Med kit

[Ferrulewax]

Besides first aid kits, and a basic first aid training done by the red cross. Is there a better resource for training for the back country for a emergency?

I think a wilderness first aid course is a good start (although it tends to focus a little more on rendering first aid as a group and how to delegate responsibility, at least in the course I did). A stop the bleed course would also be a good option.

 

[ashtont]

Besides first aid kits, and a basic first aid training done by the red cross. Is there a better resource for training for the back country for a emergency?

My work provides the red cross training for us so that kinda what got my mind rolling on what some people run for backcountry stuff.


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[IDVortex]

I think a wilderness first aid course is a good start (although it tends to focus a little more on rendering first aid as a group and how to delegate responsibility, at least in the course I did). A stop the bleed course would also be a good option.

I've done some light looking into courses, but most I find is for a group setting. Not for a single person alone in the middle of the Frank Church wilderness

 

[Ferrulewax]

I've done some light looking into courses, but most I find is for a group setting. Not for a single person alone in the middle of the Frank Church wilderness

I wonder if a more "tactical" based course would be better? It would probably still lend itself more to group aid.

 

[ashtont]

I wonder if a more "tactical" based course would be better? It would probably still lend itself more to group aid.

that’s what it felt like when i did it, partners and calling people for help, I’d rather learn more or less to do stuff solo or me and a buddy. I’m not a huge group hunter.


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[Fatcamp]

My first aid kit has grown considerably over the last few years. I've had some very close calls with potentially significant injuries in the deep backcountry. I also do a lot of backcountry skiing which carries a significant risk for injury and I am familiar with some fatalities in the same areas that I have skied where key items such as Nasopharygeal Airway, tourniquets, chest seals etc would have potentially changed the outcome. Lot of different schools of thought, but I am increasingly less impressed with cavalier attitudes.

When I hunt in remote areas I carry the small kit outlined above but when we shoot, boat or travel I always have a full blowout kit.

I find that interesting and thought provoking.

 

[Marbles]

Besides first aid kits, and a basic first aid training done by the red cross. Is there a better resource for training for the back country for a emergency?

Wilderness first aid, or better wilderness first responder. NOLS courses.

To address other points.

These courses are a foundation, you have to take what they teach you, try to understand it, then adapt it to your needs.

I was once told there is a difference between education and training. The semantics of this was that training gives you an algorithm to follow and focuses on if this, then that. Education teaches you to understand the underlying issues so you can create solutions.

The algorithms work, and well educated people use them as it speeds things up, but the education lets you figure out what to do when the algorithm fails.

EMT and paramedic are still predominantly at the training level. RN gets some deeper education, but still is limited in that regard. PA, APRN, DO, MD get (or should get) taught to think through the problem, but there is a large foundation needed and constant maintenance.

That is a long winded way of saying, don't reject a level of training just because it doesn't fit everything perfectly.

 

[BigDuckHunter]

Besides first aid kits, and a basic first aid training done by the red cross. Is there a better resource for training for the back country for an emergency?

I used to teach a wilderness medicine class. It was geared towards physicians, but we tried to keep it from going too far into the weeds as there were a huge difference in experience levels and limited time. I can see if I still have some of the resources if you’re interested.

 

[35WhelenAI]

I like what has been shared, I come from a bit different mindset. Probably more from experience having dealt with wilderness first aid in real time. There is much that is with a person already that can be used that some things are redundant when it comes to taking care of serious injuries.

Basics like a few bandaids, gauze squares, super glue, steri-strips, fire starting capability, are a given. A bandana you may already wear around your neck or as a skull cap adds nothing to weight. Then there's para cord already on hand for tying back game for field dressing, rifle (or handgun) to fire off three rounds after dark at regular intervals, etc are things most hunters have with them. During hunting season, archery or rifle, when anyone within earshot hears three shots a half hour after pitch dark that continues at regular intervals, that's universal for someone in distress.

Help may not come at night, but as we know, there are many people in the woods these days and someone will hear them. Do not count on technology to get you out, that means battery powered devices. If you have them, and they work, they are the easy button and a great option. If it doesn't work and you don't have a back up or skills, it could be tough.

Be ready to spend the night, regardless of what is happening. A fire will keep you warm and lift spirits. Someone should know your approximate whereabouts and if you are not on time being able to get through til morning is extremely important. Can you put together a makeshift shelter, can you stabilize a joint or bone to still be functional to do survival basics?

IME and IMO, it is not about what you have in your first aid kit, it's being able to work with what you have. Do you need a tourniquet if you have a bandana and sticks all around, that can also be used to pack a wound or make a splint, etc.

In the end, what Marbles said holds true. Basic/light with first aid, heavy on knowledge and common sense/keeping your wits about you.

 

[fngTony]

Good stuff above. An alternative or addition to a fire is packing some warm layers. You can do quite well with a few inexpensive items that wouldn’t weigh your pack down. Anyone prepared for a day hunt would already have a warm jacket, gloves and hat. Now add a foam pad, emergency bivvy and a cheap 50° sleeping bag and you dramatically improve your comfort and chances of surviving the night.

 

[mtnbound]

I have taken multiple different WFR courses, and I think WFA is a better choice for almost everyone. Some are more focused on buddy care, but just ask the instructor if you can do the exercise solo so it's more relevant to you.

My current kit is broken into two separate kits:
Kit 1- in my bino harness
A partial roll of krinkle gauze
Some basic meds like IBU, Arnica
Tourniquet

Kit 2- in my pack
Few different sizes of band-aides
A couple of Steri-strips
Krinkle gauze roll
Z-style blood-stopper bandage x 2
Chest seal bandage
Luco-tape
Coban wrap
Ace wrap x 2
Tourniquet
Basic meds, IBU, Benadryl, Pepto, Arnica, Cough drops
It all fits into an EXO stash pocket.

Sam-splint is in a pack, and I usually use my butt wipes for surface cleaning if needed.

I carry two separate kits in case something is bad enough that I have to deal with it immediately before I take my pack off and get to my primary kit, or if I want to pop some IBU, I don't have to take my pack off to get to my primary kit.

I usually instruct folks to practice applying TQs, Pressure Dressings, and Ace wraps one-handed, which also means with their support or weak hand.

MacGyverism is excellent, but when you or someone else is in a life-threatening situation, not having the tool immediately at hand costs time, which can be precious.

 

[robertmpalmquist]

Depends on where you’re going but I archery hunt some big mountains in Washington. I carry, Tylenol, ibuprofen, benedryl, a few bandaids, a couple narcotics if really bad pain, small superglue for cuts, gauze with quick clot on it, Leuko tape and duct tape on my trekking poles, and a few water tabs. Then I have my inreach. Whole kit without inreach weighs 3oz.

 

[ganngus]

Satellite Communicator: Garmin Inreach Mini and/or Iphone 14 or Newer
Tourniquet: CAT Tourniquet- ORANGE
Hemostatic Dressing: CELOX packets x3 (I honestly think a quickclot combat gauze would be a better replacemnt for both the celox and the s-gauze)
Skin Glue: Dermabond
ABD Pads (x2)
S-Rolled Gauze
Leuko Tape
a few Miscellaneous Bandaids
Medications: Tylenol,Benadryl, Consider a stronger pain medication
Bug Wipe

all this is a ziplock bag is 7.5oz. I use a ziplock because it is light, waterproof, easy access, and I can see the contents (as can anyone giving me aid)

I sort first aid gear into two categories: 1) make me more comfortable (bandaid, dermabond, leukotape) and 2) get out alive: Celox, tournaqet, abd pads. Everything in the middle where I plan to leave the field but won't kill me in the meantime I don't worry about too much (sprains, moderate cuts, etc)

some way to communicate is going to be the most important thing. No matter what, you are going to need rescue or quick medical attention for lots of possible issues.

I have the exact same things in the kit that you have. However, after a bad fall in some steep country resulting in me destroying my ankle in 2023, I am now carrying pre-wrap and sports tape with me in my kit. I finished hunt wrapping ankle in leukotape and putting another 20 miles in basically on one leg. Since leukotape had no give, I could not wrap it anywhere to level I could with sports tape.

 

[prm]

Stop bleeding
Communications
Pain meds
A few minor items such as eye drops (when cutting a branch overhead I got some moss from the tree in my eye. Probably won’t do that again, but a way to flush out eyes can be handy).