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Mike z
Peak Bagger
Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2014 4:44 pm Posts: 190 Location: Hudson, Mass
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Ok. I want to assemble a first aid kit that will be appropriate for hiking. For years I have carried band aids, tape, aspirin, ace bandage and other things.
What do you think are the essentials for a good first aid kit? I have been fortunate enough to never need much more than band aids and Motrin, but, what if?
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Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:13 pm |
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krpayer
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:38 pm Posts: 1123 Location: Nashua
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I just have a homemade kit myself. Same stuff you have plus a good size sterile pad, gauze, triple antibiotic cream, duct tape, moleskin, benedryl, immodium, and a few other odds and ends. I also bring multi-use items like bandanas, extra shoelaces, etc which can be useful in an emergency.
Like you, I've never needed anything beyond a few minor items and I hope I never have to. I made my own kit rather than buying one because I already had most of the items and it was cheaper to buy the remaining ones than to invest in one of those kits they sell in the store.
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Sun Sep 14, 2014 7:44 pm |
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scooter
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:11 am Posts: 2232 Location: candia nh
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Take a SOLO course.
First & most important thing is knowledge.
One of the things they teach is to make do with what you have.
That being said, check this out:
http://www.solowfa.com/about-MEDIC-SOLO ... d-kits.htm
Personally I dont have so much a 'first aid' kit as a general repair kit - probably not very different from what Kris listed.
This is some non-standard stuff I carry -
Multitool - scissors, knife, small screwdriver head have all come in handy at one time or another.
A needle or two ( splinters & any kind of sewing ( not medical!) repair ) + thread.
Magnifying mirror & strong glasses, eye wash, headlamp ( I get more eyelashes & other debris blown in my eyes than anyone I know).
Bandana.
_________________ "Prism means never having to feel like no one ever listens to you" - Anonymous
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Sun Sep 14, 2014 8:07 pm |
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Granite Guy
Hiking Forums Are My Crack
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:37 pm Posts: 7137 Location: Exeter, NH
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I keep a fresh stock of Advil Liqui-Gels but other than that I'm lazy and just buy a kit every few years when the stuff expires. This is the one I've had for a while (the Trail model) and it's less than 20 bucks. Seems to have a little bit of everything. Never have (and hope never to) need it. I always think I should carry a SAM splint but still haven't bought one. It's only 10 bucks or so and I've seen one in use on the trails. Probably should, but probably won't.
http://www.bestglide.com/adventure_medical_lightandfast.html
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Sun Sep 14, 2014 8:11 pm |
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IQuest
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:56 pm Posts: 1442 Location: Canaan, NH
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I just have a homemade kit from various other kits and added items. Heavy gauze pads, tape, and rubber gloves are more important to me than moleskin and knuckle band-aids. I also carry some kind of pain/fever reducer and a space blanket. I have a separate kit for repairs and inconveniences. Since my actual first aid kit sees very little use I it's important to check it at least once a year as items expire or get wet/worn out from riding in the pack.
_________________ Ian
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Sun Sep 14, 2014 10:35 pm |
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Walrus
Mountain Maestro
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:22 pm Posts: 485
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Earlier this summer I got bit by a horsefly right next to my eye. For about 24 my eyes teared up really bad and became so hyper sensitive to light that without a high dose of benedryl I was practically blind. It lasted about 24 hours. Guess what is now a critical item in my FAK?
Besides that it's just tape for friction injuries, Bodyglide for friction injuries, and some antiseptic, usually just hand sanitizer, and a tick/splinter kit: tweezers, needle, and razor.
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Sat Sep 20, 2014 11:17 pm |
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Keyz56
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 5:11 am Posts: 2447 Location: Concord, NH
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Being out there solo, I have a really nice kit that I bought a long time ago from EMS. I keep it fresh every year.
My thinking is: "Ya never know"!
Actually, thanks for reminding me...it's time to check it out and make sure all is there. I had to use it a few times this year so far....you guys know me! 
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Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:08 am |
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IQuest
Sovereign Woodsman
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:56 pm Posts: 1442 Location: Canaan, NH
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Walrus wrote: Earlier this summer I got bit by a horsefly right next to my eye. For about 24 my eyes teared up really bad and became so hyper sensitive to light that without a high dose of benedryl I was practically blind. It lasted about 24 hours. Guess what is now a critical item in my FAK? Besides that it's just tape for friction injuries, Bodyglide for friction injuries, and some antiseptic, usually just hand sanitizer, and a tick/splinter kit: tweezers, needle, and razor.
That's a good idea. A couple years ago I was stung on the lip by a bee near the top of the Black Angel Tr. I had to take a selfie to see if my lip was swollen or not. That got me thinking that an epi pen (sp?) Might be a good thing to carry. Either for myself or someone else. Most people don't know th eddy are allergic to bee stings until after they are stung.
_________________ Ian
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Sun Sep 21, 2014 7:22 am |
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wp_hiker2
Mountaineer
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 5:37 pm Posts: 117 Location: Southern NY
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From recent experience ... not only is it important to keep your kit "fresh" as several suggested, but also to spot-test some things in advance.
I recently took a spill on a local trail and cut myself on a rock. I thought, no biggie I've got two first aid kits in my pack, including one I had recently picked up at a convenience store.  Opened the brand-new pack but the band-aid was so cheap that within 5 minutes it fell off (and bled through as well). No problem, I've got backup in Kit #2. Unfortunately I'd been carrying that kit around for years, so that one was pretty dried out. I then bummed a band-aid off a fellow hiker, and guess what? Pretty flimsy as well, plus by then the bleeding had stopped, so I just continued without one. When I got home, I put on a brand-name Band-Aid and it stayed on a for a week. So now I carry that brand only. But this has me wondering what else I should pre-test to make sure it works when I need it ...
I've never been stung by the way (hiking or otherwise), so I'm one of those who will only find out when it happens. I think you guys have convinced me to add something to my pack just in case ...
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Sun Sep 21, 2014 6:00 pm |
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CARiD
Flatfoot
Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2015 8:54 am Posts: 4 Location: Cranbury, NJ
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First aid kit is not something that you can spare on. I'd rather buy a good quality kit, and once the stuff expires just hand pick fresh components from a local store to renew it.
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Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:22 am |
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