for those of y'all that are wondering, here is a good begining packing list for a range first aid kit. Guys with experience and training, let me know if I left out any bandaging supplies. to reiterate what's been said a few times: Appropriately educate yourself. Go take a class. Learn from professionals how to put a bandage on correctly.
Look around at surplus stores, and on line and you'll be able to find something to hold it in, as well as good deals on some things inside it.
gloves (Stretchy Nitrile)
2 4" Israeli Bandages
- - - If you can't get these, use old style Army bandages for their bulk and
- - - absorbancy. Use the white part to stop the bleeding, and secure with an
- - - ACEwrap sports bandage for an instant homemade pressure dressing,
- - - though be careful not to cut circulation off in the process if you don't
- - - need to.
Tourniquet materials (CAT Tourniquet, or a cravat with a sturdy stick to use
- - -as a windlass)
Trauma sheers (BLUNT ROUND NOSED SCISSORS for cutting a pant leg if need be)
2x cravat (These are used to immobilize a shoulder, or to hold a dressing in place if it's on the abdomen or chest)
1 roll Kerlix (for stopping bleeding, and padding a wound.
1 roll 1" medical tape (sticks to absolutely everything.... except sweaty skin :[ )
Hand sanitizer. Small travel sized bottle will suffice.
Baby powder. Unscented, sprinkle it on your hands and your gloves will slip on like magic.
assorted bandaids. Yah I know, they're for kids, but you never know when
- - -you're going to nick yourself with with a knife, etc.
other things to note:
*NSAIDs like Asprin, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn (found in Aleive, Excedrin, Motrin), though they work very well to control pain, negatively affect blood as far as clotting goes (which is why asprin works for people during a heart attack). Tylenol (acetamenophen) is a much better choice since it has analgesic effects, and does not "thin" the blood.
*Tampons. well they kinda work for exit wounds, but look at the size of an entrance wound and tell me a tampon applicator will fit in that!
*Gloves: There's nothing inherently wrong with latex gloves, they work quite well. However there are enough people with latex allergies out there that you want to stick with Nitrile, Vinyl, or another latex free. Yes it's a good idea to put gloves on before touching blood.
*Bandages: practice with them. You DEFINITELY don't want the first time you bandage someone to be when they're bleeding. Take a class in first aid one weekend. Try to take a Red Cross or similar class through Gander Mountain or the NRA if possible so it's geared towards hunting accidents, or some sort of penetrating trauma.
*Gauze: Regular gauze. 4x4's or 6x6's. Get about 4 or 5 of each. There is a product called Combat Gauze. It isn't plain old regular gauze. it has a clotting and chemical cauterizing agent in it, and requires extra familiarization and training to use.
*POUCH - make it easily accessible, and PORTABLE. You probably don't want to be lugging your whole range bag to someone in need, but you definitely want this pouch to be IN your bag. Find something that either has a full clamshell zipper, or an old style plastic box that can hold everything, but is easily accessable.
*Sterility: Don't open the packages till you need to use the contents.
* KNOW YOUR LIMITS: You are doing this to keep some sort of control over bleeding until the emergency crew arrives. Don't try to be a hero.
cheaperthandirt.com sells LOTS of these items, Amazon.com does as well actually.