Pocket First Aid Kit

Out hiking or just for a walk and don't want to carry a bulky kit? This will fit into your pocket no trouble!

The ever so versatile Altoids Tin becomes a First Aid Kit to carry with you. Just add stuff from the following steps (or similar).

Step 1: Stuff to stuff in

I've addded a few thing sI might find handy, things not everyone will have around.
A suture kit (mine isn't sterile, the package got ripped)
Bands Aids (6 large, 6 small)
Moist Towelettes (optional)
Rubber Bands
Tape
Aspirin
Swabs
Paper Towel (or gauze if you have it)
Razor Blades
Super Glue
Betadine
Isopropyl Alcohol

Comments

[bomochan]

Thanks for this great instructable! I am glad you did it step-by-step, as half the challenge to small kits is finding a way to fit everything in! In my experience in dealing with roadside emergencies, the one thing we ALWAYS make sure to have is rubber/latex gloves... It gives a lot more peace of mind when helping strangers who are bleeding. Maybe they can be put in a ziplock baggie and lashed to the tin with the rubber bands?

[cowtipper97]

This is cool. I have been looking for an Instructable on one of these for a long time. Right now I can think of 3 thing to add to it, finger/toenail clippers, small scissor that are made for cutting of loose flesh off wounds are good for cutting into limbs to get something out, and needles (also are good in a small surgery to remove something)

[nnygamer]

I think a few needles and thread can be thrown in, they don't take up much room. As for scissors, that's why I put in 2 razor blades. Much smaller and sharper. Nail clippers would help, but I'm out of room! Tweezers too, but no room.
Maybe adding a second tin to put more stuff in would work and still keep it pocket size.

[emersunrose]

very small tweezers: Uncle Bill's Sliver Grippers. They're *very* pointy, so they can really get in there, find the intruding object, and pull it right out. Love them.

[lax0131]

You should add some allergy meds and tylenol so that you can treet even more things

[buggvin]

Thanks for sharing this... When I was a Boy Scout, we used to make these out of portable sewing kits, made of plastic and they would break easily. Now that my kids are starting Scouts, I wanted to recreate the little first aid kit, and using the Altoid tin is a great twist. We also made a "Get Lost" kit in a 35 mm film canister... wish I could remember that one as well.

[chubbthehippo]

Neat idea, but the instructable is totally unnecessary. It's a tutorial telling you how to stuff things...

[nnygamer]

Well you could post that every K'nex instructable is useless too.

[Jollyshi]

"Instructables is a web-based documentation platform where passionate people share what they do and how they do it..." I find this Instructable quite reasonable. What he puts in his Pocket-Aid and how he stores the contents is "what he [does]." He didn't make the tin and its contents, but he put them together in an innovative way. This is one of the better versions of the popular Altoids Tin first aid kit at that (the rubber bands for the duel purpose of keeping the stuffed tin closed and as needed tourniquets is especially nice). As the first line of the About section of Instructables says, it's about doing stuff. Not necessarily how one makes or rigs things but how things are done. This Instructable could be described easily as a one stepper, but the author chose to show how he customized (though minimally) and meticulously fit everything into the container instead of just listing the contents. The Steps has a few flaws like any other, but was certainly not futile. Do not refer to this Instructable as "unnecessary."

[evindrews]

#%@%#$#^@ seriously??? unnecessary! This can save someones life from bloodloss! Or for any other reason! So not unnecessary!...

[scfiteach]

I would put it in a zipper-style sandwich baggie to keep the tape on the bottom cleaner.

[Matdredalia]

I actually decided to do this with mine, but for a totally different reason: What if someone loses a finger or toe or some such? A zip-lock is a really good way to put it in ice/water until you can get the person to a hospital. Also, can be useful for a quickie icepack. I also added a couple of butterfly closures to mine and single-use packets of Neosporin Triple Antibiotic Ointment.

[cp98]

I added some Benadryl and some rubbing alcohol swabs.

[BOOJAN]

aaah..i was planing to make something like this, but i didnt know what to put inside....and now i know what to search for...thanks man...

[paniner]

Tape it inside- keep it clean

[porcupinemamma]

BTW tourniquets are a Big No NO. You risk losing a limb

[WereCheetah]

They have a time and a place. To reduce the risk of losing a limb though you should open them up every 15 minutes.

[oawv803]

I think that for the small space of an altoids can, you did a pretty good job fitting in all the essentials. I was wondering however, where did you get the suture kit? there's only so much butterfly closures can do.

[nnygamer]

My brother used to be in the rescue squad, the suture kit was expired and he gave it to me.

[porcupinemamma]

O.K. I don't want to be critical. I think it is fab that you took the time to share your ideas. A question though..are you talking about being out of civilization for a while? Don't do sutures. Use a large butterfly closure. Much safer. Porcupinemamma (EMT)

[climberslacker]

What are the razon blades for?? Maybe a small pair of scissors would be better then them because I see no use for them.

[nnygamer]

They are in case you need to cut into your skin, to remove something or open up an infection. Instead of a scalpel or a sharp knife. Something you can't do with scissors.

[yodasoda6]

if u like this type of stuff, check out mine, and pleez vote. I like it man

[nnygamer]

The survival tin is great, it's hard packing lots into those tins. Where did you find one with such a great old fashioned pin up pic on it? Mine still needs more tweaking.