Trauma FAK --size Maxpedition M-1 Waistpack

[Deerhead]

Hi All,
My daughter is working for an outfitter in Zion NP. She will be canyoneering, hiking, outback stuff, etc. and therefore I want a small enough Trauma type EDC that she can easily grab and take with her. If it it too big, she's small, she'll leave it. I have decided on a Maxpedition M-1 waist pack as the pouch, so that's the size. I have also decided to buy the SPOT Gen 2 Emergency Locator Beacon for sending in the helicopters. The FAK, in my mind will be a trauma type, i.e. Snake bites, falls, broken something’s, bleeding, etc. It doesn't have to be a survival kit the SPOT will hopefully take care of that. Just need a 'keep alive' type kit. The SPOT and a 2.5x3.75x.90 tin will probably take up the entire front outsize compartment. The main compartment is big enough for two 5.5x3.5x1.0 tins.
I intend to buy a 35"x35", JingleBobs bandana in a bright signaling color for her to wear, for sun protection and for use as a tourniquet. I will also buy blood clot, and use non-stick bandages with duct tape for bleeding wounds. I have bought the Coghlan's snake bite kit, couldn't find anything better. I have bought some 1/32oz triple antibiotic ointment packs, Benzalkonium towelettes, iodine wipes, non-stick bandages, Katadyn water purifier tablets, regular condoms for water storage/purification to clean the wound, and a double size Heatsheets survival/signaling blanket. I also bought her a Bark River Bravo necker for her carry.
Now the reason for the post, what else should I get for a trauma kit, and what else will fit into the M-1 Waistpack? With whatever room is left I could add some everyday needs, moleskin, zinc oxide, aspirin, etc. What say the group? Any help would be appreciated.
Pleas reply offline to CaptRehkopf AT gmail DOT com

Thanks,
Robert

[Chief-Yeah]

I have bought the Coghlan's snake bite kit, couldn't find anything better.

Sawyer Extractor Pump
Sawyer

[VinnyP]

If size is an issue and you want is to call for help then A fastfind PLB is smaller, works better, works everywhere and is cheaper in the long run. However it doesn't do the here I am etc.
As for trauma a size 1 Nato field dressing is always useful. Have you treated her to first aid/survival lessons which are usually a good long term investment.

[Exmasonite]

i dunno if you're gonna be able to fit much in the M1 for trauma.

for the sorta stuff i'd be worried about, the key is going to be bandage material, bandage material, bandage material and all three are bulky :P

if you're looking for something around the size of the M1, i'd consider another bag/pouch. Maxped stuff is great but it's super overengineered and bulky compared to other bags of its size.

something more simple and economical like Maxped Individual first aid pouch, FIGHT pouch, moire, 4x6, tactile series, etc. M1 is a nice pouch but you lose a lot of space on all the organization you probably don't need.

FR-1 is a great pouch (but bigger... m5 size) for FAK stuff too. but i'd look hard at the FIGHT and indvid FA pouch.

alternatively to Maxped... is Adventure Medical First Aid packs

[Flight-ER-Doc]

Sawyer Extractor Pump
Sawyer

While they satisfy the need to 'do something', there is no evidence that any extractor is effective in removing any venom from anyone...so save the space for something worthwhile.

[Rob72]

North American Rescue The CAT-T tourniquet, and or the Compression Wrap. the compression wrap is probably a better multi-use addition.

And, seconding XM, the M1 is a band-aid baggie size. The Adventure Medical or NAR individual kits are as small as you can go for hemorrhage control in the field. Big/thick dressings should come before clotting agents, since you aren't looking at (usually) getting to a hospital within an hour or so of injury.

[Deerhead]

Hi All,
I appreciate everyone's comments but please don't change the criteria. The M-1 is as large as she will likely carry. So don't offer suggestions that say it is too small use this pouch or that pouch.
I already have a FastFind Plus for my motorcycling. I bought it when the first gen SPOT didn't have great emergency assistance 24/7. I'm actually going to sell the FastFind Plus to buy 2 SPOT gen 2 models, one for her and one for me. Also the FastFind Plus is much larger that the SPOT and would basically take up most of the M-1.
I have also looked at the 4 inch Israel tourniquet and thought it would also take up too much room, thus the reason for the blood clod power, non-stick pads, and the bandana and a nearby stick. I carry the 6 inch on my motorcycle.
So, snake bite kits are usless and don't pack one?
I have bought her the Bunton emergency card and yes, she will need to be trained or at least familiarized with everything I pack. I have to work with what I’ve got, so to speak.
I also forgot to mention the medical aides need to be waterproof. So with that focus and criteria what should I pack that I haven't mentioned?

[cap6888]

+1 for ditching the snake bite kit. Waste of space, two constricting bands (one to place distal of the bite and one to place proximal to the bite).

These are great/easy/simple dressings that take up lots of space (plus really cheap) It's item #27 of the list.......
http://www.sprucemtsurplus.com/firstaid-survival.html

The clotting powder isn't as good as the celox dressings. I would suggest this.........
http://www.rescue-essentials.com/Pro...-0070&CartID=3

And this too.....
http://www.rescue-essentials.com/Pro...-0110&CartID=4

As far as waterproof, all of these items should be unaffected because of the way they are packaged. But to be on the safe side, you can just put them into a simple ziploc bag.

And to echo someone else, training is imperative. You can't use the tools if you don't have the training. With that in mind, an simple Red Cross first aid course won't cover what she needs. She needs an outdoor emergence aid/survival course to truly prepare her for such emergencies.

I know it is not practical to do with the celox gauze($$$), but if you get some of the military dressings, buy a bunch of extra ones so she can practice opening them and using them. At 50 cents a pop that would be extra money well spent.

I would think that being the outdoor adventure type, she would carry some sort of EDC bag/pack with many essentials. I would think that upsizing the pouch size would not be a big deal, especially for what she does. Good Luck.

[VinnyP]

Hi All,
I already have a FastFind Plus for my motorcycling. I bought it when the first gen SPOT didn't have great emergency istance 24/7. I'm actually going to sell the FastFind Plus to buy 2 SPOT gen 2 models, one for her and one for me. Also the FastFind Plus is much larger that the SPOT and would basically take up most of the M-1.

Fastfind Plus is much bigger than the PLB. Which is about the same overall size as the Spot 2 but lighter once you have batteries in the Spot 2. The Spot 2 is a great product if they fix the problems but not as reliable as the PLB, no local signal for S&R and a still a lot of the world where it doesn't work.

[Deerhead]

Vinny,
I'm not familiar with the FastFind PLB is that the FastFind without GPS? I like the idea a sending a location not just a signal. I also understand they've fixed the SPOT Gen 2 problems and are sending out the new units this month.
Robert

Fastfind Plus is much bigger than the PLB. Which is about the same overall size as the Spot 2 but lighter once you have batteries in the Spot 2. The Spot 2 is a great product if they fix the problems but not as reliable as the PLB, no local signal for S&R and a still a lot of the world where it doesn't work.