Thread: First aid kit - Whats in yours?

One thing to remember about DEET is that in anything other than canvas is that it will strip the lining of your waterproof garments and tents. Use the other chemical treatments available. Being English 500000+ sunscreen and welding goggles to block out our UV is a good start. As NM replied, the areas are huge and even with the worlds best comms, if **** happens in the middle of no-where and you can get hold of some-one it could still be several hours before help arrives, even in a chopper. Be well equiped and most importantly know how to use it, and that means every-one. Pretty dire stuff and under normal circumstances a stubbed toe or blade grass scratch is the worst you'll face, but it is better to be safe than sorry. No-one wants to be that tourist idiot that wasn't prepared. We have enough of them here already.

Okay, here's a random selection of thoughts (it's 3am) I'll add more when I'm more alert.

Not being used to the native mircoscopic flora & fauna, means that your body will react adversely to infections. For example, a mosquito bite that gets scratched with dirty fingernails in the tropics could easily become an ulcer requiring anti-biotic treatment.

If you can carry some antibiotics it would be a good idea. Most people don't, and get away with it, but even a tooth infection several days out from a dentist could cause severe agony for you and your travel companions. I got a dentist friend to get me a small kit with a pick, a mirror and some tooth cement.

Glad Wrap (Plastic Cling wrap for food) is a good 2nd skin for covering burns or gravel rash.

Soluble Aspirin can be moistened and applied to a sting to relieve itching. I used it on a child bitten by a bull ant on one trip, and within 10 minutes the sting had dissappeared with no pain. I got that hint from a Childerens Hospital web site.

Medipulv is an antiseptic powder that works well, it helps congeal small cuts as well as not making a mess like ointments.

Alginate is also good for bleeding wounds, though difficult to find sometimes. I think most supplies are out of Ireland, so you may be better off getting some before you leave.

Nitrile gloves are good for treating other people, as well as for refuelling a diesel vehicle, so you don't get diesel smells on your hands.

Steri strips are good as sutures.

Crepe bandages should be the heavy duty type, as if you use them for strapping an ankle or similar, the light duty stuff won't last.

Triangular bandages should be the calico type, the paper ones stretch and don't offer as good support.

Bandages : Triangulars, Combines, Mine Dressings (Wound Dressings); Crepe (Roller);

You can get a box of 100 cotton squares that are for removing makeup, these make a good wipe, and good eye pads - quite versatile. Available in supermarkets.

Ointment or solution wise - I suggest Betadine.

Dettol mixed with baby oil and vinegar (or metho) in equal parts and shaken (as it will seperate) and sprayed from a trigger type spray bottle makes a great insect repellent. We used it on the Keep River in the NT, we pulled up to camp and the air was a buzz with mosquitoes, we sprayed this stuff on and slept on the roof rack and didn't get one bite!

An Elastoplast fabric strip lets you cat a band aid type dressing to the right size, and is hard wearing. Also consider spray on band aids for putting a layer over broken skin.

A syringe is good for eye wash, as you can fill it quickly and direct a stream of water / saline in a controlled fashion into the eye for rinsing out debris. Using eye drops with analgesic properties is not a good idea, as they will numb the eye and you won't feel if the offending grit has come out or is still there scratching away.

Baby wipes are good for cleaning dusty grime off an area, as well as for a "dry bath" in the desert, and are a lot cheaper than the camping wipes.

Carry lip balm, lips will crack in the dry centre and can hurt. Also some moisturiser for your hands.

For more advanced kits you could try Intravenous fluids for trauma, burns and severe dehydration. Intra muscular or intravenous analgesia for trauma. Other drugs depending on what ailments your party has. You will need a doctors scrip for all these.

What level of experience or training do you have? Then we'll know how bold to get with our suggestions.

St John's Ambulance First Aid book.

Cheers
Simon

As well as the aforementioned, I always include a tube or so of Cryano-Acrylate (CA) Superglue - Used sparingly, I've sealed 4cm long x 1cm deep cuts. its as good as stitches, and stops bleeding almost immediately.
I was put onto it by an ex-Army medic - Just don't glue your fingers to the wound... :O

Just on another point with regard to first aide: You need to be TRAINED!

It is all very well to have every conceivable piece of equipment and every cream available, but it is useless unless you actually know what to do with it and when!

Plenty of people do a lot more harm than good as they have no idea how to diagnose and then treat injuries/illness.

IMO basic Level 1 first aid is pointless other than for people working in cities. Level 2 is the minimum standard l think for anyone operating in remote/country areas. Even better, is to attend (and pass) a Remote First Aid course (St Johns run one).

Even better again is the Wilderness Medical Institute (Home - WMI), an Aussie company who specialize in training outdoor leaders and people who often work and play in wilderness settings to deal with medical issues from drownings, to fits, to snake bites, to fractures/breaks to infection to hyperventilation and hypothermia. Very comprehensive and well taught courses by instructors who are in the field themselves. Curriculum is updated regularly by doctors.

There are several levels, from 3 day to 15 day courses. Thye are run in ‘bush’ settings, so as theory learned on the course is put into practice there and then, by way of 'real life scenarios'. As someone who works with kids in wilderness settings, and having dealt with many medical issues in the field, this course enabled me to get kids out safely and as comfortably (for them) as possible, plus the knowledge base to actaully diagnose and treat the problem.

(Wilderness defined by being greater than 1 hour from definitive medical care). This course teaches diagnosis, treatment and pretty much keeping people breathing 'til the cavalry arrive on which ever mountain some idiot chose to go into anaphylactic shock on!

But be warned - once trained you owe 'Duty of Care' to people and that is just a whole other kettle of fish! It does NOT mean your are bound to step in every time you see a medical emergency or first aid issue, BUT it does mean if you do and you are treating someone, you must 'do no harm' - that if you make a massive error or operate out of your area of training/skill your could be in a world of pain!

Appolgies for the long response but this is an issue and as a teacher and outdoor educator it is of such importance in my industry – get trained and save a life. Simple.

Also – great first aide kits @ Equip - Hands On First Aid



Beechy

This scares me.

Again - get trained! Then leave your "super glue" at home!!!!


MB

There are several different types of superglue, surgical superglue is not the same stuff as what we buy at the $2 store.



Basic explanation here -
Straight Dope Staff Report: Was Super Glue invented to seal battle wounds in Vietnam?

Normal superglue can cause skin irritation, and burns, sometimes inside the wound, which then leads to all kinds of other problems.

Still take the superglue with you, great for things like keeping torn fingernails in place.

Cheers
Simon

Originally Posted by Numpty's Missus

Personally I believe a first aid course is a great idea
But first aid is 99% common sense anyway
Its surprising what you carry on a trip that can be used in first aid conditions

eg...the jack handle might make an emergency splint
your towels, clothing, nappies make good large wound dressings, slings & bandages

Still carrying nappies, NM? You really do come prepared.

Cheers
Simon