Trauma Kit Supplies for Preppers

Having a good first aid kit is critical to becoming prepared, but for some injuries a 2 x 2 gauze pad and some antiseptic are not going to cut it. Although we hope we never need it, having an individual trauma kit, or a larger trauma kit (and knowing how to use it) might literally become a life saver.

Depending on our situation as preppers and civilians, I don’t see most of us having to handle mass casualty’s, I think the Most Likely Situations could be on a smaller scale. However, something large scale is not out of the realm of possibility.

We are most likely to use our trauma kits for treating gunshot wounds or knife wounds because we needed to defend our home or ourselves.

It’s not always about a SHTF situation either. Natural disasters can cause extreme physical damage if we find ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Burns, breaks and lacerations need to be considered as well.

You might find that a trauma kit is even useful today. Accidents happen all the time around the home, or you might be the first on the scene of an automobile accident. If you have a trauma kit (and know how to use it) you can help until professional help is available.

IMPORTANT: I’ve said “Know what you are doing” a couple of times now, this is because even if we have the best intentions, we can do more harm than good.

Leave it to the professionals if at all possible. The purpose of a trauma kit is to help until real help arrives. EMT’s, medical professionals and military personnel have been trained for this, just because we have watched a few videos doesn’t make us qualified.

With that being said, in situations where there is no help coming, we need to have a trauma kit ready. It could be an individual trauma kit for hiking or putting in the car, or a larger trauma kit for the family.

SPp152 Trauma Kit Supplies for Preppers

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Buying Medical Supplies Online

It can be a little tricky when you buy these supplies online because some people are trying to unload expired, or close to expired products.

If you are looking for something to test out, you can get a good deal of first aid supplies this way, but if you are looking for something to put in your trauma kit, make sure it states the expiration date.

Example: I used eBay links in this article, when I searched for Quick Clot I searched for “Quick Clot 2020” to refine the results.

Preppers Trauma Kit Contents

Here are a few of the supplies you want in a trauma kit that we talked about in the show. This is not a complete list, but it is the main components of a trauma kit.

Bolin or Halo Chest Seal

For a chest wound caused by a gun shot or stab wound you will need either a Bolin chest seal or a Halo chest seal in your trauma kit.

A Bolin chest seal has one way valves that allow air and liquid to escape, but not enter the wound. A Halo chest seal has a tab you pull to burp the wound and also comes with 2 seals for entry and exit wounds.

Israeli Battle Dressing

An Israeli bandage is basically a compression dressing on steroids, it has multiple uses, and is much more convenient as long as you know how to use it. This video shows you how it works.

Olaes Modular Bandage

These Olaes Bandages are a little like the Israeli battle dressing with a few differences. It’s not necessary to have both in your trauma kit, but if you have the room, why not?

Tourniquet (CAT or Other)

A tourniquet is pretty self-explanatory, and even a belt will work in a pinch. The CAT tourniquet is nice because it can be used one handed.

https://youtu.be/XQmhMM6p6G4

SAM Splints

These are used to immobilize an injury. Sam Splints are great if someone breaks an arm or leg immobilizing it will not only relieve some of the pain, but reduce the risk of further injury.

Compressed Gauze Roll(s)

Compressed gauze has quite a few uses from packing a wound to using it as a bandage. Kerlix gauze is a little more expensive, but is more absorbent and larger.

If you are just packing a wound though, there is no reason to use the expensive stuff, have a little of each…or a lot.

Quick Clot vs Celox

In the show we talked about how Quick Clot gauze and Celox gauze are only to be used If a tourniquet is not viable or can no longer be used, or the blood loos can’t be controlled. There is much debate about which is better, but to me Celox seems a little safer.

Nasopharyngeal Airway

This is a tube that you stick down the nose (naso) and into the throat (pharengeal)

A Nasopharyngeal airway is used to keep an airway open, used by emt’s, paramedics, and trained medical professionals. There are certain instances when you would not insert a tube into the nose, which is why you really should get the training to do it before attempting it.

CPR Mask

There are a few different models of CPR masks available, but the uses are basically the same. A CPR mask is used to keep you safe, and less apprehensive about sucking face (for lack of a better term) with someone who is in critical condition.

The image above is the higher quality CPR mask, while the video shows the lower cost alternative.

Suture Kit

Closing a wound with stitches is one of those procedures that you need to know what you are doing, and know when it is necessary. This is something that should be left to the professionals whenever possible, but we are planning for an event where that isn’t an option right?

EMT Shears

You could probably use any pair of scissors, or even a knife to remove restrictive clothing or remove bandages, but EMT shears have a tongue (or flat spot) at the end to prevent you from cutting the patient.

Steri Strips

As I said in the podcast, Steri Strips are the poormans stitches, if Steri Strips can be used, they should be used. These allow “stuff” to escape the wound, and can be replaced easily when necessary.

Assorted Band-Aids

You might not need the smaller “Boo Boo” Band-Aids in your trauma kit, but then again you might. These take up so little room that it’s better to be safe than sorry. You will also want some larger Band-Aids because sometimes the patient might have multiple smaller wounds.

Nitrile Gloves

We have said this a few times before, but nitrile gloves are much better than latex gloves no questions asked. There are some people who are allergic to Latex products, so why take the risk when the quality is the same.

Betadine vs alcohol vs Iodine Swabs

Betadine and iodine are similar, chlorhexidine swabs work really well, and have antibacterial properties that will continue to offer protection for up to 72 hours after it has been applied.

There is less risk of allergic reaction to chlorhexidine than to betadine or iodine. It is also interesting to note, people who have an allergy to iodine tend to be at a higher risk to having an allergic reaction to Xeroform gauze, so keep that in mind in your first aid kit.

Hand sanitizer

I cannot stress this enough, any time you are working on a person, you need to stay as clean as possible, especially if there is a break in the skin, otherwise you WILL introduce bacteria into the body. Before doing any type of treatment, always always always wash your hands, and use hand sanitizer.

Anything that has to go onto an open area must be sterile, to prevent infection, which is secondary to the original injury, but is more likely to cause damage, even death to the patient.

Personalizing Your Trauma Kit

These are just the major components of a preppers trauma kit, but there are many more items you can (and should) add to your kit like, eye wash, an ice pack, ammonia inhalants etc.

Here is huge list of trauma kit supplies and discussion from the American Preppers Network Forums.