Named substitutes for the scarce components of a tactical first aid kit

Advice from a traumatologist who served in “hot spots”

Partial mobilization into the Armed Forces, and hence a multiple increase in the number of servicemen on the front of the special operation in Ukraine, caused a significant increase in the need for things needed on the front line. In particular, tactical first-aid kits and their components are almost in the first place like hot cakes: they are often difficult to get in pharmacies. A traumatologist with experience in service in “hot spots” told “MK” what scarce medical equipment can be made on your own or easily replaced with affordable ones.

One of the most scarce positions turned out to be hemostatic tourniquets, especially not traditional rubber ones, but modern ones – the so-called tourniquets. Meanwhile, they can be made with your own hands from parts available in tourist sewing accessories stores. Such experience, according to the interlocutor of “MK”, ​​is experienced by extreme tourists and those who went to “hot spots” in those days when branded turnstiles were too expensive.

– Three types of slings are needed for the turnstile: dense 50 mm wide, dense 25 mm and soft 25 mm, – the doctor said. – Accessories: Duraflex rings, a copper tube with a wall thickness of about 1 mm, two plastic bushings (empty spools of thread). You can fit toothpaste caps or something similar to the ends of the handles.

To sew the turnstile yourself, just look at how the finished one looks and copy the design. A soft sling for “twisting” is necessary so that it can turn around after the handle at least 1.5 – 2 turns. “Acquaintances help supply one of the formations at the front, they adapted to sew dozens of such turnstiles, nothing complicated,” the traumatologist assures.

Another component that can be replaced with a simple tool at hand is water disinfection tablets. They are necessary to avoid poisoning by drinking “improvised” water. However, instead of special tools (usually based on chlorine), according to the interlocutor of “MK”, ​​you can use the good old potassium permanganate (sodium permanganate). It is not freely available in pharmacies, but potassium permanganate is readily available in garden and garden stores.

– Add a few grains of potassium permanganate to a bottle of liquid, the water will become slightly pink, acquire a specific taste, but it will be safe to drink it, – said the physician.

In a tactical first aid kit, it is recommended to have anti-burn dressings. If special dressings could not be found, you can return to the old method: a sterile bandage soaked in anti-burn ointment. As a rule, these are varieties of panthenol.

“In the old days, Vishnevsky’s ointment was used as an anti-burn ointment, now this composition is considered extremely outdated, but you can use it without fish,” says the traumatologist. – You just need to know that Vishnevsky’s ointment has no antiseptic properties, so it’s better not to smear a fresh burn.

Finally, specialized surgical tape, which is recommended to be included in the expanded composition of the first-aid kit, can be replaced with any “coil” plaster – although it is not so convenient to use it. And tactical (with blunt ends) scissors can be made from ordinary ones on an electric grinder, having processed the sharp ends to the desired radius.