FIRST AID KIT

There are dozens of commercial first aid kits available from many different suppliers. Captain Dave recommends you have on hand three different types of kits:

•  A small, basic kit for you car and bug out bag.

•  An intermediate kit for around the home and for traveling.

•  An extensive medical kit stored with your survival gear for use when going to a regular doctor or hospital is out of the question.

While kit contents will vary, your basic kit (which most outdoors or camping-type stores should carry) should include at least the following. If you can't buy one with these contents, pick up a few supplies and create your own:

•  Bandages

•  Antibiotic ointment

•  Gauze pads

•  Iodine or similar prep pads

•  Alcohol prep pads

•  Butterfly bandages

•  Antibiotic ointment

•  Medical adhesive tape

•  Aspirin and/or non-aspirin pain relievers

The intermediate kit will include more of each of the above items, plus the following:

•  Larger adhesive bandages

•  Smelling salts or ammonia inhalants

•  Ace-type bandages for strains and sprains

•  Several sizes of sterile pads

•  Rolls of gauze

•  Antiseptic towlets

•  Thermometer

•  Snake bite poison extractor

•  Tweezers

•  Safety pins

•  Moleskin

•  Rubber (latex) gloves

•  Burn medication

•  Anti-itch treatment

•  Sun screen

•  Diarrhea medication

•  Eye drops

•  Basic first aid instructions

Your more advanced medical kit can be expected to include not only the above, but some or all of the following:

•  Special bandages, such as conforming, trauma and field dressings

•  Rubbing alcohol for sterilization

•  Hydrogen peroxide

•  Betadine

•  Scissors

•  Forceps

•  Scalpels

•  Hemostats

•  Sterile sutures, in several sizes

•  Wound probe

•  Mouth-to-mouth shield

•  Instant hot pack

•  Instant cold pack

•  Prep pads

•  Eye pads

•  Sponges

•  Cotton balls

•  Burn treatments

•  Dental tools

•  Splint materials

•  In-depth first aid/surgical guide

•  Cold medication

•  Decongestant

•  Antihistamine

•  Colloidal silver

If you can find a sympathetic doctor or have other access to prescription medicines, you should consider stocking up on a few key items:

•  Broad spectrum antibiotic

•  Antibiotics for sinus infections, strep throat and other common "winter" ailments

•  Pain killers