First Aid Kits

[Owl62]

Our unit is looking at a new first aid kit for the unit.

 

Currenly we have a "put together" kit in a tackle box. Serves well but we want something that is easier to carry, especially backbacking.

 

We are considering rebuilding the tacklebox first aid kit and developing a first aid kit in a small pack that can be taken backpacking.

 

We are intersted in hearing what others do for first aid kits, including contents.

 

Thanks.

 

Allen

[anarchist]

Wow, this one should be interesting...

 

First, how many? how long? many variables. We find the Adventure Fundimentals first Aid packs good for most of our needs...REI (I think) +/_ $100.00 each.

 

These are fairly comprehensive in supplies, organized basically along jury type/needs and quite a bit more versatile than the drug store/Walmart kits we started with years ago (which, by the way are, IMHO, quite satisfactory for the average hike or campout).

I think it (Adventure Fundamentals kit)is rated for up to eight people for 10-14 days...each of our patrols is issued one of these before every trip and the adult "patrol has one. Additionally each boy is expected, in his scout essentials, to carry a small personal "kit" that includes a blister kit w/moleskin and an epi-pen if he has allergic reactions to anything- (parents of scouts with allergies are also asked to give the trip leader an extra epi-pen just in case Junior mis-places his 'needle').

 

In addition to these kits, In our trailer, we have a larger self-stocked plastic (water tight) tool box (our group car-camp box) and a bright red five gallon water proof screw topped bucket (for river trips) with small surgical kits (U.S. surplus field surgical gear), widerness emergency medical books, extra gauze, bandages, Extra CPR gear, and bottles of Peroxide, betazine, chlorox, flexible splits, several ace bandages, instant Ice/Heat packs, stethiscope, etc.

 

You might want to pick up a few medical books like one of my favorites for weekends out and abouts - "Mosby's Outdoor Emergency Medical Guide" by David Manhoff or "Pocket guide to First Aid" by Betty Cards and Gary Lafontain both of which are fairly small spiral bound books- so they stay open. "Wilderness Medicine" by Dr. Bill Forgey is considered by many to be "THE" expedition medical book to take along on long wilderness adventures...But besides that it has a great list if what kinds of "stuff" you should have in your medical kit. There are many others -check them out at major libraries to see which ones might suit you best ...if possible. In many cases it boils down to what you want to spend...and the kind of trips you are taking.

 

Good luck with this thread....should be more like it!

Anarchist