Med/Trauma Equipment - Bad Range Day

[epilatos]

Sorry for the long story but it has a point. Looking for and giving advice.

Went out shooting with my brother in the desert having a good time as we always do. We always utilize safe shooting practices. Nonetheless, accidents do happen we all make them, and I am no exception to that rule.



I was shooting some steel “down range” while my brother was behind me (approximately 15ft or so) reloading some magazines on the bed of the pickup truck. I was shooting a 9mm pistol not mag dumping but shooting quickly trying to stay on target accurately.



As I’m doing so I hear my brother from behind me say “OW OW OW.” My first thought is he did something stupid like pitched his fingers in a magazine or something.



I turned to see what he did and he tells me I shot him. My response was obvious, no I’m facing down range, how can I shoot you if I’m shooting in the opposite direction? He holds up his hand and blood starts to roll down his arm. I immediately went over to check and inspect him, he said he felt three of them. Lo and behold, I sure did via ricochet. I got him in the shoulder, abdomen, and hand. 

The ricochet to his hand was the only one that punctured skin, the other two his clothing protected him enough to just leave a couple of welts.



Thank God it was only a minor cut and nothing major.



That being said it got me thinking. It could’ve been so much worse. I always take basic first aid and other necessary items when going out in the desert shooting or off-road in general. However, had that injury been worse or life threatening I would have been woefully unprepared. 



Working in the trades (electrician) I know how to handle basic bumps, bruises, cuts, burns, apply a tourniquet, etc. However, I am not a medical professional and do not have any proper medical training outside of basic safety/minor wound care courses provided by employers, OSHA classes (if you want to count that,) and what life experiences have taught me.

I have since starting doing some research and am looking into basic trauma care courses to learn more. One of the rules I try to live by is “I try not to be in the same situation twice that I didn’t have the proper tools or equipment to do the job right the first time.” So in addition to doing research I am making a proper on the go trauma/medical kit that will accompany my range bag on shooting days. In all reality I’ll probably make a few and just leave them in my vehicles. 



I know there is some commercially “premade” kits out there but I also know that they may be missing some items and in addition to that I have some of the items. I’m also a fan of customizing things to suit my personal needs/wants which I’m sure most of you are. After all this is a reloading forum. I’m not looking to carry a full ambulance but enough to stabilize somebody enough to get them to proper emergency care. 


Advice I’m looking for:


Below is a list of things that I am putting together to make my kit. Please look it over and if you can think of anything I missed or would be a good addition to my kit please let me know no matter how major or minor it is. If it makes a difference on items you may suggest, I am in the desert where temperatures can go over 115 degrees in the summer (although I try to avoid outside when it gets that hot.) Better safe then sorry. 



Trauma sheers

Multitool 
Tourniquet (x2)

Quikclot gauze

Pressure bandages
Iodine prep pads/anti septic wipes
Eye/wound flush
Rolling gauze
Bandages/band aids (variety of sizes)

Hyfin chest seals
Mylar blanket
Medication (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Benadryl, etc.)

Glucose tabs (my mother’s diabetic and sometimes shoots with us)

Electrolytes

Bite/Sting pads

Burn ointment

Flashlight

Tweezers

Lighter

Sharpie

Med tape
Nitrile gloves



I do realize that some of this equipment requires special and proper training which I intend to do. 



For those curious on how the ricochet got him the culprit was a paddle on the target that had got bound up during our shooting session and it wasn’t able to swing to deflect the projectile downward. It was not a commercially made target just something I welded together from some scrap steel. No-one or manufacturer to blame but myself. 



Lessons learned that day. 



1. Be better prepared.
2. I am not a target manufacturer. 

3. Finally put to rest the debate my brother and I have on who’s the better shooter. I got him three times, 15 feet behind me, shooting in the opposite direction. HA!!!



All jokes aside, although we laugh about it now, in hindsight we’re both VERY grateful that it wasn’t worse. 


Advice I’m giving:


For those of you who don’t carry any medical/trauma equipment when shooting I strongly encourage you to learn from my mishap and consider putting together a kit for yourself. ESPECIALLY if you shoot out in the desert or somewhere remote like me with not many (if any) people around. 



Thanks in advance for your feedback and again sorry for the long post. 



[GhostHawk]

Sorry for the long story but it has a point. Looking for and giving advice.

Went out shooting with my brother in the desert having a good time as we always do. We always utilize safe shooting practices. Nonetheless, accidents do happen we all make them, and I am no exception to that rule.



I was shooting some steel “down range” while my brother was behind me (approximately 15ft or so) reloading some magazines on the bed of the pickup truck. I was shooting a 9mm pistol not mag dumping but shooting quickly trying to stay on target accurately.



As I’m doing so I hear my brother from behind me say “OW OW OW.” My first thought is he did something stupid like pitched his fingers in a magazine or something.



I turned to see what he did and he tells me I shot him. My response was obvious, no I’m facing down range, how can I shoot you if I’m shooting in the opposite direction? He holds up his hand and blood starts to roll down his arm. I immediately went over to check and inspect him, he said he felt three of them. Lo and behold, I sure did via ricochet. I got him in the shoulder, abdomen, and hand. 

The ricochet to his hand was the only one that punctured skin, the other two his clothing protected him enough to just leave a couple of welts.



Thank God it was only a minor cut and nothing major.



That being said it got me thinking. It could’ve been so much worse. I always take basic first aid and other necessary items when going out in the desert shooting or off-road in general. However, had that injury been worse or life threatening I would have been woefully unprepared. 



Working in the trades (electrician) I know how to handle basic bumps, bruises, cuts, burns, apply a tourniquet, etc. However, I am not a medical professional and do not have any proper medical training outside of basic safety/minor wound care courses provided by employers, OSHA classes (if you want to count that,) and what life experiences have taught me.

I have since starting doing some research and am looking into basic trauma care courses to learn more. One of the rules I try to live by is “I try not to be in the same situation twice that I didn’t have the proper tools or equipment to do the job right the first time.” So in addition to doing research I am making a proper on the go trauma/medical kit that will accompany my range bag on shooting days. In all reality I’ll probably make a few and just leave them in my vehicles. 



I know there is some commercially “premade” kits out there but I also know that they may be missing some items and in addition to that I have some of the items. I’m also a fan of customizing things to suit my personal needs/wants which I’m sure most of you are. After all this is a reloading forum. I’m not looking to carry a full ambulance but enough to stabilize somebody enough to get them to proper emergency care. 


Advice I’m looking for:


Below is a list of things that I am putting together to make my kit. Please look it over and if you can think of anything I missed or would be a good addition to my kit please let me know no matter how major or minor it is. If it makes a difference on items you may suggest, I am in the desert where temperatures can go over 115 degrees in the summer (although I try to avoid outside when it gets that hot.) Better safe then sorry. 



Trauma sheers

Multitool 
Tourniquet (x2)

Quikclot gauze

Pressure bandages
Iodine prep pads/anti septic wipes
Eye/wound flush
Rolling gauze
Bandages/band aids (variety of sizes)

Hyfin chest seals
Mylar blanket
Medication (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Benadryl, etc.)





Glucose tabs (my mother’s diabetic and sometimes shoots with us)

Electrolytes

Bite/Sting pads

Burn ointment

Flashlight

Tweezers

Lighter

Sharpie

Med tape
Nitrile gloves



I do realize that some of this equipment requires special and proper training which I intend to do. 



For those curious on how the ricochet got him the culprit was a paddle on the target that had got bound up during our shooting session and it wasn’t able to swing to deflect the projectile downward. It was not a commercially made target just something I welded together from some scrap steel. No-one or manufacturer to blame but myself. 



Lessons learned that day. 



1. Be better prepared.
2. I am not a target manufacturer. 

3. Finally put to rest the debate my brother and I have on who’s the better shooter. I got him three times, 15 feet behind me, shooting in the opposite direction. HA!!!



All jokes aside, although we laugh about it now, in hindsight we’re both VERY grateful that it wasn’t worse. 


Advice I’m giving:


For those of you who don’t carry any medical/trauma equipment when shooting I strongly encourage you to learn from my mishap and consider putting together a kit for yourself. ESPECIALLY if you shoot out in the desert or somewhere remote like me with not many (if any) people around. 



Thanks in advance for your feedback and again sorry for the long post. 



There are places that sell antibiotics commonly known as "fish flox" As one of the common ones is Cefloxin.
I have in the past bought these from BudK, etc. Benadryl is great, but have the cream as well as the capsules. My wife is allergic to bee's and we have dealt with a sting with a drop of water and a cap of B opened mix into a paste and apply to the site. My kit includes tools such as hemostats, scalpel, and sutures. Do not forget at least a couple bottles of water per person, and an energy source. Store bought granola bars, trail mix, etc. Double up on the burn treatment, if you need it one is not enough.

To that I would add a small bottle of after sun Aloe Vera with Lidocaine. Good for a lot of things including a bad hemorrhoid.
Vet wrap for bandaging can be found cheap these days. Half a dozen women's pads still in there wrappings make a pretty good quick blood stopping treatment. And as long as you are not allergic to shellfish the new shrimp based blood clotting powders work amazingly well. Best of luck on your journey! I truly believe that ol Murphy picks on someone else if you are ready for him. The more ways you can be prepared for anything the less you will see him.

[JimB..]

Never hurts to be prepared.

At what range was the target you were shooting?

[hc18flyer]

Butterfly closures, elastic bandage, aspirin. Reading glasses/ magnifier. Disposable razor to remove hair. Pocket CPR mask. hc18flyer

[BK7saum]

If the steel is not smooth and flat you will get bullet fragments coming back at you. It helps to have the target angled a few degrees downward, too. The face of the target should have no divots or pock marks and there should not be any raised shoulders that will cause fragments to be deflected. Any welding or brackets need to be on the back of the target to keep the face smooth and flat. Typically 15 yards is the minimum distance we shoot steel, and more distance is best.

To answer your real question, get an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) or two and then add other items as needed. The IFAK comes with a tourniquet, quik-clot, bandage, etc, and is basically a field trauma kit.

[Sasquatch-1]

Can I ask how close YOU were to the steel while shooting. I am not being judgmental, but we have steel at the range I belong to. We do not allow any shooting closer than 15 yards. On the range we have a spring-loaded rocker target. I have heard and seen rounds land as far as 40 to 50 yards back in the direction of the bench.

I am glad no one was seriously hurt.

[epilatos]

Butterfly closures, elastic bandage, aspirin. Reading glasses/ magnifier. Disposable razor to remove hair. Pocket CPR mask. hc18flyer

Great recommendations. Adding them in. Thank you sir.

[epilatos]

Never hurts to be prepared.

At what range was the target you were shooting?

Yes sir, better prepared is definitely is the goal.

They were set out 15-18 yards.

[epilatos]

If the steel is not smooth and flat you will get bullet fragments coming back at you. It helps to have the target angled a few degrees downward, too. The face of the target should have no divots or pock marks and there should not be any raised shoulders that will cause fragments to be deflected. Any welding or brackets need to be on the back of the target to keep the face smooth and flat. Typically 15 yards is the minimum distance we shoot steel, and more distance is best.

To answer your real question, get an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) or two and then add other items as needed. The IFAK comes with a tourniquet, quik-clot, bandage, etc, and is basically a field trauma kit.

Steel was in good condition with all brackets and welds on the backside as you suggested. That particular target I built was setup to swing. It obviously didn't do it at that particular moment. Had it setup about 15-18 yards (15 yards is my minimum when shooting steel.)

Thank you for the recommendation will add them to my list.

[Iron369]

I had a somewhat similar experience a few years ago, but nobody was injured. I was squirrel hunting. Took a shot at a tree rat and hit a metal spike that was in the tree. Bullet came whizzing past my head. I was all alone on 2200 acres without so much as a bandaide. I carry medical supplies with me in a backpack all the time.
First, I’d suggest NOT shopping for medical supplies on amazon. Use a reputable company. I buy most all my stuff from refuge medical. It’s not cheap, but it’s American made, small business, great 2a supporter, and supports brimstone ministries (which may or may not be important to you but it is to me)
I’d add in a cpr mask to protect yourself from body fluids in case someone needs cpr and I include tongue depressors for finger/wrist splints. Both are really cheap.
Combat field trams training is going to be the best tool you can invest your money into. The chances of anything like this happening again is very slim, but it’s not zero.

[epilatos]

Can I ask how close YOU were to the steel while shooting. I am not being judgmental, but we have steel at the range I belong to. We do not allow any shooting closer than 15 yards. On the range we have a spring-loaded rocker target. I have heard and seen rounds land as far as 40 to 50 yards back in the direction of the bench.

I am glad no one was seriously hurt.

Of course, I set up my steel targets at 15 yards minimum and beyond. That particular day it was 15-18 yards away.

Thank you. We're very grateful as well.

[epilatos]

I had a somewhat similar experience a few years ago, but nobody was injured. I was squirrel hunting. Took a shot at a tree rat and hit a metal spike that was in the tree. Bullet came whizzing past my head. I was all alone on 2200 acres without so much as a bandaide. I carry medical supplies with me in a backpack all the time.
First, I’d suggest NOT shopping for medical supplies on amazon. Use a reputable company. I buy most all my stuff from refuge medical. It’s not cheap, but it’s American made, small business, great 2a supporter, and supports brimstone ministries (which may or may not be important to you but it is to me)
I’d add in a cpr mask to protect yourself from body fluids in case someone needs cpr and I include tongue depressors for finger/wrist splints. Both are really cheap.
Combat field trams training is going to be the best tool you can invest your money into. The chances of anything like this happening again is very slim, but it’s not zero.

That's a close call. Glad you weren't hurt. I agree with you, I'm avoiding Amazon on this one. I'm not opposed to spending a little extra money (within reason) I try to be a "buy once, cry once" guy. I was pointed in the direction of medical gear outfitters but I will definitely look into refuge medical sounds like a good place to buy from.

Wrote the CPR mask down on my paper but forgot to put it in the post. Never would've thought of the tongue depressors!!! Thank you, adding them in.

Looking into that training. Your absolutely correct, slim but never none.

[armoredman]

North American Rescue has everything you are looking for. I have purchased a LOT of medical kits from them. I also always have a medical kit with me, I mean everywhere, not just on the line, and there is a CAT hanging off the shoulder strap to the range bag.
Stop The Bleed training is also what you are looking for.

[Winger Ed.]

I carry a small kit in the truck.
What I've found to ever need is tweezers for splinters, bug repellant, a little bottle of insect bite stuff,
those alcohol tissues squares, burn cream, band-aids, and tape & gauze pads to stop bleeding.

For real serious cuts & such, stopping the bleeding is about the most important thing ya need to do.

[oconeedan]

As long as you are going to carry a first aid kit, you may as well add common medicines. Benadryl (wasp stings, etc), anti-diarrhea pills, cold pills, Tylenol, etc.
They don't take up much room.

[MT Gianni]

I’d add in a cpr mask to protect yourself from body fluids in case someone needs cpr and I include tongue depressors for finger/wrist splints. Both are really cheap.
Combat field trams training is going to be the best tool you can invest your money into. The chances of anything like this happening again is very slim, but it’s not zero.

Current CPR is compressions only unless it's a close family member. Even then there is little difference between aspirations and compression only.

[Iron369]

Current CPR is compressions only unless it's a close family member. Even then there is little difference between aspirations and compression only.

Still don’t want family throwing up in my face. Ever filled someone’s belly full of air? The stomach contents don’t stay there.

[MT Gianni]

I would add a suture kit bought at a vet supply store. Pain relievers, caffeine tabs, energy bars and water. You may not only need to treat yourself but to drive back to town in severe pain.

A friend cut himself when a chainsaw bucked back on him. His family was there, he had young kids and his wife was too pregnant to fit behind the steering wheel. He drove 15 miles to town with a diaper in his arm. The arm was elevated and it was a 80's model chevy with a stick shift.

[charlie b]

Duct tape and bandages. Closes wounds. Applies pressure. Stabilizes body parts.

Anything more get some training. Once trained you will know what you need.

[dverna]

Great reminder.

I have been hit but nothing serious. Like your tale, from ricochets from steel pistol targets at close range. CAS events can be bad as targets are very close.