Outdoor Adventure USA

Since we all have a significant cargo capacity, I recommend we all bring a fully stocked first aid kit. I like the duplication and I like the idea that if we get separated (on purpose or otherwise), a first aid kit is at hand.

Heat is hard on drugs, band aids and other items in your first aid kit. It would be a good idea to update now with new drugs and to replace damaged supplies.
Packets break and dry out; Bottles leak; drugs expire, etc. This is a good time to refresh yourself with what you actually have in the kit and where it is located. Do this too - just for info - separate your true first aid items from survival items. It is ok to have survival items in the kit. It is convenient and logical based on your needs.

I think the best kits are ones you build yourself with the supplies you know how to use. If you do, you want it as waterproof as possible and you should try to segment the supplies into separate areas or small bags based on categories of need. In the attached list you can see suggested categories. BTW I am adding the list to get you started! Feel free to make modifications.
1. First Aid Kit
a. Documentation
Field Guide of Wilderness & Rescue Medicine
SOAP Notes (Injury / illness documentation forms)
Note book & pencil
b. Tools
Headlamp
Scissors
Tweezers
60 cc syringe
Suction bulb
Sterile scalpel blade
Fine hemostat
Blood pressure cuff
Stethoscope
Penlight
1-gallon plastic bag for irrigation
c. Personal Protection
4 (at least) pair latex Gloves
Healthcare hand wash
Ear plugs
Purell hand sanitizer
d. Wound Care
First Aid Cream
Neosporin
2 4x4 inch sterile gauze dressings
2 2x2 inch sterile gauze dressings
1 2x2 mole skin for blisters
6 band-Aids
1 roll 1 inch flexible tape
1 small bottle of tincture of benzoin
1 small tube Providone iodine ointment
1 small bottle liquid soap
Tooth Brush
2 inch elastic bandage
e. Anaphylactic Shock Kit
Epinephrine
1 cc syringe x3 or Epi pen
4 tablets Benedryl
f. Large wounds / fractures
Large Triangular Bandage
Xeroform gauze dressing
Sam Splint
4 Diaper pins
4” & 6” Ace bandage
Burn sheet (100 cotton t-Shirt fresh from dryer kept in plastic bag)
Large dressing (Sanitary Napkins / diapers work well)
Handful of big plastic cable ties
Duct Tape
g. Med’s
i. Tylenol
Advil
Aspirin
Allegra-D
Imodium
Benedryl
Stool Softner (e.g. Colase)
Syrup of Ipecac
Liquid activated charcoal
Cake mate
Dramamine (motion sickness)
Cough & cold preperations

In addition, think about all the other stuff you have in the vehicle to make a splint (tent poles, tarps, ropes, blankets) or to stabilize someone prior to transport.

In addition to the main first aid kit, you may want a smaller one for side trips without the vehicle and you may want to make up a “day to day” bag for Advil, band aids, anti acid tablets etc. for the small stuff that does not warrant breaking out the big box.

Tom"

Great topic. Since it looks like some of us will be doing day hikes, we should concentrate on pack size first aid kits.

Be sure and bring any medications that you might require and a little extra, just in case.

Tom, this is great information.

I think it would be worth repeating on a separate thread for those to reference before any run or excursion. Maybe a sticky under "Emergency Preparedness" or somewhere similar...

DaveK wrote:Be sure and bring any medications that you might require and a little extra, just in case.

...and a spare set of glasses (if anyone wears them).



Also, I've found the "Sportsman" series kits from Adventure Medical Kits to be a great foundation for a basic FAK. Depending on size, they include all the generics and have ample room and organization for personal additions. I carry a "Hunter" + QuickClot and a few personal additions (like eye drops for flushing, allergy pills, etc) in the Disco since that is about as far as my knowledge extends. The Professional or Mountain series are far more comprehensive for folks with the proper training.

I agree on the Sportsman model as a good starting point. I have one just for air travel so I have something at the other end. I have supplemented it with pain meds.

Larry, I think there is another much other post with simular info but have no idea where it is. so you idea of a stickey is a good one. I have no idea how to do that.

Something, I missed in the first post: I think a head lamp totally decicated to the first aid kit is a good idea. It would be right on top with the gloves as the first few things you might need.

For those who want to see a previous discussion of first aid kits, see the OAUSA post at: http://www.outdooradventureusa.net/foru ... ?f=29&t=28

It was under: Outdoor Adventuring ‹ Emergency Preparedness ‹ Trail First Aid.