just the Tourniquet added
Great video! I have a similar kit but do keep it on a Maxpedition TC so I can keep it on my belt if hiking. Some others have mentioned the chest seals for the trauma kit but I’d throw a Mylar blanket in there as well, many paramedics will have this to cover the casualty for both preventing hypothermia and overheating. They are also a liquid barrier in heavy rain and have even been shown helpful in lowering the chances of the casualty going into shock. I’d ditch the swat tourniquet in the other it as it is more difficult to get full occlusion and less than that can be more harmful than beneficial.
Thanks for the feedback. The SWAT-T people are very confident in their product though. Mylar blanket is in first aid kit and if I have Trauma Kit I will always have this as well.
Solid kit. I’d add a medical stapler to close wounds and wound seal powder. The latter is a miracle. I’d also add a SAM splint.
I'll check it out - sling is good option - I nearly included but it knowing where to stop!
For the med part, I'm just missing some active charcoal for poisoning situations. I bring it up, because I've been in a situation where I needed it during a hike. Apart from that: excellent kit. Steristrips are a blessing
I need to check that out - thanks for the info 👍
I always carry Cayenne pepper in my first aid bag can work like hemcon powder thought might help
Really well done, a good guide, useful information and you're not going to be sued.
thanks 👍
Very good kit Jon. Thx for sharing and sourcing products supply by UK based company. I've ordered some of them using your discount code which worked. 👍
Great to hear 👍
It’s good the see such a comprehensive kit but I hope folks also take the time to get the appropriate training and education to use basic or advanced kit.
totally agree
Great video Jon thanks for the information. I have just ordered all of the products for my kit and applied the voucher, really appreciate your professionalism and attention to detail
Impeccable presentation, thoughtful information, first class important products. Excellent video, thank you very much!
Excellent video review of the basics Jon! ❤
Thanks DrDennis 👍
Just had another look and realised you're missing the most simple and versatile bit of kit. The humble triangular bandage :)
Replaced it with SWAT-T which can do that and more! Keeps kit v.compact
Great video, I came to the same conclusion about the general emergency kits on the market in the UK. I have been ra king my brain as to building a light medical from scratch. Very useful video
I carry the NAR for myself cause its easier to apply one-handed and also the TacMed Solutions to aid anybody else. An original Israeli bandage is in reach any time as well.
Nice kit. If anybody wants to use the SWAT T tourniquet too, I recommend a lot of practice. It’s much harder to apply enough pressure with it than with the CAT. You really don’t want to try it the first time in an emergency situation.
I ditched my CAT for a Slishman Wrap. Can be a TQ, pressure bandage and sling. Less bulky cheap and lightweight.
Great kits as always. I find your kits are more practical and more easy to carry. I did notice what seems to be a glitch in the editing of your video, (or maybe you have a roaming spirit). At 11:45 the statue behind your head somehow moves to your left and then reappears back in it's original position. I had to slow down the video and watch this section four or five times to confirm what I actually was seeing.
It's best to have more than 1 pair of gloves, either in a car accident or similar you may have multiple casualties, or even with 1 casualty you might get your gloves dirty doing a primary survey, then need to access your kit, then go back to the patient. For a smaller kit like this I would think 2 pairs would be adequate, 3 or 4 pairs better, 5 or more pairs probably excessive.
Well done.I am a fan of Jon's EDC videos. Sadly, many over the counter bags are of little real use. I am a surgeon who has traveled the world and have taught and examined on First Aid courses. I would NEVER drive out, go on holiday in the UK (let alone "up the Amazon") without an "EDC" kit and a First Aid set. I have a farm and the First Aid bag there is BIG - so the first challenge for a carry kit is size, weight, and actually what to exclude. The next problem for most people who are not trained is that you need to know what to do in a medical situation and what NOT to do. Thirdly, having a First Aid bag is great but do you know when and how to use the contents? I wish First Aid was a compulsory subject in schools. Nevertheless, Jon's kits are pretty well thought out - except any drugs is a NO NO unless just or personal use. Add a marker pen to the kits. Also, I have been told that the use of emergency dental packs can compromise later professional dental work.
Hi, aloe vera seems more effective for burns than drug gels from what I find. Thanks
As someone with medical training I applaude your choices. First class. I also carry a couple of mini tampons for wound packing. I might disagree with the supposition that gunshot would be the primary cause of a penetrating chest wound. I'd have thought stabbing would be much more common in the UK .
Thank you for the feedback - really good to know - yes I plan to include a chest seal following feedback - although to put it in perspective in 21/22 there were 282 fatal stabbings in UK with a population of 67.5m - in US 2020 there were 20k murders by shooting with a population of 330m - more chest seals needed in US per population from my rough maths.
@@JonGadget perhaps more chest seals were used on the ones that didn't prove fatal :) maybe also include resus mask? Looks like cling film but with a valve (although the current trend is to teach bystander CPR with hands only, no rescue breaths. That said, if you are in the wilderness.....)
Good Evening Jon, thank you, love gadgets and the channel. I would add a mylar blanket and a cpr mask, obviously only if you know cpr!
Hi Martin - thanks for the comment - blanket is in the smaller kit - there are two schools of thought on CPR masks - one being that chest compressions deliver enough oxygen in a cardiac arrest situation - but no harm in carrying one of course
Thank you, Jon. I have never seen how to apply these tourniquets before. Very educational!
One certainly can improvise a splint, but I'm wondering if you gave any consideration to a SAM splint?
I nearly included one - but I didn't want to go on too long and so focussed on stopping the bleed - agree great to have with you
Newer subscriber here, enjoying the content. The breakdowns and the reasoning behind your decisions on gear to use are legit. I use the Wysi Wipe brand of expandable towels, they are super comfortable and strong, I always have one or two with me. I also carry one of those reactive ice packs and a couple of Ace bandages or the self adhering bandage wraps. A friend of mine was a SF medic in Afghanistan , he said they used tightly wrapped Ace bandages as tourniquets on children many times due to their limbs being so small so I guess there is some multi use capabilty for them in a kit. Keep the content coming!
Thanks Jake for the feedback - useful stuff - and welcome to the channel
I've found the gen 7 Tourniquet and as a brilliant design
Just found your channel. I love your honesty and fantastic video quality!
Hi Jon. Could you add a link so that I can find those small ziplock bags that you used for your meds please? I know that you have featured them previously on another episode but I can’t remember which one.
this should work for UK geni.us/vSNExV
and this for USA geni.us/hJgOp
hope that helps
Very well thought out kits
thank you 🙂
Very Helpful. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Jon. Firstly, I'd like to thank you for making this very informative video. I have a question to ask you, or anyone who can answer it. Scissors. If they're part of a first aid kit, are you allowed to carry them with you, or can they be looked at as an offensive weapon? I understand it depends on what the use of them is, but I'm interested in what others have to say or think before putting my kit together. Many thanks, Ash.
Consider carrying more than one CAT. One is none and 2 is one. If the bleeding doesn't stop, you'll need 2 at least. The Swat is, in my opinion, not a viable alternative for a CAT. the CoTCCC will not give the SWAT-T an Approval, so I would personally avoid them unless you have actual training with them. But definitely carry more than 1 CAT and definitely get some some training.
Agree with carry two if you can although one is def better than none. I picked up the SWAT-T won't pass combat approval because it doesn't always stay on if injured party is being dragged to safety
have you consider some skin glue? I always put a tiny 10ml tube of skin glue in every go-out-pouch, it's way more effective than gauze and bandaids.
that and surgical tapes, those two thing pretty much seals up most injuries we might come across.
good to know - surgical tape is in there - I know super glue is often frowned upon from what I've seen - I didn't realise there was skin glue - will check it out
How do you find out what medical kits and equipment the military use? Is this information that can be readily found? Great video btw and totally agree with your kit
Thanks 👍 A search about on YT should help I think
Keep in mind aspirin is one of the meds that can go bad so make sure you remember to swap it out for fresh tablets, especially if they smell
I don’t know if available where you are, but Snakestaff EDC Tourniquet is a nice alternative to the CAT for a small carry FAK.
I have an important suggestion: You should clearly label the names and the expiration dates of all the medications. Keep any loose pills in separate labeled baggies. I'd also keep the original informational booklet if it's not too bulky because it may contain some edge cases (children, pregnancy, etc.) or side effects that you probably won't remember.
I always ensure the name and strength in mg is on the blister packaging of the few pills I cut from the Main pack.
good advice
Watched from knowledge
Thank's you
tick removal tool is missing?
Great kit!!! Very impressive. Hello from Conway Arkansas USA!
6 min 30 seconds, great invention
Jon, I think you would dominate in Cell Phone Reviews.
It doesn't matter much at the scene, which causes a penetrating wound be it blade, bullet, or nail. The treatment is the same.
will include chest seal going forward
Great video many thanks 👍
Appreciated
We think similarly. Like your videos.
really kind
I have 2, C.A.T GEN 7 tourniquets both in orange, but neither have a red tab on the end, does yours? I couldn't notice in the video. I see that most NAR tourniquet videos (American) seem to have a red tab on the end of them, on the orange tourniquets aswell as the tactical black. Maybe it's slightly different here in the UK.
Really useful. Thanks!
I've been looking for a decent UK med kit for ages and I think Jon you've summed it all up :) thank you very much. Could you possibly tell us roughly how much it cost to put together?
good to know it was useful - the trauma kit would be about £60 (half being the CAT-T) the basic kit would probably be around £30 (half of that being the SWAT-T)
hope that helps. Also check out Mere Supplies - they do some complete kits - owner is a paramedic and knows his stuff