What's in your First Aid Box

[Graham Davis]

I'm concerned about the BHF's latest guidance, why bother circulate un-oxygenated blood....

 

BHF are following the advice from the British Resus Council, who are part of the worldwide Resus Council. Research has been taken, I think in Australia, and found that the action of compressing the chest pushes some oxygen out of the lungs, and then as the chest cavity automatically expands when you lift from the comprehsion, this "sucks" a small quantity of new air into the lungs, thereby refreshing the lungs slightly.

As we actually only use a very small percentage of the oxygen in the air this is deemed to be adequate.

 

My next door neighbour is on one of the advisory bodies of the BRC and that is how he explained it to me.

 

We still teach CPR to Nellie the Elephant, but it can also be The Archers theme. We also teach mouth to nose breaths instead of mouth to mouth. It is often easier to get a seal as you hold the head up and the mouth closed, is potentially less messy, and thought less "personal" by many people. Mind you I always carry a mask in my kit!

[muddywaters]

When I was in the ST John Ambulance Brigade the first thing I was taught was.

A good first aider does not need a first aid box because they can improvise

[midsnick]

I move on to my first narrowboat in March and my wife and I have started our provisioning list.

One of the items on the list is a well-stocked first aid box and while I was in Boots this morning I bought the usual waterproof plasters, antiseptic creams etc.

Are there an unusual items you experienced boaters have found to be essential in a waterways first aid box that I may not have thought of.

Jolly Roger

 

I find a female nurse in a uniform of my own design to be essential, I suggest others update their first aid kit as a matter of urgency.

 

I may put this idea forward as a compulsory to the BSC!

[Barry]

I would always carry a box of 400mg Ibuprofen in case you have an attack of toothache or pull a muscle or tweak something. Can improve life considerably if you are a couple of days away from a dentist.

 

Do remember to take Ibuprofen only with food - never without

[Catrin]

I would always carry a box of 400mg Ibuprofen in case you have an attack of toothache or pull a muscle or tweak something. Can improve life considerably if you are a couple of days away from a dentist.

 

Do remember to take Ibuprofen only with food - never without

Why is this about Ibuprofen, please?

 

As an addition to this post, if you are someone who doesn't have wonderful teeth, and has crowns that occasionally loosen, or have lost fillings in the past then it is possible to buy emergency repair kits which will hold things for a day or so until something can be done LINK.

[Guest]

Why is this about Ibuprofen, please?

 

It lessens the risk of stomach ulceration which can be one of it's side effects.

[Catrin]

It lessens the risk of stomach ulceration which can be one of it's side effects.

Cheers, Cath.

[jelunga]

However, my Doc has said that recent research indicates that for those with certain medical problems like mine, ibuprofen and diclofenac are advised against due to possibly causing death.

Not sure which, but poss diabetes or high chloresterol.

Safer alternatives were suggested as paracetamol and cocodomol.

Edited January 7, 2012 by jelunga

[Guest]

However, my Doc has said that recent research indicates that for those with certain medical problems like mine, ibuprofen and diclofenac are advised against due to possibly causing death.

Not sure which, but poss diabetes or high chloresterol.

Safer alternatives were suggested as paracetamol and cocodomol.

 

All medications carry a risk unfortunately - cocodomol can be addictive for example....

 

even lowly paracetamol has side effects potentially in extreme cases leading to death. Also the effects of an overdose of paracetamol (accidental or deliberate) can be irreversible if not treated...leading to liver failure and death.

[Bob18]

A few of the things from my first aid box:

 

Several clean towels to mop up the blood/puke from around the area, and other non-sterile cleaning up.

 

STERILE absorbent, non-lint dressings to absorb blood (best are undoubtedly those used by the military, but they are far from cheap)

 

A CPR mask (If you don't know how to use one go and do a CPR course which reminds me I must do a refresher)

 

Triangular bandages are great, but they are a bit of a challenge, in which case rolls of sterile bandage will do (nearly) as well.

 

Tearable dressing tape - quicker than tying a knot to secure bandages when your hands are shaking...

 

A sheet of tough polythene

 

A couple of thermal blankets

 

A bit of car tow rope with a large loop in one end (don't ask, but it was life saver once)

 

A couple sealed eye wash bottles.

 

A sharp knife and a medium sized pair of scissors

 

No medicines or drugs - they are in the medicine box which sits next to the first aid box.

[madcat]

masking tape,headache pills,if you are lucky sticking plasters otherwise see masking tape.

[saltysplash]

I have a couple of these http://www.firstaid.co.uk/Reliburn-Burn-Dressing-10cm-x-10cm-PBU102/ first saw them in use at the 7/7 bombings and the reports of their effect was very good.

 

Also one of these http://www.firstaid.co.uk/Resuscitation-Pocket-Mask-and-Valve-in-Hard-Case-PRE211/

 

Most important...dont forget a Pr of Scissors

[Barry]

Thoroughly recommend the water gel pads for burns and scalds. I've used them several times and they are excellent, probably even better than pouring water on.

 

For small areas you can get water gel in a small plastic container with a squirty nozzle

[bizzard]

Bottle of Woods navy rum and a mallet.

bizzard.

[bizzard]

Ooh,and and to accompany those a bottle of '''TCP''' an absolute must especially for gargling with.

[Bob18]

Biz, will Pusser's do instead of Woods?

[bizzard]

Biz, will Pusser's do instead of Woods?

It all depends on the seriousness of the injury really.Simple cut fingers,a plaster and quick swig of TCP will do.

For an on the spot say arm amputation carried out by a passer-by with your bow-saw,administration of a half bottle of Pussers or even Lambs coupled with a hefty blow on the nut with the mallet would do and should instantly quash the bit of pain inflicted.

But for the more serious kind of appendage severances,it becomes a bit more expensive. Amateur or DIY on the spot amputations like both legs or an arm and a leg, a ''WHOLE'' litre bottle of Woods plus two powerful mallet blows to the head would be called for.

PS Add a lump of pitch to the First aid box too for heating up to seal up the stumps,or nip out into the road and dig up a bit.

Hope this helps.

[Bimbly1]

BHF are following the advice from the British Resus Council, who are part of the worldwide Resus Council. Research has been taken, I think in Australia, and found that the action of compressing the chest pushes some oxygen out of the lungs, and then as the chest cavity automatically expands when you lift from the comprehsion, this "sucks" a small quantity of new air into the lungs, thereby refreshing the lungs slightly.

As a fairly recently retired nurse specialist I can confirm that this is correct. The BRC advocated this guidance four or five years ago on the back of research which showed little or no difference between the two methods in maintaining blood oxygen levels. The main aim of CRP now is to maintain some circulation to the brain and first aiders, (who are by definition unlikely to be undertaking CPR on a daily/weekly basis), will achieve better blood oxygen levels with uninterrupted intermittent compression.

 

We also have in our 1st Aid kit some pain killers, Piriton (anti-histamine) tablets for severe stings and Steri-Strip skin closures (for bigger cuts which gape a bit).

 

I use a GPS thingy when we moor and make a note of our position so that in the event of requiring the emergency services, the location can be quoted. Have yet to need it but you never know when it may come in handy. The result can be converted to the postcode via a Google search.

[Bob18]

Biz,

Thanks for your advice, I do however find a 14lb sledge hammer to be more effective than a simple mallet, however I will concede that a certain amount of practice is required to prevent "collateral damage" due to an over eager hammer blow on the back of the bonce....

[bizzard]

Biz,

Thanks for your advice, I do however find a 14lb sledge hammer to be more effective than a simple mallet, however I will concede that a certain amount of practice is required to prevent "collateral damage" due to an over eager hammer blow on the back of the bonce....

Not much collateral damage if you administer the sledge coupe de gras first then you can drink the rum.

[Bob18]

Ah, my secret is out

[bizzard]

Ah, my secret is out

It'd have to be some surgeons bag to hold that hammer.

[jelunga]

Ooh,and and to accompany those a bottle of '''TCP''' an absolute must especially for gargling with.

Bugger Gargling with it. Makes a great aftershave especially if you cut yourself!

[Bob18]

Biz, that's why I have an apprentice, to carry the heavy bits (but not the rum)

[Ange]

I remember gargling with TCP before going to a party as a teenager.

 

I slunk away early with the words "can I smell TCP?" ringing in my ear!

 

(Didn't One Foot in the Grave do an episode involving TCP?)