I carry a 6-ounce private first support package after I go day climbing and backpacking. It incorporates extra bandages and medicines than I’d want on a visit so I solely need to replenish it periodically. It’s additionally intently “aligned” to the locale the place I do most of my journeys, within the Jap United States the place emergency healthcare is normally accessible in a worst-case 24-hour time window, even in rural areas. Completely different locales may have totally different first-aid necessities.
I additionally carry a number of multi-use gadgets that may increase my first support package, which I clarify under. My path clothes system additionally lets me keep away from many points and illnesses related to ticks, bugs, and solar publicity.
Straightforward-to-Determine Stuff Sack
My first-aid package is packed in a white stuff sack which makes it straightforward to seek out in a backpack and to test whether or not I’ve packed it.
First Help Package Substances
Listed below are the contents of my first-aid package. I purchase every part in amount and refill issues periodically after they run low. You’ll discover this strategy a lot inexpensive than shopping for a pre-packaged first support package and resupplying it with gadgets bought by the package’s producer.
All of this stuff are straightforward to seek out over-the-counter. I not often use any of it, to be sincere and really give most of this stuff away to individuals I hike with or come throughout in misery.
- Blister prevention: 12 pre-cut Leukotape strips, caught to launch paper
- Blister therapy: 6 Band-aid hydro-skin band-aids of assorted sizes
- Wound cleansing: 6 alcohol prep wipes
- Small reduce care: 6 very sticky Elastoplast bandaids
- Small meds bottle: Private medical prescriptions, as wanted
- Ache and irritation reduction: 10 ibuprofen tablets, 10 Acetaminophen tablets
- Ache and blood thinner in case of coronary heart assault: 12 kids’s chewable aspirin drugs
- Allergic response: 20 Benedryl tablets
- Diarrhea reduction: 10 Imodium tablets
- Electrolyte replenishment: 1-2 Tailwind electrolyte drink packets
- Physique fluid isolation: Nitrile gloves in case I’ve to manage first support to another person
Multi-Use components, which can be utilized for first support if wanted
- Wound cleansing, irrigation: Chlorine dioxide water purification drops or tablets
- Scissors: Victorinox Swiss Military Knife Traditional
- Chaffing reduction: a small container of Zinc Oxide packed in my bathroom paper bag
- Chaffing reduction: a small container of Vaseline packed in my fireplace beginning package
Clarification of Substances
Leukotape is a really sticky tape that hikers and runners placed on their ft to forestall scorching spots from forming. The one time I get blisters is after I’m breaking in a brand new pair of sneakers or insoles or I’ve to do an extended highway stroll. Leukotape is available in a roll which is inconvenient to pack. So I pre-cut it into 3-4″ strips that I keep on with mailing label paper (“referred to as launch paper”) and carry these as an alternative. This works nice, however it’s important to change the strips a few times per yr as a result of they lose their stickiness over time. Leukotape will usually keep caught to your ft for 2 to a few days.
Band-aid Hydro Seal Bandages (corresponding to Compeed within the UK) are gel-like bandages that assist heal blisters and supply cushioning for ache reduction. They’re additionally very sticky and waterproof, so you’ll be able to bathe, preserve climbing, and many others., whereas carrying them. They’ll usually keep on for 2 to 4 days. They’re the most effective bandages for blisters I’ve discovered.
Alcohol Prep Wipes are good to sterilize scrapes, shallow wounds, and blades or scissors earlier than use. The “outdoor” is a reasonably soiled place and these wipes are one device to assist forestall infections. They’re typically bought in giant portions, like 100 wipe packages.
Elastoplast Plasters are very sticky bandaids which are a lot stickier than the standard Band-aids you usually get in america. I first found them in Scotland, however you may as well purchase them on Amazon US. They’ll usually keep on for 2 to a few days. They’re fairly cheap, really.
A 2 oz polyethylene bottle (bought by REI) with a screw-on cap is an efficient approach to bundle pharmaceuticals as a result of it prevents the drugs from being crushed and is far more space-efficient than carrying a every day capsule dispenser. When you lose the cap you’ll be able to substitute it with a plastic soda bottle cap. When you’re paranoid about dropping your prescriptions, carry a second bottle with them in another a part of your pack or private results. Getting substitute prescriptions in could be an unimaginable problem, as an example.
Ibuprofen tablets are fairly useful for ache reduction, fever discount and to cut back irritation when it’s wanted. I repackage mine in EZ Dose Ziploc capsule luggage to maintain them dry
Youngsters’s chewable aspirin is nice as a blood thinner to forestall clotting if somebody is experiencing coronary heart assault signs. Chewable tablets could be consumed by anybody. It’s vital to test {that a} affected person will not be allergic earlier than administering.
Benedryl tablets are good for treating all method of allergic reactions starting from bee stings to hayfever. Benedryl can also be a very good sleep support that can make you drowsy when you’re having bother falling asleep. I additionally repackage mine in pill-sized Ziploc luggage to maintain them dry.
Acetaminophen tablets (Tylenol). For ache reduction, particularly for many who can not take Aspirin & Ibuprofen
Imodium tablets, additionally referred to as Loperamide, assist cut back the signs of diarrhea when you devour dangerous meals or water by slowing down your bowel contractions and the motion of meals or fluids via your digestive tract. In different phrases, it plugs you up so nothing comes out. I additionally repackage mine in pill-sized Ziploc luggage to maintain them dry.
Tailwind Electrolyte Substitute Packets: Tailwind is an electrolyte substitute combine that incorporates a mix of electrolytes together with sodium and potassium, and easy sugars so it may be consumed by people who find themselves allergic to the bogus sweeteners discovered in lots of different electrolyte mixes. I primarily carry this drink combine for different individuals to devour after they bonk or really feel nauseous as a result of they haven’t been hydrating correctly, notably on scorching and humid days.
Nitrile Gloves: One of the vital vital classes you study in Wilderness First Help is physique fluid isolation. You wish to keep away from coming involved with an injured individual’s blood, sweat, piss, or shit. I assist individuals who I come throughout occasionally who’re in some kind of misery, and carrying Nitrile gloves is an easy approach to preserve your self protected if I’ve to the touch them.
Multi-use Substances
Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide Water Purification: I carry chlorine dioxide as a backup (to my filter) and as a batch water purification approach on all of my hikes and backpacking journeys. Water purified with chlorine dioxide is sterile and can be utilized to irrigate deep wounds. Whereas it’s painful, scrubbing particles out of wounds helps forestall an infection. When you can carry an irrigation syringe for this, a plastic bag, bladder, or hydration hose will also be used to create a stream of water.
Swiss Military Knife Traditional: This tiny knife has a small pair of very sharp scissors that are helpful for shaping Leukotape or bandages.
Zinc Oxide: Zinc oxide is a soothing cream for treating minor pores and skin irritation together with chafing. I carry a small hinged beauty jar of it in a plastic bag with my bathroom paper. It really works splendidly properly to alleviate discomfort and stop additional irritation. I am going via sufficient zinc oxide that it pays to purchase an enormous jar and refill my small tub as wanted. The refill course of is finest carried out utilizing a nitrile glove to maintain the zinc oxide off your arms.
Vaseline: I carry a small tub of vaseline which I smear onto cotton balls as a hearth starter. It may be used the identical method as zinc oxide though it’s a bit of greasier. I sometimes apply it to my toes below my socks if I really feel friction, to forestall blisters.
The Drawback with Industrial First Help Kits
I’ve by no means been a fan of small business first support kits as a result of they don’t include the merchandise that I choose or in sufficient amount, necessitating frequent and expensive resupply if purchase their replenishment kits. I’d relatively carry 20 Ibuprofen or Benedryl tablets than the 1 or 2 tablets included in business first support kits as a result of I exploit them way more typically than a business package assumes. If I’m guiding shoppers, I’ll normally carry a heavier business first support package, however it incorporates way more gadgets than you’re prone to ever want on a hike or backpacking journey. Guides carry them to keep away from lawsuits as a lot as to assist their shoppers.
Have a look inside a shopper Journey Medical Package someday. Paying $32.95 for this Ultralight/Watertight .7 Medical Package is a complete rip-off. You’ll be able to inventory a roll-your-own first support package that prices much less and is simply as efficient and full with gadgets in your house drugs cupboard.
Well being Upkeep System vs First Help Package
The issue with most business first support kits is that they attempt to bundle “first support” as a separate entity to allow them to promote it and never as a component in a bigger gear system. Positive, boo-boos occur, and it’s good to have sufficient components to stabilize a affected person till you’ll be able to obtain correct medical consideration.
However when you’re a critical day hiker or backpacker, I’d encourage you to consider the medical provides and kit you carry as a bigger “well being upkeep system” made up of interlocking and multi-use components. For instance, a foam sleeping pad and detachable backpack straps can be utilized to vogue a splint for a damaged leg, chlorine dioxide water purification tablets can be utilized to purify the water used to irrigate wounds, and the hose from a hydration reservoir can be utilized like an irrigation syringe to scrub out wounds. Which is why I view them as half of a bigger well being upkeep system together with the opposite gear and provides that I keep it up journeys.
Meals for thought.
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