First aid kit

hentey · Post by **hentey** » Mon May 18, 2009 7:05 am

After reading Simoan's topic about loose animals in the road I started thinking,and with a shock I realized that I bought a lot of stuff (read camping and recovery gear)but I failed to buy a first aid kit.
I was just wondering,how many of you have made the same mistake?.........................Come on..........be honest.

ThysdJ · Post by **ThysdJ** » Mon May 18, 2009 7:38 am

Shocking Hentey

... We always pack a little First Aid kit, mainly with stuff for cuts, bruises, insect bites, coughs, head-aches, sunburn and spuitpoep and other minor ailments. Then I also take the one from under the front seat of the BMW as a back-up, which mainly consists of bandages etc. But you are right, it is a very important and often neglected piece of kit.

Scooter · Post by **Scooter** » Mon May 18, 2009 7:45 am

Actually it is one of the first things I bought and the first thing I make sure is stocked and in before going anywhere.

My latest kit is one from Dischem. It comes in a rucksack and has plenty space to add all the extras that they don't think of or that the family needs. We add allsorts, ranging from cough mixture to nebuliser inhalents (the laatie suffers from croup).

It goes on every trip with us.

Post by **george** » Mon May 18, 2009 8:36 am

The standard first aid kits have a few good stuff in.But open up the kit and then add some more stuff that you will need.
I burnt my finger in the Richtersveld and my standard kit did not have the burn ointment jelly cloth thingy. Thanks to Jaco for lending me his. Now I have a burn kit with my first aid kit.

O ja.Dont forget the Rennies

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Mon May 18, 2009 8:49 am

George

Raw egg white works very well for burns too.

I also have a bag in the Pajero and one in the trailer and always make sure I have an ample supply of celestamine as I am alergic to bee stings and my wife to certain food types.

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:40 am

george wrote:I burnt my finger in the Richtersveld and my standard kit did not have the burn ointment jelly cloth thingy.

Dear George

Do not stick your fionger in the fire again

You should have asked. Burnshield is the best option and - I had in the kit... so I take it there will be no more fire pointing late in the early hours of the morning :roll:

Post by **george** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:46 am

You should have asked. Burnshield is the best option and - I had in the kit... so I take it there will be no more fire pointing late in the early hours of the morning

Scary thing it happend during the day.I did not have any painkillers in my blood.
And that was when you stayed at the camp :roll:

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Mon May 18, 2009 9:54 am

never stayed in the camp I could have asked the locals to get it too you :roll:

Die pain killers is mos n slow release

Post by **Mud Dog** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:22 am

As a matter of habit I keep one in each vehicle .... never know when it will be needed. Glad Bennie mentioned and anti-histamine, essential when you have small kids, allergies, and of course for insect bites.
I must however be honest and say that although well stocked, I neglect to check regularly for expired stuff. Some stuff does'nt have a good shelf life, especially the snake bite serum.
Thanks for the reminder, Hentey!

Post by **Family_Dog** » Mon May 18, 2009 5:26 pm

Good advice. So let's compile a list of essentials to keep in a 1st Aid kit.

Do it on a "one item per line" basis.

Eg:

Elastoplast
Aspirin/Disprin/Pain Pills
Antiseptic (such as...?)
Triangular bandages
Anti-histamine
Burnshield
etc...

-F_D

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Mon May 18, 2009 6:31 pm

I have to say that is also the first thing I always pack when going anywhere. I think having small children makes you think of these things first. But I thinmk it's a good idea to list what people tend take put in these.

Scooter · Post by **Scooter** » Tue May 19, 2009 7:25 am

Elastoplast
Aspirin/Disprin/Pain Pills
Antiseptic (such as...?)
Triangular bandages
Anti-histamine
Burnshield

Merthiolate (like mercurochrome only ten times better, but burns like hell)
Potassium permanganate (used as disinfectant for hands and feet, mainly skin problems like athletes foot etc)
Glycerine (add this to the potassium crystals and you have fire)
Germolene (antiseptic cream)
Chamberlains (for stomach cramps etc, far better than any pill)

Extra for the kids:
Stopayne
Panado Syrup (fevers)
Pectrolyte (tummy syrup)
Dilinct or other cough syrup

It helps to be prepared. When we took the laatie on his first KNP trip he got croup, due to the change in atmosphere (dryer air). We spent two days taking him to the KNP doctor to have him nebulised. We now take our own nebuliser with and also pack for the worst.

2.8 d/cab SFA · Post by **2.8 d/cab SFA** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:53 pm

Adhesive Bandages
Adhesive Tape
Alcohol Preps
Anti-Diarrhea Tablets

Aspirin
Calamine lotion
Elastic Bandage
Emergency First-Aid Book
First Aid Cream
Gauze Pads
Gauze Roll
Betadine
Instant Cold Pack
Instant Heat Pack
Mouthwash
Prescription Medications
Razor Blade
Sanitary Pads
Scissors
Snake Bite Kit (in certain areas)
Splints
Tongue Depressors
Toothache Kit
Towelettes
Tweezers

Piesang · Post by **Piesang** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:01 am

If I may in boere taal....

Ek het 'n produk SilwerIons wat ons ooral vat wat werk vir die volgende: brandwonde, sere, snyplekke, vel uitsag, sonbrand, ekseem, insekbyt, brand oë, hooikoors, omgekrapte maag, nappyrush en nog meer. Dit kom in 'n vloeistof wat jy kan drik of aanspuit (ek spuit dit in my oë en dit help vir hooikoors), in 'n gel wat kan aan gesneer word en ook vir die dames in 'n gesig room.

Irishman · Post by **Irishman** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:32 am

Most of the stuff you have in your first aid box has expiry dates, but my chemist says that is only for legal reasons. The ointments don't stop working just becausei the date expires.
One very useful item is a packet of condoms, they have a million uses apart from the obvious. You can actually boil water in one.
"True story" During the second world war in North Africa the Hurricane squadrons were ordering condoms by the gross. As there were very few females of the opposite sex in the desert this was queried. They used them to slide over the cannon gun barrels to keep the sand out!
Ron.

lukestrugnell · Post by **lukestrugnell** » Wed May 20, 2009 11:17 am

On my list for far away places:

1: Co-artem (Malaria treatment- use in conjunction with next item)
2: Malaria self test kits (I dont take pills and my plan is to test and treat with above, This is debated but best solution for me and reccomended by travel clinic, you can still dive this way!)
3: General anti-biotic (very usefull, used it on last trip with bad stomache bug, available at travel clinics cheap and well worth it!)
4: Decent bandages,I fined the ones supplied with kits are often useless in the event of a major trauma)
5: Re-hydrate! also very NB if you have bad stomache in hot areas (get lots)
6: Lots of different needles
7: Drip set- this can be used under the skin with minimal training in the event of really bad dehydration!

On the snake bite kit, I have been advised many times not to bother and in fact that it is very dangerous to use outside of a hospital. More people die from shock using these than from the bite itself!

Finally, for extended trips, a decent First Aid course! I have contacts that could do the EFR course cheap if anyone is interested. We could maybe get together for a day and do it? Think its R250 or there abouts!

Piesang · Post by **Piesang** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:20 pm

Skok stok...

Ek het gehoor dat jy 'n slang en spinnekop byt daarmee kan behandel, hoe dit werk weet ek nie. Sal weerd die dvd kyk waar in daaroor gepraat word en meer inligting gee. Daar is blyk baar so groot verskeidinheid van lang teengif en jy noet die regte een vir die regte doel he as ek reg is.

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed May 20, 2009 3:47 pm

Pieter, wat bedoel jy met "skok stok"? .... Iets soos 'n Tazer??

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:04 pm

Mud Dog wrote:Pieter, wat bedoel jy met "skok stok"? .... Iets soos 'n Tazer??

That's exactly what he means, Andy...

Although I would rather have the snake bite me again, than try one of those to remedy the first bite!

:wth:

Post by **Mud Dog** » Thu May 21, 2009 6:49 pm

How on earth is that supposed to help!!?? .... Are you supposed to zap the snake for revenge, or what

hentey · Post by **hentey** » Thu May 21, 2009 6:59 pm

Vertel vir my ook asb! Waarvan praat julle manne nou.Is dit Tazer of Teazers?

Post by **Mud Dog** » Thu May 21, 2009 7:33 pm

Well Hentey, if I had to make a choice .........

hentey · Post by **hentey** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:00 pm

Mud Dog wrote:Well Hentey, if I had to make a choice .........

Andy,live is about choices.............................and........................the consequinces of your choices.

Post by **Mud Dog** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:33 pm

True, and I wonder what choices Pieter was thinking of when he dropped this 'hot potato' about stun-gun therapy for snake bites? Was he perhaps thinking "I'll let them stew until I get back from Botswana"?

Wat sê jy, Pieter .... ons wag om te hoor!

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:38 pm

Mud Dog wrote:How on earth is that supposed to help!!?? .... Are you supposed to zap the snake for revenge, or what

No man jy shock die ou dan vrek hy van 'n hartaanval, dis gouer oor (minder suffering) as om te vrek van slangbyt

Post by **Mud Dog** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:53 pm

Ek het gehoor dat jy 'n slang en spinnekop byt daarmee kan behandel

Well Ben, Pieter did say "behandel", so I suppose that is one way to "handle" it

Scooter · Post by **Scooter** » Fri May 22, 2009 8:39 am

http://docsdetecting.com/docsplace/aoi/snakbite.html

http://www.herper.com/venom/electro.html

If you do a google search you will find plenty literature on this subject. Some say it works but most say its a load of hogwash.

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Fri May 22, 2009 12:40 pm

I'll believe the latter!!

Post by **george** » Fri May 22, 2009 12:56 pm

DITTO

Scooter · Post by **Scooter** » Fri May 22, 2009 1:43 pm

Right there with you. It seems logical to me that an electric shock cannot get rid of a liquide venom that has been injected into your skin and now flows in your blood stream. Surely if it stopped the venom it would stop your blood flow too.

Now maybe using a tazer for a heart attack victim would work better :wth:

lukestrugnell · Post by **lukestrugnell** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:07 pm

As a zoologist I will give my 2cw and no offence meant!

There are a lot of "cures" for snake bit, some very technical some very simple but in most cases it comes down to the fact that when a snake bites you it can decide how much venom to inject (in most cases). They are also not stupid and venom requires energy to make and thus it is a waste to use it on something that you cannot eat and hence get energy back.

Thus often when you are bitten by a snake the snake does not inject venom. You then have no idea and assume you are about to peg. People cut wounds, suck venom take vitamine C pills in excess and survive. This now become the cure! Meanwhile you would have survived in any case with nothing.

This is why there are so many cures and everyone swears by their cure!

So if bitten, bandage the wound as reccomended, dont cut it and do strange things.Keep as still as possible and get to hospital as soon as possible.

If you in the middle of nowhere and get really badly nailed by a mamba, ejoy your last hour and a half because there is no way you getting to a hospital in time if you were injected with venom!

The chances of the above are so slim however they hardly worth worring about.
Last year in my house in Alldays I had a large black mamba living in the roof for two weeks! No worries!

Post by **Mud Dog** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:16 pm

Last year in my house in Alldays I had a large black mamba living in the roof for two weeks! No worries!

NO WORRIES !!!??? Sjoe! I don't fear snakes at all except THAT one! :D

lukestrugnell · Post by **lukestrugnell** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:54 pm

No you misunderstand....I FEARED it, it just didnt bother me at all!

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Tue May 26, 2009 12:38 pm

Now, Luke, THAT makes sense to me! I'm no expert, but I also don't believe in all these "cures". Thanks for explaining it and if I get bitten by a Black Mamba and someone brings a Tazer near me, I'll taze him and at least die laughing...

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:35 pm

Daar in Musina se wereld se die manne as n mamba jou byt moet jy sorg dat jy in die koelte kom, n doeie ou lyk sleg as hy in die son le

Ek ken n oom daar op Gemsbokvlakte wat gebyt was deur n swart Mamba en dit wel gemaak het, maar was dit nie vir die 2 vials serum wat die buurman gehad het nie was hy ook dalk weg dis waar ek gehoor het Bloemfontein is die grootste slang serum navorsings plek in die suidelike halfrond. Hulle het die oubaas eers Piet Plesie toe gevat en toe op Vryburg nog serum en van daaraf Bloem toe, maar n regte ou taai riem hy wat Mathys Cloete is. Ken die veld goed en stap n boesman moeg in die sand. Ek weet net van hom wat n swart mamba byt oorleef het, daar mag dalk nog wees maar hulle is min. Sal nog like om tesien wat maak die bakkie nou in die dik sand van die Kalaharie.
Baie dankie vir die topic ek is een wat nog so kit kort, vir snye gebruik ek super glue, dit seel die wond, stop die bloeding en hou ook die wond skoon en jy kom niks oor van dit nie, al baie gedoen.

Gertc · Post by **Gertc** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:57 pm

Super glue se jy! met my geluk plak ek my vinger oor di wond vas

Jy se jy weet net van die een ou wat die mamba oorleef het. ok van hoeveel weet jy wat dit nie gemaak het nie?

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Tue May 26, 2009 10:52 pm

Spartan wrote: vir snye gebruik ek super glue, dit seel die wond, stop die bloeding en hou ook die wond skoon en jy kom niks oor van dit nie, al baie gedoen.

EK het paar jaar gelede saam met 'n ou gewerk wie se lewer (of sy milt of so iets( gebars het in 'n ongeluk. Die paramedics het die toe ook die ding geheg gekry met superglue tot by die hospitaal sodat hy nie dood sou bloei nie

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:34 am

EK het paar jaar gelede saam met 'n ou gewerk wie se lewer (of sy milt of so iets( gebars het in 'n ongeluk. Die paramedics het die toe ook die ding geheg gekry met superglue tot by die hospitaal sodat hy nie dood sou bloei nie

:wth:
I can imagine that it would work for a while but I hope those paramedics never find out about staple guns and woodwoking clamps

ThysdJ · Post by **ThysdJ** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:00 am

The medics in Vietnam started using superglue (or the then equivalent of the modern product) to close wounds and stop bleeding quickly and because they ran out of other stuff to do the job. A lot of lives were saved that way.

Dadz Toy BFI · Post by **Dadz Toy BFI** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:36 am

I messed up my index finger quite badly on a router and since I was working alone and quite a distance from a hospital I decided to go the super glue route.

I was able to reconstruct the end of my finger and stop the hectic bleeding quite quickly.

I never did get to the hospital and there's virtually no scaring on my finger. :D

One of best friends is a doctor and rekons that I saved myself a dozen stitches and a heap load in medical costs. However the risk of blood poisoning due to isocyonides in the glue is pretty hectic

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:44 pm

Nice to know for the future :D

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:30 pm

As far as I know "superglue" was developed for medical purposes and only later caught on as an all purpose glue. Now they make it from substadard products, but way back in the day it was suitable for treatment of wounds, etc.

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:13 pm

Some years back (OK, maybe more than some :D ), Elastoplast made an aerosol product called "Spray-on-Skin", which worked damn well if you could stem the blood flow from a wound for about 20 secs which was all it needed for the spray film to cure. It was flexible, tough and could stretch. Have'nt seen it about for ages .... doubt they still make it. Pity.

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:30 pm

Gertc wrote:ok van hoeveel weet jy wat dit nie gemaak het nie?

Jong het nie kans gekry om die ander te ontmoed wat dit nie gemaak het nie

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:42 pm

Dis nou bietjie van die topic af maar hulle reken in meeste ongelukke gaan die mense dood aan n blaas wat bars, nou hoe waar dit is weet ek nie. Ek sukkel altyd met die personeel om te loop pee voor ons ry. Nie lank terug nie het ek n tranedal gehad toe ons Bahrain toe gery het van Saudi af, en my dogter (9), het weer nie ore gehad nie soos die vroumense is en die toilet gemis. Nou wat maak jy as jy oor die causeway ry en daar is net see alkant, gelukkig is daar n McDonalds waar jy deur die duanne gaan. Maar dit het n goeie halfuur geneem voor ons daar gekom het, nou gaan dit baie beter. So skud die blaas uit voor jy ry dit kan noodlottig wees.

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:22 pm

Miskien moet jy eers gaan poep ook ......

... dit sal werklik 'n *a* storie wees as die derm ook bars ....

Mr_B · Post by **Mr_B** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:36 pm

This topic has gone straight down the toilet...

Anyone willing to stick a hand in and pull it out?

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:17 pm

Anyone willing to stick a hand in and pull it out?

I .... I ..... I ... d..don't think so ..... not me ....

Piesang · Post by **Piesang** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:24 pm

Nou-ja siende dat ek julle so laat val het na skokstokke, ek het dit gehoor op 'n dvd van 'n creationis Nic Hooven (as ek sy naam reg het), ek het 'n stel van sy dvd's gekry en dit net begin kyk toe dit ge'hi-jack' is, sodra ek dit terug gekry het sal ek dit weer kyk en sê wat die ou sê.

Letwel die SilwerIons waarvan ek vertel het werk baie goed. Op ons Botswana trip het Rudi se laaitjie (amper 2 jaar oud) die trip beging met 'n slegte oolikgheid. Sy mondjie was vol sere en hy wou niks eet. Ek het vir Susan van die silwer gel gegee en sy het dit in die outjie se mond gesmeer en nie lank toe is die outjie weer aan die gang. Susan het self toe 'n koorsblaar gekry en net na 2 dae se aansmeer van die gel was die koorsblaar amper weg.

Ek self gebruik die vloeistof en spuit dit in my oë as ek erg hooikoors kry en dit help dadelik.

Fred79 · Post by **Fred79** » Sun Oct 10, 2010 8:15 pm

Ek dink dit is nogal baie belangerik dat die man en vrou in elke huis gesin 'n First Aid Course doen want jy kry baie fancy first aid kits maar nie almal weet hoe om dit reg te gebruik nie of hoe om die persoon te hanteer wat seer gekry het nie.

Ek weet nie hoe dit daar in SA werk nie maar hier in die UK kan jy 'n een dag basic course doen of die 4 dag course wat jou dan 'n profesionele first aider maak, jy moet elke jaar gaan vir 'n refresher training of ander verloor jy jou kwalifikasie.

Dis die geld werd!

Doctor V · Post by **Doctor V** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:56 am

Ek het na al die jare se "hit and miss" my mediese tassie uitgesorteer. Ek koop sommer `n deurskynende tassie by Plastic Warehouse. eerste item wat ek insit is Burnshield sproei. Jy kry ook die geseelde gel-pakke, maar partykeer wil jy sommer net gebrande vinger red - spuit sommer op gaas en verbind wond. werk ook wonders vir Sonbrand. Tweedens sit ek ook een van die mond tot mond valves in. So ook handskoene. Maak mens effens meer gerrus. Maar as die nood druk is daar partykeer nie tyd vir dit nie.

Dan maar net die gewone lot pleisters, rekverbande, yspakke(vir die keer wat jy in die nag oor die tent se tou val en jou knie beseer). Waterdigte pleisters werk maar die beste

Pille - antihistamien werk wonders vir baie kwale. Valoid - iemand is altyd karsiek (maxilon is die alternatief en 99% deur hospitale gebruik - maak net seker iemand is nie allergies daarvoor nie.... soos ek!). Dan belangrike ene - vir daai keer wanneer jy die liedjie "when you're driving in your Chevy and your pants are feeling heavy, diarroeah,diarroeah!!" sing. :evil: Reuteri of Immodium Xtra strength Chewable stop hom in sy spore. Natuurlik met dit is dit belangrik om elektroliet in te neem so hou paar pakkies Rehidrat byderhand. Ook Mybulen vir die hoofpyn - wanneer jy son of KWV steek het!

Dan net laaste 2 items - Methialate wat die dinges uit jou brand - dit laat Merchurichrome lyk soos verdunde dettol water...!

Hardeware innie kissie - Skêr, haakspelde en ordentlike tweezer

Post by **george** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:26 am

Another great item that I have now is a good manual.
I use this one http://www.onboardpublications.co.za/1staid.html

ThysdJ · Post by **ThysdJ** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:00 am

Ek soek Bushman's Insect Repellent. Wie weet waar ek dit kan koop?

Mr_B · Post by **Mr_B** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:10 am

ThysdJ wrote:Ek soek Bushman's Insect Repellent. Wie weet waar ek dit kan koop?

Hi Thys,

Which one exactly are you after?

Mr B

Mr_B · Post by **Mr_B** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:12 am

FYI... found this via google on junkmail:

http://www.junkmail.co.za/v-johannesbur ... EdQX201048" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mr B

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:18 am

Thys, ODW verkoop daai ene sien ek.

Van Zyl, my kissie met toerusting lyk ook min of meer soos joune. Ek het net ook Adco Dol, Menograine, Flamless, Lesspasm. Ons ry ook due Reuteri saam, maar hou dit in die yskas (aanbeveling van my apteker). Dan die gewone, Pectrolite, Rennies, Gaviscon, Valiod, Immodium, Voltaren (gewone en setpille), Stopayne stroop, Panado stroop, Medlemon, Sinumax en Disprin.

Van Burnshield het ons so twee van daai groot trauma bags en twee van die kleiner weergawes, en jy is reg daai sproei is 'n moet. Daai sproei werk ook wondere vir 'n baba met brandboude.

Om splinters uit te haal werk superglue wonders.

"Bomb-bandages", pleisters (hele verskeidenheid patrone), rol pleister, gaas, verbande, second skin, steri-strips, self adhesive bandage, druk verbande, gaas verbande, oogklappies, handskoene, valve vir CPR, plastiese splint, mediese spirits, elektroliete (Rehidrate) en duct tape.

As ek reg onthou is hierdie maar die belangrikste.

ThysdJ · Post by **ThysdJ** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:34 am

Traveler wrote:Thys, ODW verkoop daai ene sien ek

Nie die simpel ODW hier by Willowbridge nie, hulle het nog nooit eers daarvan gehoor nie... Niel, wat gaan aan by jou winkel?

Doctor V · Post by **Doctor V** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:26 am

verbeel my ek het daai by Safari Centre by N1 City gewaar Thys. of miskien was dit Cape Union Mart?

ThysdJ · Post by **ThysdJ** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:45 am

Dankie Van, sal bietjie daar loop loer..

Post by **george** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:51 am

ThysdJ wrote:Dankie Van, sal bietjie daar loop loer..

Maak sommer jou eie.'n Bokdrol gemeng met vet en pieppie smeer jou hele lyf vol en die insekte en mense bly ver weg van jou