What do you guys bring in your first aid kits and why? Also post pics of it if you got them. Trying to figure out how much space I should be warranting to it.

My explores are generally 14 hours at max.
Water, cigars, sudafed, lighter, sun screen and a roll of adhesive cloth tape, are the most I ever bring.
Water is first aid; caustics etc, always bring at least a quart.
Dead weight is just a useless burden.
Protective gear like long pants, laced high top boots, bush hat always.
Most times a walking stick to make crossing uneven terrain less tiring and as a pole weapon for wild animals.

Safety hinges on preventing 'accidents'. Almost all are because of inappropriate decisions and/or actions.
♤Control the heat at all times♤
●Avoid ballistic movements unless absolutely necessary.
●Avoid sprinting, running only as terrain dictates.
●Climbing; you fall, you die.
Falling is never an option*. Make sure you never fall while climbing.
3 points of contact at all times.
No jumping even if it's the last 2 feet.
●Wildlife and dogs need to be dealt with effectively without fear; anger is more useful than fear.
Never run from a predator or turn your back to it unless you are 100% sure you can get away!
Never put your hands where you can't see; snakes, black widows etc.
Never try to handle and especially kill snakes; walk around them.
●Large numbers of angered bees, hornets etc. You can out run them.
Their max speed is 15-16 mph, then get out of their of sight.

*unless you get hung up on a chain link fence

Thanks for reminding me to actually GET a first aid kit haha. I keep some bandages and alcohol wipes in my car though.

We could have a long conversation about what to include in a first aid kit. Many years ago I was an EMT, and as such my first aid kit was quite extensive. It really wasn't a first aid kit as much as it was a basic trauma kit.

This brings me to the first point I would consider. How much first aid training have your or your exploring buddies taken? It won't help for you to carry around supplies that none of your crew knows how to use.

The second point would be, what kind of injury are you wanting to be prepared for? For exploring I would be prepared for a significant injury, rather than just a minor cut or scrape.

Step # 1 - Take a basic first-aid class
Step # 2 - Put together a few basic items to match the activity you are doing

3 pairs of "surgical" type gloves
4 to 6 6x6 bandages in sterile packages
2 rolls of gauze
----------------
2 or 3 tongue depressors for finger splints
1 triangular bandage for an arm sling
2 or 3 packets of pain relievers
1 roll first aid tape (I like micro-pore)
----------------
Good quality tweezers
A pair of trauma scissors wouldn't hurt, but aren't absolutely necessary


All of this will fit into a gallon zip lock bag and easily stuck into your backpack. I have split the list up into three groups. The first three items are your PPE and to control bleeding. The second group aren't absolutely necessary but will make it a bit nicer for the injured party. The last items make life a bit easier for you.

You could easily expand this list to fill a whole backpack, but don't. If someone is that badly injured, you will be calling for the paramedics any way.

Always glove-up before attending to an injury! Hepatitis or HIV are always a serious risk.

Abby

Posted by jc0507 Thanks for reminding me to actually GET a first aid kit haha. I keep some bandages and alcohol wipes in my car though.

Really what are going to do with alcohol?
Iodine works better and is tissue friendly.

In the field let the blood flow a bit to help clean out a wound. Use water to help flush it as well if there's debris in it.
The most important thing is to clean it out.
Any debris will have to be removed!
If you get it clean out well and can close it, do so. The faster you can clean and close it, the faster it will close and heal. That's why one reason I carry the sport's cloth tape.

Apply Iodine or Bactroban when you can. Debride dead tissue as needed.
You have at least a couple hours before an infection if any becomes an issue. Typically 24+ hours.
Infections rarely happen in cleaned wounds.
After hundreds of them... I know.
However treat any signs of infection ASAP, and watch it closely to make sure it's not spreading.
If spreading beyond wound about more than a quarter inch ie redness, tissue swelling or an abnormal increase in pain get medical treatment that -day-!!!

Posted by Abby Normal We could have a long conversation about what to include in a first aid kit. Many years ago I was an EMT, and as such my first aid kit was quite extensive. It really wasn't a first aid kit as much as it was a basic trauma kit. This brings me to the first point I would consider. How much first aid training have your or your exploring buddies taken? It won't help for you to carry around supplies that none of your crew knows how to use. The second point would be, what kind of injury are you wanting to be prepared for? For exploring I would be prepared for a significant injury, rather than just a minor cut or scrape. Step # 1 - Take a basic first-aid class Step # 2 - Put together a few basic items to match the activity you are doing 3 pairs of "surgical" type gloves 4 to 6 6x6 bandages in sterile packages 2 rolls of gauze ---------------- 2 or 3 tongue depressors for finger splints 1 triangular bandage for an arm sling 2 or 3 packets of pain relievers 1 roll first aid tape (I like micro-pore) ---------------- Good quality tweezers A pair of trauma scissors wouldn't hurt, but aren't absolutely necessary All of this will fit into a gallon zip lock bag and easily stuck into your backpack. I have split the list up into three groups. The first three items are your PPE and to control bleeding. The second group aren't absolutely necessary but will make it a bit nicer for the injured party. The last items make life a bit easier for you. You could easily expand this list to fill a whole backpack, but don't. If someone is that badly injured, you will be calling for the paramedics any way. Always glove-up before attending to an injury! Hepatitis or HIV are always a serious risk. Abby

Unless you screw up bad you should never need tons of first aid gear; point being prevention is worth a backpack of 1st aid gear, however...
The kind of extensive camping trips/splores in remote areas you do mandate a more comprehensive first aid kit.
The danger level of your explores raises the potential for serious injuries no matter how careful you are.
I'd include an 8 oz bottle of 99.9% DMSO for sprains, closed soft tissue damage in your kit; works better than ice.

With no knowledge the gear is just dead weight, a important and valid point.
I'm more concerned about lacerations, blisters, and severe allergic reactions that can happen even when you are careful.

I have a decent sized premade kit from Walmart or somewhere. I added a few things like one of the ticknado tweezers, a small bottle of antibacterial soap, small bottle of water, ibuprofen, and a CPR mouthpiece. Not really part of first aid but I also keep a small keychain sunscreen and tick spray on my bag.

Smartphone.

This has been my kit for years. I started out taking it on camping trips and just a few years ago I started leaving it in my camera backpack, so now I have several kits.

*10+ bandaids
*10+ alcohol wipes (I use it for lens cleaning too)
*1 roll gauze
*1 small roll bandage
*1 roll tape
*1 tiny tube cold sore ointment
*1 tube itch reliever ointment
*4+ allergy tablets
*4+ ibuprofen tablets

Always carry a good knife... most of what you need you are wearing or is around you.
Survival knowledge/skills and can do attitude are things you need to carry... in your mind.

One of the things you can use DMSO for is if you smash a finger nail.
The trick is getting on ASAP.
It will limit the damage and pain.
Many times you wouldn't need to drill the nail if done if applied in the first minute or two.
Works like a charm... lol, just smashed one today.
It was starting to throb but the DMSO stopped it dead in its tracts.
Ice doesn't work this near this well...

Beer.

I keep a little scotch in my bag too, in case things get REALLY dire.

Water and benedryl. Nothing else really. If anything epic were to happen, I would do what I had to (rip clothes, flush with water, etc.) to stabilize before getting back to my car. I have had some nasty allergic reactions after getting bit by things or rubbing up against things though.

Posted by tiftastic Water and benedryl. Nothing else really. If anything epic were to happen, I would do what I had to (rip clothes, flush with water, etc.) to stabilize before getting back to my car. I have had some nasty allergic reactions after getting bit by things or rubbing up against things though.

Water is first aid for many nasty things especially caustics and acids.
Always carry at least a quart.

Getting angry stimulates an adrenaline burst; anger is more useful than fear when shit goes south. There's a finite window though that you can maintain it, about 15 to 30 minutes.
Adrenaline is one of the most potent vascular stimulants and bronchi dilators.
https://en.m.wikip...g/wiki/Epinephrine

Posted by blackhawk 3/7/2019 2:11 PM One of the things you can use DMSO for is if you smash a finger nail. The trick is getting on ASAP. It will limit the damage and pain. Many times you wouldn't need to drill the nail if done if applied in the first minute or two. Works like a charm... lol, just smashed one today. It was starting to throb but the DMSO stopped it dead in its tracts. Ice doesn't work this near this well...

Here's what it looks like today over 30 days latter.
You can see the white line where it was smashed.
One quick application of DMSO saved me a lot of pain. It would have needed to be drilled or punctured otherwise.

Naso tube, chest seal, packed gauze, Israeli bandage, RAT tourniquet, betadine, sutures, sterile stapler, sam splint, tape, scissors, bandaids, mole skin, antibiotic ointment, lidocaine, BVM, decompression needle, ace bandage, stethoscope, celox, some 4x4s, epipen, sharpies, pens, etc.

Two steps to being prepared for just about anything:

• Take a wilderness first aid course
  
• Pack a pocket full of triangular bandages
  

Wilderness first aid is all about packaging and evacuating the patient using only what's around you. In my 11 years as a volunteer medic, I've never seen an injury that we couldn't stabilise with a few triangulars.

3 bandaids (Varying sizes), like 2 disinfectant wipes, sometimes a packet of neosporin or an ibuprofen and always fruit strips.

Posted by Kil.lil 3 bandaids (Varying sizes), like 2 disinfectant wipes, sometimes a packet of neosporin or an ibuprofen and always fruit strips.

1.

Posted by Kil.lil 3 bandaids (Varying sizes), like 2 disinfectant wipes, sometimes a packet of neosporin or an ibuprofen and always fruit strips.

LMAO. Haven't seen that gum in years
I always relied on Necco wafers... I'm a goner for sure now.