*Medical Tips*
By: GruntDoc

SAM SPLINTS: I keep the directions for Sam Splints with the splints, in case an untrained person has to utilize one. I keep my Sam Splints folded in four sections. In one of those sections, I keep a copy of the instructions. I have laminated these instructions to weather-proof them.

EXTRA BATTLED DRESSINGS: I like to carry extra battle dressings on my LBE, but I found I didn't have the room on my pistol belt. The way I solved this problem, was to take the issue compass/first-aid dressing pouch and sew it onto a canteen cover. I needed to use an upholstery needle, a hemostat, and kevlar fishing line. It took me about two hours. (I am not a gifted seamsress.) This has held up for two years, and shows no signs of coming apart.

MEDEVAC REQUEST CARDS: For our members who maybe in the miltary, active or reserve, here is a tip for carrying medevac request cards. I laminated one and keep it in the suspension of my helmet. As long as my helmet is with me, I have a "dust-off"request card handy. If the situation calls for helmets not to be worn I can just put the card in a shirt pocket. OTHER: Medics in Veitnam used to carry their battle dressings in the 7 pocket bandoliers that 5.56 ammunition came packed in. This kept their dressings organized and it made them look like just another grunt. The North Veitnamese and Veit Cong snipers would intentionally key in on medics, so looking like just another rifleman was a survival skill.

I prefer to use the older seven pocket bandoliers. In each pocket I can put two battle dressings and a small plastic bag of band-aids. I carry ten battle dressings, four cravats, 100 band-aids (20 per bag.), and six sheets of moleskin(three sheets per bag.)
With my dressings packed this way, they are #1 : Organized. #2: If I should ever find myself in a situation where I have to ditch my medical bag and run like hell, I can grab the bandolier and be on my merry way.

I keep several tubes of medications in my trauma bag. Since my trauma bag gets knocked around, I packed these tubes in plastic soap containers. To rattleproof them I line the inside of these containers with cotton squares.

I also keep sterile cotton tipped applicators in my bag. The way I protect these is by putting them in a toothbrush holder. To waterproof this arrangement I covered the drain holes with duct tape. To further ensure the cotton tipped applicators are kept waterproof I keep the converted toothbrush holder in a one gallon zip-loc bag.

I like the military issue battle dressings. I keep at least six on my LBE. Two of the 4'x7' dressings will fit in one first aid/ compass pouch. One pouch is kept on my LBE's shoulder strap. A second pouch is kept on my pistol belt, and the third I sewed onto a canteen cover.
GruntDoc


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