First aid kit

[Kristin S]

Hi,

Whats everyone got in their kit? All the gear lists seem to have a first aid kit about 1/4 of the weight of mine, or less. TIA

[Link .]

Try watching Mike Clellands VIDEOS all of them are good but his first aid kit is in the sixth video from the top called the dinky stuff part 2

Or HERE is a search of BPL that has very large number of threads started on Whats in your first aid kit

[Matthew / BPL]

Not my blog but I like this post as an example of a basic first aid kit similar to what I carry depending on the trip.

[David Thomas]

I like the link that Matthew shared.  It is close to what I do.  My variation:
Leukotape, but while I like the strips on backing (like the waxy backing that adhesive mailing labels come on, cut into strips), I just wrap it around a mini-Bic.  Leukotape, while brought mostly for other people’s blisters (I don’t get blisters), is also my first-aid tape.  The mini-Bic in my FAK serves as my back-up lighter.  I duplicate almost nothing else, but that seems a prudent 11 grams.

3-4 Bandaids – a brand and style that I have found to be flexible AND sticky

Safety pins in a few sizes (either in the FAK or your repair kit)

A very few (1 or 2) small, non-adhering gauze pads.

Almost the same OTC meds as listed (Ibuprofen (Advil), Aspirin, Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Loperamide (Imodium), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).  I don’t usually bring Tylenol, but my M.D. wife likes to have both Tylenol and Advil to for slightly different applications and to potentially have both on board at once, alternating between them each 4 hours.  I sometimes throw in a laxative (Imodium slows things down.  A laxative speeds up a gut that is moving too slowly).

A Victorinox Classic is my 21-gram blade, scissors, and tweezers, although it’s elsewhere in my kit.  In the dessert, I’d add more serious tweezers.  On a remote solo trip, I’d add a tiny mirror (1 or 2 cm in diameter) to check for sunburn and to inspect injuries to my face, back, tuchus, or back of thighs.

Because it’s been an issue for me on long, wet trips, I bring a tiny, professional-sample-sized anti-fungal cream.  If I do several days of continuous stream crossings, I can get a little athlete’s foot sort of thing between toes #2&3 and #3&4 on my left foot (always there).  A dab of the ointment every 2 days prevents that.

If you ever go to see (any medial professional but especially) a dermatologist, explain that you’re a lightweight backpacker and you’d really appreciate any of those small, professional-sample-sized drugs that get from drug reps.  I’ve scored 10-gram tubes of sunscreen (which I then refill from consumer-level bulk containers), 5- and 2-gram tubes of anti-fungals and hydro-cortisone options (usually more potent fluoridated-compounds).  Mostly I bring them for bug bites and jungle rot when we’re backpacking in the tropics.

[Rex Sanders]

At least as important as the contents of your first aid kit, is the knowledge you carry in your head. I highly recommend a wilderness first aid course that goes beyond basic “stop the bleeding, start the breathing, and call EMS” classes. In the USA, I suggest NOLS Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder courses.

Also, don’t carry things you don’t know how to use. This might seem like common sense, but you know what they say about that …

— Rex

PS My kit weighs 9.4 ounces. But apparently I’m unusual on BPL.

[David Thomas]

+1 on knowledge > gear.  I’d rather my wife tend to me with whatever is at hand, than a typical Boy Scout with a 2-pound FAK.  Cause med school, residency, and 20 years of private practice.

I taught a wilderness version of the Red Cross’ Advanced First Aid course that was all about if 9-1-1 ISN’T 20 minutes away.  We also did realistic (with make up and scrips) practice sessions that really pushed the students.  For those exercises, they brought their pack, packed for a trip and used aluminum pack stays and Thermarest pads as splints, clothing and cordage as dressings, ski poles to put traction on a broken femur, etc.

[Kristin S]

I did a Wilderness First Responder course many years ago (overdue an update). Subsequently hiked with medics who do bush rescue….hence…I think the large kit.That, and a year and a half ago I ran thru possible scenarios for my next multi day trip and rebuilt my kit accordingly.

Thanks all for you input. Happy to hear from more.

[Rex Sanders]

Karen,

My first aid kit.
10 Aspirin tablets
10 Excedrin tablets
10 Aleve tablets
10 Tylenol tablets
10 Benadryl tablets
8 Imodium tablets
1 Tums roll
1 Cavit 7 gram tube
5 Neosporin ointment packets
1 3×5 card with drugs, dosage, indications
1 NOLS WFA Field Guide with add-ons
1 Nitrile gloves, pair
2 Transparent permeable 10×12 cm bandages
7 Transparent permeable 6×7 cm bandages
4 Sterile gauze pads, 3×3 in
1 Roller gauze (folded)
1 Wound closure strips, 5/pkg
5 Large bandaids
5 Small bandaids
1 Wound cleaning syringe, 12 cc
2 Tincture of Benzoin capsules
1 Self adherent wrap (like ACE bandage)
8 Leukotape P, 5-inch strips on non-stick paper
1 Wallet magnifier
1 Tweezers
2 Safety pins
1 Tyvek layout sheet (cut up envelope)
2 3×5 cards for notes
1 Fisher Stowaway Space Pen
Personal prescription meds
1 Zipper pouch, waterproof

Carried elsewhere:
Repair tape
Hand gel
Soap
Water

Also, highly recommend retaking or refreshing WFR. I’ve re-certified every two years for nearly 20 years. A lot changes, and my skills get refreshed.

Hope this helps.

— Rex

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