There is no such thing as the perfect first aid kit. There are too many variables to consider, too many things that can or can not happen. The best first aid kits are those that are tailored and thought through before each outing. There are three major things to consider when building or buying a first aid kit: the activity, the environment, and the group.
1. Activity
Consider the activity and the most likely injuries and emergencies related to that activity. Maybe you include more blister care items for hiking, and more trauma material for mountain biking. You also wouldn’t carry heavy cold packs on your winter cross country ski trip. But you would want to have handwarmers or thermal blankets.
The duration of the activity is another consideration. You do not want to carry less or more than you need.
Take these two very different examples:
Kerr is a mountain guide. His activity of mountaineering will increase the likelihood of high altitude and cold related illness. His next trip is 21-days long. Kerr will add to his kit the medications used to combat the high altitude illnesses and he will have enough supplies to get him through his long trek.
Will is a backpacking trip leader. His trips are usually 2-3 days in length. His kit includes items that will help with blister care and sprains. He does not need to an entire bottle of ibuprofen, a few individually packaged doses should be enough for his trip.
1. Activity
Consider the activity and the most likely injuries and emergencies related to that activity. Maybe you include more blister care items for hiking, and more trauma material for mountain biking. You also wouldn’t carry heavy cold packs on your winter cross country ski trip. But you would want to have handwarmers or thermal blankets.
The duration of the activity is another consideration. You do not want to carry less or more than you need.
Take these two very different examples:
Kerr is a mountain guide. His activity of mountaineering will increase the likelihood of high altitude and cold related illness. His next trip is 21-days long. Kerr will add to his kit the medications used to combat the high altitude illnesses and he will have enough supplies to get him through his long trek.
Will is a backpacking trip leader. His trips are usually 2-3 days in length. His kit includes items that will help with blister care and sprains. He does not need to an entire bottle of ibuprofen, a few individually packaged doses should be enough for his trip.
Get Smart. Stay Safe.
Be ready for anything thrown your way on the next adventure. This course will teach you everything from basic survival to handle to a wilderness medical emergency. And it's yours for life. Actually, it may even save a life!
|
|
2. Environment
Next is environment. This includes climate, terrain threats and obstacles, the accessibility to medical care in relation to the location you will be in, and the resources available. Resources may be helicopters, ambulance, personnel, clinics, communication devices, shelters, etc.
Again, our two examples:
Kerr plans to climb a 25,000ft mountain in Pakistan. The climate will be extremely cold, the terrain encountered will be steep slopes and cliffs of falling ice, snow, and rock. Medical rescue or access to medical care is unlikely or multiple days away. The available resources are limited to what he will have in his pack.
Will he is planning a two day trip in Yellowstone National Park. The climate is warm with occasional thunderstorms. The terrain is relatively flat with areas of grass and mud. Medical rescue or access to medical care is easily reached by cell phone or within a few hours of walking. The available resources are plenty and may include an ambulance, helicopter, and nearby clinic.
Next is environment. This includes climate, terrain threats and obstacles, the accessibility to medical care in relation to the location you will be in, and the resources available. Resources may be helicopters, ambulance, personnel, clinics, communication devices, shelters, etc.
Again, our two examples:
Kerr plans to climb a 25,000ft mountain in Pakistan. The climate will be extremely cold, the terrain encountered will be steep slopes and cliffs of falling ice, snow, and rock. Medical rescue or access to medical care is unlikely or multiple days away. The available resources are limited to what he will have in his pack.
Will he is planning a two day trip in Yellowstone National Park. The climate is warm with occasional thunderstorms. The terrain is relatively flat with areas of grass and mud. Medical rescue or access to medical care is easily reached by cell phone or within a few hours of walking. The available resources are plenty and may include an ambulance, helicopter, and nearby clinic.
3. Group
And finally, the group you are adventuring with must be considered when planning your first aid kit. Here we need to look at: group size, the people themselves and their individual needs or issues, their age and experience.
Kerr is climbing with a team of 5 healthy and fit people, ages 25-35 years old. They are all very experienced in mountaineering, but one member suffers from headaches when he reaches a certain elevation. Kerr is sure to have extra headache medication in his kit.
Will, however, is backpacking with a group of 20 first time backpackers. The youngest of the group is 75 years old. While most are healthy enough to hike, many have medical issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease. Eighteen members of the group take aspirin daily and one member is severely allergic to multiple foods. Will carries a bottle of aspirin, extra benadryl, an epi pen...and maybe some denture adhesive...
Good luck to both Kerr and Will. It seems like each them of have considered their activity, environment, and group and have adequately prepared their wilderness first aid kits. Keeping an inventory will make it easier to restock a kit. Focus on items that are multipurpose and lightweight. Do not carry anything that you do not know how to use or is above your level of training. For a jumpstart on which items to carry in your wilderness first aid kit, see this article: I am wilderness medic and this is what I carry in my wilderness first aid kit
The single, most useful and effective tool that should always be included with a wilderness first aid kit is your brain. Very few item in a wilderness first aid kit are truly life saving. The difference between life and death will often come down to your knowledge and preparation. If you want to learn more about how to be safe in the wilderness and how to handle any kind of emergency, take our online Outdoor Safety course.
For only $35 bucks, you get lifetime access to the latest wilderness safety knowledge and the video lectures will show you all the skills needed for your next adventure. It also comes with free printouts for your wilderness first aid kit. Your knowledge may save the life of your partner.
And if you are knowledge, like if you are a wilderness first aid, wilderness first responder, or WEMT, awesome! But do not let that knowledge get rusty. Medicine changes everyday. Stay certified. If you are having trouble finding a recert class in your area, you can recert here online: Recert Courses
Stay safe!
And finally, the group you are adventuring with must be considered when planning your first aid kit. Here we need to look at: group size, the people themselves and their individual needs or issues, their age and experience.
Kerr is climbing with a team of 5 healthy and fit people, ages 25-35 years old. They are all very experienced in mountaineering, but one member suffers from headaches when he reaches a certain elevation. Kerr is sure to have extra headache medication in his kit.
Will, however, is backpacking with a group of 20 first time backpackers. The youngest of the group is 75 years old. While most are healthy enough to hike, many have medical issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease. Eighteen members of the group take aspirin daily and one member is severely allergic to multiple foods. Will carries a bottle of aspirin, extra benadryl, an epi pen...and maybe some denture adhesive...
Good luck to both Kerr and Will. It seems like each them of have considered their activity, environment, and group and have adequately prepared their wilderness first aid kits. Keeping an inventory will make it easier to restock a kit. Focus on items that are multipurpose and lightweight. Do not carry anything that you do not know how to use or is above your level of training. For a jumpstart on which items to carry in your wilderness first aid kit, see this article: I am wilderness medic and this is what I carry in my wilderness first aid kit
The single, most useful and effective tool that should always be included with a wilderness first aid kit is your brain. Very few item in a wilderness first aid kit are truly life saving. The difference between life and death will often come down to your knowledge and preparation. If you want to learn more about how to be safe in the wilderness and how to handle any kind of emergency, take our online Outdoor Safety course.
For only $35 bucks, you get lifetime access to the latest wilderness safety knowledge and the video lectures will show you all the skills needed for your next adventure. It also comes with free printouts for your wilderness first aid kit. Your knowledge may save the life of your partner.
And if you are knowledge, like if you are a wilderness first aid, wilderness first responder, or WEMT, awesome! But do not let that knowledge get rusty. Medicine changes everyday. Stay certified. If you are having trouble finding a recert class in your area, you can recert here online: Recert Courses
Stay safe!