Building a Hiker's First Aid Kits
When you are planning to go hiking, one of the first things you have to always check that carrying a first aid kit. It is a very essential thing that you can not skip. You have a few choices when you are going to make your own backpacking first aid kit. you need to stabilize your injury because you can not easily find hospitals or doctors while you are on a trail. So building your backpacking first aid kit you have to know some common injuries and their medicine.
Common injuries
- Scraps or cuts
- Blisters or chafing
- Pain,fever,inflammation
- Diarrhea or stomach pain
- Allergies
- Splinters or stings
Consider your condition and kits
There are some things to consider when you are deciding how many days you want to go hiking and what items to include it.
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Hiking condition
Before you start to pack your first aid box you should stop and carefully think about your hiking environment. Think about where you are hiking and the places weather, environments, trail condition, plants, and animals. Then choose supplies that are suitable for the area.
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Comfortable pack
Always keep in mind that you do not overpack supplies. You should maintain that do not over-prepared or do not careless. Do not take a professional medical kit on your box or do not travel without any first aid. So always keep the balance of your supplies.
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Hiking duration and group size
Take your medical supplies based on the number of people in your group and the number of days on your trip. Add some extra items always for longer trips and more people.
Make your first aid kit
Essential items
- Antibacterial ointment
- Antiseptic wipes
- Gauze pads in various size
- Medical tape
- Pain relief medication
- Blister treatment
- Insect sting treatment
- Nonstick pans
- Allergic reaction medicine
- Tweezers
- Safety pins
- First aid cards
Wraps, splints, and wound coverage kits
- Elastic wraps
- Finger splint
- Cleansing pads
- SAM splints
- Rolled gauze
- Liquid bandage
- Blood stopping gauze
Tools
- Thermometer
- Pocket knife
- Cotton swabs
- Surgical gloves
- Syringe
- Small mirror
- Sewing needle
- Duct tape
- Scissors
- Small mirror
- CPR mask
- Whistle
- Flashlight
- Pliers
- Emergency blanket
Medication treatment
- Aspirin
- Eye drops
- Hand sanitizer
- Antidiarrheal pills
- Prescribed antibiotics medicine
- Poison oak treatment
- Insect sting treatment
Optional
- Needle and dental floss for stitches and extreme emergencies
- Safety pins for fasten a bandage and hold up your shorts or dress if any button breaks.
- Ziplock bags for the place all emergency supplies.
Do and do not
Do
- Buy the best supply depends on your budget. Keep in mind that it should include all multi-tools.
- Create a first aid kit checklist or printout your checklist.
- Make sure you have enough of each item to cover yourself and your friend for the duration of your trip.
- Make sure your kit is stored properly.
- Check carefully if any tools or supplies are out of date.
Don’t
- Do not take over extra things and made your bag heavy. Reduce your excess weight and leave it behind.
- Self-sufficiency is not required.
- Make sure that your kit is self-explanatory. Learn how to use it properly.
- Tell others to bring the first aid kit.
Buying or preparing your hiking or backpacking medical kit is not the final step. Do not think that you have got everything that means you know how to use it. So give a bit of effort. Learn how to use it. Get medical training. You can do it online or ask any known doctor. Also, you can ask for the kit store. This is not so hard to learn.
