I was asked to put together a short piece on first aid.
My Background, Retired Santa Cruz County Firefighter, Current EMT & Serivces Director of Arcadia Ambulance
I am not going to try and teach you how do do things. What I am going to do is show what I carry and why. I am going to split it into two parts; a kit that I carry in my day pack away from the TC and extra gear that stays in the camper.
All the gear in the world will do you no good if you do not now how, why, and when to use it. Most first aid kits come with a manual the time to read it is not when you or your companions is injured. You need to read it the day you buy the kit and go thought the kit as you read the manual to understand the tools and techniques.
Take a basic Red Cross or Wilderness first aid course it could save a friends life.
My thoughts on First Aid kits: if you buy the big deluxo kit it will never leave the TC and you will not have it with you on that hike when someone gets hurt as it is too big, bulky and a pain to carry.
Get a small compact one that will not take up too much room in the day pack and keep it there. Most kits come with a few bandages, scissors, some ointments, material for a sling, tape and an elastic wrap.
I like to add a few extras.
For lacerations: you have blood and a large area, Feminine Mini pads and Kotex work wonders, they are sterile, designed to absorb blood and can quickly be placed on a wound and taped into place.
Splints: I carry one, a SAM Splint. It is flexible and can be molded to fit any extremity
ABD or other large dressing to cover larger areas, CVS carries these
Medications: this is not a one size fits all. you should carry the basics, aspirin, ibuprofen, antacids, antihistamines. In addition carry meds ( clearly labeled) specific to any member of your party and know what they are for and proper dosage and how to give them.
(insulin, nitroglycerin, epi pens)
Gloves: to protect you and to protect your friends. Mine are Nitrile, many people have latex allergies don't use latex gloves. Hands have cuts, people can have diseases in body fluids, always wear gloves.
Gauze roll bandages: why because sometimes tape just doesn't stick and you can put a pad over the wound wrap it into place with the gauze roll and tie it off
LED headlamp: ever try to clean remove a splinter or bandage a cut in the dark? You need two hands to bandage use a headlamp rather than sticking a flashlight that your hands touched into you mouth
This is my First Aid Kit. It goes in the day pack, in the kayak, in my camelback, in the tc. Where I go it goes ( you feel kind of dumb when you get hurt and its an hour away sitting in the TC).
now I may or may not carry an instant Icepack. they add weight and I have had them go off in my pack before.
You have noticed that my portable kit is rather sparse and that is so I will take it with me.
Now as far as in the TC, I carry the kitchen sink but then again I am an EMT and I want to have my gear with me to deal with anything but what should you have?
Sterile water: to rise off anything chemical that is burning your skin or to flush the eyes.
Instant Ice Packs: for swelling, heat related issues etc
more bandages, pads, tape
Cortizone cream for stings
Now everthing here is available across the counter at a CVS, wallmart, Rite Aid
but if you are not comfortable putting together a kit by all means go buy the premade deluxe kit and keep it in the TC and get a small kit to put in your daypack.
Ivy block and technu to stop the rash from that evil green plant.
But most of all know that your first aid kit is for minor cuts and dings. For anything more call 911 and get the pros coming. Your kit with proper knowledge may just hold the fort until EMS gets there. Don't be afraid to make the call. It will not inconvenience them, its what they get paid to do. In these days of budget cuts, stations with many calls get to stay open instead of getting shuttered and the guys there know it
I will add more to this but feel free to pepper me with questions either here or by pm
Eric
My Background, Retired Santa Cruz County Firefighter, Current EMT & Serivces Director of Arcadia Ambulance
I am not going to try and teach you how do do things. What I am going to do is show what I carry and why. I am going to split it into two parts; a kit that I carry in my day pack away from the TC and extra gear that stays in the camper.
All the gear in the world will do you no good if you do not now how, why, and when to use it. Most first aid kits come with a manual the time to read it is not when you or your companions is injured. You need to read it the day you buy the kit and go thought the kit as you read the manual to understand the tools and techniques.
Take a basic Red Cross or Wilderness first aid course it could save a friends life.
My thoughts on First Aid kits: if you buy the big deluxo kit it will never leave the TC and you will not have it with you on that hike when someone gets hurt as it is too big, bulky and a pain to carry.
Get a small compact one that will not take up too much room in the day pack and keep it there. Most kits come with a few bandages, scissors, some ointments, material for a sling, tape and an elastic wrap.
I like to add a few extras.
For lacerations: you have blood and a large area, Feminine Mini pads and Kotex work wonders, they are sterile, designed to absorb blood and can quickly be placed on a wound and taped into place.
Splints: I carry one, a SAM Splint. It is flexible and can be molded to fit any extremity
ABD or other large dressing to cover larger areas, CVS carries these
Medications: this is not a one size fits all. you should carry the basics, aspirin, ibuprofen, antacids, antihistamines. In addition carry meds ( clearly labeled) specific to any member of your party and know what they are for and proper dosage and how to give them.
(insulin, nitroglycerin, epi pens)
Gloves: to protect you and to protect your friends. Mine are Nitrile, many people have latex allergies don't use latex gloves. Hands have cuts, people can have diseases in body fluids, always wear gloves.
Gauze roll bandages: why because sometimes tape just doesn't stick and you can put a pad over the wound wrap it into place with the gauze roll and tie it off
LED headlamp: ever try to clean remove a splinter or bandage a cut in the dark? You need two hands to bandage use a headlamp rather than sticking a flashlight that your hands touched into you mouth
This is my First Aid Kit. It goes in the day pack, in the kayak, in my camelback, in the tc. Where I go it goes ( you feel kind of dumb when you get hurt and its an hour away sitting in the TC).
now I may or may not carry an instant Icepack. they add weight and I have had them go off in my pack before.
You have noticed that my portable kit is rather sparse and that is so I will take it with me.
Now as far as in the TC, I carry the kitchen sink but then again I am an EMT and I want to have my gear with me to deal with anything but what should you have?
Sterile water: to rise off anything chemical that is burning your skin or to flush the eyes.
Instant Ice Packs: for swelling, heat related issues etc
more bandages, pads, tape
Cortizone cream for stings
Now everthing here is available across the counter at a CVS, wallmart, Rite Aid
but if you are not comfortable putting together a kit by all means go buy the premade deluxe kit and keep it in the TC and get a small kit to put in your daypack.
Ivy block and technu to stop the rash from that evil green plant.
But most of all know that your first aid kit is for minor cuts and dings. For anything more call 911 and get the pros coming. Your kit with proper knowledge may just hold the fort until EMS gets there. Don't be afraid to make the call. It will not inconvenience them, its what they get paid to do. In these days of budget cuts, stations with many calls get to stay open instead of getting shuttered and the guys there know it
I will add more to this but feel free to pepper me with questions either here or by pm
Eric
