First Aid Kits
- Thread starter thehungrytroglobite
- Start date
Speleofish
Active member
If you carry a first aid kit in your car, I suggest adding a waterproof kneeler to your stuff (the sort of padded kneeler they sell in garden centres). I spent an uncomfortable couple of hours a few months ago, kneeling next to a broken motorcyclist who kept trying to obstruct his airway. By the time the ambulance eventually arrived, my knees were completely wrecked. As were my trousers.
afraidofthedank
Member
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but eye wash! It’s so easy to get grit in your eye and it can really affect your ability to get operate. Plus, you don’t want someone’s grubby hands in there trying to get it out.
I’ve seen some people out there who seem to be prepared for a real “worst case” scenario but really you’re primarily going to use it for minor injuries - small cuts, grit in the eye, sickness, etc. If you consider the most likely “worst case” underground (injuries that are going to require immobilisation and evacuation), a fall from height being the big one, the only thing you’ll generally be able to do is keep the casualty warm and comfortable (so, drugs and survival shelter etc). Whenever I see a proper medical tourniquet in a caving first aid kit my first thought is “what scenario do you imagine using that??”
I’ve seen some people out there who seem to be prepared for a real “worst case” scenario but really you’re primarily going to use it for minor injuries - small cuts, grit in the eye, sickness, etc. If you consider the most likely “worst case” underground (injuries that are going to require immobilisation and evacuation), a fall from height being the big one, the only thing you’ll generally be able to do is keep the casualty warm and comfortable (so, drugs and survival shelter etc). Whenever I see a proper medical tourniquet in a caving first aid kit my first thought is “what scenario do you imagine using that??”
andrewmcleod
Well-known member
Sudden bleeding after removal of large rocks is pretty much the only even vaguely plausible scenario I can think of (in response to your final question)...
I have sealed saline pods in my first aid kits which are mostly there because I have contact lenses and might need them once day, but would be good for more general eye washing/wound washing.
Incidentally bringing tablets is generally only any good if you have water to take them with, so another thing to consider.
I have sealed saline pods in my first aid kits which are mostly there because I have contact lenses and might need them once day, but would be good for more general eye washing/wound washing.
Incidentally bringing tablets is generally only any good if you have water to take them with, so another thing to consider.
speleokitty3
New member
I have successfully used saliva to help remove grit from my eye after one incident when I had no water left. You can get quite inventive when needed.
In general, then the smaller and lighter your comfort/emergency kit is then the more likely you are to carry it on a trip, rather than leaving it if your car because it's too much faff.
In general, then the smaller and lighter your comfort/emergency kit is then the more likely you are to carry it on a trip, rather than leaving it if your car because it's too much faff.
RobinGriffiths
Well-known member
So our mothers were getting it wrong when they spat on a handkerchief to wipe our dirty faces back in the day...
Speleofish
Active member
Practically, saliva is easier for mums, urine for dads. And dads might find the concept slightly less repellent....
speleokitty3
New member
I had thought about the option, but I don't have personal experience of it and wouldn't like to be accused of taking the p,,,
One of these used to be the Rescue Kit for Daren Cilau, hanging up by the door in Whitewalls. Whiskey would have been drained by the executioner/first aider!
JAshley73
Member
That doesn't look fun to carry through a cave.
I've carried photo gear for pals through a cave in those pelican cases, and quite frankly, it sucks...
Leclused
Active member
This size of case sits perfectly at the bottom of a tackle bag. No problem at all
thehungrytroglobite
Well-known member
very organised!
JAshley73
Member
Well, for photo gear (IE, sensitive electronics) I can't imagine much else besides those pelican cases. So on those kinds of trips, I guess you just embrace the suck and carry on.
For normal/recreation caving - which is the kind of caving that I do - I use a large Swaygo pack, and simply fit what I can in there. Quite a lot actually sometimes... My FAK goes in a 1-gallon plastic Zip-Lock bag. Snacks in another.
My thoughts on the Swaygo pack are very much love/hate. But for what they were designed for - that is being durable, keeping gear dry, and remaining sleek - they work well. Well enough that I've considered getting the smallest size for lighter trips. (I'd probably still love/hate it... LOL)
Home - Swaygo Gear
Refreshingly Simple Gear for Extraordinary Needs Engineering for Limitless Adventure Swaygo Gear’s passion is to make gear that goes above and beyond expectations without being complicated. Engineering products for the essentials, not all the extras. Gear that you can count on in the most...
swaygogear.com
What is the hate bit? They are not particularly cheap, so I was wondering how much upside there is to a drum?Well, for photo gear (IE, sensitive electronics) I can't imagine much else besides those pelican cases. So on those kinds of trips, I guess you just embrace the suck and carry on.
For normal/recreation caving - which is the kind of caving that I do - I use a large Swaygo pack, and simply fit what I can in there. Quite a lot actually sometimes... My FAK goes in a 1-gallon plastic Zip-Lock bag. Snacks in another.
My thoughts on the Swaygo pack are very much love/hate. But for what they were designed for - that is being durable, keeping gear dry, and remaining sleek - they work well. Well enough that I've considered getting the smallest size for lighter trips. (I'd probably still love/hate it... LOL)
Home - Swaygo Gear
Refreshingly Simple Gear for Extraordinary Needs Engineering for Limitless Adventure Swaygo Gear’s passion is to make gear that goes above and beyond expectations without being complicated. Engineering products for the essentials, not all the extras. Gear that you can count on in the most...
View attachment 19162
JAshley73
Member
The straps get annoying. Especially the way a bight of webbing is fed through the top grommet, it makes it fussy to adjust the straps to equal length. (Thinking about it, I wander if I'd be better served by just making new fixed-length straps (plural) out of webbing or very stretchy/dynamic rope? Maybe put a stitch in the strap so it can't "shift"? ....but I digress...) They also aren't terribly convenient to open quickly.
On the plus side, they are very flat, and are exceptional for crawling & stoop-walking. Flat to the back for when you keep it on, and easy to drag behind you when you take it off to crawl.
They are as waterproof as a thing in a cave can be. I still put valuable bits in a zip-lock bags just in case, but they are extremely water resistant. And very easy to clean. And tough.
I had a little extra spending money, so I bought one "when I could."
