View Full Version : What Essentials Comprise an UL First Aid Kit?
Phoenix7
04-25-2009, 15:15
What are the essentials? And what should you/ should not, leave behind?
antibiotic cream, something for athletes foot, blister pads(double as bandaids), zinc oxide(sunscreen, chafing and monkey butt) and advil that is my minimum- 3 to 4 oz
i like butterfly bandaides, benedryl, moleskin, and advil and ducttape, alcohol swabs. Anything that those things cant take care of i would assume you have to get off the trail for.
garlic08
04-25-2009, 16:10
Carry what you need (or fear). If you have or fear problems with joint pain, carry vitamin I. If you get or fear getting diarrhea, carry medicine for that. If you never have those problems, save the weight and expense. Things I use are: Antibiotic ointment, athlete's foot cream, benadryl cream, a few bandaids, a needle, a roll of athletic tape. Stuff I used to carry and never used: ibuprofrin, immodium, ace bandage, moleskin.
* Duct Tape
* Moleskin
* Ibuprofen
* ID
* Insurance Card
* Pen and Paper
Pacific Tortuga
04-25-2009, 17:45
Neosporine / Duct Tape / Common Sence / Ingenuity / Training
bigcranky
04-25-2009, 21:52
Blister pads, the small ones for between my toes. A few bandaids, varying sizes (I've only ever run out of the really big ones on the trail). Some wound closure strips. An albuterol inhaler. A couple of little packets of neosporin. A small bottle of Gold Bond powder.
Phoenix7
04-25-2009, 22:41
Much thanks for the replies. Making my First Aid list as I scroll down...
The Weasel
04-25-2009, 23:06
Most of what is listed above is unnecessary for a 'first aid kit' for an ultralighter.
-Duct tape, which you carry about 5 yards of for general repairs (wrap around water bottle or fuel bottle) is a wound closer, bandaid (small piece of TP over wound), butterfly and more. Replaces moleskin or blister tape.
- Neosporin ointment only in tiny amounts. Usually unnecessary to prevent infection. Use water/soap for irrigation/lavage then cover.
- Small amount of ibuprofin or naproxyn (NOT tylenol, since it's not an anti-inflammatory). 2x day for max 3-4 days means 6-8 tabs. If problem is worse than that, you should be off trail.
- Sunscreen is generally unnecessary. Wear a hat, long sleeves/pants if in bright sun, although most of the time you are under leaf canopy.
In all honest, that's what you need. More major items in the event of trauma can be improvised. I started with much more; I've never needed more than what is listed in this post.
TW
[quote=garlic08;827182]Things I use are: Antibiotic ointment, athlete's foot cream, benadryl cream, a few bandaids, a needle, a roll of athletic tape.quote]
is that a typo?
garlic08
04-26-2009, 00:35
[quote=garlic08;827182]Things I use are: Antibiotic ointment, athlete's foot cream, benadryl cream, a few bandaids, a needle, a roll of athletic tape.quote]
is that a typo?
Nope, here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Benadryl-Topical-Stopping-Strength-1-Ounce/dp/B001ECQ73W
I use it for minor rashes/chaffing.
Just the meds I need and a Q-tip. Duct tape, bandanna and soap takes care of all the other problems.
Wise Old Owl
04-26-2009, 00:54
add imodium to make up for bad cooking, and something for pain, large bandana.
I'd caution people not to get too carried away with a first aid kit...the reality is that most of what you're going to encounter will be things that are more of a discomfort or annoyance than a true emergency, and you can't really carry what you'd need to deal with a true emergency anyways, you're going to improvise.
You'll figure out what you actually need for your comfort level when you get out there...about all I ever used was baby powder to get rid of chafing. I started out with a pretty big kit and by the end had whittled it down to a ziplock bag that was only about half full.
huh. never heard of that garlic. wouldn't the pill form be more multi-use though? to help w/ allergies as well as insect stings?
garlic08
04-26-2009, 16:48
huh. never heard of that garlic. wouldn't the pill form be more multi-use though? to help w/ allergies as well as insect stings?
I have a reaction to antihistamine pills. They make me drowsy/dizzy. The topical treatment works better for me.
Turtlehiker
04-27-2009, 10:21
Take a wilderness first aid class! Knowledge will serve you better than any well stocked first aid kit.
Knowledge doesn't weigh much either unless you get a swelled head from being so smart!:)
ibeprofin,needle with dental floss,couple wound closure strips,mole skin,imodium pills,and small antibiotic cream packet
flemdawg1
04-27-2009, 12:48
Immodium, Ibu, neosporin, 3 bandaids, duct tape (on hiking pole), 2 gauze pads, 2 alchy wipes.
Turtlehiker
04-27-2009, 14:34
Anyone ever carry a Feminine Maxi pad in case you get a real wound?
garlic08
04-27-2009, 19:31
Anyone ever carry a Feminine Maxi pad in case you get a real wound?
Nope. Bandanna and tape.
Spirit Walker
04-27-2009, 22:30
Re: Maxi pad - I have used one for a bad cut (knife slipped) but not on the trail. On the trail I used one for padding on a sore ankle. But I've also used a bandana for the same things.
Our First aid kit: Advil, Tylenol, Benadryl, a few bandaids, antibiotic cream, some gauze and tape, needle and thread (used more often for split pants than anything medical), moleskin, toe bandages, 1 oz Aftersun for chaffing, small tweezers (ticks and cactus spines), pepto bismol, and a couple of heavy duty painkillers in case of real trouble. The nsaids and allergy pills get used daily. The actual first aid stuff (bandaids and anitbiotic) isn't used often, but when we need it we really need it. As a hike goes on, we usually stop carrying the moleskin and toe bandages and Aftersun - but in the early days they are sometimes very necessary.
I watched an AT hiker pour boiling water into his freeze dried dessert. He missed the bag and poured it on his leg. After soaking the burn in cold water, he took a strong painkiller and slept through the night. The next day he went to the hospital. We've carried real pain meds ever since.
take-a-knee
04-27-2009, 23:27
Anyone ever carry a Feminine Maxi pad in case you get a real wound?
Yeah, in Iraq, not on the AT though.
I never really got around to doing it myself but...
(all of my posts should begin with that phrase)
... a good idea might be to make a list of things to be prepared for, and alongside that a list of the items you would use for treatment, some of which would come from your gear and clothing outside the first aid kit. Stuff like what you would use for a splint and larger dressings and antiseptic treatments often come from outside of the first aid kit, but you might not always be carrying what you need.
You could also carry a personalized Aide Memoire which would include such a personalized checklist as well as first aid procedures and other information from a first aid manual or course. It would be a good learning exercise as well as saving weight and time compared to carrying someone elses book, and just putting it together would reinforce what you have learned. In addition to first aid information it could include other information, like plant identification, and survival skills and tips. Wouldn't have to be huge, but it could be personalized to you and your trip, and you could add to it as you go.
the maxi pad would be a good multi-use tool. i'd just offer it to people who are complaining about the trail or how much their (insert body part) hurts...
simplespirit
04-29-2009, 09:34
I basically carry a small blister kit + a couple of butterfly strips + small amount of assorted meds (tylenol, IB, immodium). Rough guess on weight is < 2oz.
I've carried fresh clean socks in a baggie as a field dressing, and extra socks.
I've never had to use them, and I'm somewhat curious about wool as a dressing.
Very useful though. You can cut holes and use it for your hand, or arm, or upper calf. Good for burns or cuts, and perhaps under a splint for breaks. Not really sure. Also in its rolled up state to apply pressure and stop bleeding. Again, not really sure. I need to take a first aid refresher for sure.
Thoughts on socks?