Backpacking First Aid Material

[le Voyageur]

Instead of BSA's WFA manual...

 

http://www.nols.edu/books/wilderness_medicine/

 

and..

 

http://www.amazon.com/Where-There-Doctor-David-Werner/dp/0942364155/ref=pd_sim_b_3

 

It's not what's in your first aid kit that's important, it's what's between your ears....(This message has been edited by le Voyageur)

[packsaddle]

From knife cuts to chain saws and machetes and broken bones, the only times I've needed first aid were all at home. To me, the woods are about as safe as it gets. Besides, if I die on the trail, I'll die happy.

[Beavah]

Packsaddle, that's amazing. Never a blister with a single lad? Never a cut or scrape or one of RichardB's flaming marshmallow burns? No bee stings or kid's who won't wear shoes (with da natural results)? Not a tick nor a slipped knife in da kitchen nor da trip and fall and chip a tooth?

 

And da adults are usually worse!

 

Yeh lead a charmed life, my friend. Either karma is goin' to catch up to yeh big time, or you're goin' to make it to da Pearly Gates and owe a guardian angel a heck of a lot of overtime pay!

 

Beavah

[packsaddle]

Well...I was mostly thinking about backpacking alone...as a troop we are well-prepared for first aid...which, again, we've really never had to use.

As a troop we did have one encounter with some fire ants and then there's the odd poison ivy thing. But so far it's all been very minor or else something that doesn't develop until we're back at home. Maybe we're not taking enough risks?

 

[fr-john]

Good thinking

You could have also used a closed cell sleeping pad, The backpacking merit badge book/ scout book (LOL) , hiking poles , water bottles all these would work

 

If you are to add an item to your first aid kit I would suggest a Sam splint (many uses) and light weight

 

To answers the question about AHA course. The answer in all basic courses is to call 911 so splinting is not an issue in most calls, plus the instructor had the option of presenting the splinting module

If you want practice at take that the very least WFA or WFR course

 

[Eagle92]

When I did my instructor recert for AHA, they mentioned adding baby aspirin and benydryl to the kits. But when I taught the Hearsaver FA and CPR w/ AED course, it wasn't mentioned.