We are all concerned about weight in our airplanes, but there are some items we should not fly without. Below you will find essentials to have on board for those who use their airplanes for travel.

1. Halon Fire Extinguisher (within reach of the pilot). In the Mooney for instance is the lower indented kick panel near the pilots left foot. Removing that ABS plastic panel will allow you to install the hold down straps for a small Halon Extinguisher.)

2. Water. A gallon of fresh water will be appreciated should you ever have to land off airport.

3. Freeze dried food packets

4. Cell Phone in case you are in range Move around for signal or better signal

5. First Aid Kit. The more comprehensive the kit, the better, but be certain your kit contains at least: For ready-made kits; check this site: http://beprepared.com/category.asp_Q_c_E_120_A_name_E_Emergency%20Kits

    a. Bandages (including wrapping gauze)

    b. Antiseptic

    c. Leather Belt (as tourniquet to help stop serious bleeding. See below for the Army technique to stop bleeding)

    d. Light weight Thermal Shock Blanket

    e. Matches

    f. Signal mirror

    g. Flare

    h. Hand Held com Radio

    i. Flashlight(s) with plenty of fresh batteries

    j. At least 2 airline size pillows (for face protection) as well as passenger comfort

    k. You should already be dressed for the worst weather you anticipate i.e. jackets, warm socks, etc.

     Doctor recommended kits can include:

While kit contents will vary, your basic kit (which most outdoors or camping-type stores should carry) should include at least the following. If you can't buy one with these contents, pick up a few supplies and create your own:

• Bandages
• Antibiotic ointment
• Gauze pads
• Iodine or similar prep pads
• Alcohol prep pads
• Butterfly bandages
• Antibiotic ointment
• Medical adhesive tape
• Aspirin and/or non-aspirin pain relievers

The intermediate kit will include more of each of the above items, plus the following:

• Larger adhesive bandages
• Smelling salts or ammonia inhalants
• Ace-type bandages for strains and sprains
• Several sizes of sterile pads
• Rolls of gauze
• Antiseptic towlets
• Thermometer
• Snake bite poison extractor
• Tweezers
• Safety pins
• Moleskin
• Rubber (latex) gloves
• Burn medication
• Anti-itch treatment
• Sun screen
• Diarrhea medication
• Eye drops
• Basic first aid instructions

Your more advanced medical kit can be expected to include not only the above, but some or all of the following:

• Special bandages, such as conforming, trauma and field dressings
• Rubbing alcohol for sterilization
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Betadine
• Scissors
• Forceps
• Scalpels
• Hemostats
• Sterile sutures, in several sizes
• Wound probe
• Mouth-to-mouth shield
• Instant hot pack
• Instant cold pack
• Prep pads
• Eye pads
• Sponges
• Cotton balls
• Burn treatments
• Dental tools
• Splint materials
• In-depth first aid/surgical guide
• Cold medication
• Decongestant
• Antihistamine
• Colloidal silver

In case you are involved in an air accident:

1. While Airborne off field landing imminent and you have the time:

    a. Shut off fuel via fuel selector and mixture (do so in the air if time and glide permits)

    b. MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY if you are already speaking with a controller, otherwise use 121.5 (answer controllers questions only if        enough time exist, otherwise ignore his questions and FLY THE PLANE!)

    c. Insure seat belts are TIGHT

    d. Grab pillows for front seat pilot and passenger

    e. Crack door open and place something like a shoe, etc to keep the door open

    f. Avoid striking anything with the fuselage. Let the wings take the hit when possible

    g. Get out of the plane ASAP and stay at least 50 feet away until you are certain that no fire or possibility of fire exists

2. No time to prepare for off field landing:

    a. Fuel selector and mixture OFF immediately

    b. Get out of the plane ASAP and stay at least 50 feet away until you are certain that no fire or possibility of fire exists

Initial Burn Treatment:

Burns

Date updated: January 05, 2006
Content provided by MayoClinic.com

To distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the first step is to determine the degree and the extent of damage to body tissues. The three classifications of first-degree burn, second-degree burn and third-degree burn will help you determine emergency care:

First-degree burn
The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin (epidermis) is burned. The skin is usually red, with swelling and pain sometimes present. The outer layer of skin hasn't been burned through. Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint.

Second-degree burn
When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is termed a second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Second-degree burns produce severe pain and swelling.

If the second-degree burn is no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, including second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, take the following action:

• Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water for at least 5 minutes, or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cold water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, which may irritate the skin. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burned skin, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Never give aspirin to children or teenagers.

Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old - doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Caution

• Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause frostbite, further damaging your skin.
• Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are vulnerable to infection.

Third-degree burn
The most serious burns are painless and involve all layers of the skin. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.

For major burns, dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:

1. Don't remove burnt clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.
2. Don't immerse severe large burns in cold water. Doing so could cause shock.
3. Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
4. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.

US Army severe casualty Technique: (good to print out and stow in the airplane)

Conditions: You have a casualty who has a bleeding wound of the arm or leg.  The casualty is breathing.  Necessary equipment and materials:  casualty's first aid packet, materials to improvise a pressure dressing (wadding and cravat or strip of cloth), materials to elevate the extremity (blanket, shelter half, poncho, log, or any available material), rigid object (stick, tent peg, or similar object), and a strip of cloth.

Standards: Controlled bleeding from the wound following the correct sequence.  Placed a field dressing over the wound with the sides of the dressing sealed so it did not slip.  Checked to ensure the field and pressure dressing did not have a tourniquet-like effect.  Applied a tourniquet to stop profuse bleeding not stopped by the dressings, or for missing arms and legs.

Evaluation Preparation: 

Setup:  Use the same field dressing repeatedly.  Have materials available for a pressure dressing (wadding and cravat or a strip of cloth).  Have one soldier play the part of the casualty and another apply the field and pressure dressing.  Use a moulage or mark a place on the casualty's arm or leg to simulate a wound.  For applying a tourniquet, use a mannequin or simulated arm or leg (padded length of 2-inch by 4-inch wood with a glove or boot on one end) with a field dressing appropriately placed on the arm or leg.  Under no circumstances will a live simulated casualty be used to evaluate the application of a tourniquet.  Place the tourniquet materials (a stick and one or two pieces of cloth) nearby.

Brief Soldier:  Tell the soldier to do, in order, the first aid steps required to put on a field dressing and, if necessary, a pressure dressing on the casualty's wound.  When testing step 1, you can vary the test by telling the soldier that clothing is stuck to the wound or that a chemical environment exists.  After step 2 and 3, tell the soldier that the bleeding has not stopped.  After step 4, tell the soldier the bleeding is continuing and ask the soldier to describe and perform first aid on the simulated arm or leg provided.

With our ongoing SAFETY SECTIONS, we recommend that you read up on TRAUMA TREATMENTS on the web. I have always felt that those who are best prepared, Murphy's Law will not follow them, but just in case; ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING!

    Be Prepared Always!