first aid kit advice.

[Catt99]

Originally Posted by trekkindave

Lastly, one of the other best things that you can do for youself if you have a medical condition is to get some sort of water proof, indestructable identification bracelet or necklace that you can bring with you and actually WEAR while diving should something happen to you and you need assistance and are unable to provide information.

That nails a worry I have -- I worry about not being able to convey information about myself in an emergency. I decided that attaching a few custom cards to a new BC was a simple and prudent safety measure after reading about other safety concepts here and at other forums. I felt copying and laminating my DAN card made sense so it could speak for me if I couldn't speak for myself. Similarly, I felt info about possible medical conditions were worth mentioning, as was emergency contact info, and my own contact info (in case my gear is lost for some reason) made sense. That still left one side of a card available and I decided to go with a simple rock bottom gas chart for tanks I am most likely to encounter locally or when vacation diving either for me or possible buddies. I spent about an hour on the computer to gin these up and then about $3 at Kinko's having them laminated. Have no idea about likely life when exposed to saltwater regularly, but given the investment I don't care. I haven't even dived yet with these, but it seemed like an easy project that could add some value without adding distraction / bulk / problems. But I'll reserve judgment until I've dived with it a half dozen or so times.

[Flatliner]

Originally Posted by MSilvia

Good to know, thanks!

While it is a good idea to dry the patient and the area if possible, the danger is to the patient not the bystanders. AEDs use a biphasic wave and the good ones use a lot less energy than you see on TV.

Philips actually makes a home version that you can buy over the counter for around a grand. If you are on a boat even 20 or 30 min from EMS it makes the difference between Dead or Nursing Home and recovery if you need it! I've spent a lot more on my other gear so if I ever start running my own boat trips, I WILL have one.

[tonka97]

Originally Posted by Flatliner

Philips actually makes a home version that you can buy over the counter for around a grand. If you are on a boat even 20 or 30 min from EMS it makes the difference between Dead or Nursing Home and recovery if you need it! I've spent a lot more on my other gear so if I ever start running my own boat trips, I WILL have one.

I purchased the Philips model 3 years ago and am very happy with its quality and for the fact that I have not had to use it! The intermittent flashing green light is assurance that the battery is ready and capable. It is amazing to me that more people don't have one. When in my car, I keep my AED in an ice chest under a blanket, along with oxygen, and other first aide items.

It took 1 time watching a co-worker die awaiting belatedly appearing EMTs to motivate me to cough up $1200.00 to purchase an AED. I never want to be in that position again.

It should only take the THOUGHT, and not the death of others, for readers to make this worthy and intelligent purchase.

[tonka97]

Originally Posted by Catt99

That nails a worry I have -- I worry about not being able to convey information about myself in an emergency. I decided that attaching a few custom cards to a new BC was a simple and prudent safety measure after reading about other safety concepts here and at other forums. I felt copying and laminating my DAN card made sense so it could speak for me if I couldn't speak for myself. Similarly, I felt info about possible medical conditions were worth mentioning, as was emergency contact info, and my own contact info (in case my gear is lost for some reason) made sense. That still left one side of a card available and I decided to go with a simple rock bottom gas chart for tanks I am most likely to encounter locally or when vacation diving either for me or possible buddies. I spent about an hour on the computer to gin these up and then about $3 at Kinko's having them laminated. Have no idea about likely life when exposed to saltwater regularly, but given the investment I don't care. I haven't even dived yet with these, but it seemed like an easy project that could add some value without adding distraction / bulk / problems. But I'll reserve judgment until I've dived with it a half dozen or so times.

Great post; I plan to follow your lead today!

[Bowlofpetunias]

Fantastic post! I worked as a paramedic and Unit Chief in Canada. Currently a Full time first aid trainer in OZ... I teach everything from basic to Advanced Life support Defib etc.

I have an AED and oxygen delivery system, BP cuff and a few other bells and whistles on top of what has been listed.

I don't want to repeat here but current Defibs are much more water tolerant. Chest needs to be dry not just for pad adherence but so non of the charge travels from pad to pad on the surface (according to Manufacturer's info) When shock is delivered just make sure you are not kneeling but up on the balls of your feet. There have been cases of defib use on boats and inflatables but best have engine off due to vibration effecting reading. Doesn't take much to shave the area if they are really hairy.. pads cost a heap and I'd rather buy disposable razors than replace $90 electrodes or waste time.

I would add to the list not just the nitrile gloves but also chemical heat packs for hypothermia.

If you are going to be a bit remote from help steri-strips are good and Opsite is a godsend. A good clean with Normal saline and opsite over a coral cut saved a dive trip for me once. Sam splints are a standard in my kit if you can get them. Set-0-press bandage is a great thing here with the nasty venomous things.

For someone who is trained but doesn't want or can't carry oxygen I suggest a soft bag resuscitator (bag valve mask). It gets your mouth off theirs (infection control and avoid recycling lunch). You can deliver 21% (atmospheric oxygen) which is better than approx 16% with mouth to mouth or mouth to mask. Great thing is it doesn't require that pressurized cylinder the airlines get worked up about and you never run out of air. Disposable ones are now available at reasonable prices.

What you put in you kit are tools that are of no use if you don't have the knowledge or training and confidence to use them. Keeping training current is vital to your skills (and my employment)

Great to see people thinking about having the resources. What you have in your kit should depend on where you are and how long help is likely to take getting there. That brings me to the final point... have a way to contact help.... if you can't call for help or no one knows where and when to look for you.. it is game over no matter what you do.

[MSilvia]

One nice thing about having an advanced nitrox/deco certification is that you might very well have an 02 bottle on hand for use as a shallow water deco accelerator. Since these dives are arguably the ones with the highest risk of DCS, it's nice that they also tend to be the dives with greatest supply of demand valve oxygen available.

[hooligan]

Police Equipment - Public Safety Equipment - Police Uniforms : Galls has some good kits. You can get yourself an oxygen kit with trauma supplies for like $350. I'm not sure if they regulate the sale of those or not.

[matt151617]

Originally Posted by hooligan

Police Equipment - Public Safety Equipment - Police Uniforms : Galls has some good kits. You can get yourself an oxygen kit with trauma supplies for like $350. I'm not sure if they regulate the sale of those or not.

No anyone can buy them. You can go cheaper though than Galls.

First Aid Kits and First Aid Supplies from Emergency Medical Products Inc.

Great site, and if you spend over $100, you get free shipping. Any order under $100 has a $7.50 handling fee.

[reactive]

add matches and maybe a flare or some kind of signaling device if it hasn't already been mentioned.