Backpacking First Aid Kits

Nick said:
And it still doesn't hold on after hiking 5 or 10 miles! At least not for me on my heal. This was the last trip I ever packed duct tape. I had to tap everyone else's duct tape supply because anything less than this and it would slide off after enough hiking. Hell, I think even this slid off. A small piece Leukotape would have stuck for the entire trip.
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LOL! Looks like my feet sometimes! I usually have to wrap in all the way around my foot and over lap the tape or its moving around in a few miles of hiking.
 
My Kit changes all the time, these are what I always bring though.

For Wounds, Sprains, and Burns I carry: A SAM Splint laid flat on the bottom of my pack, A large Celox Pad, a few bandages some with a clotting agent, few packets of wound seal, Steri-Strips, Burn Jel, Betadine packets, and Neosporin.

Meds: Hydrocodone, Benadryl, Sleeping Pills, Aspirin, Imodium, and few cough drops. If its going to be off trail I bring a tube of anti itch cream.

Blisters: If I get a hotspot then I stop use Flexitol Blistop Blister Spray too kinda freeze the hotspot or let me feet air out a sec. Change to a pair of aired out or dry socks and with boots that breathe no more blisters.

Medicinal scotch or rum.
 
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Great tip on the leukotape. I have still been doing the mole skin thing and have been less then impressed with the results. I will have to pick up some of that tape.

On a more sensitive topic, what if anything do you guys take for dealing with chafing?
 
andyjaggy said:
On a more sensitive topic, what if anything do you guys take for dealing with chafing?
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I use body glide sometimes, but I can usually apply at the start of a trip and be okay. Sometimes I've packed the mini stick (lady's version). My worst experiences have been solved or prevented by adhering to the motto 'a clean butt is a happy butt'.
 
Oh yeah, what @Hurakan said is also a good idea. I always backpack in boxer briefs. I try to get them that come down the thigh a fair amount. Costco has some good ones from Champion (I think).
 
Cool I will have to give them a try. Chafing has been the limiting factor in how far I can hike. The chafing stops me before sore muscles or exhaustion. It doesn't help that I just sweat a lot all around.

It might sound odd but I have found the best stuff to help it heal it up faster is the same stuff I use on my babies diaper rash. You know how it goes, just got back from a long hike, a bit sore that night, changing the babies diaper, hmmmm I wonder....
 
andyjaggy said:
On a more sensitive topic, what if anything do you guys take for dealing with chafing?
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I used to chafe all the time. I made the switch to under armor briefs quick dry and light weight. Also bring and use daily is Preparation H and a good powder combo. Apply twice to three times a day... it's like a cool breeze
 
andyjaggy said:
Great tip on the leukotape. I have still been doing the mole skin thing and have been less then impressed with the results. I will have to pick up some of that tape.

On a more sensitive topic, what if anything do you guys take for dealing with chafing?
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I have had some good success with Vaseline. I like carrying that stuff around for multiple reasons. Great fire starter, good lip balm, and good at preventing chafing :)
 
Some of you may say that I am recklessly unprepared but this is the bag that goes from pack to pack for whatever trip I take, whether it's a dayhike or multi-day.

The bag weighs 5.8 oz.
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It contains:
First aid kit: 1.20 oz
Gerber Ultralite LST knife: 0.60 oz
Bag with flint and fire starter: 0.35 oz
Mini roll of duct tape: 0.50 oz
3 extra AAA headlamp batteries: 1.25 oz
Kleenex packet (TP): 0.75 oz
Cordage: 0.85 oz
Ibuprofen: 0.25 oz

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The first aid kit itself weighs 1.20 oz
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This is what the first aid kit contains. I'm sure this could be improved.
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The Gerber Ultralight LST, although I'm thinking of switching to nail clippers as Ben mentioned.
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I also always use cordage that is the right gauge for replacing a broken shoe lace. You live and learn.

This thread has me thinking I need to replace my moleskin with the other stuff andpossibly add some super glue.
 
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Hurakan said:
@ Andy, I used to get chafing on my thighs until I went with underwear/pants that could really breathe well. I cant recommend these enough, you can wash them anywhere and they dry in no time. Super comfortable and they last a long time.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&tag=backcountrypo-20&linkId=H6GD36J3PQBFU4ZL
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I bought 3 pair of these and they are amazing. I went 10 miles and didn't have any chafing. I thought I was crazy spending 25 bucks a pop but they are worth every penny.
 
I liked those Ex Officio boxer briefs so much I just wear them always. They last a really long time so the price isn't that big of a deal.
 
Vegan.Hiker said:
Some of you may say that I am recklessly unprepared but this is the bag that goes from pack to pack for whatever trip I take, whether it's a dayhike or multi-day.

The bag weighs 5.8 oz.
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You're out of control man!!! What are you going to do when your leg falls off!?!?!?!?
 
I keep it pretty simple.

For me:

Motrin
Duct tape and moleskin
Tylonol PM or something stronger - I work 12 hr night shifts and often end up sitting up all night then hiking.
Super glue

For the dogs:

Duct Tape
Gauze pads
 
Yeah, mine's pretty simple too. Some Gorilla tape and ibuprofen, maybe Claritin. After taking a Wilderness First Responder class years ago, I decided there wasn't much else I really needed. Pressure for bleeding, tape for splint, clean water to clean wounds. Course I have a pocket knife, sunscreen, chapstick, stuff like that.

@andyjaggy this is the scale I bought on Amazon, up to 50 lbs, has worked well for a few years: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JQSIL8/?tag=backcountrypo-20
 
This is made up with bike tube repair kit box to keep the bandages and things from being crushed and has a few repair items other than the first aid supplies... mostly for keeping infections at bay and light gear repair until...

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There are some needle holder forceps in my hip belt pocket for cactus removal and a tiny container of Badger Balm for everything else.
 
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