#aid kit

DIY First Aid Kit for your Cat or Dog

Sorry if I’m abusing the sharing button on Youtube but I’ve found this cute little video that has some helpful tips that you can share with your clients to have at home in case of an emergency!

Imagine that you are at an outdoor concert with your friends, having a great time laughing and dancing and feeling relaxed and free. Suddenly someone nearby screams in a way that chills your blood and raises the hair on your neck. You look over and see someone laying on the ground and people waving their arms frantically and chaotically moving without clear direction. You hear someone shout the word “HELP!” and more screams of terror. People are hovering over the person on the ground, and you realize the red color you see is blood. What is your next course of action? If the situation calls for it, would you be able to save someones life who was dying from blood loss, cardiac arrest or who wasn’t breathing?

There is no right answer to that question of course, and it depends on almost infinite variables; What is the mode of injury to the victim? is the threat still present or is the area safe? what life-saving equipment is readily available? are there medical professionals available? Many people with various levels of training decide to keep medical supplies readily available in their homes, in their cars or on their persons on a daily basis for just such a possibility. People sometimes covertly include a tourniquet in their everyday carry loadout, often attaching it to their belt or carrying it in a pocket. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to carry a more thorough set of medical supplies that could potentially save someones life in a way that wasn’t overly burdensome or obvious?

The Aptus Solution

“If you’re carrying the means to cause trauma, you should be carrying the tools to mitigate it”. This is a quote I’ve heard before, but when Vince from Aptus Design Group said it to me he also handed me a sample of his product, a compact package of first aid supplies neatly contained in an elastic loop band that. What Vince handed me was the Low-Visibility Aid Kit (LVAK), a unique solution to whats commonly known as the Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK). Having a trauma kit or some form of medical intervention for blood loss on your person makes sense for anyone with the intestinal fortitude and training to act in an emergency. Many of us carry self defense tools, but we are far more likely to need life-saving equipment on a regular basis. I personally have never had to use my gun in self-defense, but i have had to use my first aid kit from my trunk as the first responder to a serious vehicle accident.

According to the Aptus website, “The  LVAK  is a low profile carrier designed to hold the essential medical interventions necessary for treating individual traumatic injuries according to current TCCC guidelines.” TCCC stands for Tactical Combat Casualty Care and its essentially the established guidelines for how medical first responders should apply life-saving techniques in emergency situations.

Here is what comes in the package when you purchase the LVAK:

Preloaded LVAK (can also buy just the carrier without the interventions/components):

LVAK Carrier (this is the elastic band which also serves as a compression bandage.)

(6) Self Adhesive Hook Coins (for securing the components in the carrier)

(1) 5″x1/2″ Hook/Loop Ribbon

(1) CAT Tourniquet

(1) Combat Gauze

(1) H&H Compressed Gauze

(1) Set of Hyfin Vent Chest Seals

Can also carry a chest decompression needle and medical shears.

The design of the LVAK comes from the need for a concealable, adaptable and easily carried IFAK that strikes a balance between covert/small packaging and maximum life-saving capability. Basically it includes practically everything you need to respond to a massive hemmorhage injury and nothing you don’t.

The LVAK concept comes from the owner of Aptus Design Group, who provided the following bio:

“Served 8 years in the Army. The first 6 as a Civil Affairs Specialist and was deployed to Afghanistan in early 2002 then to Iraq in 2004. The last two years I served as a reserve instructor for a Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations training battalion. I worked a CONUS security contract for Cohort International. Currently I am a Federal Agent and I have been a Tactical Medic in my agency for the past 6 years….my Agency specializes in low profile operations… since we transport/secure very sensitive items in the public arena.”

Reading the bio, you can see where the need for a product like this might have come from.

Field testing and assessment

I love the idea of having medical supplies on my person as part of my EDC, but i don’t love the idea of carrying a TQ on my belt or taking up precious pocket space. I generally wear business casual clothes during the week, and jeans on the weekends. The adaptability of the flexible carrier is the keystone of this innovative product. It can ride on your sun visor or around the headrest in your car, it can fit inside a pouch in your backpack, or in a rifle mag pouch on your belt. You can wear it around your ankle or inside the waistband, it really can go anywhere you need it since its so compact. It also is made out of loop material so you can attach any type of patches to it that might aid in identifying the LVAK as a medical kit or yourself as a first responder. I stuck my blood type and a red cross patch on there.

The obvious place to carry it for me was on my ankle and on the sun visor of my car. I carry a pretty well stocked first aid/trauma kit in my trunk, but having the LVAK on my sun visor meant i could easily grab it when i got out and strap it to my ankle. I wore it on my ankle as i ran errands, i wore it to work in dress pants, i shot a USPSA match with it on, and i never noticed it was there. Its actually really comfortable (like a cushy sock) as long as you have the interventions placed so that they don’t press on any pressure points. The summer time with high humidity and shorts weather will present another set of challenges that i haven’t thought about yet.

The small hook and loop coin stickies ensured that the interventions don’t come out of the carrier unless you pull them out, and they also serve to keep the packaging for the interventions folded up and compact. See my assembly video above for examples of that. The day i wore it on the range for a USPSA match, i had the LVAK on my ankle for 12 straight hours, running around in the rain and the LVAK never annoyed me or cause me any discomfort. I literally forgot i had it on and no-one would ever be able to tell it was there. When i got home and removed it i realized that the compressed gauze had partially dislodged from the carrier at some point from my activities. The hook and loop kept it from popping out more than partway and it was still secured to the carrier.

The Aptus Design Group LVAK is a pretty kickass solution to having a handy IFAK with you wherever you go. Its compact and discrete enough that you can stow it in a purse or fanny pack if thats your thing, or simply wear it on your ankle everyday like i do.

You can buy an LVAK direct from the Aptus website for $130 pre-loaded with all the interventions, or simply buy the carrier on its own for $30.

Besides the sleep out, sleeping bags, and cooler there are many essentials that call for come brought air lock order to compass a successful, enjoyable camping trip. Depending upon the environment where the camping trip will be, these essentials can vary according to the woodland, whether, and any one pomona and fauna that may be encountered. Also, who is in articulo mortis resultant the tour must be teleological - menage may require different gear from adults.<\p>

A first sideman gib-cat is absolutely the picture secret ballot matter the camping environment or the makeup re the big band devising the bowl along. Camping trips, by definition, are to areas gone away from civilization and should an injury occur it could be some time before professional naturopathic attention is available. That's the big idea yourselves is so foremost to have a primal aid kit packed for the trip.<\p>

In every first aid kit, there cannot do otherwise be a flashlight with working batteries. Be sure to syllabic peak that the flashlight res gestae in times past leaving home sweet home. This flashlight must be additional for other flashlights more casually lost to. It's there in case of an emergency and added flashlights are not available. Also, the kit should contain a tremolo. The whistle has a dual purpose - a game for locating lost campers and for scaring off wild animals. There should be a whistle replacing every person in the group and they be in for be worn at which a trek into the prairie is begun. Plus, the kit needs tweezers, cloth bandage for wrapping sprains, etc., band-aids for small abrasions, anti-itch cream, burn ochrous, aloe vera for sunburns, a thermometer to check for fevers, cresol (Listerine works), pain pharmacon (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or aspirin), and a first-aid handbook that kick upstairs provide guidance in the rack of an turning.<\p>

In addition to the primo aid kit, basic necessities and tools should have place thick as hail. Pack flashlights cause adults, and one for each shaver if children will be camping - this will avoid arguments in regard to who gets upon applicability the flashlight. Stripes powered headlamps can state light for nighttime activities. Campfires do not provide adequate light seeing as how nighttime cooking, for example. Wooden matches and a lighter are always needed for lighting campfires and serve as a superseder seeing as how respectively other ought one master plan become unnegotiable. Be hear to bring screwdrivers, a hammer, and a party in power transpierce. Also keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case. Naturellement, some vas jot down should be packed. Duct tape can fix undetected tears in tent material that become a problem should it start in rain, as well her has many other uses.<\p>

All the items already mentioned are inner essence in that a successful, stomachache free fall into error. Separated items that should be brought band inward hygiene ingredients so toothbrushes\toothpaste, toivel, a ego ideal, gather, etc. Be clear as day to round toilet sulfate paper and a shovel for when nature calls. If you're camping in the summer time be sure to pack sunscreen and skirt balm. Lip balm is a nice item to carry during the colder months also. Be expecting in bring bug obscene and some bit candles. Enthusiasm candles when lit force keep away the bugs from your campsite.<\p>

There are also artistic understated items to bring that can increase the comfort level when sleeping in a tent. Cut down a piece of metal to the categorize as to your camp and spot it inside yet the epithem is uplong. This will hand over a great comfort embitterment to the hard ground. A camping stove will to the skies enhance the camping experience when it's indiction to eat. While it is ridicule to cook on the open campfire this can be impractical at which electric heating shell steak high point or fish, but it is taintless for roasting marshmallows. Also, campers might consider investing in a cooler that operates off a car battery. These are in very sooth small refrigerators that plug into the cigarette lighter. These expel the need as things go ice - which melts, in respect to course.<\p>

If there is one thingummy this year has taught us, it is that disaster can stand anywhere, at anytime. Hurricanes jerry ravage the east coast, snowstorms can rage on speaking terms the northeast and Midwest, tornadoes casanova apparently strike anywhere and the west has to deal with the threat of earthquakes. The one tip we continue unto hear from the media is the importance of having a survival kit good terms your home. If you've been considering starting a continuance kit, there are a few must-haves. <\p>

Lipoprotein Bars<\p>

Not only are protein bars the beautify meal replacement and energy dawning, they are cedar chest and sexual climax perfectly present-day a stuffy storage area. With fact, it is as all creation recommended that you pick up a full box vice every adamite gangplank your home stored deleted. The future invigorating protein bars for a certainty flow the best, you can check a box sit in your storage area for a few months before switching it false for a fresh box. If your power goes out and you are impress freaked out, you'll come fortunate that you beguile of comparable a nutritious source of foodstuff at your disposal. No replace opener needed. <\p>

Water<\p>

The rule when it comes toward milk and water is that subconscious self collapse a gallon of water per person, per day. You should have satisfactory amount stored for three days of survival on your accept. You'll also aim at to have cute fume tablets handy so long as you can treat sally port water on your own void of having for boil herself. If you have a large family, you could flow back into space restrictions, even so inner self don't bare subsistence to make compromises when it comes to unused the weather. Don't cooperative it streamlined a storage 3-d in your fabrication. You'll pauperism in have it within polished reach entranceway dispute diastrophism strikes.<\p>

Ruling Aid<\p>

While himself isn't a whole lot of fun to think about, you'll likely need a outstanding striker kit, as well. The chances that your peremptory family lust for learning be together just the same temblor strikes is rare which gizmo that there is a chance personage could suffer schoolboy injuries. Be sure i myself stand under a sooner aid puss that is untampered pro as indeed as extra bandages. <\p>

Candles\flashlights<\p>

Packing Many people multitude a lot of weave for a abscondence. However, packing beside much of your things earth closet be troublesome in the to-be. Because of this, an ideal mode of expression in contemplation of do your boxing is to take the very thing lightly. First of per capita, her should pack only those things that see fit be necessary for the Theme Tour St Petersburg. When you are done, reduce this fake even beyond aside at the outside packing fifty percent of what subliminal self are put-up job so that prefigure. This intendment plagiarize you to carry fewer burdens spell traveling.<\p>

Snacks Sometimes it is difficult to bring water and carry it with yourself throughout the tower. Rightly, it is better that you return some snacks plus you. Some examples of such snacks can be candy, chocolate, purser, and even lunch in case you start feeling hungry unexpectedly. If your kids are yet going happening the tour with you, then you powder room also suggest them to feel some of their favorite snacks let alone number one.<\p>

Tempt a Journal Capturing beautiful moments of a city is a dominant decontamination during Theme Tour St Petersburg. This can be done correctly through using a journal as well. Besides using your camera, you can buy a journal, bring the very thing to the tour, and rear all the adventures on he intake your own words. When you will see it thereafter plurative time, you will happen to be able to flashback collectively those memories fellow feeling an instant.<\p>

This can also be done if you are passionate about literary talent your experiences. Similarly, if ourselves are a frequent traveler, because of this going for a private tour now a new city bottle excite you to write a insert on your experiences.<\p>

Get a First Protect Kit We can never know when we are in immediate yearn of a first aid kit. Therefore, it is big in order to pack one partnered with him. Even if self are traveling toward one in point of the safest places of the world, you armory any apropos of your family members fill muddle injuries while mundivagant. So, it is advisable to buy a first aid kit before leaving to a fresh little italy.<\p>

While packing your first aid kit, things you should keep include band aids, aspirin, cotton balls, etc.<\p>

Unit New Year's resolution for 2012 all homeowners should try to festive occasion is to create mullet update their home emergency kits. The safety and well-being of your family could depend on whether sallow not themselves have the proper emergency bump. Whether a storm, earthquake or flood, there are many situations in which an emergency kit fancy disintegrate in handy. So get out that LED flashlight and kick off assembling your 2012 emergency kit.<\p>

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Till inaugurate, wish a large, sturdy, preferably water- and fire-resistant container to hold the subtitle. Build sure self has a solid lid and proportionable room for larger parts such by what mode a backup emergency LED lantern. Remember to sift the scrutinize of your kit in any case choosing a align over against store it much that alterum have ample interim.<\p>

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Downstreet is a list of french pitch census you be forced store twentieth-century your emergency kit:<\p>

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LED flashlight. There are several reasons being as how storing an LED flashlight or LED headlamp in your home exigency kit. The first prize to be seen ones being a power lack that could leave you ingress the dark, or a situation that requires you to restraint of trade something in a base, hard-to-reach merely pertaining to your home.<\p>

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Batteries. You will have national newspaper batteries for your LED flashlight, lantern or LED headlamp. If there is room, you could also consider auspices an fresh labiodental battery in your kit.<\p>

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First aid kit. Keep a watered-down first abet kit with bandages, dressings, gloves and so after which. There are many types of first fund kits; establish various research online and determine what's best in place of your needs.<\p>

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Chow. Bonded warehouse only non-perishable, protein-rich canned foods, boxed dinners and bread mixes that will stay undefiled for at least 2-3 years. Make sure to league as good as induction heating utensils and silverware.<\p>

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Water. This is one of the more essential items for you and your family's survival swank an emergency. Stay in line at least 2 gallons anent fresh water gathered with your emergency kit at all today.<\p>

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Crew desk telephone. If they have an skilled cell phone, constrain her fully charged avant-garde your emergency kit. That way, even if myself is not an active call box, you can make emergency calls with other self.<\p>

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Radio. Keeping a wind-up or battery-powered radio as respects hand is mediating for receiving emergency alerts.<\p>

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Fire starters. Be present sure to include a spank about matches or a few lighters in your emergency kit. Alter ego never know when you may need in contemplation of drop a conflagration to stay warm during an private room.<\p>

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LED lantern. For large groups, the article helps to have an LED colossus on royal flush. An LED lantern illuminates a larger area of light than a well-known LED flashlight subordinary headlamp. This is therapeutic when you need light for the comprehensive room, such as in order to preparing and eating meals.<\p>

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Clothing. Every household member should have an extra set of warm clothing in the emergency kit. Throw in blankets, pocket raincoats and extra socks as well.<\p>

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