What Should Be In A First-Aid Kit?
For those who decide to go the DIY route, here we list the essential items in a first-aid kit.
Irrigating syringe
An irrigating syringe with a high-pressure outlet is especially useful for cleaning out wounds. When out in the backcountry and far from medical help, you’ll want to make sure that any wounds are thoroughly cleaned to lessen the risk of an infection which can spell disaster if you’re off the beaten track without medical assistance.
Medical Gloves
First aid can be messy. If there are open wounds and blood involved, then you’ll want to stay clean and safe while working with the injury. Medical gloves can be bought in bulk relatively cheaply.
Tweezers
An essential first-aid item, tweezers are perhaps one of the most useful lightweight items you can carry. Debris in a wound or a splinter in a finger can turn into something rather more serious in subsequent days. To avoid the risk of infection, a set of tweezers allow you to remove the potential source of any infection immediately.
Antibiotic Ointment
Consisting of a combination of antibiotics, this ointment is used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria. Applied to the skin, they help treat infected wounds, burns and boils. When in the wilderness, and perhaps days from the nearest medical facilities, an antibiotic ointment may be just what you require to keep symptoms under control until you get further help.
Hydrogel Pads
Great for treating wounds when you’re out in the sticks, a hydrogel pad provides a sterile and protective solution. They can generally be applied for up to 4 days before requiring a change, meaning a small quantity can go a long way.
Bandages and Gauze
This one almost goes without saying. From simple cuts and grazes to something more serious, bandages ensure a wound can be sealed off from dirt and germs. Non-stick gauze is recommended. You’ll be thankful when it comes time to remove it!
Athletic Tape
For the more serious mishaps, athletic tape can come to the rescue. Used to help support things like injured joints, sprains and damaged ligaments, they may be the very thing that gets you off that mountain and back down to a place where you can receive further treatment.
Medication
From insect bites to allergies, there are a lot of potentially unforeseen dangers associated with backpacking in the wilderness. Anti-histamines can be very useful in treating allergies, while pain relievers and anti-inflammatories will help keep symptoms under control when off the beaten track. Just be sure to follow the directions on the package.
Additional personal items
Depending on the time of year and the conditions, several other personal items should form a part of your kit.
Sunscreen
If you’re hiking or exploring in exposed areas under a strong sun for a prolonged period, then sunscreen is a must. We all know how dangerous sunburn can be for long-term health, but a serious burn can result in a severe infection in the short term. Always apply sunscreen or cover-up exposed areas.
Bug Spray
Biting insects can wreak havoc on any hiking adventure. Whether when sitting around the campfire or in your tent, we all have an aversion to biting insects. With a suitable bug spray, they can be kept at bay, something which is even more important if you’re exploring parts of the world where mosquitos spread diseases such as malaria or dengue fever.
Lip Balm
The all-too-common occurrence of dried chapped lips when out hiking can be treated with lip balm. It helps moisturise and relieve chapped lips all in a small easy-to-carry tube that you can slip into your first-aid kit.
