January 12, 2013 — Here is my updated wilderness first aid kit. This list is based on my initial Pacific Crest Trail wilderness first aid kit and my after the trail evaluation of this kit.
Goals for the kit:
- Lightweight,
- Items necessary to provide care to self and others to level of wilderness first aid training, and,
- Enough supplies to provide basic care between resupplies or until able to reach medical care facility if needed.
Lightweight Wilderness First Aid Kit |
||
|---|---|---|
| Injury Tx | Quantity | Oz |
| Gloves, Non-Latex | 1 Pair | 0.5 |
| Gauze, 2 in x 2.5 yds | 1 Roll | 0.2 |
| Triple Antibiotic Ointment | 2 Packets | 0.1 |
| Transparent Semi-Permeable Dressing, 2-3/8 in x 2-3/4 in | 2 Each | 0.1 |
| Tincture of Benzoin Compound | 2 Ampules | 0.1 |
| Wound Closure Strips, 1/8 in x 3 in | Packet of 5 | 0.1 |
| Elastic Bandage, 1 Roll | 1 Roll | 2.0 |
| Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape | 1 Roll | 3.0 |
| 6.1 | ||
| Blister Tx | Quantity | Oz |
| Moleskin, Thick, 3-3/8 in x 4-5/8 in | 1 Pad | 0.1 |
| 0.1 | ||
| Chaffing Tx | Quantity | Oz |
| Gold Bond, 1-Ounce Travel Size | 1 Bottle | 1.5 |
| 1.5 | ||
| Medications | Quantity | Oz |
| Ibuprofen (Advil), 200 mg, 50 Tablets | Repackaged | 1.0 |
| Naproxen Sodium (Aleve), 220 mg, 25 Tablets | Repackaged | 0.5 |
| Aspirin, 325 mg, 25 Tablets | Repackaged | 0.4 |
| Imodium, 2 mg Loperamide + 125 mg Simethicone, 4 Caplets | 2 Packets | 0.1 |
| Diphenylhydramine HCl (Benadryl), 25 mg, 4 Caplets | 2 Packets | 0.1 |
| Hydrocortisone Cream, 1% | 2 Packets | 0.1 |
| Tecnu, Single Use Packets | 2 Packets | 1.0 |
| 3.2 | ||
| References | Quantity | Oz |
| NOLS-WMI Wilderness Medicine Field Guide | Electronic Copy | 0 |
| Kinesio Taping Guide | Electronic Copy | 0 |
| Fixing Your Feet Foot Care Blog Posts | Electronic Copy | 0 |
| 0 | ||
| Total Weight | 10.9 | |
Other Items: Wilderness first aid is also a creative activity. What do the patient or I have on hand that can help? I carry other items that pull double duty for first aid. These include a scissors and tweezers on my pocket knife, a bandana that can be a cravat, alcohol fuel that is also a disinfectant, splint materials (clothes for padding, trekking poles, sleeping pad, sit pad), and a syringe with my Sawyer water filter that can be used to irrigate wounds.
Notes: I carry electronic copies of wilderness first aid references on my smartphone. Retention of first aid training is never 100%. The world of wilderness first aid has lots of acronyms and abbreviations. The abbreviation Tx used above stands for treatment.
