Bush first-aid kit

[double_barrel]

Any thoughts on the content of a lightweight and minimal 1st aid kit to carry while flying around the African bush ? Googling the subject seems to give insanely long lists that drift off into tons of survival kit My thinking is that a messy forced landing could result in significant injuries, but although I might be some hours from help and many hours from competent medical help, the life saving interventions I might make are really limited to controlling blood loss, splinting limbs or clearing airways.

So I thought a kit might include a couple of tourniquets, a couple of splints, some conforming bandage for strapping it all up, and not much else. I don't know what I could do if presented with a smashed-up face and obstructed airway other than traditional clearing with a finger. I am certainly not convinced by kits that include antibiotics, antiseptics, 20 different kinds of bandages, 3 safety pins and the kitchen sink. Those might be good for an offshore sailor for example who is not constrained by weight/bulk of the kit and might be weeks from help, but it seems to me that a pilot could be faced with traumatic injuries, requiring immediate intervention, but is unlikely to be more than perhaps 12 hours from qualified help.


Any thoughts or additions ?

[Chuck Glider]

For medical purposes post crash/forced landing a roll of surgical tape would cover a lot of situations.
For survival purposes, a good knife.

[ThereISlifeafterQF]

Just go for a "standard" kit you think that will cover you is BY FAR the easiest way to start. If you think you need further bits for any likely scenario - if you can do that from adding those other bits....

I've done this from a maintenance / checking / speccing side of things of "Aviation" First Aid Kits over a number of years - and it is a real pain in the @rse.... Anything from Weekly - to Annual - checks on the contents is tedious, and if you are trying to source individual bits that have a shelf life - you are much better off just tamper-proofing the new kit you buy - and then buying a whole new kit when the first lot of items comes up for expiry (IF you are bothered). Unless you are required by your Reg's to have something in particular - don't go overboard....

Depending on what you want (and where you are) a decent "Medium Leisure Kit" from St John's Ambulance (here in 'Straya) is about $75 (AUD), and to have someone you are paying to "check" it periodically is going to be vastly more expensive than a complete replacement every couple of years....

Just sayin'....

[Less Hair]

How about the military kit? Might be a good balance between weight and punch?
https://www.bcbin.com/Catalogue/Products/Outdoor-Adventure/Survival-Kits-Essentials/Military-Kits/Aircrew-Survival-Go-Pack-MK4-CK420
There are others to choose from for different needs.
https://www.bcbin.com/files//fcdedc54-460c-488f-aa04-aac700e279e6/Survivor%20MKII%20LR%207.2.pdf
An EPIRB might be some good investment as well.

[NutLoose]

Fascinating link less hair, I never realised the old hex cookers gave off cyanide when burnt.

[750XL]

A foil blanket for yourself and whoever else is travelling in the aircraft

[India Four Two]

... the old hex cookers gave off cyanide when burnt.

At least they printed a warning on the back of Claymore mines:
WARNING: EXPLOSIVE IS POISONOUS IF EATEN
DO NOT BURN - PRODUCES TOXIC GASES

Of course, no mention about the main hazard of a Claymore mine, although they helpfully printed on the other side:
FRONT
TOWARD ENEMY

An essential item to add to a survival kit is a roll of duct/gaffer/gorilla tape and a Leatherman multi-tool or equivalent - don't buy cheap knock-offs.

[Auxtank]

Don't omit GOOOD Painkillers either.
After you've patched yourself up you'll need to stop yourself screaming in agony too.
Liquid Morphine will hit the worst pain and turn it in to a soft puppy so you can rest and recuperate.
Water Purification Tablets should be a part of any Bush Survival Kit. (For cleaning wounds, drinking, etc)

[Jonzarno]

Whilst I have no personal experience of them, the Doug Ritter kits (http://www.dougritter.com/) are well thought of in the US

[sycamore]

DB,over on `Aviation History/nostalgia`,our friend` India 42` has found a RCAF Survival film that should be of interest in case you find yourself in difficult circumstances...I commend you to watch it....;)

[homonculus]

There is no single answer but here are a few pointers:

1 do you want a medical kit or a survival kit???? totally different

2 if you want a medical kit a) who might be able to use it - a doctor, nurse, EMT, first aider, pilot
b) how many casualties might you have
c) how long do you need to treat between accident and rescue
d) what legislation is there to prevent certain items

Now you can start putting it together, but the basic areas are:

ABC resuscitation
Trauma management
Pain management
Burn management
Cardiac management (if in flight)
Medical management (if in flight)

and for each you have a list as follows

Equipment
disposables
drugs
storage

Many so called experts will give you advice, but caveat emptor

[double_barrel]

Thanks all. To restate, I am looking for a medical first aid kit, not survival kit, although I realise some stuff applies to both, gaffer tape and a knife being good examples. But I want a compact pure, hardcore, 1st-aid kit that will always be in my bag as opposed to bulkier stuff appropriate to each particular flight. I imagine this being used by well trained 1st aider or a medic of some kind.

I had not considered pain control -it’s a good point. (Sycamore up thread has pointed out a Canadian military film about post crash 1st aid. It has realistic simulated injuries, but completely missed the most stressful factor of everyone screaming or groaning or worse.) I’m not sure of the legality and shelf life of eg liquid morphine, I will do some local research on that.

[jolihokistix]

Which part of Africa? There are many creatures large and small that will see you as lunch.

[double_barrel]

Which part of Africa? There are many creatures large and small that will see you as lunch.

Biggest risk is helpful locals whose 1st instinct is to pick up a casualty by arms and legs and then run around in circles shouting.

I have literally seen exactly that following a road crash. When I attempted to tell them to stop, put him down and take a look, they thought I was insane.

[flyingorthopod]

I once had to use "reasonable" force to stop a first aider in the UK interfering in dangerous ways.

Ignoring the survival.kit bits, you should probably have
Painkillers, non prescription
Some simple plasters and dressings to cover the sort of minor injury you may pick up a any land away
For bigger things you can stop.bleeding and reduce pain fairly easily

Tourniquet
British type.modern first field dressing
splints of some sort

If you're in the Bush and not an expert with more equipment and drugs I wouldn't suggest airway devices as you either don't need them or the casualty won't benefit.

[flyingorthopod]

I once had to use "reasonable" force to stop a first aider in the UK interfering in dangerous ways.

Ignoring the survival.kit bits, you should probably have
Painkillers, non prescription
Some simple plasters and dressings to cover the sort of minor injury you may pick up a any land away
For bigger things you can stop.bleeding and reduce pain fairly easily

Tourniquet
British type.modern first field dressing
splints of some sort

If you're in the Bush and not an expert with more equipment and drugs I wouldn't suggest airway devices as you either don't need them or the casualty won't benefit.


I should add that a tourniquet when you are more than an hour or two from definitive care will mean an amputation and possibly death, so best used with caution. But might be the least bad option.

[rcsa]

Hey buddy.

The primary objective is to keep them breathing and stop them bleeding while you can get them to help, or help to them. A big bleed or blocked airway will kill first. The next biggest threat is shock. Keep a cellphone in a zipped inner pocket to increase the chance of being able to communicate - if there's signal where you come to earth. Be prepared to triage casualties. Do a HEST/HEFAT trauma first aid course, with a strong Remote Areas component.

My kit contains:

CAT Tourniquet (mil type for 'single handed' operation)
Pressure bandage with lever (generally known as 'Israeli' bandages - remove the 'Made in Israel' sticker if you're travelling in some areas)
Celox or Kwikclot or similar haemostatic agent.
SamSplint
The most powerful painkillers that won't get you arrested (so no morphine unless you have a friendly doc who can get it for you, then make sure you carry the prescription)
Gaffer tape (I've seen gaffer tape and superglue used to hold together traumatic injuries in the short term)
Leatherman (which you'll lose if you try to check in on a flight from any commercial airport, of course!)
Cling-film is good for covering burns
Aluminium survival blanket

Add

a compass
all-weather matches
5mt loop of paracord
water purification tabs,
emergency cell phone with good battery life and strong signal - I use a Nokia 3310 with a TravelSim SIM card
signalling mirror

and you have a decent emergency travel kit that should weigh in under a kilo. Put it in a 'grab bag' that is never out of reach.

[flyingorthopod]

Celox is better and safer than Kwikclot and I would definitely recommend it but check whether in the country you are in it is legal for you to use.

[MarcK]

Is a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) useful in Africa? Does anyone come if one is activated? New ones are small and lightweight.

[BroomstickPilot]

Hi Dubbs,
If the excellent advice already given isn't enough, may I suggest that it may be worth contacting 'Mission Aviation Fellowship' to pick their brains about what you need: I'm sure they'll help if asked nicely.
MAF is a Christian missionary bush pilot service providing services to the poor of the Earth in all sorts of rough and inhospitable places. They operate a large fleet of small aeroplanes in developing countries and probably have exactly the sort of experience you need to access. My guess is that they are probably already flying in the area you wish to operate in and will be able to give good advice. Their web-address is https://www.maf-uk.org › contact-us (https://www.maf-uk.org/contact-us)
Good luck.
BP.

[Mark 1]

This (https://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/medical-kits/travel/world-travel.html) is what I have for all my back-country flying and hiking.

They have very good and well thought out kits. So far unused and I hope it stays that way.

[double_barrel]

Thanks again all. Some very useful input here. I am pulling together some stuff. I hadn’t appreciated the usefulness of Celox, I will try to get hold of some together with some painkillers. Also cling film for burns or general reassembly looks like a worthwhile addition.

I discussed this issue recently with a skipper who is very well trained in trauma response, he made 2 interesting points;

1. He says never use a tourniquet, a good pressure dressing can achieve the same without the damage. Interesting. I think I will still include a couple of CATs for extreme circumstances, but Israeli bandages for preference.

2. He carries injectable Valium for managing a patient in extreme distress. Probably not an option for me, but underlines the importance of managing pain.

Broomstick. I know MAF, I used to know an ex BA 747 pilot who flew for them. But I have also made contact with flying doctors in Nairobi who offer a trauma response course which seems to be aimed at people like me, I will sign up for that.

happy new year all, may all your 1st aid kits remain unused!

[flyingorthopod]

Thanks again all. Some very useful input here. I am pulling together some stuff. I hadn’t appreciated the usefulness of Celox, I will try to get hold of some together with some painkillers. Also cling film for burns or general reassembly looks like a worthwhile addition.

I discussed this issue recently with a skipper who is very well trained in trauma response, he made 2 interesting points;

1. He says never use a tourniquet, a good pressure dressing can achieve the same without the damage. Interesting. I think I will still include a couple of CATs for extreme circumstances, but Israeli bandages for preference.

2. He carries injectable Valium for managing a patient in extreme distress. Probably not an option for me, but underlines the importance of managing pain.

Broomstick. I know MAF, I used to know an ex BA 747 pilot who flew for them. But I have also made contact with flying doctors in Nairobi who offer a trauma response course which seems to be aimed at people like me, I will sign up for that.

happy new year all, may all your 1st aid kits remain unused!



Happy new year to you too
A tourniquet will stop bleeding a pressure dressing won't, but should only be used if you really need it. Put a pressure dressing on the wound too. If applying some time from help you can try loosening the tourniquet after a few minutes and seeing if bleeding starts again. Celox under a pressure dressing is wonderful stuff.

A course as suggested above is excellent advice.

[RatherBeFlying]

In my various stints as a mountain hut custodian, I check through supplies and equipment. I was once surprised to come across an obstetrics kit, but it has all sorts of handy stuff and dressings that are not found in your average roadside kit.

But really, the most important thing is to take a course. You can always improvise from materials at hand.

These days, a PLB will generally get you help within 24 hours. ELTs seem to have a 30% success rate.

[Big Pistons Forever]

A guy I knew was doing a lot of hard core bush flying. He carried 2 kits, a full one for the aircraft and small kit of the basics he wore in a vest. with pockets including a pocket for his PLB, that way of the aircraft was lost ( ie burn't out or sunk) he would have something.

Maybe a bit over the top but for many years I kept a little tin survival kit in my flight bag which lived on the floor beside my seat.

[Radgirl]

Some good advice but also some worrying comments - injecting valium is potentially lethal for example

Perhaps start with a course on first aid. That will teach you WHAT to do. Then you can buy the items you need to do what you have learned

If you have not been taught how to use a drug or a disposable, you really should not have it

[double_barrel]

Some good advice but also some worrying comments - injecting valium is potentially lethal for example

Perhaps start with a course on first aid. That will teach you WHAT to do. Then you can buy the items you need to do what you have learned

If you have not been taught how to use a drug or a disposable, you really should not have it

Fair points. However, I have done a bunch of traditional 1st aid courses, which all assume a shiny ambulance/helicopter/lifeboat will be on scene in under an hour. Also a ship’s captain’s medical course which put a lot of emphasis on managing long term stuff - anything from childbirth to the clap, and which also assumes you will have the book to consult. But I realise that bush flying exposes you to a very different set of risks, so I’m working on closing that gap with reasonable but not excessive preparation.

Indeed injectable Valium must be used with great care, and I was not proposing to carry it. But i think it’s telling that some people, who are trained in its use, consider it important. When I started this thread, I had not really thought about managing someone in extreme pain or distress; very sensibility that aspect is considered best left to the professionals in the 1st world. I will seek local advice on that.

if you have not been taught how to use a drug or a disposable, you really should not have it

A bit 1st world😀. When there’s no prospect of trained professionals turning up, sometimes you have to improvise! Knowing the basics principles is essential, after that you do what you can. I well remember helping someone rescue a family trapped and bleeding in a wrecked car by judicious use of a high lift jack, two land rovers and a tow rope to rip the car open like a sardine can. That would have been considered insanely irresponsible in some parts of the world, here it certainly saved lives.

[rcsa]

, and which also assumes you will have the book to consult.


You (everyone) could do a lot worse than download the Oxford Handbook of Emergency Medicine Fourth Edition(OHEM4) to your phone. It's comprehensive, searchable, and easy to use.

[double_barrel]

This apparently happened today https://citizentv.co.ke/news/photos-plane-crashes-at-mashuru-area-in-kajiado-312226/

and is exactly the sort of scenario I had in mind when thinking of post crash 1st aid, and that's a better outcome than many. That field must have looked like a perfect spot to touch down from altitude, but close up the scattered rocks and holes make it very likely that something will get broken with even the best forced landing.

Looks like a good outcome given the circumstances.


(Helicopter on-scene in an hour is remarkable, must have been the power of the company to mobilise it fast - certainly not an 'official' response)