First aid kit for range bag

[sawcarver]

Over the past two years my family has really ramped up our shooting. Durring the summer it's at least one F-class match and one varmint match a month if not more. My kids compete as well as my Dad, Girlfriend and myself. So as you can imagine thats already lots of gear to lug everywhere. However I got to thinking I should be carrying a first aid kit with us in case the worst happens. I carry a standard first aid kit in my truck but sometimes the truck is 600 or 1000 yards from the firing point. Does anyone have good sugesstions of what to carry to have at the firing point all the time? My initial thoughts are quickclot, Bandages and tourniquet, but what do you carry? Any good kits out there?

 

[scubohuntr]

Something for minor burns, eyewash, an instant coldpack, some sort of antiseptic (betadine), tweezers. Basically, what are the likely injuries? I've had hot brass down my neck from the M-14 at the next position over, cactus spines from rolling off my shooting mat, sprains, and (before I figured out it was important to develop a good position) scope eyebrow. I've known people to get M1 Thumb, foreign particles in the eye, and pretty severe splinters from an out of battery discharge. There is also the possibility (although very remote at a well-run match) of a gunshot wound. If your range still runs target pits, there are other possible injuries there depending on the target carrier mechanism.

 

[JRS]

It may sound dumb. But I have been told tampons for gun shot wounds depending on where it is. They expand and stop bleeding

You never know when a knuckle head may fire when your down range changing a target

 

[DngBat7]

Accidentally deleted my comment. Meant to add this link

https://hosbeg.com/menstrual-tampons-used-american-soldiers-iraq-war/

 

[JRS]

Accidentally defeated my comment. Meant to add this link

https://hosbeg.com/menstrual-tampons-used-american-soldiers-iraq-war/

They do not use tampons, and tampons do not stop bleeding. It's a barrier. The item used is called the XStat Rapid Hemostasis System, commonly referred to as a bullet wound tampon. There's reasons why you would not stick a tampon into a wound. For instance, tampons are sanitary, but they're not sterile, and can easily cause an infection.

 

[snert]

add asherman chest valve, some big thick Isreali bandages

 

[snert]

and tampon

 

[Toolbreaker]

I don't carry out a kit, but I do keep a tube of hydrocortisone in my range bag. In my neck of the woods, a belly-shooter will get wore out by fire ants sooner or later.

 

[JFrank]

I carry chap stick,
Guess I need to re think things a bit.

 

[DngBat7]

I carry chap stick,
Guess I need to re think things a bit.

You just gave me a good laugh

 

[sawcarver]

I carry chap stick,
Guess I need to re think things a bit.

So do I haha and thats what got me thinking. My Dad is 63 and my twins are 12. Often my kids act more professional than the adults but things could happen. I'm sure most ranges have a first aid kit somewhere, but probably in a clubhouse and who knows how old it is.

I'm making my Christmas list basied off stuff I need for the range bags like first aid kit and a Remington bolt take down tool so I dont have to borrow a kids shoe lace

 

[Rsadams]

You already have a good handle on it , unless you're going to carry 25 lbs of medical gear you just can't be ready for everything.... I carry trauma bandages , band aids , eye drops etc.... Tweezers are a big help because splinters happen....

The BEST advice I got was always know the address and if possible the GPS coordinates to be able to get help to you... Just yesterday I had a conversation with a fireman on the shooting range who told me a story of a man who got shot twice ( attempted murder ) they didn't know the address ( not the fireman , the victim ) so they had heck finding him , he was on a hunting trip on a lease not just in the woods , tryed to bring in a chopper , no place to land , finally hiked him out and the guy lived but almost bleed out because they simply couldn't find him..

Carry what you might need , be SURE you know how to apply it so you don't make things worse and write down the address and whatever else you might need if contacting help.. With a 20 year war there's alot of people walking around that know exactly what to do if something bad was to happen... You can get a simple gps location program for your smart phone for free...

 

[Ledd Slinger]

You should be able to find good compact first aid kits at most big outdoor sporting goods stores in the camping section. My son and I always have one in our packs when hiking. I also pack one when traveling. Good thing to have handy.

Add a small bottle super glue to the kit. Works great as a temorary fix on a wounds requiring stitches. Also add a couple small bottles of over the counter pain killers like Excedrin or Aleve, and a small bottle of ibuprofen for inflammation control.

 

[ED3]

Aspirin, Ibuprofen,
Bug Spray, SunBlock.......an ounce of prevention.......

 

[ED3]

Thinking more about this, tho two most severe incidents I've encountered on a range were a cardiac arrest, and a few cases of suspected heat exhaustion.

So
add
a knowledge of CPR,
and
lots of water, and an air conditioned vehicle

an epi pen would be a good thing to have around as well.

 

[JRS]

The EPI pen requires a prescription, along with more than $400.00 for a two pack. You also need to know how to use it.

 

[ED3]

The EPI pen requires a prescription, along with more than $400.00 for a two pack. You also need to know how to use it.

The one's I have seen cost 1/2 that, the prescription is available to anyone, and from what I learned in a short 1st Aid class, not terribly complicated to use. The only down side might be they are only good for a year. While the cost might seem high, it is nothing compared to what the wife, and kids of a former co-worker has been going through since the guy died of a bee sting reaction at a family picnic.

 

[Delfuego]

If you aren't trained with tourniquets, do not own one. They are a fast way for someone to lose a limb.

I would take a field medicine class or similar. You will have a better idea of what to bring and how to use it. It's kind of like when someone asks what rifle should I buy or caliber to use. You need to learn first, then buy the right stuff and know how to use it.

For basic kits. 4x4 bandages (lots of them), tape, cravats, sam-splint, bandages, band-aids, alcohol, neosporin, benadryl , analgesic, airways, blankets, etc, etc.

The best thing to have is a working phone or radio. CPR is #2.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The one's I have seen cost 1/2 that, the prescription is available to anyone, and from what I learned in a short 1st Aid class, not terribly complicated to use. The only down side might be they are only good for a year. While the cost might seem high, it is nothing compared to what the wife, and kids of a former co-worker has been going through since the guy died of a bee sting reaction at a family picnic.

I’m not going to say it will save your life. But if you have reactions to insect stings , a bottle of children’s liquid benadryl to sip on will do world’s of good till you can get to medical treatment.

 

[AJC]

So i would never stick anything into a wound but for over 30 years i have carried panty liners or maxi pads. They are very clean, and are designed to absorb blood. I have covered an eye injury on the trail and wrapped tape around a guys head to hold one in place. One would not think this is first choice but dam they work and work good. The tampon idea is out IMO because i am not sticking anything into a body. Further arguments could be made for superglue. If i am at a point that i would use superglue on an open wound then the starility of the glue at the time means nothing. For 99.9 out of a hundred cases a pack of band aids and maybe some hydrogen peroxide will get it done. Depending on the size of pack you were wanting to have, a big bottle of eye wash would be high on my list. Its big and bulky but the chance of needing it, is high and not many things work well in its place. My third and always carried item is some benadryl. Its in my glove box at all times. Spider, snake or anything that stings it is critical to have on hand right now. A side benefit is it also works well on dogs, which i also have. Fourth would be a few 800 Motrin. So now that you have spent like 20 bucks, by almost all standards your good for things you may encounter and or be able to fix without some major training.