Liquids For First Aid

[jeepnik]

Let me start with a bit of background. Back in 1972 I read an article in an EMT journal. It was about the benefits of mild stimulants in emergency situations. It examined both the physiological and psychological effects of one of the most common mild stimulants. Coffee. The article mad good reading and more importantly good sense.

I picked up a large thermos and carried it on our rescue trunk. I'd change the coffee a few times a day to keep it hot and fresh. The first time I employed it was at a vehicle accident. A young girls 16 maybe 17 had been in an accident in her dad's car. Not her fault the other driver ran a stop. But she was not only upset and a bit shocky from the accident, she was worried about her dad getting angry.

We did the normal things, checked her for injuries, got her out of the car and into a seat in the rescue truck and wrapped her in a blanket (as much as I tease, a blankey can be a very good thing). I then gave her a cup of hot coffee. Watching her "come out of it" was nothing short of amazing. In just a couple of minutes and a few sips of coffee and she was pretty much back to normal.

By the way, when her dad showed up the only thing he cared about was if she was okay. It's what dads do.

I used it again when a mother called and said her son was stuck in a storm drain. Got her sat down and gave her a cup of coffee while we got him out. And again when a F-105 Wild Weasel failed to get airborne on takeoff. The pilot was fine, but his rear seater was pretty much in a daze. Coffee brought him right around.

These days I carry three types of liquids in my first aid kit. Canned coffee drink, Gatorade and bottled water. I can't do IV's anymore (well I can, just not legally) so oral liquids is the next best thing. Now these have to be replaced with some frequency, but the cost is minimal.

Just a little something to think about.

[gamekeeper]

Good thinking, over here a cup of hot sweet tea is often given to folks after something traumatic.

[Grizz]

These days I carry three types of liquids in my first aid kit. Canned coffee drink, Gatorade and bottled water. I can't do IV's anymore (well I can, just not legally) so oral liquids is the next best thing. Now these have to be replaced with some frequency, but the cost is minimal.

Just a little something to think about.

This is very good info. The blanket thing right on. I carry those things when traveling + no-doze. A half tab retunes my reflexes on long drives. It can be dissolved in water, it's not tasty but the effect is the same. A half tab + a half cup of gatorade is a good combo. And a good startup cup after a roadside nap.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I thought this would be about having a bottle of whiskey for snake bites!

[AmBraCol]

Good thinking, over here a cup of hot sweet tea is often given to folks after something traumatic.

That's what popped into my mind as well, how often I've read of folks from the UK and places controlled thereby brewing up a cup o' tea when things get tough. The aussies, of course, "boiling the billie" (IIRC).

[Ysabel Kid]

I thought this would be about having a bottle of whiskey for snake bites!

Now you are talking!

[jeepnik]

While whiskey does nothing for snake bite, at least you die happy.

By the way, lots of folks still think you should cut the fang marks and suck out the poison. Three things wrong with that.
It introduces contaminants leading to more serious infection.
It actually can help speed the absorption of the poison into the body.
And lastly, should you manage to extract any of the poison and you have any sort of injury in your mouth, you just put snake venom in it.

Even with anti venom necrosis is common. Often times requiring surgical intervention. Now imagine that in your mouth.

[GunnyMack]

I thought this would be about having a bottle of whiskey for snake bites!

For those of us up north, a St.Bernard with a cask of brandy was what came to my mind!

[rock-steady]

A wise man once said....

"Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake." -- W. C. Fields

[Gunstore Commando]

That's a really good idea.

Also consider carrying some kind of bottled water, no just for drinking, but also any water suitable for drinking can be used for wound irrigation, eye irrigation, etc...

[Grizz]

While whiskey does nothing for snake bite, at least you die happy.

By the way, lots of folks still think you should cut the fang marks and suck out the poison. Three things wrong with that.
It introduces contaminants leading to more serious infection.
It actually can help speed the absorption of the poison into the body.
And lastly, should you manage to extract any of the poison and you have any sort of injury in your mouth, you just put snake venom in it.

Even with anti venom necrosis is common. Often times requiring surgical intervention. Now imagine that in your mouth.

EXACTLY RIGHT !

I think there was maybe a merit badge for having the snake bite kit in the bandaid box. The MEDICAL GENIUS INDUSTRY was the source of the suck-the-poison routine. IF IRC

[Gunstore Commando]

The MEDICAL GENIUS INDUSTRY was the source of the suck-the-poison routine.

Punch line to an old dirty joke -- "Doctor says you gonna die".

[AJMD429]

.
But what do folks keep in their vehicles if they live where it freezes several months of the year...?

[Grizz]

.
But what do folks keep in their vehicles if they live where it freezes several months of the year...?

antifreeze, but rattlesnakes aren't out in that weather AFIK

[jeepnik]

.
But what do folks keep in their vehicles if they live where it freezes several months of the year...?

I live on the beach in SoCal. So even in winter freezing isn't exactly a significant possibility. But even in our temperate climate hypothermia isn't impossible. Here a space blanket and one of those suits made of the same material are in my kit. A couple of those squeeze and heat packs as well.

When I go to the snow, or even the desert in winter (deserts can get darned cold at night) I have a winter bag with stuff to keep me warm that gets tossed into my Jeep.

Then again if its a good looking female body heat is always a possibility.