FAK suggestions

D

Dave in PA

Joined
Sep 23, 2000
Messages
123
I am getting older and prefer to keep things lighter weight (my knees are thanking me). Give me some suggestions on exactly what/how you carry your first aid kit for shorter trips (long day hikes, overnighters).

I have a larger kit I use for longer trips, but wondered how others cut down on redundancy, weight and size while still keeping the essential stuff with you.

Just to clarify, I have assembled my own kit and prefer to do it again so it can be tailored to me and my situation. Example, if I am carrying a gun I always have some Quick Clot along and after a recent yellow jacket attack, I make sure I have antihistamine in case of another. It is easy to get carried away and bring the kitchen sink along and I'd like to avoid that.

I'm leaning towards getting one of the Adventure Medical kits and adding my own preferences.

So, what are your thoughts and what do you take with you?
 
Getting the AMK and customizing it is a good idea. I did something similar for my larger kit. But if you want to keep weight to a minimum, or you are looking for a customizable EDC First Aid Kit, you can go to your local craft store and get reclosable plastic bags in different sizes and make your own mini kit.

I use bags in 1.5" x 2", 2" x 3", 3" x 6", and 4" x 6". I keep my every day FAK in my pocket or shoulder bag in a 3" x 6" bag inside which I have 1 triple antibiotic foil, 1 hydrocortisone foil, 2 alcohol swabs, 3 large band-aids, 3 medium band-aids, 2 small band-aids, 2 butterfly bandages, 1 miniature hand sanitizer bottle, and a 1.5" x 2" bag with 6 ibuprofen, 4 benadril, and 4 imodium. I also carry in the large bag (3" x 6") 2 empty 1.5" x 2" bags to store partially used triple antibiotic or hydrocortisone foils. The advantage of this method is that you can make as many FAK's as you want and customize each. For a day hike you can use a larger plastic bag or put directly in you day hike bag what you want to add, like gauze, instant cold pack, bandanna, and Quick Clot. Most probably you already have at home all you need except for the bags, alcohol swabs, and foils, and those you can get at most pharmacies. My wife and kids have their own EDC FAK customized for them.
 
a suggestion I always offer folks when they are contemplating a FAK, is "what items have you used in your last 10 years of hiking/camping?"

Along with that, think about your AO. Choose what you need to meet emergencies in that area. No need to pack for every possible scenario in the world, if you are going to be hiking the Florida Trail.
 
Getting the AMK and customizing it is a good idea.
Click to expand...

This ^

I bring a smaller AMK, with the following:

Diarrhea medicine
Benadryl
Moleskin
4x4 bandages
Small packet of Quick Clot powder
A 6" roll of Kerlix gauze, for packing a bleeder or to wrap a decent scrape (doesn't fit in the FAK)
 
mine weighs under 2.5 oz- I carry a small roll of gauze, two packets of triple antibiotic, small pointy tweezers, small scissors from a SAK, two packs of Steri-strips, Tegaderm bandage, irrigator, three packs Celox, four alcohol prep pads, Leukotape w/ Benzoin (blisters), small meds- Tylenol, Advil, Imodium, Benadryl

all in a Aloksak

firstaidcontents.jpg


in addition several items out of my repair kit also can be helpful- needle, safety pins, duct tape, crazy glue

packedup.jpg
 
When I first read this I thought you stuffed all that in your green +B Bushcrafter ............ didn't realize those bags were called Aloksak. ;)


Edit ....... just pulled out my kit and I've been using those bags for years and never noticed that name. I'm an observationist!
 
Thanks everyone. Mtwarden, your pictures gave me some ideas to add to the list. I have started carrying pills in one of the plastic tubes that come with a small amount of Tylenol, Advil or Motrin you find in convenience stores. Inside I carry some Tylenol, motrin and benadryl to keep them safe and easily found. I carry the same small pointy tweezers which have come in handy to remove ticks from me and the dog.

I also like the looks of the Aloksak to keep it all dry.
 
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