Recommendations For A Campervan FAK Upgrade Please

[BlinkingCory]

Hi all.
I'm looking to upgrade a FAK we keep in the camper.
The kit we have at the moment is built ourselves, containing all the usual suspects, pills and potions, dressings and bandages, antiseptics et al.
In particular looking to upgrade a bit as we often go off track and not always close to emergency services/local hospitals. In particular, next year, we're taking the camper around Spain and Portugal for a month, so would like to be a bit more prepared than we are at the moment. Space isn't an issue, like I said, it'll remain in the camper.

Does anyone have any sort of experience of emergency kits to repair a broken tooth/lost filling?
Without getting all Johnny Rambo, is it worthwhile getting a suture kit? Or is it preferable to dress a wound and get to/call for professional aid ASAP?
Beyond water, is there a recommended treatment product on the market for severe burns? Something to use before getting to a hospital/awaiting emergency services?
Are inflatable splints worth getting, or am I more likely to do more harm than good by using them?

Ta. I've probably missed some obvious items I could do with, any input gratefully received. Do we have any Paramedics/Docs/Nurses/Scablifters here?

[ForgeCorvus]

Get EHIC cards and carry them.

I'm quite interested in what the 'Pros' suggest myself

[BlinkingCory]

Cheers Forge, yup, I'm interested in hearing from a pro in this field. What we need is a paramedic to start a thread called 'why didn't they have this!!'

[Hoipoloi]

I have two FAKs in my campervan and to be honest both are pretty much a mash up of contents. I also have a kit of sterile items for use by a professional if needed (bought for our Iron Curtain trip that never materialised. Most recent purchase is a dental kit for re-fitting the wifes front cap that is bound to cause trouble at the most awkward time.

[featherstick]

Dental kit - yes.

Sutures - no - if you need stitches, get to a hospital, with your EHIC card and relevant insurance.

Are you only going to administer First Aid to nearest and dearest, or are you prepared to stop and offer assistance at a roadside accident? If the latter, then do some good training, and include several emergency blankets, neck braces, traction splints, inflatable splints, spare gloves, large Israeli dressings etc. etc. If you are really going off the beaten track, do an Expedition First Aid course, which will help you with stabilising casualties for the several hours or days it may take you to get to help.

[Yorkshire Andy]

remember you want a state hospital if your using your ehic

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcare ... Spain.aspx

as for the kit the skys the limit......

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=10154#p110751


since added a few israilii dressings

[Appin]

Dental kit yes .

I asked my dentist about this a while ago and she had no problem with people using temporary filling kits to patch things ....... until they saw a dentist. Not a definitive answer though I was surprised how long temporary will last.

Sutures NO. If it need stitching you need a professional and to DIY when professional advice is available is crazy. If bleeding is not an issue a wound can be left open for quite a while provided you cover it. Mind you if there is bleeding then stitches are still not the answer.

Neck brace or traction splints need knowledge.

How do people feel about SAM splints? Simply splinting a break reduces pain and blood loss so a good First Aid measure.

Appin

PS About first aid for others remember in some European countries it is mandatory to stop and give assistance using your compulsory FAK. France IIRC not sure about Spain

[Lanky Yankee]

When thinking about your FAK, think about what you are comfortable dealing with and what your actual skill level is. There is no point in having sutures, advanced airway equipment, traction splints, etc if you don't know how to use them. Mostly get bandages, gauze, scissors, pain relief, and water (for cleaning wounds). If someone breaks a wrist you can use a folded up magazine (I usually do this for my patients) and something to wrap it up with. Keep it simple but get loads because you can burn through it quickly. Once you get a bit more training you can see what your gaps are.

[7 lives]

Agree with Lanky Yangee-whilst I would be comfortable intubating a casualty in a hospital setting-in the field its a whole new situation.
I would upgrade first aid skills,have a decent medical kit to cover likely emergencies and a bucket load of common sense-know when you are out of your depth.

[BlinkingCory]

Thanks for responses.
Sorry for not replying, we suffered a sudden family loss and I pretty much gave up interest in, well, pretty much everything for a while.
Hope you all well.
Keeping on keeping on and all that.