UKC

What are your opinions on LifeSystems first aid kits? I am thinking of getting either the compact, mountain or mountain leader first aid kits. As my current first aid kit (the pocket model) is a bit small and under equiped.

Compact kit:
http://www.cotswold-outdoor.com/servlets/com.enetsoftware.esparto.catalogue...

Mountain Kit:
http://www.cotswold-outdoor.com/servlets/com.enetsoftware.esparto.catalogue...

Mountain Leader Kit:
http://www.cotswold-outdoor.com/servlets/com.enetsoftware.esparto.catalogue...

Daniel

In reply to Daniel:
Have got a Mountain kit, which I initially bought for my ML & SPA work. Fine & dandy. I've tweaked the contents slightly (added a pencil & replaced all the tape & plasters - only because I'm allergic to sticking plaster). Neat & compact - almost as good as a Gregson (which I haven't seen for many moons).

As the advert says - does exactly what it says on the tin. Buy one - unless you can still get Gregsons. The only difference was a Gregson was flouro yellow with lots of fold out waterproof pockets. If you have ever had to use a kit in bad weather you quickly realise the benefits of having everything visible whilst still being in the dry.

In reply to Daniel:
Gregsons are still available (but very pricey)

http://www.adventurekit.co.uk/acatalog/Adventurekit_Medical_Kit_54.html

In reply to Daniel:

Firstly, what are you missing from your current kit and why do you need more? These kits seem to be little more than a collection of bandages and some antiseptic. If that's what you need could you not just buy some more bandages in stick them in your existing bag? They don't even have moleskins or compeeds, which should be a very basic part of a kit.

My take on these kits is to get the one with the best *container* as you will probably end up replacing most of the contents over time anyway, either through useage or expiry of medicines. Make sure everything inside is easy to see and easy to access- IMO a bag like this (which I have) is very convenient to use though overly comprehensive for UK conditions: http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=1095&...

My flatmate has an old lifesystems bag that doesn't have a zipper on one of it's compartments. As a result, if opened incorrectly it sprays plasters everywhere.

In reply to jam: My Current kit bag is too small to fit anything else in it, as its about the size of a double cassette. So I was thinking of upgrading to a bigger case and buying a case and bandages as a prepackaged unit seems to be cheaper than buying the bandages individually from boots (which is what I was going to do initially)..

Daniel

In reply to Daniel: Agree entirely with Jam, I use a small Ortlieb First Aid Kit dry bag and filled it myself.

In reply to Daniel: £25 gets you the bag with contents that you can tweak!!

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/product_list.asp?CategoryName=First%20Aid%20Kits

In reply to Daniel:

Yeah, I think you save money buying a kit. Just make sure the bag is good as it'll outlast the contentds. I'm not too impressed with Lifesystems products in general- IMO their gear tends to be aimed at the first-time 'traveller' market rather than for serious outdoor usage. The lack of blister treatment seems to confirm this for the medical kits.

In reply to jam: Blister treatment is one of the things I want to add to a kit. The bags seem robust enough but I will check out the ortlib kits as a waterproof kit could be handy...

Daniel

In reply to Daniel:

Waterproof is not handy, it is essential to ensure your dressings stay sterile. A wet shell dressing is useless as are wet plasters, they do not stick.

Do a search for threads on this subject before as there was a lot of good advice in one in particular.

In reply to Daniel: Good thread, I also need to get a better first aid kit for ML stuff. Non of the commercial ones seem to have such things as butterfly strips and compeed in them, so if the advice is to put your own together, who does the best waterproof organiser bag? I once saw a home made one, which was of a roll design with pockets made of old net curtain so that you could see the contents.

In reply to jason s: I sppose a basic small dry bag or water proof container would do. I know most water sports stores should have good water proof containers...

Daniel

In reply to Daniel:
I got the Lifesystems Mountain one in the Blacks sale for almost half price. It does have steri-strips on and some decent scissors. Plus there is space to add your own stuff. I added Compeed (lots) and extra non-stick dressings. It certainly passed muster with the ML assessor, whose first comment was - 'What have you added?' (wanting 2 hear about Compeed)

In a separate ziplock bag I carry a Tubigrip and a ready-knotted-in-a-sling extra triangular bandage. If your hands are cold or if you have one knackered hand you won't be able to tie it easily, and if you need to splint someone's legs together you'll need two, not the one you normally get supplied with.

HTH

In reply to Daniel:

My wife uses lots of crepe bandages which are often thrown away but if are not soiled I wash them for further use along with lengths of tubifast. If anyone wants some email me, I probably get at least one a week washed and re rolled. Seems a shame to throw them.

In reply to Crispy haddock: Sorry for my ignorance but what is Compeed? And whats it used for?

daniel

In reply to Daniel:

It's for preventing blisters. Fancy moleskin basically.

In reply to Daniel:

If making your own kit (as I have) SP Services stock virtually everything you might think of, and many that you wouldn't

http://www.spservices.co.uk

In reply to DNS: Cheers for that looking into to it now.

Daniel

In reply to Daniel: Needlesports seem to do a good ortlieb one, like the others you still have to get alot of your own bits.

In reply to Daniel: Compeed is a sort of second skin, a colloid compound which will actually absorb excess gunk oozing out of your skin. Yes, it can prevent blisters if applied as soon as you get a hot-spot, but it will also treat broken skin. It must be left on till it falls off by itself. It isn't simply a cushion.