I carry a 6-ounce private first support package after I go day mountain climbing and backpacking. It incorporates extra bandages and medicines than I would 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 Japanese United States the place emergency healthcare is often 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-Establish 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 examine whether or not I’ve packed it.
First Assist Package Elements
Listed here are the contents of my first-aid package. I purchase the whole lot in amount and refill issues periodically once 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 offered by the package’s producer.
All of this stuff are straightforward to seek out over-the-counter. I hardly ever use any of it, to be sincere and really give most of this stuff away to folks 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 varied sizes
- Wound cleansing: 6 alcohol prep wipes
- Small lower 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 capsules
- 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 Basic
- Chaffing reduction: a small container of Zinc Oxide packed in my bathroom paper bag
- Chaffing reduction: a small container of Vaseline packed in my hearth beginning package
Clarification of Elements
Leukotape is a really sticky tape that hikers and runners placed on their toes 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 a protracted 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 you must change the strips a couple of times per 12 months as a result of they lose their stickiness over time. Leukotape will usually keep caught to your toes for 2 to 3 days.
Band-aid Hydro Seal Bandages (akin 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 may bathe, maintain mountain climbing, and many others., whereas carrying them. They’ll usually keep on for 2 to 4 days. They’re one of the best 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 software to assist stop infections. They’re typically offered 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 can even purchase them on Amazon US. They’ll usually keep on for 2 to 3 days. They’re fairly cheap, truly.
A 2 oz polyethylene bottle (offered by REI) with a screw-on cap is an efficient option to bundle pharmaceuticals as a result of it prevents the capsules from being crushed and is way more space-efficient than carrying a every day capsule dispenser. In case you lose the cap you may exchange it with a plastic soda bottle cap. In case 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 might be an unimaginable problem, as an example.
Ibuprofen tablets are fairly useful for ache reduction, fever discount and to scale back irritation when it’s wanted. I repackage mine in EZ Dose Ziploc capsule baggage to maintain them dry
Youngsters’s chewable aspirin is sweet as a blood thinner to forestall clotting if somebody is experiencing coronary heart assault signs. Chewable tablets might be consumed by anybody. It’s essential to examine {that a} affected person is just not 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 sleep support that can make you drowsy in the event you’re having hassle falling asleep. I additionally repackage mine in pill-sized Ziploc baggage 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 in the event you devour unhealthy meals or water by slowing down your bowel contractions and the motion of meals or fluids by way of your digestive tract. In different phrases, it plugs you up so nothing comes out. I additionally repackage mine in pill-sized Ziploc baggage to maintain them dry.
Tailwind Electrolyte Substitute Packets: Tailwind is an electrolyte substitute combine that incorporates a combination of electrolytes together with sodium and potassium, and easy sugars so it may be consumed by people who find themselves allergic to the factitious sweeteners discovered in lots of different electrolyte mixes. I primarily carry this drink combine for different folks to devour once they bonk or really feel nauseous as a result of they haven’t been hydrating correctly, significantly on scorching and humid days.
Nitrile Gloves: One of the essential classes you study in Wilderness First Assist is physique fluid isolation. You need to keep away from coming involved with an injured particular person’s blood, sweat, piss, or shit. I assist individuals who I come throughout sometimes who’re in some type of misery, and carrying Nitrile gloves is a straightforward option to maintain your self protected if I’ve to the touch them.
Multi-use Elements
Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide Water Purification: I carry chlorine dioxide as a backup (to my filter) and as a batch water purification method 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 stop 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 Basic: This tiny knife has a small pair of very sharp scissors that are useful 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 forestall additional irritation. I’m going by way of sufficient zinc oxide that it pays to purchase an enormous jar and refill my small tub as wanted. The refill course of is greatest carried out utilizing a nitrile glove to maintain the zinc oxide off your palms.
Vaseline: I carry a small tub of vaseline which I smear onto cotton balls as a hearth starter. It may be used the identical manner as zinc oxide though it’s a bit of greasier. I often apply it to my toes beneath my socks if I really feel friction, to forestall blisters.
The Downside with Industrial First Assist Kits
I’ve by no means been a fan of small business first support kits as a result of they don’t comprise the merchandise that I desire or in sufficient amount, necessitating frequent and expensive resupply if purchase their replenishment kits. I’d somewhat 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 often carry a heavier business first support package, however it incorporates way more gadgets than you’re more likely 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 medication cupboard.
Well being Upkeep System vs First Assist 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 may obtain correct medical consideration.
However in the event you’re a severe 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 style 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 clean 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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