Survival Scenario... What would you do?

[teamnelson]

Can you explain a bit more in depth about your Combat Life Saver first aid kit?

"Devil Doc" might stand for an FMF Corpsman at one point? I'm a prior Marine SSgt, current Navy Chaplain recently assigned to 2/3 Marines for a couple trips downrange. A Combat Life Saver is a non Corpsman type trained up to serve in the Corpsman role (very limited, think fresh out of a school) when there isn't a Corpsman around. Since I went on a lot of foot patrols with my Marines, I got trained up, learned all I could from our actual Devil Docs, and bunked with our Battalion Surgeons at the forward BAS quite frequently. My first aid kit is a mini-trauma bag, designed to keep a couple people alive, but not pretty - all of it used in combat once and proven. The story most tellable outside of "family" involves a Marine who took shrapnel in the small of his back and butt from an IED that found a gap in the turret. We got him back to a FOB, I wound up holding his IV bag in one hand, applying direct pressure to his upper buttock, walking behind him out to the LZ, praying and laughing with him all the way - "Chaps is grabbing my  ..." well you get the picture.

- The issue tourniquets have saved so many lives - if they'd had 'em in Vietnam, we'd have had a lot more come home alive. I have 3; 2 in the kit proper, and usually one attached to the outside of my pack. We train to check the body thorough, and have the tourniquet on in under 30 secs.
- Compression bandages, various sizes. Couple of tampons; holds alot of blood, and fits in a puncture wound.
- EMT Shears.
- Suture Kit; two needles, some standard gauge suture. Some latex gloves.
- Leukostrips; good for 1/4" or less deep cuts. Duct tape is good too.
- Quickclot, not my favorite option, but if its a bad bleed ...
- Use plastic wrappers for sucking wounds.
- Pneumothorax needle. (Need a new one, last one got used on the last tour by one of the docs - glad I had it)
- Motrin, Cipro, Mobic, bandages and neosporin for the small stuff.

Splints, bandages, etc can all be made boyscout style from gear or sticks. Its the serious bleeders and punctures that the gear is really for.

[LabRat2k3]

TN, I know you are very knowagable about all this, and I enjoy reading your thoughts on survival, but may I suggest that you swap out your latex gloves for some synthetic ones. Many people have latex allergies and can have a severe or even fatal reaction to it. You may already know this and are just using latex gloves as a generic term if so "carry on". 

[TX Devil Doc]

Ron17T, schoolmaster- good assessment well thought out and concise.
LabRat2k3 - I'm glad you reminded me about the latex issue! I'll need to swap these out.
TeamNelson - First, thank you for your service to our great country. We have not forgotten you and appreciate what you are doing for us and the sacrifices you have made... in spite of what the press may say.

Yes, I was an FMF Corpsman for 12 years; 2nd Marines, HQ Bn on Active  Duty and in MAG 41, Med Bn while in the Reserves. Due to my training, I was usually "on loan" to different units. An excellent opportunity to experience many, many things.  I learned a lot while in and continue to do so since separating. The most important thing I have learned is I don't know as much as I thought I knew. Physical conditions and situations dictate which solutions work best. A concept difficult to understand until put to the test. One reason why I continue to push myself to learn more.

I never underestimated training the men around me. I made it  a requirement when in the field and in garrison. I made small kits for the men to keep in their left cargo pocket so I could use that first. It was easy to find and access. Plus, it allowed us to have more medical supplies by evenly distributing smaller amounts. I felt it was a step up from the issued first aid kit they all carried. Additionally, there was no reason why they couldn't learn and use what I had learned. Heck, they made me strip and clean M16's!! I try to do this with people I hunt/fish/hike with when possible. Unfortunately, not many find it necessary and that has caused me to better choose hunting/fishing/hiking partners.

I enjoy this as I always pick up a few great ideas; tampons for puncture wounds... unique, but an excellent idea.

[RON17T]

After thinking about it today two things I plan on adding to my first aid kit is some stick to itself bandaging like they use at vet clinics and some Benadryl in case of allergic reaction to stings. I don't think I'm over my weight limit in my pack so number 12 in my kit would be a bottle of water. At least with the 2 granola bars in my food kit and a bottle of water I would have some food and drink to start out with until I could locate more.
Tx Devil Doc this was a fun post,it gets ya thinking about stuff you should have with you.

[teamnelson]

TN, I know you are very knowagable about all this, and I enjoy reading your thoughts on survival, but may I suggest that you swap out your latex gloves for some synthetic ones. Many people have latex allergies and can have a severe or even fatal reaction to it. You may already know this and are just using latex gloves as a generic term if so "carry on". 

Greatcatch! Yeah, I use the non. Latex now. Thanks!

[teamnelson]

TxDevilDoc, thank YOU for your service. I lost a lot of my boys but I woulda lost ten times more without our Docs. If you ever need stories of what great heroes y'all are, I've got a bunch.

And great thread, btw.

Full disclosure, I just upped my BOB from a Level 3 Molle (1500) to a 5.11 Rush 24. Couldn't be happier - bigger than your requirements, but a much smarter layout.

[TX Devil Doc]

See, learning CAN be fun!  
The tape you are refering to is called "VetWrap", made by 3M. There are generics. Its also sold to the two-legged species market; Coban. An excellent addition to any first aid kit. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a good addition to any kit as well. If you are prone to anaphylaxis (allergic reactions), perhaps you should ask your doctor about a Rx for a kit; injectible diphenhydramine and epinephrine.

Since you are in an area that should have plenty of H2O, why not substitute the water bottle for water purification tablets, a metal cup/canteen, signal mirror with lanyard, 55 gal. 3 mil, orange plastic bag, etc? H2O is heavy.

Let me get on my soap box.... everyone who is a hunter/fisherman/hiker/biker or whatever outdoor activity you choose, I recommned strongly urge you to take a Red Cross First Aid and CPR class. If not that, find your local Fire Station and take lunch to a Paramedic and ask for some advice. Who knows, you could make a friend. Consider being the First Responder. YOU could be the difference between life and death while waiting for professional help. Myself, I think it should be a requirement for getting a drivers license. Okay, I'm over it....

BTW, how many of you carry a first responder kit in your vehicle?

This has been an easy scenario... any opinions on continuing this one, starting another, enough is enough???

[TX Devil Doc]

TN,

On behalf of all Corpsman, thank you for recognizing our contribution.
Perhaps we could have a beer some day and swap stories.
Got pix of the BOB?

[coss]

I would simply take my ultralight hiking pack and its contents.  I make a lot of my own gear, but you can buy similar items.

Pack:  1050 cu in silnylon 4.4 oz
1.  foam pad 15x30 inches 4.0 oz
2.  down quilt/sleeping bag, good down to 30F 17 oz
3.  silnylon tarp 10.7 oz
4.  8 aluminum gutter nails, cut to 6" and sharpened 4.4 oz
5.  plastic ground cloth 3 oz
6.  aluminum pot 2.3 oz
7.  platypus 2.4 liter water carrier 1.3 oz
8.  propore O2 rain jacket 5.5 oz
9.  fleece hat 1.2 oz
10. EMS down sweater 11.1 oz
11. Utility bag containing first aid, bic lighter, matches, birthday candles, DEET, small Swiss army knife, Campmor whistle/compass/LED light/thermometer, iodine tablets, soap, toilet paper, 12  oz.
TOTAL:  76.9 oz (4 lb 12.9 oz)
12.  I have 5 lbs left over for food.

OK, I cheated by putting so many things into the utility bag instead of listing them separately.  Also, I went over the limit on total number of items.  However, I have spent many nights in the the woods of the White Mountains and the Adirondacks with the gear on this list, and I know I can survive for many days with it.

Please note what is missing:
1.  Gun.  I have never needed one for self defense in the woods, and it is difficult to subsistence hunt while injured.  I know I'm an outlier in this sentiment on a website populated by gunowners, and I own a good number myself.  I would take one if i were allowed to carry more items, but I would choose the sleeping bag ahead of the gun if it came down to leaving one at home.
2.  Fire as a substitute for a sleeping bag.  This situation requires a fire for signaling to rescuers after they locate the downed plane courtesy of its ELT beacon.  If the ELT was destroyed in the fire, and I am injured, I could not gather enough wood to keep a fire going 24/7 and I will die of hypothermia without the sleeping bag.  I have a lot of experience with the process of gathering wood, and it requires tremendous physical stamina, not to mention daylight because you can't see well enough to gather wood after dark.  Fires burn an enormous amount of fuel.  Every outdoorsman should spend a day gathering wood for a campfire, keep it running for 24 hours in a cold rain, and then make the choice between a sleeping bag and a fire for your primary survival heat source.  The sleeping bag wins every time.

In truth, all small planes have ELTs which will activate at impact, and will send out a signal for long enough (before it gets destroyed by fire) for the nearest Russian spy satellite to hear it, identify your location, and then the Russians will notify the US or Canadians of the site.  They do this with many plane crashes.  Help will arrive within a day or three, and you need to be able to hold out that long but not much longer.  I would not get into a small plane if it did not have an ELT.  Give me that sleeping bag.

[zeke08]

When traveling like that I always wear goretex hikers w/wool socks, Utilities, patagonia silk weight thermals and some type of watch cap and goretex jacket.
In my pack I try to make EVERYTHING a kit to condense
1. 8x10 tarp w/50' para cord on inside
2.1st aide kit (self adhesive gauze, quick clot, compression bandages, tampons, surplus surgical kit, Motrin, Imodium, Benadryl, alcohol wipes, Deet, tourniquet, ace bandage, epi pen, 10' duct tape, pad of paper and sharpie)
3. nalgene water bottle (kit) water purification tabs, 50' para cord, signal mirror, 3 Ziploc sandwich bags, 2 water proof match containers 1 with Vaseline covered cotton balls 2nd with windproof matches
4.cold steele kukri machette
5. leatherman
6.Sleep kit - 1 down sleeping bag rated for 0, inside the bag a wool blanket an 5 mil plastic twice size of bag
7.fire kit - mag fire starter, tool logic fire starter, more Vaseline cotton balls, wrapped in 25' of para cord in ziploc bag
8.mess kit surplus has utensils with fast food salt n pepper packs sanitary wipes metal cup
9.Food
10. compass
11. extra wool socks fleece gloves vacuum sealed to conserve space

I have started taking protein shake workout powder mixes light weight high in good carbs and protein for meals 2 scoops in 8-10oz's per "meal" works well for me