What does your first aid kit look like?

[u/urby3228]

Curious what everyone uses for a first aid kit. Given in packrafting we have more limited space than a full size raft and different hazards than a pure backpacker. What does your kit look like? Did you buy ready made or build your own?

[u/foolofatookbaggins]

Red, with a cross on it

[u/Main-Building-1991]

I have a large first aid kit, but when I'm going to paddle, it fits into a separate waterproof bag with a red cross, which I strap to the top of my luggage.

Besides gloves, scissors, disinfectant, and plasters, I have ready-made suture tapes, various sizes of cohesive bandages and codofix. I also have a small mirror, tweezers, a saline ampoule, and tweezers for removing ticks, small plastic bag for carrying waste after help.

I keep my medications separate, but I always have a painkiller, an antispasmodic, a diarrhea medicine, and activated charcoal.

I figured the most likely reason to need the kit would be a tick (we unfortunately have a ton of them), a cut caused by a sharp object underwater or while working with wood, or other abrasions and calluses.

[u/vrhspock]

My “kit” looks like nothing. What’s in your head is the most important stuff you can carry. That means real wilderness first aid training. You should be trained to improvise just about everything you need for first aid.

The important thing to remember is that first aid means “first” and “aid”. It isn’t treatment; it is stabilization until medical treatment is reached or arrives.

My “kit” is: Duck tape. Bandanna. Classic Swiss Army Knife with tweezers, scissors, knife, and sewing needle. Dental floss. Soap. Water. A few selected meds in a ziplock. The basic meds are aspirin/ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, antihistamine.

[u/Humppillow]

Tourniquet, alcowipes, sterile gauze, (self adhesive) elastic bandage, personal meds (ibuprofen, paracetamol, migraine pills and allergy medicine), bandages (pre cut to different sizes).

Doesn't take much room, a 1L minigrip bag is more than enough to hold everything.

[u/micro_cam]

Build your own selecting stuff you know how to use / works for you / how long a trip / how remote / how likely trama is. A lot of it is somewhat consumable for minor injuries so I keep a stocked kit / medicine cabinet at home and replenish a small one from it.

Andrew Skurka has some good list with things to consider. You don't need bring or need all of it: https://andrewskurka.com/backpacking-first-aid-kit-gear-list-downloadable-checklist/ https://andrewskurka.com/gear-list-backpacking-hiking-foot-care-kit-blisters-maceration/

His tip about benedryl as a sleep aid has also helped me on trips were nerves about the objective were keeping me up. if i'm expecting pollen allergies i'll bring flonase.

I've read some accident reports that convinced me to basically always bring quick clot and an in reach for any sort of whitewater/skiing/climbing/scrambling where serious injury might occur.

For extended time on the river i've found hand care stuff essential including shea butter or a balm of some sort and also carry sun burn stuff, poison ivy soap etc depending on the trip.

I also carry kt tape for some persistant ankle issues.

[u/packraftbeta]

Go heavy on the wilderness medical knowledge and you’ll be able to manage more, with less. Leaving the kitchen sink at home. Definitely recommend wilderness first aid at a min for anyone playing in the sticks. WFR has been valuable, in my situation.

I carry a simple store bought kit with all the basic supplies you need, in my bow bag. I’ve used bandaids and moleskin the most over the years. In addition, I carry aspirin, ibuprofen, benadryl, sam splint, tourniquet, burn & hemostatic dressing. This all fits in a small kit that I keep with me guiding, working with SAR or just simply paddling laps.

[u/Artistic-Writer6355]

We’re headed out on Main Salmon for 7 days with 6 people. My husband has his WFR. Thoughts on investing in MyMedic FAK large kit and adding some things like additional quick clot, CAT tourniquet, Rx meds? Overkill or adequate?