First Aid

There was a discussion in ulhiker's Sub-4lb backpacking list thread and I thought it was interesting what people think is a minimal type first aid kit. I probably carry more than I need, but I do a lot of trail work and need to be prepared for cuts especially. I also hike alone a lot and feel more comfortable knowing I'm prepared for just about anything. I would also feel kinda bad about not being able to help someone out if I did come across someone that needed some advanced first aid and I was not prepared, especially a child. I carry a complete Outdoor Research Hiker first aid kit, and add:

small bottle of ibuprofen
benadryl
imodium
cortisone cream
moleskin

I also carry duct tape and a needle and thread for gear repair mainly but duct tape could be used to close a bad cut or secure a splint. I'd hate to have to suture myself up but if the situation called for it at least I have the option.

I'd be interested in what others carry or think is a minimal first aid kit.

I carry:

Cloth athleic tape on my poles
about 4 200mg Ibueprofin
4 band aides
4 alcohol wipes
a mult-Vitamin pack per day
and my Bandana (trail hankie map)

Lately if I push myself too hard, I develop a headache in the afternoons, so I carry electrolite tablets and they usually help it out.

I have never thought about a needle and thread, but that would be very minimal in weight. Not a bad idea.

Pint of whiskey.

Coldspring wrote:Pint of whiskey.

Is that for a day hike, or an overnighter?

Seems kinda "heavy" to me??

I couldn't find any info on an Outdoor Research first aid kit. Do they still make them?

Do you encounter a lot of injured children on trails in Arkansas?

I carry an Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight .5. Added some thread and needle, bandaids, and moleskin. It's actually overkill at about 4 oz.

What is the benadryl and immodium for?

It's hard to make a pint last over a two-nighter. They are great for sore feet! Am I allowed to talk about such things being that there are so many dry counties in Arkansas?

Here's a discussion about the topic. It helped me cut down the kit I carry.

I don't think the Outdoor Research kit is made under the same name?

I've not seen any injured children on the trail, but I have on the rivers, usually cut feet. I guess for me I just feel more comfortable knowing if I come across someone who needs help I'll be prepared.

Benadryl is an antihistimine, good for allergys, stop itching of insect bites or poison ivy, sleep aid. Immodium for diarrhea.

Does the whiskey make you forget about your sore feet or do you rub down your feet with it?

ar.hiker wrote:/>Does the whiskey make you forget about your sore feet or do you rub down your feet with it?

I gotta do something to sound manly to my redneck friends. Heck, they even make fun of me for drinking craft beers. If I told them I like to take pictures of flowers and butterflies, set up camp by a peaceful brook, build a small fire and gaze at it flickering, nibble on some gourmet chocolate, sip a cup of hot cocoa, worry about how much my spoon and toothbrush weighed, um even used a toothbrush, caress my sore feet, etc... they'd think I was a sissy.



Whiskey has has multi-uses. Treats contaminated water, emergency stove fuel, replaces pain relievers, replaces sleep aids, replaces anxiety medication, a topical medication for cuts, instantly relieves sore feet while in the process of hiking, helps you convince yourself to keep going, and just lightens up the doldrums on a cold cloudy day.

Whiskey has has multi-uses. Treats contaminated water, emergency stove fuel


Holy cow! What are you packing? PGA?

;-)

chili wrote:Whiskey has has multi-uses. Treats contaminated water, emergency stove fuel


Holy cow! What are you packing? PGA?

;-)

100 proof bourbon. I'm not even sure if it would burn in the cold. If I got into that situation I think I would better off to just drink it.

Back on topic. I realized I had some antihistamines in my First aid kit and didn't realize it. I had 18 band aids! I used to use a plain ziploc with a few things in it, but I decided I wanted something nice that looked like a first aid kit. If something did happen and a rescuer needed to dig in my pack, they would have no idea what to look for with the plain ziploc. I'm not really sure what good band aids would do if I was that unconscious. What I will do, is make two kits and put them in separate aloksaks, one for just a weekender and one that I'll never get to use, then slide the aloksak in my first aid kit case.

Ok I thought I posted this so if it turns up somewhere else sorry. I was talking to my niece about first aid and she said they had a discussion in one of her classes about using super to cover cuts. I bought some and took it camping. I though about using it on hot spots before they become blisters. It seemed to work but we were only doing some light day hiking. Does anyone else have any thoughts or experiences?

Super glue works on cuts, but I worry about trapping dirt or crud in there if I cant flush it well.

Never tried it on a blister.