My Level 1 in a loksak bag:
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Level 2 Pack [b]









=)

Looks like you are basing your levels off of nutnfancy's. Mine is more of a 1.25. It is bigger than his level 1, but much smaller than his level 2.

hahaha bingo!

It's a LOT more than I carry! What are the statistical chances of your having to use all that stuff?

Since, thanks to a recent Wilderness First Aid course, I can improvise for serious injuries, I basically take only the first aid items that I'm most likely to need. In other words, heavy on bandaids and blister supplies, a minimal amount of meds (for me and for my dog, identical except aspirin for the dog), a couple of large non-stick bandages, and not much else. Instead of elastic bandage, I take self-adhering foam veterinary wrap (most likely needed for the dog), which is a lot lighter. If I sprain an ankle, I'll just wrap it up with that with some duct-tape reinforcement on top (yes, I tested this out). A couple of sanitary pads make extremely effective compresses for heavy bleeding. They are far cheaper than gauze compresses, and they have a relatively non-stick coating. The ER personnel and the patient will thank you if you use non-stick dressings instead of plain gauze pads. Again, duct tape will hold them on. I take the little envelopes of antibiotic ointment and antifungal ointment instead of tubes (available from minimus.biz and I found some at my local Walgreen's). A whole tube is too much unless you're out for over a month without resupply. There is absolutely no need for three types of disinfectant, especially since none of those shown should be used directly on wounds because they destroy the tissue and retard healing. Disinfectants should be used only on the skin around the wound. Wounds that aren't bleeding freely or have imbedded dirt should be irrigated thoroughly with sterile or at least purified water, then a very thin layer of antibiotic ointment on top (not down in the wound because, like disinfectants, it retards healing).

Of course I carry quite a bit more when taking the grandkids out, because the larger the party, the more chance of injury. And, of course, I'm far more of a worry-wart when it comes to the kids. But the big kit you show is the kind of kit you'd carry for a party of 12, not for one or two.

With a good WFA course, most of what you need for first aid resides between your ears, not in a kit!

I like the little kit - the big one reminds me of the bag I used to bring into houses when I was an EMT. Do you use for SAR?

What I'd really like to know is what the contents of your little kit are. I'm always looking for ideas of what I may have missed that will fit/not weigh much. Ideas that help me replace/combine gear are even better...

Oregon Mouse, I like your hygiene supplies idea...

I also instantly thought nutnfancy when I saw that blackhawk roll. I agree this is probably overkill for a backpacking kit, but I have a feeling if you know nutnfancy, this kit is meant for more than just that . I cant say I agree with him on everything, but he makes a lot of good points about alot of things. I'll warn everyone he's a bit different, but his first aid videos are worth taking a look at.

More than I carry.

I have usually
- half dozen each small, medium and large blister dressings
- 10 good waterproof bandaids
- 10 good fabric bandaids
half dozen butterflies.
1 roll really good tape
6 4x4's
1/2 oz iodine/betadine
1/2 oz polysporin
4 doses imodium anti-diahrheaa
4 doses benadryl

(and all my other gear that will work - swiss army knife, stove alcohol, shirts, socks, undies, duct tape, trekking poles, rope, campsuds etc etc. etc.) I also always have naproxen and ibuprophen with me but consider that more of a semi-regular consumption thing than first aid

I carry the same as phat, thereabouts, with the addition of leukotape and some gloves (a glove can be a barrier for rescue breathing if you cut off a couple fingers, or a glove). I also threw in a tick puller, got tired of cutting out bug bits.

Also carry that on SAR - they don't require a huge list of stuff because volunteers don't do any kind of direct medical intervention. We take it for ourselves. The most we're really expected to do for a live subject is food, water, maybe the mylar blanket if it's cold, make 'em comfy til the jeep/helo gets there, or walk them out.

Interesting. My SAR group included a fair number of MDs, RNs, and EMTs, and everyone had FA training. We were intervening routinely and we had FAKs to match. Of course, this was a while ago....

sorry to sound like a newbie what are all these acronyms? SAR?

SAR = Search And Rescue
WFA = Wilderness First Aid
WFR = Wilderness First Responder, a step up from WFA
WEMT = Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, another step up

I'm assuming that FAK = First Aid Kit

I assume you know the more common medical abbreviations: MD, RN, EMT, ER. If not, ask!

Much appreciated

OK, I must inquire...What is the distinction between a level one and a level two FAK? How far do the levels go?

I must admit to being a bit cavalier about this whole thing. I basically throw useful stuff (things that have worked in the past) in a bag and head out the door.

My Guess:
Theme for Level 1 First Aid Application: People who have the skills and knowledge to perform emergency first aid procedures in the first few minutes after a life-threatening incident
Level 1--
* Apply Life Support Skills
* Resuscitation
* Choking
* Patient assessment
* Demonstrate the identification and management of bleeding, wounds and shock
* Asthma
* Anaphylaxis
* Cardiac Conditions
* OH&S requirements
* Infection Control
* First Aid Kits

Theme for Level 2 First Aid Application: Level 2 responders will be competent and confident in providing emergency first aid. This includes calling for help, the ability to respond to first aid situations, casualty assessment, decision-making, and basic life support functions cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Level 2--
* Apply Life Support Skills
* Apply First Aid Management Skills for Burns
* Demonstrate the identification and management of bleeding and wounds.
* Describe the recognition and management of internal bleeding
* Manage an Emergency
* Apply First Aid Management for bone and joint injuries
* Manage Emergency Situations
* Apply First Aid Management skills for bites, stings and poisoning.
* Manage an acute illness
* Describe the recognition and management of an eye injury
* Manage Hyperthermia & Hypothermia.
* Describe the basic structure and function of the human body.
* Apply First Aid Management skills for chest, abdominal, pelvic and head injuries


All content ©2007 Emergency First Aid - First Aid Kits, First Aid Courses Melbourne.

Not sure what the United States would cover in a level 1 and level 2 kit/situation. Also, i think there is a level 3, and thats for combat medics and EMT training.

Level 1 first aid kit

Level 2, pt 1

Level 2, pt 2

Level 2, pt 3

Level 2, pt 4

Level 2, pt 5

I must say this is a vast amount of overthinking. The materials in your FAK should be compatible with your training, which is, BY FAR, the most important component of your kit.

I agree with Oldranger! The great thing about a good Wilderness First Aid class is that they teach you to improvise with what's available, so you don't have to carry a big kit (unless you're with a big group). All that stuff is useless unless you know what to do with it. In the hands of someone not trained, it may even do more harm than good.

REI has been offering 16-hour WFA classes in conjunction with NOLS' Wilderness Medicine Institute, and I urge everyone to take one. Other entities offer them, too. The Wilderness First Aid class is a weekend (and generally about $200) well spent! Here's the WMI schedule.

The emphasis in Wilderness First Aid is in evaluating and stabilizing the patient, knowing that rescue may take days. It's quite a different situation from big-city first aid, which is what the "levels" described above seem to be based on.

My First aid kit/repair kit not shure what level id call it maybe its a .5

*duct tape on a mini bic lighter

*supper glue < love this stuff years of use in the kitchen with small lacerations works great holds strong even with multiple washings

*papper towls use as gauze doubles as strong tp and kindling on really soggy days

*hand sanitiser is alredy a part of the kit but works well to steralize just about anything carefull though burns like heck

*swiss army nife sissors,two blades,tooth pic, tweezers what more could you possibly ask for.

*hot watter and biodegradble soap are all i usually use for cleaning wounds or anything really

come to think about all of those items are allredy part of my kit and for the most part i can address the normal first aid issues i have. its kinda nice not haveing to carry alot of extra stuff. just understanding how to use the stuff im already carrying

i have to admit though a few aleive or advill pm have found there way in to our kit when my wife hikes with me. i usually keep some benadryl when hikeing with people with unkonown allergys such as my kids

come to think of it i will prob put a better kit together wether i actually pack it or not only time will tell stuff usually has a way of making its way out of my pack i kinda like to keep it that way SAMOSET

You are definitely right. The videos I posted were meant to show where the OP was coming from with his levels.

Oregon Mouse

Thank you for the schedule - I feel a need to update my skills, even though it'll still probably be more of a review...

Steadman

Nice! Thank you for the info