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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: wisconsinteacher on July 07, 2010, 09:06:00 PM
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Before heading to WY, I need to get a first aid kit. What are needed to make it worth having? I am guessing band aids, tweezers, tape. What else?
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Assorted sized adhesive pads, gauze pads, betadine, waterproof surgical tape, moleskin, aspirin, anti-inflammatory pills, antibiotic cream, small blunt tip shears, chemical heat and cold packs, fire making supplies,water purification system, maybe signal mirror/signal flares, map and compass skills...that should get you started
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Needle and thread for them bad cuts.
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Super glue works pretty well also. :)
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The most important first aid kit is the one you keep between the ears and a basic first aid class is always helpful to get the gray matter up to speed..
That being said, the suggestions above are spot on. You should tailor the kit to what you and your partner(s) are comfortable with. There is likely no need for suture material if no one can stomach the idea of stitching someone up/deal with human blood or injury etc. A basic bandaging kit is great, super glue works fine on cuts and it's cheap (be forewarned that it will sting some), anti-inflammatories. Many things you can improvise from your hunting/camping eqpt.
Best of luck and safe travels.
David
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Safety pin for digging out embedded splinters and or thorns.
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Lot's of mole skin
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There are only two kinds of injuries. Ones you need a doctor for and ones you don't. Try to imagine being on your hunt and the type of terrain there, what weapon will you be carrying (obviously the bow). What type of injuries could you encounter and can you get to a doctor if you need to? Pack accordingly. I think essentials are assorted size cloth Bandaids, Gauze pads, cloth tape, Neosporin single use packets, large trauma compress for bad open wounds, I carry a new cloth baby diaper and a new clear plastic garbage bag. A roll of 3M vet wrap or ace bandage will wrap the trauma bandage down snugly. Fine point tweezers, razor blade, dental floss (not tape) your favorite pain killers, aspirin, personal meds, a baggie of Ricola cough drops, a 3x5 card with my personal info and doctors name and phone, the names of my insurance carriers, whom to contact etc. and that is laminated, carried on me at all times. Leave a note with a trusted family member. Zip loc bag to keep it all in
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Putting together a good kit does take some time and a little cash, but well worth it to be prepared. Good suggestions already above.
One thing I would add is some Duct tape. Great for removing those small cactus spines that you will no doubt end up with.
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I carry a few quickclot packages on backpack hunts "in case".
I also carry a SPOT and will have a sat phone in AK.
Small roll of duct tape and a bit of gauze plus superglue covers all cuts or lacerations. I always also tote vitamin I, acetaminophen, and Tylenol pm too.
Tweezers are in my pack and used often as well.
You want to have what you need, but some folks pack such large first aid kits that they are tempted to leave them on "quick hunts", which Mr Murphy's law states is when you need it.
Have fun and be safe!
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I carry a good size kit with a few hospital grade heavy wound dressings, the kind that can soak up a lot of blood. I dont scimp on my first aid kit and will gladly carry extra weight for that one time when it may be the difference between saving you or your mates life or not. All the first aid stuff in the world wont help you though if you dont know how to use it.
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Zbearclaw's point about if your kit is too large you will be tempted not to carry it is valid. I do have some emergency type stuff in my day pack that will handle what is likely to happen in the field. But my main first aid kit has backup bandages, medicines, etc. and will allow me to do a better job and care for a wound or whatever for the rest of the hunt.
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get you some quick-clot for bad cuts/puncture wounds. REI stores carry it.
especially since we play with sharp bhs and knives.
Better to have it and not need it, than need it and bleed to death. :eek:
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Here's what is in my pack kit that goes anywhere I am. Have used it a few times the last 12 years on backcountry hunts. It includes survial stuff too.
1. 1/4 roll of duct tape
2. A small 1/4 inch candle for heat/light/waxing blisters on your feet
3. A small pad of paper (3-4 sheets for leaving notes...yep I am here. Wait for me)
4. A pen
5. A sam spint (made of foam for helping w fractures)...can order it. Malleable but works.
6. 3 in ace wrap
7. Space blanket
8. a signal mirror
9. A whistle
10.Matches
11.A flint fire-starter
12.A pill bottle full of dryer lint for fire.
13.Women's Pads (4 or 5) for pressure dressing
14. An orange trash bag for signal and rain shelter.
15. 8 ibuprofen
All fits into a gallon zip bag with 2 big rubber bands around it and fits in the bottom of my day pack. Might weigh 2 lbs but it covers the basics. I keep a real kit at the truck with things to treat bigger injuries.
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Good suggestions already on stuff to bring to WY, but the big question is what to take in the day pack. I would disagree with some of the suggestions so far.
I opt for carrying very little with me. If you do many hunts, or packing, or both, less is better and more likely to be with you. Trust me, after week one, you will be looking to leave stuff back at camp. You don't want to leave out some first aid.
I carry (for first aid) only duct tape and a lighter. The latter is obvious.
I already carry a compass, knife, water, maps, rain gear etc in my pack, but those need to be handy beyond a first aid kit IMO.
Duct tape can be use as band aids and major cuts(with pieces of the t-shirt you are wearing), an ankle wrap, or splint with nearby sticks.
It also works well for non-emergencies.
There is only so much that you can prepare for out there and hence bring with you. I suspect medium falls and cuts are about it so I think I am covered.
BTW: I know bigger things can happen, but I don't believe I can do much about it. e.g. a heart attack, major fall, or frickin' grizzly having a bad day.
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The absolute minimalist first aid kit = small roll of duct tape and aspirin. Duct tape for all bandages, splints, sprains, etc and the aspirin for heart attack and minor pains.
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You can purchase a lot of supplies from a vet supply house for a lot less than a people store.
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Originally posted by wapiti792:
13.Women's Pads (4 or 5) for pressure dressing
+1. "You-know-what happens" with broadheads. If you're on your own, watching your consciousness squirting out, it's a good idea to have something to slow the process . . .
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Many great suggestions here, from my perspective (E.R. nurse) the most important thing to carry with you is some education.
The red cross offers classes in, first aid and cpr. These classes can be had on line or in a class room format. Considering how much time we spend in the outdoors playing with "sharp things" a few hours in a first aid class is time well spent. :thumbsup:
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The one thing I would do is keep your frist aid kit in a dry bag or something water proof. I one set up in a dry bag with frist aid and basic survival stuff. It has become my possible bag it will go were I go,fishing, hunting,hikking,skiing and travel.
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Have several kits of different sizes for the truck or backpack or camp, but the one thing used the most is 1 inch waterproof bandaids. They cover 99.9% of finger,hand and toe cuts and a lot easier to put on than trying to make one from duct tape and leaving blood smeared all over truck and camp. Usually with friends and family I go through a box of 30 a season and just stock up every spring when going through my gear.
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Check with the American Red Cross for lists of supplies to make a first aid kit and a trauma kit. Then put it them together yourself.
I needed a trauma kit on the 4th and it was a life saver.
Prarrie Dog
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Everyone else must have a better stomach than mine, but I'm never without some Tums or Rolaids. Somethin' about that camp food....
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Thanks for all the great suggestions, I've been thinking about how to piece a first aid kit together.
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Moleskin and Benadryl. Last year my elk camp roommates used up the moleskin (blisters) and a doctor in camp was severely allergic to some local weed and really needed the Benadryl.
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Don't forget the imodium and some Pepto tablets. A bad stomach will end any trip in a hurry and vomiting / diarrhea leads to dehydration.
And some Ivy Dry or similar.