Are you prepared to save a life in the backcountry?

[RadSav]

I was looking thru my first aid kit the other day.  Do you think it's time to update some things if the expiration date on the anti-bacterial ointment is 1984? 

   Funny because I've been there!  I have a good kit that travels in my car with fire extinguisher and full medical.  Figured it was time to replace the fire stuff.  After I was done I think the only thing left in there was 4X4's and a pair of sissors.  Guess I did get it back when I passed the OOL test back in '83!

[huntnnw]

Cardiac arrest 3 miles from a rig plus however far in you are by road isnt good..the stats I have here at the hospital are not even close to 30%

[Bean Counter]

Yep, tough access doesn't make it easier. That doesn't mean its impossible. Imagine: Satellite phone + GPS + Air Ambulance. Might not be practical in all cases but its not out of the realm of possibility. You are free to carry a signed DNR if you think it would waste people's time to bring you back to life. I will try for anyone else though the odds are slim.

Northwest Fire Department performed one of the premiere case studies for prehospital resucistation rates for the U of A's new chest compression-only CPR. You might be surprised by the results--do some research if interested.

[lee]

I have most everything already mentioned to include treating a sucking chest wound.

To add to the discussion, I also carry a PLB (Personal Locating Beacon) , ... not a SPOT but a dedicated unit.

Lee

[Alchase]

The 50% survival rate stated, was misquoted and has been repeated in many publications.

The original study stated a survival rate of less 10% of "Out of Hospital" events where CPR was initiated, is 50% better then no CPR initiated (where the 50% came from).
And "in Hospital" events up to 20% survival where CPR was initiated.
 
Additionally, studies have shown that survival falls by 10-15% for each minute of cardiac arrest without CPR delivery.

Note, those are the (10-15% ) percentages, of 10% "out of Hospital" and 20% "in hospital" survival rates.

Statistics are funny sometimes.

[Sunbkpk]

Got another hiker with a bad heart attack airlifted out 5 miles back in. Survived as he was in the hospital in 5 hours from the start. Lucky that it was on a ridgeline and a cell phone got out. Got the personal locator beacon after that.  1 Hour either way on the trail and he would not have made it as no cell signal.

[cowboycraig]

Everything up to a sucking chest wound.👍 Anything beyond that and there better be cell reception to call a ride.

Use a credit card to stop a sucking chest wound. Something rigid and plastic to plug the whole and allow breathing.

Craig

[cowboycraig]

It has been a few years since I have gone through my backcountry first aid kit. From Epipen to Aspirin to Benadryll, I need to tear it all down and start replacing things. I still need to add some blood clotting medium to my kit, still want some better tourniquettes, and definitely need to review my life saving skills.

I have a great kit for my truck, and a pretty respectable kit for my backpack.

Here are a few items I already carry and place a lot of value with;

Epipen
Anti-diahreal medications
Antihistamine meds (benadryll type meds)
Aspirin
Tourniquette
Sawyer Vacuum snake bite kit
Hard Candies
Suture kit


My first aid kit obvisouly contains a whole bunch of other items, but I am talking about life saving items in this example.

All looks good. I would add:
+ Quick Clot
+ Israeli Bandage

[hntrspud]

I dont care what the numbers are, if someone is dying, and I have the training I do, I sure as heck am not going to stand by. That person could be the 2%.

Whats an israeli bandage?

[boneaddict]

I was going to say superglue, but think it was mentioned once, I'd add antibiotics. 

[whacker1]

tag

[Yankee]

I recently took a CPR and first aid training class at work.  My wife and I were talking about dropping the money on an AED for the house and to keep in the truck during hunting.  With all the older out of shape folks I see in the woods, never know when I might need it for my camp or a neighboring camp.

[Curly]

I was looking thru my first aid kit the other day.  Do you think it's time to update some things if the expiration date on the anti-bacterial ointment is 1984? 

   Funny because I've been there!  I have a good kit that travels in my car with fire extinguisher and full medical.  Figured it was time to replace the fire stuff.  After I was done I think the only thing left in there was 4X4's and a pair of sissors.  Guess I did get it back when I passed the OOL test back in '83!

My wife needed some anti-bacterial ointment the other day so I went and grabbed my first aid kit.  I noticed the expiration date on the ointment and said "You're okay if it's a little past the expiration date, aren't  you?"  She's like, uhhh how much past the date?  "Oh, 29 years isn't too much is it?"       Yeah, I need to go thru and update things. 

[Wazukie]

I am surprised no one carries tampons in there first aid bags, the ones without applicators.  They are very small and very absorbent.  As for me, I have a moral obligation as a certified emergency medical person(No matter what level of training) to save a life if at all possible. Not to mention the moral obligation as a fellow human being.

[CoryTDF]

I alwas have the following

Cordage of some type
Compresion bandage
Quick Clot
Tweezers
Needle and thread
Thermal blanket