EDC FAK for classroom/school use

Colorado Jones - January 3, 2022

AdviceGear

Good afternoon!

I teach at a commuter college in a major metropolitan area that in recent years has experienced a disproportionate number of school shootings (mass shootings, drive-bys, and the occasional random disgruntled student shooting at a classmate).  In at least one instance, a couple of students lives were saved by quick-thinking campus security guards who applied tourniquets while waiting for EMS to arrive.  Fortunately, none of these incidents have affected my school yet BUT it does seem like a reasonable situation to be prepared for.

While I do keep FAKs in my truck and office, I’m thinking about putting together a small EDC (sub-Level I) that I could stash in my book bag or briefcase while in meetings or classes where, in certain types of emergencies, it wouldn’t be practical or possible to retrieve a larger FAK from my office or truck.

Another variable that I’d like to consider is tornadoes, since we live in tornado country, which would likely be the other main scenario where I might find a need for a FAK but am unable to retrieve my main kit from my truck or office.

For most other likely scenarios, if the smaller EDC classroom kit was insufficient, I’d most likely be in a position to retrieve my main kit or, at least, hold things together until campus security and/or EMS showed up.  Another piece that’s helpful is our school now has AEDs on every floor of every building.  I’ve heard that some schools now stock basic “trauma kits” in each and every classroom so, if that’s a things, perhaps I could suggest that our school consider doing that as well.

With this background in mind, here’s my question:  Based on this prioritized FAK list, how far down the list would you recommend that I go in assembling an EDC FAK for the purposes described above AND would you recommend changing adding or deleting anything from the topi-tier Level I list?

Thanks for your input!

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What training have you received?  That is the first requirement and it is an essential ingredient in any FAK.  CPR is essential and can be given with no implements at all, although  barrier cloth is a very good idea.  Given that you mention gunshot wounds, start right at thee top of the list and work down, although I would skip the medications.  You won’t be giving tylenol to a stabbing victim.

How much space can you devote to the kit?  Even if no more is allowed than a T, pressure dressing, and tape, you will be ahead of the game.  Look around and be aware of materials that be used for splints.  The bandanna in your pocket can be very handy for all kinds of things.  Trauma shears are nice, but your pocket knife can accomplish the same tasks.

Breathing and bleeding are main concerns in trauma care, then proper transportation.  If you have to improvise and use unsterile material, the situation can be handled at the hospital.

Good topic!!

 

Thanks, Hikermor! Very helpful.

I’m currently certified in AED/CPR and Wilderness First Aid but am hoping to upgrade my WFA to Wilderness First Responder within the next year or so.

 

You are the type of hero that needs to be acknowledged more often. Some people would have the mentality of it being just the school’s responsibility or that of the individual student, but you are going out of your way to be prepared so you can assist others. 

You do mention the possibility of having some trauma kits stationed throughout the school. This could be a good idea if they only had trauma supplies like torniquets, guaze, and pressure bandages. But if they are just general purpose first aid kits, they will quickly be used up, not checked on regularly, and not restocked regularly. Come up with a plan and present it to the school. If denied, then go ahead and make your own kit.

You linked to that article and asked how far down the level 1 list would you go. Depending on your space available, budget, and your medical comfort using each item, I would incorporate some items of all three tiers. Below is the entire list, I bolded the ones I think would be good for you to have, my comments are in brackets. 

Tourniquet (2-4. If it really is a mass shooting, many will be injured in multiple places)
Pressure dressing (2-4 of these)
Z-fold gauze, standard 4.5” x 4 yards (can always use tshirts and other fabric)
Coban roll, standard 2” x 5 yards
Trauma shears
Acetaminophen / Tylenol (will be most common item used in FAK. A student with a headache might ask for one and you can have it available, very cheap and small)
Ibuprofen / Advil (alternative for those who don’t like Tylenol, small and cheap)
Diphenhydramine / Benadryl (could possibly slow down a bad allergic reaction)
Loperamide / Imodium
Band-aids (10x, various sizes) (Small and cheap, will probably access these a lot to stop minor injuries)
Chest seals (1 pair) (if you know how, might be good to have one)
Tweezers
Irrigation syringe, 20cc with an 18 gauge tip
White petroleum jelly / Vaseline in small container
Silk medical tape roll, 1” wide
Needle & thread stored in isopropyl alcohol (2x needle/thread, 1x small container)
Moleskin, 5” x 2” strip
Rolled gauze, standard 4.5” x 4 yards
Gauze pads, 4” x 4” (6x)
Plastic cling wrap, 2” wide roll
Cravat / triangular bandage, 45” x 45” x 63” (could double as pressure dressing or gauze)
Butterfly bandages, 0.5″ x 2.75″ (16x) (also small and cheap, can hold together gashes)
Safety pins (3x, various sizes) (most likely to be used to hold together ripped clothing)
Elastic wrap / ACE bandage, standard 4” x 5 yards
Aluminum splint, 36”
Emergency blanket (2x) (can be nice if stuck somewhere to conserve heat or prevent shock)
Gloves (2 pairs) (cheap, light, and small. Keep yourself protected from disease)
Reference guide
Saline eye drops
Abdominal pad (sometimes “ab pad”), 5” x 9” (2x)
Nasopharyngeal airway, 28 French (a unit of size used for these devices)
Aspirin / Bayer
Pepto-Bismol pills
Caffeine pills
Hydrocortisone cream
Miconazole
Doxycycline and/or Bactrim antibiotics

Some items that weren’t on the list but might be good to have:

Feminine product (for a potential student who doesn’t have one, or to stop minor bleeding.)

Snacks and water (help those with low blood sugar, if stuck in somewhere, or just to be able to handle the day and not get hangry.

 

Thanks for your words of encouragement, Frank!  I mainly got into WFA in order to be prepared for medical stuff that might come up when hiking/camping/backpacking.  But since I already have the training, I might as well use it in other areas of my life where it might be relevant.