What is needed for a First Aid kit for Hiking / Backpacking?

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
Messages
7,443
I am planning a week expedition - what should I have with me that you think is necessary in terms of First aid?

Thanks so much,

TF
 
How many people, just you?

I would say gear for sprains, breaks and cuts. Alcohol swabs, gauss, tape, and of course small Band-Aids. what ever pills you need, tylenol and Something I need is tums. :D
 
Tylenol and Duct Tape. That will fix just about any medical problem that doesn't require a hospital.
 
Sterile 4x4s, Israli bandage, kerlex, coban, tape, alcohol preps, steri strips, Trauma shears, ace wrap, saline Flush, Tournequet, Tylenol, Benydryl, epi pen if your allergic.
 
j williams said:
Sterile 4x4s, Israli bandage, kerlex, coban, tape, alcohol preps, steri strips, Trauma shears, ace wrap, saline Flush, Tournequet, Tylenol, Benydryl, epi pen if your allergic.
Click to expand...
All of that, plus...
2" gauze bandage. 1" surgical adhesive tape (the water-resistant kind). A few sterile gloves (can be bought as sterile pairs). Take a few waterproof band-aids as well. Super-glue... for small, but hard to close cuts.

I'd substitute Ibuprofen for tylenol, because it is an anti-inflammatory drug in larger doses (take 50 caplets...).

Make sure to take pepto pills and Immodium, in case of GI issues in the bush.

Also take a small digital thermometer. In cold weather, it's easy to get sick if you get cold or wet... and you need to know if you or one of your party has a fever.

Finally, make sure you have a light that can be comfortably held in your mouth for prolonged periods of time, or clipped onto a hat (bringing a headlamp is generally a good idea) so that you could work with both hands, if necessary.

Everyone should have a mini-kit in a party, but I'd designate one person for the bulk of the larger kit that includes the bandages, etc... For longer trips, my kit winds up taking up a small bag by itself. A small one, but yet another piece of kit to carry, nonetheless. But better heavy than sorry.
 
Here's what I bring.

Band aids
Cut sealing super glue
Gauze
Waterproof tape
A couple oxycodone pills
Aspirin
Tums
Sting ease compound
 
Umm, if you are hiking and backpacking, don't forget foot care. Moleskin is invaluable on the trail. Even if you rarely get blisters, you may find a situation where your boots are rubbing where they didn't rub before and blisters are a miserable way to go. Also, take your personal meds with you. Especially if you take medication daily, or for emergency like asthma.
 
iodine. always bring iodine.

and look up online how to use it properly for water purification. :D
 
Not to be flip, but take stuff you know how to use.

>Aspirin is important due to heart attack being one of the Big Three wilderness killers (drowning, falls, heart attack).

>Benadryl can be given for reactions to insect stings.

>Duct tape or good adhesive tape can be used to reduce friction at a "hot spot" on a foot.

>Antibiotic cream is good for lots more than preventing infections (and can help start fires).

>A big safety pin can help turn a shirt into a sling for a broken arm.

I have witnessed folks tearing open first aid kits and looking at the contents like they had just found a Martian inside.

One could let first aid knowledge drive what is carried. There are good home study courses.
 
Last edited:
I carry a decent sized kit when I know I'm gonna cover a lot of miles, but even then the most used items are bandaids, Neosporin, moleskin, duct tape (over moleskin) and Advil. Tweezers and nail clippers come in pretty handy too.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Not to be flip, but take stuff you know how to use.


>Antibiotic cream is good for lots more than preventing infections (and can help start fires).

>A big safety pin can help turn a shirt into a sling for a broken arm.

I have witnessed folks tearing open first aid kits and looking at the contents like they had just found a Martian inside.
Click to expand...

Antibiotic cream! Thanks for mentioning that one!

I usually pin a few safety pins on the outside of my pack ever since a friends pack almost had the shoulder strap come off.:thumbup:

I have never really carried a "first aid kit" but over time just more or less filled a ziplock with the things I've either needed and not had or thought I might.
 
koyote said:
iodine. always bring iodine.

and look up online how to use it properly for water purification. :D
Click to expand...
Like Chlorine hydoxide, iodine works according to water temp, dosage, time, ph of water, dissolved organics, and dissolved minerals. I have trouble measuring a couple of those in the field. If it works at all.

http://www.wemjournal.org/wmsonline...&issn=1080-6032&volume=008&issue=02&page=0096

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache...ine+cryptosporidium&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=42&gl=us
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top