Putting together your own first aid kit for outdoors is a good way to save money and customize the kit to meet your demands. If you have kids, this is a fine method to help them learn a bit about first aid.
Be certain your kit is good to go for any outdoor emergency by using this checklist.
Container
Begin with a heavy-duty container which is waterproof. I use a plastic tub which was designed for craft storage. You might try using a little tackle box too. If money is a problem, use a big Ziplock baggie.
Bandages
You should have many adhesive bandages of all different shapes. Special bandages for blisters, knuckles and digits are a smart addition. I have a bottle of liquid bandage for wounds in hard to reach or difficult to bandage areas, too. If you have young kids, you may wish to put in bandages with the characters they like on them. Remember to pack an ACE bandage. It’s great for sprains as well as strains and can also aid in putting on pressure to stanch bleeding.
Gauze and Tape Gauze
This can be utilized to put pressure on a bleeding wound or for a temporary bandage. I had six or more gauze pads too, plus a roll of gauze in my first aid kit. First aid tape is available in many sizes, so just select a few. Select one which can be ripped off instead of cut.
Ointments, Creams and Wipes
Alcohol preparation pads or germ-killing wipes are needed for cleansing wounds. You should have an antibiotic cream to protect the wound from infection as well. If you have kids who won’t let you put ointments on them, get a spray antibiotic such as Neosporin’s Neo to Go. My child will rant and rave if I try to apply triple antibiotic cream to her, but she will allow me to spray the wound with Neo to Go. Anti-itch cream and salve for burns are additional things to put in your outdoor first aid kit.
Medications
Single dose packets of pain reliever, antihistamines like Benadryl, and anti-diarrheal medicines are excellent to keep with you. If you have kids, be certain to put in the children’s varieties. Be watchful of the expiration dates. If you are deathly allergic to something and carry an Epi-pen, it’s a smart move to have a spare one in your first aid kit. Along those same lines, diabetics must pack insulin, a needle for injection, and liquid glucose.
Additional Must-Haves
An instant cold pack is a great inclusion for your outdoor first aid kit. This will help lessen the swelling in case of a sprained ankle or wrist. An emergency blanket will help maintain warmth in case you get stuck out in the woods. Including a flashlight is also an excellent idea. Be certain you check the batteries prior to heading out and have a couple of spares with you. Put tweezers in your kit for taking out stingers.
If you’ll be hiking, it’s a good idea to put in some water purification tablets. Although water from a creek might look tempting, it could contain dangerous germs. Water purification tablets can help make sure the water is drinkable.
Although the majority of your first aid treatment will likely be a buddy or a family member, you should be prepared in the event that you might need to help a stranger. Keep throw-away gloves and a CPR mask with you in order to shield yourself. If a family member is allergic to latex, be careful selecting the gloves.
Lastly, it’s smart to have a first aid guide available. In the midst of a crisis, you might not be very clear headed, in which case having a first aid guide to assist you on the proper procedures can be crucial. Generally, you’ll find pocket guides by the first aid items in stores, also a downloadable guide which you can print can be found at different sites on the web.
Tags: outdoor emergency
