Medical Kit

Backcountry and wilderness expeditions and daytrips can be a blast! One minute you’re  stimulated by the views and having fun, and in some instances, the next minute you’re on the ground after tripping on a rock, asking yourself, “Where did all that blood come from?”

Having the right medical supplies can turn a potential disaster into just another compelling campfire story. The question is, what medical supplies are the right ones? What items should you carry in your adventure-based first aid kit? What do you need and what can you do without?

The answers to those questions are elusive, and for good reason; they vary based on several factors, including the following:

• The terrain you plan to traverse (forest, mountains, wetlands, etc.)
• The activities you’ll engage in (hiking, climbing, kayaking, etc.)
• Group size and composition (for example, if someone in your party has a history of bleeding or suffers severe allergic reactions)
• Trip length (time and distance)

In this post, I provide some general guidance on what items to include in your first aid kit, along with other points to ponder as you plan ahead for unexpected injuries and illnesses.

First Aid Kit or Boo Boo Bag?

The first decision you need to make is whether you’re packing a lifesaving focused first aid kit or a boo boo bag: (more…)