From WildernessWiki.org

ADVISORY: These recommendations are not meant to be used as a substitute for the advice of a personal physician or trained medical professional. Whenever possible, seek individualized, professional advice and care.

Contents 1 First Aid Kits for Beginners 1.1 Planning 1.2 Items 1.2.1 Basics 1.2.2 Possible extras:

First Aid Kits for Beginners

The benefit of obtaining first aid training from a healthcare or emergency medicine professional cannot be overstated. Such training can be found by contacting your local Red Cross facility, hospital or any other professional establishment suggested by your physician. Whenever possible and as soon as possible, however, any individual with a serious wound or illness should seek professional care immediately. This article should not be viewed as an adjunct to first aid training nor a supplementation, but rather a consolidation of tips and reminders on how to best prepare for potential minor health issues. A non-inclusive list of such issues that cannot be controlled with basic first aid would include animal bites, infected wounds, gaping wounds, non-minor burns, chronic diarrhea lasting longer than 3 days, bloody stool, persistent fever, broken or fractured limbs, ocular injuries, head trauma, etc. (1)

Planning

When assembling a first aid kit, there are several considerations to be made:

• How many people will be in your party? What is their level of experience or training?
• Do you or anyone in your party have special needs, such as chronic conditions and medications, allergies (drug and otherwise), etc.?
• What is your expected length of stay?
• What type of environment are you entering (desert, tropical, etc.)?

All of these factors will influence what is included in your kit. The age of your companions or any chronic conditions can also change the roles your kit may have to take on.

Items

There are many items that belong in any quality first aid kit. Most all of these items are commonly available from any pharmacy without a prescription. It behooves the prepared individual to build his own first aid kit rather than purchase one that is ‘pre-assembled’, simply because they will then be forced to consider potential emergencies and will understand the purpose of each item more fully. A non-inclusive list of general items for any first aid kit is as follows:

Basics

• Basic first aid manual (preferably waterproof, in large and easy-to-read print)
• OTC drugs, labeled (Benadryl, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Imodium, etc.)
• Bandages of assorted sizes and shapes (gauze pads in 2”x2”, 4”x4”, adhesive bandages, hypoallergenic medical tape, butterfly closures)
• Any necessary prescription medications (preferably in original Rx bottle)
• Antibiotic ointment
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Alcohol wipes
• Latex gloves
• Tweezers
• Razor blade
• Mole skin
• Tampons (for use in severe puncture wounds, or if needed by female group member)
• Burn ointment
• Hand sanitizer
• Bandanna (To implement as a sling, or in wound compression)

Possible extras:

• Snake bit kit (If venturing into snake territory)
• Epipen (Rx only, for use during severe allergic reaction)
• Electrolyte packet (For use in case of severe dehydration and electrolyte depletion. Should be as close to WHO-ORS* recommendations as possible.) (4)

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* *World Health Organization Oral Rehydration Solution

References:

1. Pray W. Caring for Minor Wounds. US Pharmacist. 2006;31(4):16-23.
2. Chan E, Benza R. First-Aid Products and Minor Wound Care. In: Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, 11th ed. Washington D.C.: American Pharmaceutical Association; 1996:579-599.
3. Nykamp D. When and How to Give First Aid. US Pharmacist. 25:6.
4. Spruill W, Wade W. Diarrhea, Constipation, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In: Dipero, JT, Talbert RL, Yee, GC, et al. Pharmacotherapy, 6th ed.McGraw-Hill; 2005:680-81.

--W. Stewart 11:14, 28 January 2008 (EST)

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