Wilderness first aid kits, lets here what ya got

[Call em in]

Also, good point on the tourniquet.  Sometimes I pack them sometimes I don't.  I have known people who have needed them while in the backcountry.  I have helped people many times with pretty decent lacerations but haven't had to use a tourniquet yet, knock on wood. 

I would avoid a tourniquet if you don't need it. Spurting, arterial  hemorrhage = need. Proper application of the tourniquet requires complete cessation of perfusion distal to the dressing. If a peripheral pulse is still palpable, that means blood is flowing into the limb, but might not be returning to the body. This "compartment syndrome" can be crushing to the limb.

Once a tourniquet has been applied and sat on there for a while it needs to be removed by a paramedic or higher. possibly a mandatory trip to the ER. bicarbonates must be administered to neutralize the lactic acid that builds up in the anaerobic process in the oxygen starved limb.

Another thing I like is those little gel dressings they make for burns.  The name escapes me now, but we use them for blisters held in place with duct tape.

Good ole dry sterile dressings works, too if that's all ya have. Stop the burning process with ROOM TEMPERTURE water then dry then wrap. DO NOT USE COLD WATER. Even though cold feels good! Cold water hastens vasoconstriction in the zone of stasis  around the burn and increases the amount of necrosis and subsequent scar tissue.

Yes I know the conditions that warrant the use of a tourniquet but good info for those that don't. I would say if I felt that one was necessary it would be a mandatory er visit for fluid replenishment and wound care.

The blisters I was referring to using the burn pads on were blisters on your feet from friction. I should have been more clear but also good info bean.

[danderson]

Thanks for the input guys, its great to have input from people that know first hand, I'm limited in the amount of weight that I can carry in my pack so ultra light gear is a must my entire first aid kit I'm hoping to keep under 4 ounces, so I wont be bringing any quick clot hope that wont be needed, here's what  I have come up with,

Benedryl, Aspirin, mole skin, bandages, large ones that can be cut to size, Ibuprofen, neosporn, Pre-cut Leukotape strips, Antiseptic wipes, zinc oxide, Nitrite gloves, surgical blade, tweezers, super glue, surgical tape, elastic wrap, antacid, safety pins, Lanicane, iodine, Gauze, still a work in progress.

[Jarhead Chase]

This may be stating the obvious, but I did not see it in this post anywhere so far.


MAKE SURE YOUR FIRST AID KIT IS WATER PROOF!


If at all possible, water proof each individual item that is sensitive to water as well. Bandages that won't stick, already activated quick clot, and warm wet conditions for medical supplies is not a good thing.

[Bean Counter]

Thanks for the input guys, its great to have input from people that know first hand, I'm limited in the amount of weight that I can carry in my pack so ultra light gear is a must my entire first aid kit I'm hoping to keep under 4 ounces, so I wont be bringing any quick clot hope that wont be needed, here's what  I have come up with,

Benedryl, Aspirin, mole skin, bandages, large ones that can be cut to size, Ibuprofen, neosporn, Pre-cut Leukotape strips, Antiseptic wipes, zinc oxide, Nitrite gloves, surgical blade, tweezers, super glue, surgical tape, elastic wrap, antacid, safety pins, Lanicane, iodine, Gauze, still a work in progress.

An undergarment can double as a dressing for wound packing. Better to use a dirty pair of under ware that is packed into the wound properly than a Quik Clot that is improperly applied. That said: I would get rid of half the stuff in your current list before giving up a QC or tourniquet. I'm not a minimalist, though. Better to have and not need, than to need and not have. 

[danderson]

My weight will be an issue, so I'm going bare bones, doing a 75 mile hike in the Enchantments, 7 days total we plan on setting up base camp in the core Enchantment zone and climbing as many peaks as possible, we drew the core zone permit so we can camp anywhere we choose.

[Bean Counter]

  I don't remember it being that far. We did the main route through, however.

[danderson]

Will be doing some extra climbing

[Stein]

My first aid kit is 4.6 oz so you can figure out what camp I am in.  A few band aids, a few pills, super glue, moleskin and steri strips. 

At the end of the day, you are pretty limited to what you can do in the woods.  Either it isn't bad enough that you can self rescue or you need to call in the cavalry.  I would rather carry an EPIRB than the equivalent weight in stuff that really wouldn't get me out in a worst case scenario.

When hunting pumpkin patches, I do throw in some quick clot and a good compression bandage.

[NRA4LIFE]

I always carry a small chunk of a styptic pencil.   

[aorams]

for penetrating trauma to the chest cavity...

http://www.chinookmed.com/cgi-bin/item/12099/s-chest_thoracic/-HALO-Seals-

[pianoman9701]

The Benedryl discussion is a good one. I get a bottle of the children's liquid Benadryl just in case the airway is becoming swollen and because delivery is much faster than pill form. Someone stepping in a hornet's nest and starts to shock out can get fast relief from drinking this down.

Also, quick clot, compression bandage, gauze, band aids,  ibuprofen, several Xanax and hydrocodone, scissors, mirror (for face or head cuts, signalling), lighter (sterilization), hemostat, neosporum, sutures, eye wash. I'm going to add the super glue.

[danderson]

  OK, here's what my first aid kit will contain, Like I said I'm limited to 4 oz,

Benedryl, Aspirin, mole skin, bandages, large ones that can be cut to size, Tourniquet, Ibuprofen, neosporn, Pre-cut Leukotape strips, Antiseptic wipes, zinc oxide, Nitrite gloves, surgical blade, tweezers, super glue, surgical tape, elastic wrap, antacid, safety pins, Lanicane, iodine, Gauze, Immodium,

Any thing else needed like slings/Splints/ compression bandages can be improvised, I don't plan on carrying a complete first aid kit just enough to get by 

[IslandStorm62]

I pulled apart my old Military Kit and put this together

From the MIL KIT
Tourniquet
Quick Clot
Nasal Tube
Compressed Gauze
Trauma Wound Dressing

Off-The-Shelf

Self Adhesive Foam Bandage (This is the newer form of Ace Bandage. No Velcro or clips and latex free)
Nitrile Gloves
Antiseptic Wipes
Assorted Bandages (10 Pieces)
Couple of small gauze (2x2)
Tylenol

Only other piece I wish I had is a "14-16G Intravenous Cannula".  I've never needed any of these, but I get my warm fuzzy knowing I have it.  Just like the Emergency EDC, CCW, and your Kill Kit.  Lots of stuff to carry everyday.

[jasnt]

Tagging

[Andrew]

I had an interesting conversation with my neighbor about this very topic...he is an retired ER doc and has saved me from heading to the ER on a holiday weekend!  I saw somebody else post this and will add it again...SUPER GLUE!  He told me that in an emergency you can't beat it and you don't have to use the medical stuff either.  The second item he told me to carry is IMODIUM tablets...getting the craps in the wilderness can be very bad and can lead to dehydration and domino effect into very bad things.  Add the ibuprofen, Tylenol,  benedryl, mole skin and you're covered.