(Part 3) Top products from r/myog

[X-post from r/campinggear] Hey everyone, I cringe when I see the cost vs contents of most first aid kits on the market. Too much unnecessary stuff and only the highest priced kits have clotting powder, which I’ve used on the trail for controlling bleeding with large abrasions and deep or tangential lacerations. I put together my suggestions, with an eye toward maximizing usefulness and minimizing per unit cost. IMO this is superior to most kits costing 2-3x more. Light enough for the discernible backpacker, but makes a great gift for family and friends to throw in the car pocket, the boat, ATV, or carry along to kids sporting events. Feel free to add, subtract or substitute to customize your own.

Ever-Ready First Aid Adhesives, assorted sizes, 280ct $6.95 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0179S0IAW
Self explanatory, enough for 2-3 of each size per DIY kit.

Vakly Stretch Gauze: 12 pk 4” x 4yds $7.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTQFPA6
1 pk per kit and 4 left over for the home medicine cabinet.

McKesson individually wrapped sterile gauze pads: 50ct $5.17 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C5P9J8
6 per kit, throw them in a ziploc baggie to protect against moisture.

Woundseal clotting powder: 20 pkts $28.06 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RUJXR6
Remember that compression alone, when done properly, effectively controls most bleeding. But when a member of your group is on aspirin or other blood thinners, or sustains a nasty cut that won’t stop bleeding, this stuff is awesome.

3M Duct tape: 1.88in x 30yds $3.89 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013B1XHE
Countless uses for the backpacker / camper, from tourniquet, fracture splinting, reinforcement of wound dressings, fashioning a moleskin barrier for blisters, not to mention tent, pack or sleeping bag repair. Grab a few extra straws from your local fast food joint, trim them to 2 inches, then roll up 4 to 6ft lengths of duct tape around the straw. The straw in the middle doubles as a pocket billows for fire starting.

Rensow white petroleum jelly 5gms, 144 pkts: $24.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAGT85M
Lip balm, burn treatment, also apply to rashes, blisters and abrasions to keep gauze from adhering. Doubles as an excellent fire accelerant for bushcrafting. I squeeze some on a cotton ball to use with my tender for catching a spark.

Kirkland anti-diarrheal (loperamide) tablets: 400ct $9.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EXPY004
Put 12 per kit and keep the rest for that week-old lasagna that you should have thrown out.

Ibuprofen 200mg tabs: 2x500ct $3.93 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P1NJAJS. Put at least 40 per kit as this is likely to be the first supply used.

Diphenhydramine capsules 25mg, 100ct : $4.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00080CKDW
Useful for allergies, insect stings, contact dermatitis, and doubles as a sleep aid for those restless nights in the hammock. 12 per kit should do.

Triple antibiotic ointment 0.5oz 144 pkts: $12.18 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H2T9K3K
6 to 8 per kit should do, and keep the rest for replen.

Ziplock snack bags, 40ct (for storing meds): $2.73 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U9ZFFCY
Please clearly label each baggie using an indelible marker with name of med, adult dose and expiration date. Pediatric dose optional. Individual “gas station” packets are much more expensive but if routinely carried in vehicle this may be a consideration (law enforcement doesn’t like unlabeled pills floating around in baggies).

First Aid Bags (empty), Alazco, 8 bags $32.82 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0182MQ4MU
Highly optional but nice for making your kit look pretty if you’re giving these away as gifts. I double wrap mine in gallon ziploc bags for moisture control.

A printable first aid primer: https://s3.amazonaws.com/yohsresourcelibrary/First+Aid+Quick+Guide.pdf
Certainly not a comprehensive guide, but has some key information like how to perform CPR.

Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but Reflectix is pretty close. I've used it to keep my pot hot and make it easier to hold after cooking, it's decent, but not thermos level insulation.

https://www.amazon.com/Reflectix-BP48010-48-Inch-10-Feet-Insulation/dp/B000BPAULS

If you ever order groceries online (like from Amazon Fresh or Prime Now), you can get this stuff for free from the bags they put your groceries in

Partly hanging in a tidy-ish fashion, and then... boxes. A lot of boxes. Beware of the wife's reaction though.I recently upgraded the 'desk', let's just say she wasn't totally pleased: http://abcpacks.com/galleries/workshop

Regarding the boxes, I have mostly 3 kinds:

- Assortment boxes with different splits, and clear lid like these: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0002YYXUC/

- Small clear plastic boxes (~5L) I can work with while on the desk, in which I drop medium size stuff): https://www.amazon.de/dp/B076S2VVFW/ref=twister_B07LCWBBD7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

- Big-a** clear plastic box (~50-60L) for the fabrics: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B076SDFKQ9/ref=twister_B07LCWBBD7?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Links are just for examples, I found boxes like these for cheap at the hardware store. The lid is important! You definitely want to be able to pile them up.

I think it's a great idea to make your first pack with cheap ($$) stuff, and then spend money on later packs, once you've gained some knowledge, techniques, and preferences on what you like in a pack.

So, to address the other comments, presumably - I say, because I haven't tried it - you could use some fray-stop on your seams to help them hold. Maybe silicon seam sealer?

For the water, you could try and apply water resistance with a Wash in product, a spray, or some people do wash and spray after. If washing, I'd do it before constructing, spray could happen after, but I'm hypothesizing, as I haven't used either.

Probably should still use a trash compactor liner but it would help keeping the water from weighing your pack down.

I had never heard of those. Pretty cool, though not something I'd even consider investing time or money in. A stone found on the trail and a bit of twine will do very nicely.

There are some shower curtain rings that are shaped similarly to that, eg.. Just JB-Weld them shut or something, putting loads on them would probably pop them open as is.

There exists grommets that are meant to clip onto the edge of tarps, like these. That would be the easiest no-sew solution and can be easily removed or moved around if it still doesn't work. Other types go around an existing hole, like these.
Otherwise, you could sew loops of ribbon/webbing to the cover or buy a grommet tool set.

Interesting modification, not sure I would want to rely on it if its cold out (ie. below freezing). If you can tolerate the weight of a power source and all the wiring couldn't you just get a warmer sleeping bag?
You can get a really warm car camping bag for $60
https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Gear-Minus-Degree-Sleeping/dp/B000MZBKI4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?

haha good to know. so, something like this one, or a bigger knife? there are sooo many options from buyolfa.com

I put together a simple Moulder Strip for my stove fuel canister. Check it out: https://imgur.com/a/6RSOnL6

A fun project to keep a isobutane canister running in cold weather. It transfers heat from the flame to the canister via copper strip.

Materials:

• Velcro straps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EDOSSI
  
• Copper strip: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9JAATN
  
• Silicone: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0725GYNG6
  
  ---
  
  More details here: https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/moulder-strip-directions/
  
  /u/DavidHikinginAlaska is knowledgable about this, way more than me.

You can also try

Permatex 80050 Clear RTV Silicone Adhesive Sealant, 3 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002UEPVI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zxA7BbVD8X59R

I have used this foam on all my backpack straps and frames. Get the thinner 3/8 inch. It is SO light and really durable. It is the lightest with the cushion I could find. It can be a tight squeeze under a conventional presser foot, but I have a Singer, and it works fine even if a little snug.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00069PFKK/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I like what you did there, but the katadyn carbon filter is refilable and connects to the mini with the rubber tube that comes with the mini. It costs around $20.
https://www.amazon.com/Katadyn-8013450-Carbon-Cartridge/dp/B0007U0184/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497327341&sr=8-1&keywords=katadyn+carbon+filter

https://www.amazon.com/Light-weight-camping-equipment-make/dp/B0007EF3TW

A used 4th edition is yours for a mere $647 plus shipping.

Could you use a thicker gauge of music wire?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQQ3AO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PL.KBbT4XP8BX

Those come with a "hot knife" tip in the kit.

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-D550PK-260-Watt-Professional-Soldering/dp/B00002N7S1

I use a Six Moon Designs pyramid tarp (the Wild Oasis), which doesn't have a floor. I use a polycro ground sheet (source), which is far lighter than a full nylon tent floor. I haven't used it in heavy rain, but so far so good.

These are pretty heavy duty for the price, and cheap enough I don't feel bad if I destroy them. While these are more expensive, but can cut like the devil.