What is in your medical kit (And can you administer first aid?)

I figure the most likely problems will be burns, bites, muscle strains, rashes, possibly breaks, food hygiene and even a bad flu.

Apart from the normal good first aid kit I top it up with
Burn and insect bite lotion
Extra bandages
Large skin pads

Nurofen plus
Panadeine Forte
Antibiotics for Flu, wounds and Diarrhea
Tablets to stop and start movements
Spray on skin bandage
If I twist my doctor's arm enough, and promise I will call the flying doc first, Endone.
I give it to him on my return.

I also keep up my First aid training. I recall at the last session, the instructor said who is here because of work. Every person except me stuck up their hand LOL.

I intend to do an outback first aid training but they are very hard to lock in in Melbourne.

Standard travel kit, supplemented with addition of sunscreen, burn and insect creams, extra bandages of various configurations and assortment of cold/flu, pain, strong pain tablets.
Depends a bit on where we are going - a trip to Tassie for trekking the Overland requires different stuff than a walk around Uluru.
As for "experience" - not a lot (thankfully) but training - help Bronze Medallion from SLSA for some years, annual first aid training for work (mandatory).
The less experience I have the better I feel!

We always carry a really good set of forceps/tweezers for the removal of splinters etc. These seem to get used a lot. Another important thing is some capsules of sterile saline solution for washing out eyes or wounds when water supplies are not top quality. A thermometer is useful to help decide if a fever is serious and to inform the FDS if necessary (we haven't needed it but always carry it). Paracetemol and cold/flu tablets are always there too. We like Pawpaw ointment as a general soothing antiseptic cream for bites and scratches. Don't forget the bandaids, plaster and non-stick dressings! Of course you need sharp scissors that stay in the box so no frantic hunting for them in the kitchen! Pressure bandages (snake bite) and triangular bandages and some gauze and cotton wool. Sunburn cream is essential!
An up to date first aid manual is useful even if you have a qualification.
We have found it is better to go to our local friendly chemist and collect what we need than to buy a ready assembled kit.
It is good to be equipped. If you don't need it yourself some one else might in an emergency or even minor accident - we have patched up a few kids who have fallen over! It's probably like insurance - if you have it you won't need it! Lynne

A really good first aid kit such as the following as a starter.
https://shop.redcross.org.au/shop/item/4wd-first-aid-kit

I have added a lot of compression bandages and triangle bandages to supplement it. I also take a good supply of panadol for headaches and other medication as prescribed.

This is the basic kit that stays in the 4WD. On top of this I have a smaller kit which goes on walking trips which includes basic supplies (bandaids, antiseptic, splinter probes etc) plus a supply of compression bandages and triangle bandages to cover breaks and sprains.

Items such as Sun Screen, Insect Repellent I don't count as part of the first aid kit as they are general use items and are not really part of the First Aid Kit.

The most important thing however is proper first aid training for at least 2 people in the party. After all, if you have the training and get injured, you want some with training to assist you ;-).

My Mrs has put together a kit that I reckon would be a good start if we were to set up a chemist shop. This travels with us in the van and the 4WD if going off for a day, week or whatever with just the car. We also have a smaller one we take in a backpack if just going for a hike. This one is very basic but enough to immobilise a sprained or fractured limb and bandage a snake bite and such.
Many years ago when we did the CSR we also had a supply of a general snake antivenin that together with the RFDS radio we hired, went back to them on our return.

We both keep our first aid courses up to date and did an additional remote area component. Not sure if we would do that one again as our trips are a bit less adventurous these days but general first aid, definitely.

A few years ago I was a member of a voluntary country ambulance service and I still remember our instructors telling us about the importance of keeping a cool head in an emergency situation. Much easier to do if you have the right training and some basic first aid equipment. It doesn't help to keep an injured or sick patient calm if the first aider is running around in a blind panic.

Cheers
Pop

The usually stocked 1st aid kits, as they come with standard inclusions.
I usually replace bandaids supplied with decent ones, a few waterproof type ones, and fabric elastoplast ones that stay one well, an assortment of sizes and shapes.

You have to replace bandaids form time to time, every couple of years say, so they lose their stick over time.

Further to that, I carry :
A couple of wide compression bandages for snake bite or splinting for breaks etc.
A couple of #4 wound dressing for bad cuts, as they have the pad and bandage all in one, very quick to get coverage and stop bleeding.
An extra triangular bandage is handy for tying off splits or immobilization.

I have done the basic Senior First Aid, which I'm sure everyone should do if possible, and not just for remote travel.
It is a bit of relief to be around / travel with people that have done this, as it's reassuring that they at least know how to keep you resuscitated for a short while if ever needed.

I am also an avid bushwalker for 25 years or so, and did St John Advanced Outdoor First Aid course many years ago.
It's good to cover things that can be more complicated when away from fast ambulance attendance, and covers more long term treatments, keeping patients stable, monitoring vitals and recording for later data, and specific items like burns and venomous bites . . . we did some pretty graphic scenarios over a weekend training camp during that, with some very good role players that we didn't know or had seen, we walked a route and just came across preople impaled on branches, with breaks, snake bites, and so on.
We also made bush stretchers and practiced carrying people out of situations.
Very interesting and eye opening to just how much more is needed out bush.

Of course EVERY first aid training course needs to be keep updated, or you really aren't qualified at the time, but SOME training is better than none, and luckily many workplaces give the opportunity to do Senior FA for the workplace.

.

BEWARE ENDONE

A couple of posts above referred to carrying Endone.
This is a powerful opioid analgesic similar to morphine and should only be used by doctor's prescription. Even then there are risks.
Several months ago I used prescribed Endone which resulted in a severe reaction requiring 000 and an ambulance. Seems I am allergic to opioids which was unknown. Apparently this is not too unusual.

By all means carry and use Endone (or similar) for yourself if previously tried but beware using it on someone else or you may have more than just some pain to deal with.

Baz, I carry a comprehensive 'outback' first aid kit plus a smaller kit in the haversack.

Perhaps the injury requiring most urgent attention is snake bite and to that end I have a small pack of three wide compression bandages in the glovebox which I slip into a pocket even if going on a short walk without the backpack. It seems to work as I have yet to have a close encounter with a snake. lol

I had industrial first aid training years ago and some refreshers but the idea of a 'Bush' first aid course is attractive. Must look into it.

Apart from all the usual stuff, I have a splint, super glue and safety pins. The super glue is good for repairing torn finger nails and can also be used to glue cuts together. The safety pins can be used to stich a nasty cut also (ouch).

Also have a dental repair kit with the dentist mirror and tooth filling compound.

Also have a few of the hot and cold packs that work when you break the internal chemicals.

And when all else fails my sat phone with a list of all the necessary contacts for the area/s I'll be travelling in and emergency contacts.

Usually a calm disposition helps as well!

Cheers

Dunc

An interesting first-aid kit addition for those travelling to coastal areas (some may already carry it without realising it's dual value) is, wait for it, AEROSTART! Yep, of the engine starter in a can variety. Recommended for tick removal because it contains enough ether to freeze dry the tick prior to removal. Presumably other products such as Nulon Start Ya Bastard might also be applicable but consult your expert first.

I'm adding it after watching the ABC program on MMA (mammalian meat allergy) a while back and the more recent Catalyst show on ticks.

From the linked PDF :
Aerostart
Applying a product marketed as Aerostart to the tick is recommended by the University of Sydney Department of Medical Entomology, and the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.

Aerostart contains 24% ether. It freeze-dries the tick, killing it instantly. The tick will then fall out or may be gently scraped off. It is used by applying a small squirt directly onto the tick, taking care to minimise contact with the surrounding skin.

Ticks & diseases - protection

Hi Baz

As you know, the best thing to take is knowledge. First follow DRABC, and this requires no supplies. Without the knowledge, the best chest in the country is useless; whereas with the right training, you can generally improvise. We carry basic first aid supplies (for comfort), and compression bandages with clips to secure them are in the kit as well as some in the back pack for taking on walks. A mini first aid book is on the top of the first aid supplies, should panic chase away reason and memory.

Comprehensive Remote First Aid cert, plus a remote first aid kit with snake bite supplement, never know when you need it, plus the loved one, she is a paramedic.

I keep Aspros for buggers having heart attacks. Inflatable splints are cheap and light and much more effective at immobilising than a triangular bandage. No endone here. If they think they need it, they need a helicopter. Antihistamine and epipen for my dear wife who dies when bitten by green ants. Disposable splinter picks are worth their weight in gold. If you only buy one cream, make it paraderm plus - also marketed under other names. Topical cream with anaesthetic, antiseptic and anti inflammatory in it. Name another topical ointment and this will probably have it covered. Our kids call it 'magic cream'. Bites, burns stings, rashes, infections whatever. It smashes sandfly bites which one of my kids reacts to. The only other out of the ordinary things I carry are proper iodine and clove oil.
Our little kit for overseas travel is decked out with strong antibiotics, our own needles, and other such stuff but I wouldn't bother in this country.

It may be worth noting that for those with mobile phones, there are Apps which are useful.

You can carry a first aid book in your phone - as long as you have the battery charged, you can access the info, as no phone call is involved. 'First Aid by Australian Red Cross' is one such learning app. It's free.

First @ Scene is an App which is an interactive learning program that guides you through the basics of first aid. I think it's targetted at road users and is also free.

And there's an app where you can record your own health details - called 'Health'. I'm told this is something SES, paramedics, police etc will look for in case of emergency. Again, it's free.

Not forgetting, of course, an app on how to apply first aid to stings, bites, snakes etc:
'Australian bites and stings ' is a first aid guide to Australian venomous creatures and has 3 sections; 1. Emergency. 2. Venomous creatures general information. 3. Be prepared.

I reckon you may by now have the gist of this post/reply. Hope it helps.

To store water, keep things dry, makeshift gloves, or even a would dressing, a condom can be a useful item

Hi Baz,

OK! you have activated my memory to the fact that it must be 30 years since I did a comprehensive first aid course. I feel guilty!

Interestingly enough, I still remember the basics such as CPR, the Coma position, immobilising fractured or broken limbs and ensuring an adequate air passage where possible.
Yes, I should book myself in for an up to date refresher course to provide basic assistance to our normal group of 6 people, or other folk we come across during our travels.
I am reasonably confident of my abilities for the more "run of the mill" situations such as splinters and cuts and grazes, etc. and always carry a comprehensive first aid kit, including good quality tweezers, probes, scissors, an eyepiece magnifier, wide compression and triangular bandages and a range of ointments, disinfectants, stocking bandages, one shot applicators to flush eyes and other items I have learned to keep on hand for remote travel.
Anything else, and I would use the UHF, mobile phone or as a last resort our EPIRB.

I certainly don't profess to be skilled in really serious situations, but have a reasonable confidence that I can provide more assistance than any of our other party members.

I will book myself into another first aid course to ensure I have up to date knowledge of current practices and procedures.

Who remembers when it was recommended practice to cut and bleed a snakebite location in an attempt to remove venom?

Fantastic topic and very timely given the recent death here in SA

Reading through quite a number of responses I feel the "I need to do a First Aid Course" quite prevalent, each person that travels with us has a current First Aid Certificate and knows 1 - Where the first aid kits, each vehicle, are and know how to use them, 2 - Knows how to use both the Sat Phone and HF Radio 3 - Know how to use the EPIRB as a last ditch life threatening.

I'm thinking that strong painkillers such as Endone could cause more problems than solve so wouldn't carry them but do carry Panafen Plus (Pain & Anti-Inflammatory), Disprin (Pain, Anti-Inflammatory & Heart) and Panadeine Forte for those allergic to Ibuprofen or have Asthma but does require a prescription.

I also carry a broad spectrum anti-biotic which was used when travelling the Talawana Track last year due to a piece of Spinifex causing a severe infection in a hand, the side effect of this is that you cannot drink whilst taking anti-biotics.

Apart from that Triangular Bandages are the best in a first aid kit IMO - can fix most things.

Thoroughly agree with Les and backed up by all the first aid trainers I have had over the years, do not administer medication. Administering AV could be fatal and even though there has yet to be a successful prosecution of a First Aider, administering AV without the qualification resulting in death could put you in a very precarious situation with the legal system in the criminal sense.

Do yourselves a favour, do a First Aid course and insist your fellow traveller(s) does the same and teach them how to use your comms and above all Keep Calm.

cheers

G`day Baz,

Being one of thousands of fisher persons it has surprised me that someone has not mentioned any first aid equipment/method for the safe removal of a fishhook from ones finger, hand, ear, anywhere.
The hook can be pulled/pushed through one way or the other by removing the Eye or the Barb.
I don`t know of anything dedicated to this task.
Most fish hooks are made from high strength hardened and tempered steel, normal pliers or side cutters won`t do the job.
A Diamond File will cut it but the hook needs to be held very firm while doing so, and who carries a diamond file anyway ?
So what have all the fishing mob got in their kit for this painful and necessary job ?

An interesting post, thanks,

Scrubby.

Thanks to all for taking the time to provide some great responses and thoughts around the “medical kit”.

(And continue to add to it!)

A key takeaway for me is that whilst what is inside the medical kit is important, knowing how to use it, and importantly in a critical medical situation, knowing what “first response” actions to perform are key to a successful medical outcome.

Clearly, snake bite presents a medical situation requiring time critical responses and actions, and whilst seemingly rare, the risks are high and can be complicated by happening in very remote locations. I certainly will be refreshing my knowledge on the subject and how to better deal with it.

Another thing, whilst not canvassed in my original post, is to have some idea about where medical facilities exist along intended routes of travel, and points at which an evacuation can occur that is suitable to the RFDS. This is important for remote area travel.

Finally, I was looking on the web for “Remote Area First Aid Courses” and there are numerous possibilities for those with an interest.

Good luck and safe travels to all…

Cheers, Baz – The Landy

I have 2.
The best one is one I bought from a commercial supplier when I used to fly light aircraft. It therefore has more than the usual bandages and has major wound dressings, a space blanket etc. and I have added things like matches, a compass and a signal mirror (based on a old compact of my wife's). I keep this up to date and ensure it has the usual antiseptics, scissors, panadol, aspro, at all times. It is in a hard case which opens up and only weighs 1 kg when full.

The second was given to me by a Toyota dealer when I bought the Prado in 2013. It is a soft pack one and while basic has a good range of bandages and stuff in it which goes in a backpack when we are away from the vehicle.

I carry a 406 marine style EPIRB with GPS capability. People ask me often why do you have the marine version in a car? I reply that if I am out and about and I want to hire a boat or get offered a ride I can take it with me.

Did training years ago but possibly need to have it updated. Will raise with my 4X4 club to see whether they intend running some training.

The greatest single possibility of human injury that you will encounter is people injured in a TRAFFIC ACCIDENT! - usually, a rollover.
More often than not, a car and caravan/trailer rollover.
In my experience of 50 yrs of driving, it has certainly been the major incident I have fairly regularly encountered. Burns would be next, followed by heart attack/stroke.

There is one IMPORTANT thing to do when you first encounter a traffic accident, and it is on a highway - and that is, TAKE CONTROL of traffic!
Getting speeding traffic slowed down or stopped, is a major priority - because the last thing you want, is people crashing into you, your vehicle, or the wreckage.

In that case, hi-vis clothing carried in the car is crucial - as well as flag material and a torch for night-time.
Positioning your vehicle on the centreline, with hazard lights flashing, far enough away from the disaster scene, so drivers can pull up, is a good start.

If there are others with you, select the person with the greatest first aid skills to attend to the injured, and use the others to stop/slow the traffic.
Most drivers drive "pedal to the metal" and refuse to slow down for anything but flashing lights and hi-vis vests on the road.
Always exercise care when trying to slow or stop vehicles travelling at highway speeds.

In isolated areas, you will need to make an assessment as to who is most badly injured, and who will need air evacuation.
Others who are "walking wounded", can go by road when authorities arrive.

In all cases of emergency, it's important to be calm, to be confident, and to regularly express re-assurance. People get terrified when they think they are dying, and you have to re-assure them they aren't, even when things look bad.

Cheers, Ron.

One of the most important things I carry in my first aid kit, is pure lavender oil - for burns.
Now, no doc will ever tell you this - but neat lavender oil is one of the best burn treatments you can get.

I'm not talking about someone who has suffered 3rd degree burns over 30% of their body - they need hospitalising rapidly.

But for general burns, such as stoves, exhausts and other hot metal, welding, hot water - just grab that lavender oil and slosh it on liberally.
Keep applying it every 5 or 10 mins until the pain subsides, then apply it again every half hour or so.

If you get the lavender oil on fast enough, you won't even blister. Where blisters have started to form, lavender oil will reduce the blistering something amazing.
The pain will start to go from the burn, after lavender oil application, around 15-20 mins after you first apply it. The pain will rapidly reduce to a low level within 30-45 mins.

Without doubt, lavender oil is the most important first aid thing I carry and use in the workshop. The next most-used item is tweezers, for pulling out steel and wood splinters.

Cheers, Ron.

Hi, this thread is a great idea!
My mate Harry and I are tourists from Germany and toured the Aussie outback a lot, including the Canning, the Hay River and many other very remote places. Both of us are volunteer firefighters and medical first responders.
I fully agree with Ron N.'s post, the most likely event to encounter will be a traffic accident. Therefore, the high vis vests are a very good point. We always bring some from Germany to equip our rental 4WD. Talking about rental 4WDs: Usually, rental companies won't supply a first aid kit. Therefore, we bring our own.
Talking about snake-bites, besides carrying the appropriate bandages, we often use Snake Guardz while 4WDing or bushwalking in Oz. The common bare-legged, open sandal wearing Aussie laughs at us, but we like to stay safe. And if you get bitten out in the Simpson you have bad cards. Here is a YouTube video on snake guardz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCo1bW9yNsc
Further info can be found on http://www.snakeguardz.com/ . I always hoped that the will work on Aussie snakes as well, but fortunately, I had never have to really test them. ;-)
Talking about bites and stings in general: I believe that the creature killing most people per year in Oz are neither snakes, nor marine stingers, but it is the common honey bee.
People die of anaphylactic shock when being stung. Therefore, Harry and I always carry an epipen / anapen in our first responder bag. Being medical first responders, we also carry a breathing bag, some Guedel tubes (airways), a blood pressure measure kit and a small pulse oxymeter (you put in on a finger, and it will tell you the oxygen saturation in the blood and the pulse rate).
I would recommend to include the following items, which haven't been noted before in the other answers to this thread in every advanced outback first aid kit:
- A stifneck (for immobilisation of the head of an injured person). Can be purchased via eBay.
- A SAM Splint (a flexible splinter, which can be used for proper immobilisation in case of broken bones or twisted ankles). Can also be purchased via eBay. It's very compact and will fit into every day pack.
- Special pressure wound straps for taping deep wounds. Saves you the sewing kit. Can also be purchased at eBay.
Talking about sewing, my sister, who is a medical doctor, once used a fishing hook and a piece of fishing line for sewing a deep cut in her own hand - but this method is not recommended for the faint-hearted. ;-P
We also carry a small waterjel burn pack and hemostatics for severe wounds (Celox and QuickClot gauze, both have originally been developed for military combat use, but are available via eBay).

Talking about "do I need the first aid stuff or not": We have carried this nasty 5 kg first responder bag on quite a few international flights, mostly to and from Oz. In two cases, we used it to assist other passengers who became ill during long distance flights. The only traffic accident in which I had to assist injured people in 28 years of driving happened during a holiday in the United States, in Death Valley. No mobile phone coverage at all. The next phone was about 30 kilometres away. A young woman had crashed her vehicle and had injured her arm (probably broken), had badly bumped her head and some minor injuries. Harry and I arrived 30 minutes after the accident had happened. Other people tried to comfort the young lady, but didn't have first aid material with them. So it was showtime for our first responder bag, and we assisted for another 45 minutes until the volunteer EMS and fire crews arrived. One of the ambulance ladies commented on our pulse oxymeter: "Don't tell me you carry this in your holidays. I even don't have this on my ambulance!".
"Yep, I always carry this in my responder bag, sometimes it comes in handy." ;-)

I really want to encourage everybody to take a first aid course or refresher course. In 90 percent of all cases that you have to administer CPR it will be to help your loved ones, your friends or colleagues. And there is nothing worse than not being able to help while watching another person suffer or even die.

Cheers from bl..dy boring Dortmund / Germany and stay safe,

Juergen