Putting together a first aid kit

Titan_Bow

WKR
Joined
Dec 10, 2015
Messages
1,157
Location
Colorado
Guys, had the opportunity to use the first aid kit I keep in my hunting pack, as my wife cut her finger pretty bad. It made me realize that the pre-packaged first aid kits (the one we have was from REI) are probably not ideal for what we really need.
I'm interested to hear what others have done in regards to backcountry hunting specific first aid. What are some items you included and why.
 

gelton

WKR
Joined
May 15, 2013
Messages
2,510
Location
Central Texas
Visine
Body Glide
Pepto Bismol Tablets - Travel Size
Krazy Glue
Assorted Bandages and Guaze
Excedrin Pain Releiver 4 x 2 packs
Triple Anti Biotic Ointment 3 x individual packs
Wound Seal 2 x individual packs
Benadryl - 3 x 2 packs
AfterBite - 2 x individual wipes
Iodine Wipes - 4 x individual wipes
Thermometer - 1 x Next Temp Single Use Thermometer
About 3 ft of duct tape wrapped around a lighter

Could probably get away with just the duct tape and krazy glue :)
 

Davebuech

WKR
Joined
May 16, 2016
Messages
694
Location
Rocky Mountains (SLV) Colorado
IMO. Don't let your first Aid kit outweigh your abilities. Most injuries are minor. Unless you are trained in Wilderness first aid (or even if you are!) Bandaids, Leuko tape, moleskin, gauze, telfa pads, antibiotic ointment and some vet wrap will handle most bleeding/blister injuries. If you want to step it up, take a syringe & 5% provodine iodine solution for rinsing/flushing nasty wounds. Scissors & possibly sutures, if you know what to do with em, but most times in the backcountry stitches are not recommended!
Medicines/Ointments. Acidimineifin (you know Tylenol stuff), Ibuprofen, some kind strong pain killer (prescription), Rolaid's & laxative (if you eat MH), maybe some antibiotics (depends on length of trip), as well as sunscreen, you're covered (pardon the pun). Insect repellant if you are in that kinda area.
Thant's my spin on it anyway. Let's hope you don't need backcountry first aid!
 

Becca

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
2,037
Location
Wasilla, Alaska
Everyone has a different opinion abut what you need/don't need to have along. My goal for our kit was to try to keep the weight down, while still planning for contingencies. Keep in mind that many of our trips are fly-in or way off the road system...running back to town for supplies or emergency dental work isn't a realistic option, or at the very least ends the trip. Also keep in mind that we carry other survival gear (fire starting material, para cord, lighters matches, sat phone, etc) elsewhere. Because an old injury to my leg still bothers me some when I pack heavy loads, I usually have a small bottle with Tylenol and ibuprofen either in my bino pouch or my bathroom bag. When hunting, we typically have additional nitrile gloves in the kill kit. Our sat phone, with extra batteries and emergency contact numbers also goes on every trip.

Medical Supplies
Moleskin 1 4x4" piece
Large Band aids-4
Small band aids-4
Non adherent dressings- 2
4"x4" gauze pads-4
2"x2" gauze pads-2
Triple antibiotic ointment packets- 4
Alcohol pads-6
Sting relief pads-2
Cotton tipped applicators-2
Nitrile Gloves- 1 pair
Quick Clot Pack 3.5"x3.5"-1
Needle nose tweezers-1 set
Derma bond applicator- 1
4' of 1" transpore tape
10cc syringe- 1 (for irrigation of eyes or a deep cut)
Den temp temporary dental filling- One kit

Medications
Alkaseltzer- 3 packets
Tylenol- 4 packets (500mg each)
Ibuprofen- 4 packets (400mg each)
Vicodin- (5/3251) bottle left over from dental procedure, probably around 20 pills
Benadryl- 4 packets (50mg each)
Diflucan- 1 pill (150mg)

Repair Kit
Sewing kit: 3 needles, assorted thread, 3 buttons of varying sizes, 6 safety pins, small scissors
Superglue
AquaSeal UV

Our whole kit fits into a 1 L silnylon drybbag. Individual components are separated inside in ziploc bags to additional protection and to keep them organized. If something gets used on a trip, I am careful to replace it when we get home.
 

Becca

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
2,037
Location
Wasilla, Alaska
Hey Becca, just curious, why do you carry Diflucan?

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

Because wet crotch (common when Packrafting) can equal a yeast infection, which equals misery for women ;) cheap insurance to carry it
 

Mckinnon

WKR
Joined
Mar 26, 2012
Messages
712
Location
Reno, NV
Well that make sense. I remember you are a nurse, I am also a nurse (trauma ICU) and I was just curious. That makes sense!

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
 
Top