First aid idea is Triangular Bandages

Triangular Bandages can be used for many things. Every First Aid kit should have at least one per person in the family. Of course you can always have more.

A triangular bandage is a large triangle of cloth, usually a loose-weave cotton cloth, used in first aid. It is also called a ‘cravat’ (French for necktie) because it is sometimes folded to the shape of a long narrow band, for certain uses. This type of bandage has many applications:
1. Folded as a thick rectangle of cloth, the cravat can be placed over a large wound. In this case, it functions like a trauma pad, absorbing blood and helping to stop bleeding.
2. One folded cravat can be used as a trauma pad, and a second cravat can be used to wrap the wound and trauma pad. In this usage, it functions like first-aid tape, to hold the trauma pad in place.
3. If a victim has an injured arm, a triangular bandage can be used as a sling, to support the arm in a bent position over the chest. A second cravat (folded as a long band) can be used around the torso as a swathe, to immobilize the arm against the chest. This technique is called a sling and swathe. Dedicated sling and swathe kits are available for purchase. But the advantage of the triangular bandage is that a few compact bandages serve multiple purposes. This allows a smaller first aid kit to do more.
4. If a victim has a broken leg, the leg can be immobilized with a blanket between the legs and a couple of cravats to tie the legs together, firmly but not so tight as to restrict circulation.
5. If a victim has a sprained ankle or wrist, a cravat can be used like an Ace bandage to wrap and support the appendage. Always remember, when wrapping, bandaging, or taping any wound, to avoid restricting circulation.
6. In the case of a head wound, a triangular bandage can be wrapped over the forehead and around the top of the head to cover the wound. Do not use bandages over the eyes, nose, or mouth. Do not use bandages of any kind around the neck, because you might restrict circulation to the head.

You can make your own triangular bandage. Buy white (actually off-white) unbleached muslin cloth. Cut a square about 3 feet by 3 feet. Then cut the square diagonally, along the bias (at a 45 degree angle to the direction of the weave). In this way, when the triangle is folded as a cravat, the band of cloth will stretch along its length. This is useful so that the cravat will wrap a wound firmly, but not too tightly.


Of course you should take a first aid course, or even a refresher course. Know what you can do. Do not "think" you know what to do. Training is the key here, you could do more harm than good! Call for help, seek medical help as needed. As always be safe!

First aid Kit Idea

The First aid kit. We all have one. Well at least most people have band aids. Your 72 hour kit should have a small first aid kit. Most moms I know have a small first aid kit in their purse. It would be a good idea to have have a small first aid kit in your car.

We have a "big" first aid kit that has everything in it.. But I also have a a few smaller first aid kits that can be taken for day trips, road trips and for the house.

In each first aid kit it would be a good idea to have all the emergency numbers you may need. Not only 911, but poison control, family doctor, family dentist, hospital, work numbers, and family numbers. etc.

Put them all on a 3X5 card, make copies and add to the kits. (also post them in the house near a phone or on  the fridge)

Add to your kits a dollars worth of quarters, just in case you need to use a pay phone!

Prepare Spring is Here

Spring has sprung, well for most of us. This is the time of year most people do some spring cleaning, well this goes for your 72 hour kits, first aid kits and such as well. This is the time of year to go through our 72 hour kits, first aid kits and time to buy supplies that we need to rotate, or to buy.

For those that live on the East coast it is time to think about your hurricane preparations. Does your state offer a tax free week to buy certain supplies for the hurricane season? If so this is the time to save some money and buy a few things you may be needing. Do you have flood insurance? Time to make sure you are covered! 


Get out your kits, rotate the food, water and medications. Check the clothes for moths, and bugs. Wash your clothes if good, still fits, etc then repack in your kit. You should wash your 72 hour kit clothes at least once a year, if not twice a year. You do not want anything to leak on to the clothes, or for them to start smelling, especially in humid climates.

Make sure you have a manual can opener, if not two! Matches and ways to light up your night! Glow sticks and flashlights are the best options.

So when you spring clean your house, spring clean your 72 hour kit, first aid kit, rotate food, water, and clothes and shoes. Check the dates!

We are all busy, but we all need to take the time to spring clean our kits.
Be safe and have fun and always keep smiling!

Bag Balm

Have you ever tried or used Bag Balm? Well we have been using Bag Balm in our house for many years. It was always in the house when I was growing up!

Here are a few things I have used it for.
Baby diaper rash will be gone in no time!
On dry cracked feet, just rub on, add a sock on your feet and in the morning your feet will be much softer and feel better
Dry cracked hands! work on, add gloves and let it work!
We use it for cuts and scrapes minor burns.
We put it on our lips when or even before they get cracked or chapped.
Since it was made for cows, we use it on our animals too. Dog paws, rabbit hocks, any open wound!

There are many uses for Bag Balm. This is one thing I use almost weekly in our home. If you have never tried it, I would recommend that you do. Many people have used it years ago and have forgotten about it.

Here is what I have noticed and have personally done. Any where you would use Neosporin (which I use a lot and have in my first aid kits) you can use Bag Balm. Anywhere you would put lotion for dry skin, you can use bag balm.

Here is story from 40 years ago about Bag Balm. We lived in the mountains of Idaho at this time. We were an hour on a good day from town, and two hours away from any hospital or doctor.
My mom and dad were out in the woods cutting wood for the wood stove.  My dad accidentally cut my moms knee with the chain saw. It did not cut the bone, one a very bad flesh wound. This is was because My dad reacted quickly and had use a chain saw all his life. (Mom walked up on him). Mom was hurt and bleeding. Dad stopped the bleeding the best he could, put her on the back of the motorcycle and headed to the house. Now this was back in 1970. They did not have the money to go to the doctor. So old school back woods doctoring came in. They washed the wound well. Then they slabbed on Bag Balm, put on a tight bandage. They did this for a few weeks and mom healed up fine. Just a bad scar. Should she of had stitches, yes of course. But in a pinch it worked! Mom has never had an issue with her knee and the cut she got from the chain saw!

First-Aid Kit idea Sept

For this Months First-Aid Kit idea is is really easy and something we all need to do. Now that summer is over, kids are back in school this is the time of year to go through your first-aid kit. Most likely if you have kids, grandchildren, you will need new band-aids, all sizes. There is nothing worse than needing a band-aid and you do not have one. You may want to be sure you have a good ointment in your kit also.