SOMETHING often overlooked until it is needed is a quality first aid bag. People don’t like to spend money on something that is hopefully not going to be needed, especially fishos. A few extra lures isn’t going to help you when there is a first aid scenario. It is important to have some trusted gear, the team from Survival have a range of options to suits all of your needs based on your hobbies, location and size of the group/family.
I have had a good look at 2 of the best sellers from Survival, the ‘Ocean Warrior’ and “Family” first aid kits. I figured that is best to have a few different sizes. One that will stay in the house and one that will move between the car, boat or back pack.
With my work as a teacher, I have to keep up to date with my CPR and Senior First Aid training. I know not everyone does, I feel confident due to the experience and training that I have had to manage most a variety of first aid scenarios. As people of the open ocean, lakes and rivers, Fishos can get themselves into some pretty isolated and high risk situations just by doing what we love. It is really important to keep your knowledge up, you never know when you are going to draw on it.
One of the great features of the Survival first aid kits is that they come with a QR code ready with instructions as well as an easy to read manual for those who are less savvy. The first aid equipment is all colour coded to avoid rummaging around a disorganised first aid kit looking for that one thing that never surfaces.
The Ocean Warrior First Aid Kit was designed in collaboration with surfers and ocean enthusiasts. So it has the most frequently used items for aquatic environments in an easy to reach and well made pouch. It comes with a sturdy dry bag, which will ensure that all the essentials are kept out of the elements. Leave it in a reachable compartment of the boat, or even strap it to a railing. There is an option to purchase the kit with a tourniquet, which could save a diver’s life if they are visited by the taxman. The Ocean Warrior First Aid Kit is super light and compact, and could fit inside a backpack if you were going rock hoping, the glove box of your vehicle or gunnel of your vessel.
The Family First Aid Kit is much larger than the Ocean Warrior Kit, with more extensive pieces of equipment. Over 140 first aid items. For everything that this first aid kit comes with it is still not oversized. The designers spent time culling items that rarely get used or aren’t invaluable at the right time. This first aid kit is perfect for keeping on site in a known and easily accessible location at home or on an adventure. It would also be great to go camping while you are stationed with your vehicle or with the tent. The bag is made of tough water resistant material, I coupled it with another dry Bag to have the option to take it out on the boat for extended trips.
I have had 2 mates been bitten by King Browns whilst fishing a remote river bank, they both survived. One of my favourite items in the Survival Familly First Aid Kit is the Smart Bandage. It is a pressure immobilisation bandage that has a green rectangle on it. The right amount pressure has been applied when the rectangle stretches to form a square. Perfect for responding to an Aussie snake bite.
The colour coded sections are broken down into the following with clear labeling on the pouches, divisions and segments to avoid confusion:
- Trauma
- Hygiene
- Utilitise
- Information
A QR code is at the ready if you with to be directed straight to restock the pack straight from the SURVIVAL website. Each label has a number corresponding to the amount of that item that the pack originally came with.
The Ocean Warrior First Aid Kit is priced at RRP $119.95, the Family First Aid Kit RRP $199.95. Depending on your needs, it is a matter of choosing which is the right option as opposed to buying one at all. It pays dividends when you are prepared for an incident, SURVIVAL first aid kits have all the tools to help you potentially save a life, reduce long-term damage and infection.
More info at www.survivalfirstaidkits.net.au
