Whenever away from home (in your car) or in the woods, first aid kits are important and should be near-by. Obviously, a car kit can be more extensive with items such as road flares, etc. while a backpacking first aid kit may be made to be light to carry. I have carried as light a kit as a few band aids and clean wipes when fishing near the road to carrying extensive when way back in the woods. My first aid kit is on the top of my hiking check list. You can make your own kit or buy a ready made kit – which I think is definitely worth the money. Below is a list of what can (and maybe should always) be carried:
General pain relief
· Extra-strength non-aspirin (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
· Aspirin tablets
· Antacid
· Antihistamine – allergies and bug bites/stings
· Sunscreen pack
· Lip ointment packs
· Diarrhea medicine
· Burn relief gel-pack (aloe vera, solarcaine, etc.)
· Hydrocortisone cream (soothes allergic skin)
· Instant cold compress
Injury management
· Sterile eye pad
· 2″x2″ Moleskin squares – Moleskin is designed to protect exposed, blistered skin, preventing further inflammation and soreness.
· Butterfly wound closures
· Cotton swab, sterile, packaged in pairs
· Adhesive tape
· Adhesive bandages, assorted sizes
· Gauze pads, assorted sizes
· 1 elastic-roll bandage
· Band aids of various sizes and lengths. Remember a wound can occur anywhere on your body and a slip and fall can result in the need for more than just 1 or 2 band aids. I keep at least 10 – 15 band aids in my kit
Cleaning supplies
· Alcohol cleansing pads
· Antiseptic cleansing wipes
· Exam quality vinyl gloves
Other supplies
· Insect repellent
· Tweezers – use metal the plastic are crap
· Scissors
· Safety pins
· Bulb irrigating syringe
· First Aid Guide
· Snake bite kit
· Your prescription drugs
Please always remember that you need to periodically go through your kit and change out supplies. Wipes can dry out. Pills, tablets and other drugs have definite shelve lives and need to be cycled.
