 | Home > Expedition & Overland > First Aid Kit - out of date - thoughts? |
 
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| Ianb Member Since: 25 Oct 2023 Location: Devon Posts: 206  
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Hi all,
We're going through all our tons of gear (camping and stuff in general) looking to streamline/organise it all and every now and again come across ANOTHER first aid kit with out of date stuff... Do many/any of you bother too much with the dates? I know from a work point of view we have to keep our FAKs in date - which is likely why we've accumulated so much out of date stuff, but from a personal level, I couldn't care less if a plaster or a bandage is out of date, provided it doesn't act as a toxic venom and finish me off... I know some sterility cannot be guaranteed and some adhesivness can become less effective, but if it's bad enough a wound, sterility can be dealt with later and if it's a small enough wound then I'm sure some savalon or germolene will be alright in topping it up - or am I totally wrong? I've had many first aid training courses and I know officially, out of date stuff should be dumped, so I also don't want to run the risk of injuring someone further or being sued if I help out someone out, but equally it seems a waste. The Yeti - 110 Camper https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic90308.html https://www.youtube.com/@YetitheDefender |
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29th Feb 2024 4:05pm |
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| Jabberwocky Member Since: 27 Oct 2021 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 195 
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The biggest issue with out of date drugs is how effective they still are. As for bandages as long as they are sealed they should be good. I’ve just binned the First Aid kit that was in My defender when I bought it, everything was 10 years out of date and I’ve no idea where it’s been or who has messed with it. Kits aren’t expensive so no brainier really.
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29th Feb 2024 5:27pm |
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| Ianb Member Since: 25 Oct 2023 Location: Devon Posts: 206
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It's true kits aren't expensive, but needless waste is also unecessary in my view, so I try to avoid it where I can. The Yeti - 110 Camper https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic90308.html
https://www.youtube.com/@YetitheDefender |
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1st Mar 2024 12:15pm |
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| Jabberwocky Member Since: 27 Oct 2021 Location: Luxembourg Posts: 195
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Agreed my reason for changing it was more the fact I had no idea how old it was having not bought it myself, some of the bandages were looking off colour and the plastic packaging starting to break down, they are supposed to be sterile, it was definitely past it’s best. We have a separate drugs kit and I check that regularly for the high use items like paracetamol. No point having a first aid kit if it’s well past it’s best because you are too tight to replace it. ( by you I mean me)
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1st Mar 2024 12:28pm |
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| Ianb Member Since: 25 Oct 2023 Location: Devon Posts: 206
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I totally get what you mean and I agree. I definitely have replaced a few in the past, especially ones that had suffered with damp from a previous car.
Truth be told I toy with FAKs anyway to make up my own, that way I know whats in what, can mix and match and add various items that I often find are beneficial to me.... typically bandages and electrical tape... if amateur sports have taught me one thing, its that I can hold myself together quite well with electrical tape and deal with it properly at a later time or date!  The Yeti - 110 Camper https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic90308.html
https://www.youtube.com/@YetitheDefender |
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1st Mar 2024 11:20pm |
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| TexasRover Member Since: 24 Nov 2022 Location: Paris Posts: 798  
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The best first aid kit is the one you have available when you need it. Old rag, electrical tape, etc.
Which reminds me I need to check every car and the camping trailer have one, never mind the date. |
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2nd Mar 2024 6:34am |
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| markb110 Member Since: 22 May 2010 Location: Guildford Posts: 2525  
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Not just first aid kits that last, two weeks ago I discovered in the cupboard a Wayfayer Chilli meal dated best before April 2017.
Tried it for lunch and it was perfect….. So worth adding to your first aid kit and forgetting about that too…. |
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2nd Mar 2024 10:09am |
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| Mo Murphy Member Since: 01 Jun 2008 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts Posts: 2085 
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Many medications become less effective making dosing inaccurate.
You will find that bandages and dressings become more crumbly and weak with age. Always worth sacrificing one to open and inspect for deterioration. Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen. |
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3rd Mar 2024 2:55pm |
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| Ianb Member Since: 25 Oct 2023 Location: Devon Posts: 206
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Good call Mo. I know they say medication should be replaced, and given it's ingested etc I'd be inclined to agree - in a pinch I wouldn't complain myself, but I generally do replace these. I also never give medication to anyone else in a first aid instance anyway - friends, family etc is different, but certainly in a work based setting.
But good idea with the bandages, I have dumped a few over the years especially if they don't look as fresh as new ones, or others in the kit, but never thought to just check them other than visually. The Yeti - 110 Camper https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic90308.html https://www.youtube.com/@YetitheDefender |
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3rd Mar 2024 3:36pm |
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| Leamreject Member Since: 19 Dec 2020 Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa Posts: 956  
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lol, so your on the side of the road and someone needs a bandage, if your like me you’ll say sorry you’ll have to bleed because my kit is out of date… wouldn’t you
 Ride like you stole it!!
If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do… 2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT |
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3rd Mar 2024 4:18pm |
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| Leamreject Member Since: 19 Dec 2020 Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa Posts: 956
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lol, so your on the side of the road and someone needs a bandage, if your like me you’ll say sorry you’ll have to bleed because my kit is out of date… wouldn’t you
Ride like you stole it!!
If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do… 2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT |
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3rd Mar 2024 4:19pm |
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| Ianb Member Since: 25 Oct 2023 Location: Devon Posts: 206
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Oh of course not, but I suppose what I'm trying to do is gather info from non corporate non official sources as opposed to those who have a vested interested in product turnover, so that when I reach for my out of date bandages, I'm more confident that they haven't turned into Kryptonite and then when I tell the story on here about how I tried to help someone who had a small cut from a rose Bush and subsequently turned them into a vegetable, I'm not met with "well duuuh, EEEEVERYONE knows that out of date bandages can kill".
The Yeti - 110 Camper https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic90308.html
https://www.youtube.com/@YetitheDefender |
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3rd Mar 2024 4:43pm |
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| Mo Murphy Member Since: 01 Jun 2008 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts Posts: 2085
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Another thing I've thought of is eye wash pods / water for irrigation. I dispose of these on their use by date
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen. |
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3rd Mar 2024 8:34pm |
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| Ianb Member Since: 25 Oct 2023 Location: Devon Posts: 206
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Yes definitely. I'm sure they're probably fine, but I wouldn't take the risk with something like that.
My original post was mainly in reference to bandages, plasters etc, etc, but good to note for anyone else in doubt. The Yeti - 110 Camper https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic90308.html https://www.youtube.com/@YetitheDefender |
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3rd Mar 2024 8:47pm |
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