Here’s an interesting question that came in over our blog today:
Q: I’d like to make a vest out of the SOL Thermal Bivvy- should the seams be sewn or will an iron work to weld seams?
A: My advice is to sew the seams, rather than trying to weld them. If using an iron to weld seams, I would be worried about excessive heat weakening the fabric or causing the two layers of the fabric to separate.
***
Does anyone else have any good stories about using our products (or anyone else’s products, for that matter) to make their own clothing or gear? If you ask me, some of the best ideas in the outdoor gear have their roots in DIY-specialists or the cottage industry, so we’re always interested to hear how people like to use our products. I’ve received emails from people that have used Heatsheets blankets as solar heat reflectors inside their cars or as insulation inside coolers, so I know there are enthusiastic innovators out there taking our products beyond what we imagined when we made them. If you have a story, please share it with us in our comments section.
Here are some questions that people reading our blog have submitted recently…
Q: How do I verify the expiration date on your oral rehydration salts?
A: The manufacturer of the oral rehydration salts we use does not include and expiration date on the package, as rehydration salts aren’t classified as a drug by the FDA. Because this product is fairly inert (unlike a pharmaceutical), I wouldn’t have a problem stocking a packet that was a few years old in one of my own kits. However, if you are concerned that your product is too old to be used safely, you can contact our customer service department and arrange a replacement.
Q: What are the differences between the SOL Thermal Bivvy and the Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy?
A: The Heatsheets bivvy is made of a single layer of metalized polyethylene, making it very lightweight. It is a true emergency product in that, while being easy to repair and resistant to tearing, it won’t stand up to repeated heavy use. Also, because the material doesn’t breathe, you will have condensation when you’re inside it, making your clothing wet.
The SOL Thermal Bivvy is made from a much more durable 2-ply non-woven fabric material with a metalized coating. It will work as a primary sleep system in temperatures down to 50 degrees or provide about 15 degrees of extra insulation when used over a standard sleeping bag. In emergency situations, this bivvy is much more comfortable to occupy, since you can use the Velcro side opening to regulate heat and moisture inside the bivvy. Of course, the trade off with the Heatsheets bivvy is that the SOL Thermal Bivvy is bigger and weighs about 4.5 more ounces.
Q: Does your space blanket hold cold in and protect from the heat outside. I want to cover dry ice and boxes of bottles. If it can cool a little that would be better than nothing at all.
A: The Heatsheets blanket will help keep cold from escaping, although it is hard to quantify by how much. The studies done on this material focus on heat reflectivity, although the same principle is used to make metalized heat shades like reflective cooler interiors or automobile sun shades. If you do try it, I’d be interested to know how well it works.
Q: I have just ordered and received the Trauma Pak with QuickClot from LA Police Gear (excellent company).
I consider myself a fairly well prepared individual (various Red Cross First Aid, WMS Wilderness First Aid Course, CPR, AED, etc.) and intend to keep this small trauma pak kit in my shooting/range bag, along with other general first aid supplies (my heavily modified AMK Day Tripper – actually, it’s mostly just the bag any more with so many various add-on kits and items). Fortunately, I live in Dallas and have excellent access to high quality emergency medical aid – but certainly would not want to just stand there for 5 to 7 minutes until EMTs arrive for a problem. I intend to keep the kit sealed in the original package and watch the expiration date. What I am writing about is the instruction sheet – was hoping that more information was on the exterior of the package or available on your web-site (if there I couldn’t find it). Just don’t want the first time reading any specific, particularly new information to be during an actual emergency.
Is it possible to get a copy of the instruction sheet by e-mail or on-line?
A: You make a good point about not waiting until an emergency to read key medical information. I will post a copy of the instructions on our company blog, located at www.adventuremedicalkits.com/blog.
Q: Going to Botswana in June 2010. Should I use DEET repellant or not? I don’t know the pros and cons.
A: There has been quite a lot of research done concerning the safety of DEET – much more than can fit in this email. To break down the basic issues: DEET is an extremely effective insect repellent, and it has been on the market for half a century with very little (if any) known toxic effects. That being said, some have argued that DEET may have adverse health or neurotoxic effects. The EPA, which regulates insect repellents and insecticides, has evaluated the merits of these controversial studies and concluded that DEET is still safe for human use, with 30% concentrations such as Ben’s 30 Wilderness formula being safe for use on children above two months of age. One other potential downside of DEET is that it can melt synthetic fibers and plastic, such as Gore-tex jackets, fishing line, or nylon clothing.
If you are concerned about DEET, I highly recommend using Natrapel 8-hour, which is made using a 20% concentration of the ingredient Picaridin. Picaridin has been widely used in Europe for around 20 years and has made its way into the US market over the last few years. It is just as effective as DEET and will not affect plastics, so many people prefer it to DEET for that reason alone.
Personally, if I am on a backpacking trip in high infestation areas, I use Ben’s Max 100% DEET because it has always worked for me, and that’s what I trust, although some of my coworkers swear by Natrapel 8-hour. As long as you’re using a CDC-recommended ingredient (such as DEET or Picaridin) and following the label instructions so that you’re applying it often enough, you should be able to keep insects at bay.
Q: We purchased the Suture/Syringe Kit from Adventure Medical Kits but were disappointed not to have instructions for use. Can you recommend a book(s) for those who might need to deal with the contents in an emergency?
A: Because this kit is designed to be purchased and used by professionals only, we don’t include instructions in it. Suturing wounds, administering injections and IV’s, and performing field surgery are not practices that are advisable for a novice to perform – these types of procedures require professional instruction with hands-on demonstrations and significant field experience. In a case where surgery or suturing is indicated, it is best to stabilize the patient as much as possible and either evacuate the patient so medical care can be obtained or await wilderness rescue. If you are traveling in an area where sterile supplies may not be available at a local hospital, this kit (or the smaller Suture/Syringe Medic) can be given directly to the medical practitioner to ensure the use of safe equipment.
Q: I have a Thermo-Lite 2.0 Bivvy and it is a bit stinky. Can I put it through the laundry? How do you recommend it be cleaned?
A: I wouldn’t recommend machine-washing a Thermo-lite 2.0 Bivvy (now renamed the SOL Thermal Bivvy). To clean it, wash it by hand using warm water and mild soap, and hang it to dry. Open the velco side-vents as far as they go to aid in drying.
Q: Could you tell me yourself or direct me to a site that would explain the usual procedure to treat a deep open wound, especially using the products of AMK. Recently I had an episode where I cut my finger with a chain saw and luckily I had some quickclot at home which stopped the bleeding quickly until I could get to the hospital. I was by myself and had to drive myself to an emerg. clinic nearby. They simply deadened the finger with a shot(wow!), soaked it in a Betadine solution and stitched it with 6 stiches. Then wrapped it in a splint and gauze.
But what would I do if something like this happened out on a hike or wilderness trip? Could this be handled with substitute or similar medical products and medicine?
A: As you found out, stopping the bleeding is the most important step to take when confronted with a laceration, so it’s good to have a pack of QuikClot on hand at home and in your pack if you’re in the wilderness. Once bleeding is under control, the best way to clean and close a wound is to irrigate it (preferably using an irrigation syringe) to clear out debris and then to hold the edges closed with wound closure strips (or butterfly bandages). This technique is explained in detail in Dr. Weiss’s Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness Medicine, and you can see an improvisational technique, should you find yourself without the requisite supplies here: http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/blog/2008/07/dr-weiss-advice-wound-irrigation-technique/
Q: used the heatsheets emergency bivvy (3.8 oz). next morning discovered a lot of moisture in the bivvy. this gave rise to an extra cold and damp start to the day. is this a common with the bivvy? many thanks for a small but important bit of kit. it may not seem like the back country but when i am here in northern ireland events can turn bad.
A: Condensation inside the bivvy is par for the course with this product – since the material itself is not breathable, moisture accumulates fairly rapidly. This is why we classify the Heatsheets Bivvy as an emergency product – since, in an emergency, it is necessary to preserve heat and get warm at all costs, even if condensation results.
Q: I have to prepare a medical kit for 40 people in a wilderness setting and being “waterproof” is a must so we don’t lose supplies. What Adventure Medical Kit do I need? My wife is a retired R.N., so we would also like something that has a stapler as well as sutures in it.
A: A kit for 40 people is going to need to be pretty large – I would recommend either our Guide I or Expedition kits from our Professional Series. These kits have enough supplies to treat a wide range of ailments and injuries over a large group of people, and they are designed for professionals or individuals with advanced wilderness first aid training. (For a more user friendly option, I highly recommend our Comprehensive kit, which features Easy Care organization so even someone without any first aid training can administer medical care.) All of our kits in the Professional series use water-resistant fabrics, although they aren’t 100% waterproof – for a kit as large as what you’re looking for, I would recommend keeping it in a waterproof container such as a Pelican case, Otter box, or even a very large size Aloksak; alternatively, you can pack the inner components into zip-lock bags to keep them dry in the event that the kit is submerged.
As for sutures/surgical supplies, I recommend picking up a Deluxe Wound Cleaning and Closure module from our refills page – this module is for professionals only, and it contains sutures as well as a skin stapler and staple remover.
Q: Would it be safe to put the Quikclot sport silver after I’ve use neosporin on a gauze?
A: QuikClot (and QuikClot Silver) are designed to be used in an emergency situation when bleeding is heavy or life-threatening. If the amount of bleeding has slowed enough for you to dress the wound properly (with gauze and antibiotic ointment), it probably isn’t necessary to use QuikClot. In answer to your question, it is safe to use QuikClot or QuikClot Silver in this situation, but my advice would be to use QuikClot directly on the wound immediately, hold it in place using direct pressure for as long as is necessary to stop the bleeding, and then to use antibiotic ointment, non-adherent dressings, and gauze to dress the wound once bleeding has stopped.
Q: What is the best kit for horseback riding? We ride in the mountains often, and sometimes get far from camp.
A: I suggest either our Comprehensive or Outfitter, since these kits both have detachable inner bags that you can take with you on excursions from your base camp. Both of the kits have enough supplies for large groups or extended trips, so if you’re venturing out with smaller groups on shorter trips, you may want to consider the Weekender or Sportsman kits instead. The Comprehensive and Weekender kits are from our Mountain series, which will suit your needs if you just ride horses to get out into the wilderness, while the Outfitter and Sportsman kits are specifically designed for hunting/fishing trips.
Q: I will be directing an archaeological project in the lower Andean mountains of Peru (ca. 1000m). We will have a crew of four people and will be working for about a month. It is five hours by horse to the nearest road and then four hours by truck to the nearest town. We will have supplies brought in once a week and each crew member is expected to bring in their own basic supplies. We can get most basic supplies in Peru (boxes of gauze, bandages, eye flush, antiseptic wipes, etc,) but I am concerned with a major machete cut. Snake bites and burns are second and third on my list. Any suggestions for kits.
A: I would recommend the Comprehensive kit from our Mountain Series for your needs (four people in a remote location for 30 days). Although you can obtain basic supplies, it really is preferable to have everything contained in one kit, especially one like the Comprehensive in which the contents are organized by injury. If you are particularly worried about major cuts/bleeding, pick up a Wound Closure Medic, which as everything you need to clean and close a wound, as well as some QuikClot Sport, which will stop bleeding within minutes.
Here are answers to a couple questions that have come in through the AMK website over the past week.
Q: I do SAR and have to carry for myself and a subject. Your 2.0 Bivvy sac is small and light, but for another $25 to $50 and maybe 16 oz more I could get a 40 degree “rated” bag. I would always carry at least your 2.0 Bivvy but am considering a lightweight down bag for those cold nights. If your Bivvy was “rated” at 40 – 45 degrees, it would be a no brainier to always carry two of your bags. Have you done any testing to get a temperature rating on your 2.0 Bivvy?
A: Because adventure racers are often required to carry a 50-degree sleeping bag, we did some testing and found that the S.O.L. Thermal Bivvy (the same one you’re referring to, but with a new name) will work as a primary sleep system down to 50 degrees, as long as you are wearing some light insulating clothing (such as thermal base layers). You can also use it in conjunction with a sleeping bag to add 10-15 degrees of warmth to the bag.
Q: Which first aid kit would you recommend for a 10 day backcountry hunt. So, size and weight are a concern. I will not have a basecamp and I plan on getting the SOL3 kit.
A: If you’re already going to have survival tools and some medical supplies in your S.O.L. 3 kit, I recommend augmenting them with an Ultralight/Watertight .9 kit. Without a base camp, you need something that can treat a wide range of injuries but won’t weigh you down too much, and the UL / WT .9 fits that bill exactly. With a trauma pad and plenty of gauze, it can stop traumatic bleeding from a hunting accident, and there are also supplies to clean and close large wounds, including an irrigation syringe and wound closure strips.
I really love the products you present. There are many to choose from regarding first aid. That is my problem. I am a hunter and fisherman in the state of Alabama and have never strayed from this state in for my hobbies. I know Alabama is not Africa in terms of large carnivores, but I have had some scraps with a wild hog (hawg, in Alabama), and once was pinned by several coyotes. The hog I killed bare handed, not unscathed mind you, and the coyotes I fought off with a homemade spear i fashioned out of my hunting knife and a long branch while in a pine tree. That stuff was funny then after it was over, but now that I am a father I am thinking differently.
I would like your recommendations for my needs on a medical/survival kit. What I want is three kits. One for each of my two vehicles and one major pack for my home that can be grabbed in case of an emergency like a tornado, etc. I have looked at all your products, but I am still at a loss as to which one would outfit me the best. The most diverse a group with me would be is 3 male adults, two female adults, one male child, and 2 female children. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jeremy Smith
Answer:
Dear Jeremy,
Many of us only dream of the adventures you have. Maybe nightmare would be a better word for some of us.
I recommend the Sportsman Hunter or Outfitter Medical Kit for your two vehicles. Both of those kits have a detachable inner bag (kit) you can take with you in the field while leaving the larger kit in the truck. I would add the QuikClot 25gram Sport to each of those kits. This is a blood stopping dressing that works fast. I imagine a hawg or pack of coyotes could take quite a chunk out of your leg.
It sounds like you would be a great candidate for the PocketSurvival Pak. Keep this on you at all times. You could work your way out of any jam with it.
For your home I would recommend the Mountain Series Fundamentals or the Sportsman Outfitter kit. All of the kits I have recommended are ideal for either remote areas or when you are cut off from medical care by a natural disaster.
Please keep us posted on any exciting new adventures.
I have a question about QuikClot – does it work and is it contraindicated for any type of injury?
Thanks, Michael Z.
Answer:
Hi Michael-
Thanks for your question about QuikClot. In short: yes, QuikClot is very effective at speeding the clotting process. It has been tested in numerous clinical trials and in real world situations involving military, law enforcement, and emergency first response personnel. The formula that we use does not generate heat (like the “old” QuikClot) and thus will not leave burns on the wound site.
Also, because the mineral that constitutes QuikClot is chemically inert, contraindications are very rare. The only injury in which I would recommend not using QuikClot is one immediately around the eye (in which there is a possibility that QuikClot will come into contact with the eyeball), since it is an eye irritant.
Please let me know if you have any further questions, and thanks again for your interest.
Best,
Question:
I’m back packing through Asia for 6 weeks and would like to know what you would recommend for a first aid kit in case of an emergency. Thanks, Dan R.
Answer:
Dan,
For 6 weeks in Asia, I highly recommend our World Travel kit plus a Suture/Syringe Medic. The World Travel kit is designed for trips like yours, with comprehensive wound-care supplies and a large suite of medications for pain, flu, and stomach maladies.
The World Travel also contains our Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicineby Eric A. Weiss, M.D. The guide includes information on wilderness and travel medicine including: “Weiss Advice” improvised techniques; “When to Worry” tips; 97 illustrations; recommended prescription medications to pack; medical supplies for extended expeditions; and information on how to use the components of your Adventure Medical Kit.
The Suture/Syringe Medic contains sterile supplies to administer IV drugs or injections in case the medical clinic in the area you’re traveling doesn’t have sterile needles or sutures. Since it is still a common practice in many developing countries to re-use supplies, it is important to carry a sterile set that you can give to the medical provider that is treating you.
Be sure to read our blog to learn more about avoiding the most common ailment that travelers face.
Thanks for your interest, and let us know if you have any further questions.
Frank Meyer, Marketing Director and Co-Founder
I really like your wilderness first aid book but am wondering if you are going to update it soon to include things like new CPR techniques. Beverly F, MD
Answer:
Beverly,
Thanks for the kind words about the AMK Comprehensive Guide. We are working on a 4th edition of the book that will be available sometime in the next year; we have also updated our Wilderness Medicine and Survival pamphlet to include the recent CPR guidelines and will be educating consumers about updated CPR techniques via our blog.
If you have any other tips or suggestions, please let us know!
Question:
I want to build a first aid kit for our Drop Zone and would like your recommendations on contents for skydiving related incidents. I know all the basic items but would like your thoughts on splints and slings etc.While small cuts and sprained ankles etc are what we see most, we should be prepared for more serious incidents to include broken bones, puncture wounds (in the event of a tree landing)etc. If you could email me a list I would greatly appreciate it.
Question: If expiration dates on medications such as aspirin and aleeve have passed should they be discarded or are these medications still useable.
Thanks,
David
Response: Thanks for your question. Most over-the-counter medications, including the ones you’re asking about, are safe to use after they expire. The expiration date essentially means that the manufacturer of the medication will not guarantee its efficacy after the date has passed, not that the medication is unsafe once it expires. In fact, military testing has found that common medications such as ibuprofen are still highly (if not 100%) effective ten years after the expiration date. We do stock refill modules for our kits (you can view them at www.refillyourkit.com), although you probably won’t need to buy one until you start using up some the supplies in your kit.
Please contact us if you have any other questions.
