Does anyone else have a "personal" aid bag other than the issued bag? If so what is in it?

2015-11-12T20:53:26-05:00

I have been out of the military for almost 20 years, during my time in the National Guard I carried a "personal" aid bag which was a cheap little bag with civilian camo that I carried over the counter medicines in that I was not "allowed" to carry in my issued aid bag, along with the minimum required items for a medical support mission for range details. Post military I have owned 2 or 3 military surplus aid bags, my current bag is mostly over the counter meds, basic first aid items and a few cravats and field dressings I found for sale online. My bag is strictly for personal use for family & friends as I left the military prior to NREMT being an option, much less a requirement. What's in your bag & why?

Response by SPC Lisa Rudikoff made Nov 12 at 2015 8:58 PM

2015-11-12T20:58:26-05:00

I usually keep the most critical, having been a civilian medic for almost 20 years (NREMT-P turned NRP recently before I let my cert go) and I figure it by proximity to EMS. I usually keep

Response by SPC Lisa Rudikoff made Nov 12 at 2015 8:59 PM

2015-11-12T20:59:57-05:00

Epinephrine, Benadryl, ziploc bags (sucking chest wounds), fentanyl, Advil, ASA, a few Vicodin, and wound bandaging elements with things like Sam splints and my own BSI. All depends on where I'm going and what we are doing.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 9:00 PM

2015-11-12T21:00:20-05:00

I carry one in my POV at all times. Got the usual bandages, dressings, splints, tournies, etc.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 9:05 PM

2015-11-12T21:05:23-05:00

I have my aid bag that stays stocked in my vehicle. I only keep in it what I know I can do.

You gotta also think of the legality of it all. Yes i have the capability to drop crics, chest tubes, intimate, initiate IV access, etc etc... On the civilian world what can I legally do? Provide O2 and transport.

Response by SGT Hansen Paskell made Nov 12 at 2015 9:08 PM

2015-11-12T21:08:46-05:00

There was a time when I got to my first unit that we didn't have aid bags or standing supply. I bought and stocked a personal bag. Once we had deployment funds released to us we all got full kits. Since I moved to the BAS we haven't had as much of an issue getting and maintaining a standing supply for the BAS and subordinate aid sections at the line units. We also developed an SOP for the Line Seniors to request resupply.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 9:09 PM

2015-11-12T21:09:45-05:00

I got a couple Vietnam era CLS bags at an old aid station overseas that I got stocked with basic first aid, bleeding control, splinting, etc. Have them in my wife's as well as my vehicle at all times. Never know when you may need them!

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Nov 12 at 2015 9:22 PM

2015-11-12T21:22:09-05:00

Basic stuff, because thats all you need... Ace wrap, gauze, krevats, splinting tools... About it

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 9:37 PM

2015-11-12T21:37:00-05:00

My aid bag consisted of any supplies that was procured from the conex.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 10:34 PM

2015-11-12T22:34:54-05:00

CATS, gauze, pocket face mask, splinting, etc

Response by SSG Paul Forel made Nov 12 at 2015 11:22 PM

2015-11-12T23:22:25-05:00

I have an M5 and an M17 bag. They are both filled with Kerlix, tourniquets, assorted Carlisle bandages, a few QuikClots, inflatable splints, Sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, SAM splints, airways of various sizes, that impregnated gauze stuff for burns, a couple of straight and curved Kellys, a couple of mosquitoes, both curved, #11 blades (you know what for). I carry one or the other in the trunk of my car. I also have a miniature Bible in the bag, a left-over from Vietnam. I also keep an Ambu bag in the trunk. Nothing beats having an Ambu bag when you need one.

I also have a few transfer sets, some Jelco's and a bag or two of Ringers. I have a means of swapping them out when they expire. I know what you guys are going to say but nobody goes to jail for having Ringers in their aid bag and if I feel I need to use it, I will rely on the Good Samaritan laws to save me. If that doesn't work, then some of you guys can come by on Visitor's Day and bring me a pizza.

When I first got out, I was also carrying Benadryl, Epinephrine and a few other choice injectables but unfortunately I got stopped one day, the trunk was tossed and the aid bag inspected. Needless to say, the LEO's were put out by my having syringes and injectables and they were confiscated. I did not replace them from my stocks when I got back home and eventually what I had left expired so as they say, Xin Loi.

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Nov 13 at 2015 12:20 AM

2015-11-13T00:20:39-05:00

I haven't had an issued aid bag since my first duty station. My subsequent assignments were units that had shared aid bags amongst the medics. Though, now, I do have 2 of my own personal bags that I acquired by a buddy who was ETSing and gave me the ones he personally bought. I have the general stuff in there, one truck bag and one patrol bag, packed accordingly.

Point of interest: Germany requires a first aid kit in your personal vehicle and oddly enough, a medics first responder/aid kit does not qualify. O.o

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-11-14T13:14:10-05:00

I have 2 personal aid bags. My smaller one that I used primarily for trauma down range is kept in my vehicle. My larger one I actually use at work so I have one less hand receipt.

Response by SP5 Carol Thornton made Dec 15 at 2015 11:17 AM

2015-12-15T11:17:12-05:00

You can look at Community Emergency Response Team and Medical Team to see what some of the civilian items are they carry for Tornado, fire, Search and Rescue. My bag held cravats, band-aids, etc..but I always had a cut anything pair of scissors. Face Mask N95, CPR mouth shield, these type of items are not usually in regulation type of bags. Plug and go are what are usually issued!

Response by SPC Jesse Barber made Feb 29 at 2016 2:09 PM

2016-02-29T14:09:13-05:00

I was the same when in the National Guard. Now I keep an "emergency" first aid box in my vehicle, with a variety of dressings including a couple of field dressings, cravats, and some first aid creams. In the house I keep a mostly stocked medic bag, with over the counter and other meds. in a cupboard , as they are neede more frequent.