I started writing this in response to BennyMG1’s post “Would like input from as many as possible.”
http://seprepnet.com/forum/index.php/topic,3151.0.html about trauma kits. Then I realized that my post might detract from what he is trying to accomplish. My focus is more in line with what may be needed to care for a trauma injury over the long-term recovery process.
I believe that most folks (at least those that have posted) on this forum probably already have what they consider a decent set of medical gear. Where I see the issue is what type of gear and the amount of follow-on supplies that may be needed. While the initial treatment for various trauma injuries may be similar, the equipment used can vary depending upon the injury, presentation, and/or responder. In a normal setting, given adequate training, first aid and its assorted gear may be all that is required. Even so, this is usually just short term care until the patient is delivered to a hospital for advanced procedures, possibly surgery, and long-term care.
My concern as a prepper (besides the needed training) is having adequate medical gear and supplies on hand if I will have to provide long-term care for a major injury without the availability of a doctor or hospital. In this case there will be a need for a LOT of supplies as bandages will have to be applied and changed regularly during the healing process. Then there is the ongoing need for short shelf-life expendables such as pain medications, intravenous & irrigation fluids, antibiotics, and salves for wound management that may no longer be immediately available.
While a trauma bag is still considered a form of “first aid kit”, most modern trauma kits (compared to an IFAK) have a lot more supplies, specialty equipment, and often fluids and drugs in them for treating major injury/trauma in the field. Even with this expanded capability there are not enough supplies in the bag to provide for long term care for an injury throughout the recovery. As a prepper with basic medical skills I feel it prudent to stock up on additional supplies to ensure that I am able to provide adequate care throughout the recovery process.
Obviously the more injured people that you plan to prep for, the length of recovery, and the kind of injury will have an impact upon the type and quantity of supplies you may choose to stock. This post is written to provoke some discussion on the type and amount of supplies needed for the long term medical care of a trauma patient when physician and hospital admission is not possible. Please share your thoughts and ideas.