WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 25
  1. #1
    Registered User adamussg's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-20-2015
    Location
    Douglassville,PA
    Posts
    44

    Default What's in your first aid kit?

    I'm trying to get an idea of what people are packing as a first aid kit. I leave for Springer Tues and am trying to shave weight anywhere I can!!!

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-08-2012
    Location
    Brunswick, Maine
    Age
    62
    Posts
    5,153

    Default

    I barely have any dedicated 1st aid items. I concentrate more on prevention. I use body glide liquifued powder on my feet every morning. I keep my toenails clipped. I carry a small amount of gauze and a tiny amount of neosporin. If it is a big injury, I will tear up clothing, break trekking poles for splints, use duct tape and super glue if needed. At that point it is just a matter of getting off the trail. If my injury is so great that those things won't work, no 1st aid kit is going to save me. My kit used to have all kinds of stuff. No more. Just my take on it. I am not a doctor.
    In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln

  3. #3
    Registered User Walkintom's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-16-2010
    Location
    Eagle River, WI
    Age
    51
    Posts
    697

    Default

    I carry a couple of the flat foil single use ointment packs, a safety pin, a couple of band-aids and an ace bandage. There's about a foot of duct tape on my trekking pole if I need it as well.

    Most trail woes are things that prevention is the best method of handling as BirdBrain stated.

    I carry a travel size stick of deodorant and use it as antichafe as needed. I have some Dr. Bronner's as well for everything from dishes to personal cleanliness. Prevention beats treatment.

  4. #4
    Registered User Donde's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-27-2009
    Location
    Gypsy
    Age
    38
    Posts
    454

    Default

    A little bit of gauze, a tampon, and an ace wrap (ace wraps are good to have for sprains and swelling aswell) to control bleeding. Duct tape (which you should have anyway) and clothing/poles/whatevers on hand for splinting. Antibiotic ointment. a few benadryl caps. a few immodiem caps. 1 cycle of tindazole (for Giardia) any meds you regularly take. Dermabond if you can get, super glue if you can not. Body glide to prevent blisters, benzoin tincture (to go with duct tape) if you got blisters. I also carry one Israeli style bandage, but that is likely overkill.

    In my no longer expert formerly medical (NREMT-I and US Army Medic) opinion that is an excellent first aid kit, but be sure not to pack stuff that you do not know how to use, and put some thought into multi-purposing, and bear in mind that you are trying to fix really minor things, anything serious you just need to be able stay alive for 12-24 hrs, to get to definitive care.

  5. #5
    Registered User 4eyedbuzzard's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-02-2007
    Location
    DFW, TX / Northern NH
    Age
    67
    Posts
    8,143
    Images
    27

    Default

    I'm not thru-hiking, but this is what I take on sections, and wouldn't add anything other than as noted for a longer hike:

    Leukotape for blisters.
    Four bandaids (2 large, 2 small)
    Mini superglue or newskin
    Tweezers to remove ticks and splinters
    Needle to drain blisters
    Single edge razor blade
    Nail clippers (I don't carry on sections but added here as toenail care is very important)
    Two single use ampules Tincture of Benzoin
    Two single use packets of Bacitracin
    Two Q-tips (single use wrapped)
    Two Immodium for diarrhea
    Two Benadryl for allergic reaction (stings)
    Two Aspirin (in case of heart attack)
    Ibuprofen as/if required
    The above weighs about 3 - 4 oz. and fits in a small zip lock. Nail clippers are the heaviest part.

    Prescription meds as required (make sure to plan on how to refill)
    Small amount of duct tape to close large wound (multiuse item outside of first aid kit)

    You can't treat serious illnesses nor maintain sterility for wounds in the woods, so anything major you get off the trail and get medical assistance in a town.
    Last edited by 4eyedbuzzard; 04-01-2015 at 19:18.
    "That's the thing about possum innards - they's just as good the second day." - Jed Clampett

  6. #6
    Registered User Hikes in Rain's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-14-2005
    Location
    Georgia Mountains
    Age
    69
    Posts
    2,196
    Images
    23

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BirdBrain View Post
    I barely have any dedicated 1st aid items. I concentrate more on prevention. I use body glide liquifued powder on my feet every morning. I keep my toenails clipped. I carry a small amount of gauze and a tiny amount of neosporin. If it is a big injury, I will tear up clothing, break trekking poles for splints, use duct tape and super glue if needed. At that point it is just a matter of getting off the trail. If my injury is so great that those things won't work, no 1st aid kit is going to save me. My kit used to have all kinds of stuff. No more. Just my take on it. I am not a doctor.
    This! I'm not a doctor, either, but I am a former medical technologist who became an engineer. I just recently got recertificated in CPR and first aid, because no one else on my floor had the background to know what to do in an emergency. I have the skills; I don't really need ALL the stuff to do it. We're hikers. We have what we need to meet emergencies.

  7. #7

    Default

    I just posted this today, showing mine. I hope this helps.

    http://youtu.be/vo_T3FduVUU
    Visit Backpacking Adventures and enter your pictures into our monthly contest!

    Check us out on YouTube or FaceBook


  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-13-2009
    Location
    St. Louis, MO
    Age
    70
    Posts
    2,552

    Default

    Duct tape just doesn't make it as 1st aide tape, causes as many problems or more than it helps. DO NOT use it.
    Leukotape for blisters, and holding wounds closed, a few 2x2s wouldn't hurt, much better than bandaides. Are steristrips available over the counter?
    Get some triple A ointment. Arguing about 6 vs 20 Ibuprofin isn't being a gram weenie, it's being a micro weenie. Don't bring a 1 day supply of Ibuprofin, imodium, benedryl , You need a 5 day supply, If you get hit by Noro you'll be be glad you brought enough. I just weighed 20 ibuprophrin 0.2 oz
    Get real, get a life, Get a real life.

  9. #9
    Registered User soilman's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-29-2010
    Location
    Chillicothe, OH
    Age
    69
    Posts
    600

    Default

    There is a You Tube video with advice for those attempting a thru hike. The poster recommends next to nothing for first aid, ie. duct tape, super glue, cell phone, and other hikers. He does advise to carry a mirror and scissors so you can trim your mustache.
    More walking, less talking.

  10. #10
    Registered User Tuckahoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-26-2004
    Location
    Williamsburg, Virginia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    2,320
    Images
    52

    Default

    Another WB member posted this earlier --

    igne et ferrum est potentas
    "In the beginning, all America was Virginia." -​William Byrd

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-08-2012
    Location
    Brunswick, Maine
    Age
    62
    Posts
    5,153

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by squeezebox View Post
    Arguing about 6 vs 20 Ibuprofin isn't being a gram weenie, it's being a micro weenie. I just weighed 20 ibuprophrin 0.2 oz
    I am a gram weenie and proud of it. However, if we count vitamin-I as a 1st aid item, then my 1st kit weighs about a pound.
    In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln

  12. #12
    Registered User Tuckahoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-26-2004
    Location
    Williamsburg, Virginia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    2,320
    Images
    52

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 12trysomething View Post
    I just posted this today, showing mine. I hope this helps.

    http://youtu.be/vo_T3FduVUU
    ha ha beat me to it

    Personally my first aid kit is merely a few band aids, alcohol wipes, mole skin, a couple ibuprofen and Benadryl, and weighs just 2.5 oz.
    Last edited by Tuckahoe; 04-01-2015 at 22:32.
    igne et ferrum est potentas
    "In the beginning, all America was Virginia." -​William Byrd

  13. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    12-08-2012
    Location
    Brunswick, Maine
    Age
    62
    Posts
    5,153

    Default

    I have never eaten a benadryl. I might be convinced to carry some, but first I would need to know what it is for. If I had it in my kit, I would not know when to use it. Never used mole skin before either. Darn Tough socks and body guide liquefied powder has kept my feet blister free. I lose lots of toenails, but don't get blisters.
    Last edited by BirdBrain; 04-01-2015 at 22:43.
    In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln

  14. #14
    Registered User Tuckahoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-26-2004
    Location
    Williamsburg, Virginia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    2,320
    Images
    52

    Default

    I carry a couple Benadryl or antihistamine tablets mainly in the spring when I have pollen issues -- thankfully as I have gotten older it's been less of an issue. I haven't had blisters for some time but the mole skin anymore is a just in case to treat a hot spot or a blister.
    Last edited by Tuckahoe; 04-01-2015 at 22:54.
    igne et ferrum est potentas
    "In the beginning, all America was Virginia." -​William Byrd

  15. #15

    Default

    hey 4eyes,
    I'm curious about the benzoin. Are you using it with the leukotape and bandaids. If so, how does it work with those. I use it a lot wtih steristrips but have never tried it with other adhesives.
    Thanks

  16. #16

    Default

    A few band aids, a tube of neosporine and a bottle of New Skin. It seems theses days I also need antihistamines , but I classify that as medicine along with aspirin. In the same vain, a tube of ointment like BioFreeze can be handy in the early stages of the hike to sooth muscle strain. If I need anything more then that, I need an evac.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  17. #17
    ME => GA 19AT3 rickb's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-12-2002
    Location
    Marlboro, MA
    Posts
    7,145
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    1

    Default

    We're I putting together a first aid kit for a thru hike (I am not) I would consult the latest information on Lyme Disease and then write down exactly what I would do if I found an embedded tick under various scenarios--ie embedded 24 hours, embedded 24 - 36 hours, rash/no rash, where bit (state), etc.

    I would not wait to google up a plan on the trail or ask my hiking buddies for answers. My short plan would be written down -- perhaps even on a laminated card.

    I would do this far enough in advance that if I decided for myself ithat carrying a prophylactic course (one or two pills of one particular antibiotic I won't mention here) was right for me, I would have time to get a prescription so that I could have those 1 or 2 pills on me from day one. Time matters. It would suck to conclude taking a single pill after a tick bite is what you wanted to do, but not be able to get one quickly enough to matter. Read up if that is confusing.

    I would carry a mirror, and do all of the above in a very dispassionate and clinical way, then move on to other things. I wouldn not worry, I would just be prepared.

    Other than that, I would have moleskin (or trendier substitute), a bit of duct tape, and a credit card.

  18. #18
    Garlic
    Join Date
    10-15-2008
    Location
    Golden CO
    Age
    66
    Posts
    5,615
    Images
    2

    Default

    Lots of good minimalist kits here. Mine fits in a snack-sized baggie and includes only things I need on a long hike. Of course you won't know that until you go on a long hike and you'll figure it out as you go. Start with common blister care and meds and if, after a month on trail, you don't need them, consider leaving some stuff behind. For instance I have never had joint pain or headache so I no longer carry Vitamin I.

    One thing touched upon that needs to be stressed is that the best and biggest kit in the world is useless without training and experience. If you panic at the first sight of a wound or illness, the kit means nothing.

    Also, many if not most common pack items can double as first aid items, like your cell phone/SPOT, fresh water, fire starting stuff, bandanna, sewing kit, dental floss, shelter and insulation, foam sleeping pad, tent poles, food hanging rope, knife, alcohol fuel if you carry it, etc.

    But nothing substitutes for a cool head.
    "Throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." John Muir on expedition planning

  19. #19
    Registered User Christoph's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-18-2015
    Location
    Valdosta, Georgia
    Age
    51
    Posts
    596

    Default

    For meds I usually carry some ibuprofen and doans back pain medicine. The rest is minimal like band aids, a few alcohol pads, and generalized stuff mentioned above. I've been in rescue for quite some time and learned less is more (in a way). If you try to plan for everything you'll end up bringing 40 pounds of equipment and meds. Taking a course or two in first aid, CPR, etc will benefit. Of course depending on where you'll be hiking (or whatever you're doing), every situation will be different.

  20. #20
    Registered User swjohnsey's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-13-2010
    Location
    Kingsville, Texas
    Age
    77
    Posts
    2,331

    Default

    Duct tape.

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •