First aid kit/Gear

Faolan said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some kind
soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

Mainly just fabric plasters for blisters and paracetamol
tablets. I suppose my off the shelf first aid kit has
some other stuff in it but I don't know what, I rarely
ever open it.

Quoted message said:

Also is there any indispensable kit that you carry (apart
from the obvious map/compass/clothing/torch) that's
recommended?

Knee support, midge headnet. Also a hat to keep of the sun
and sun cream if it's a summer trip.

Paul
--
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukwildwales.fsnet.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

"Faolan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some kind
soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

Having lost mine a couple of months back thanks to the total
incompetance of EasyJet and the baggage handlers at Gatwick,
I have recently replaced nearly everything in it. This is
what is in mine, roughly (it varies depending on trip
duration / location): Plasters (for blisters and assorted
cuts I always seem to pick up) Tube of Germaline (seems to
work best at keeping infection at bay on me) Scissors
(medical, not kitchen - the main difference is in the shape
of the ends - you'll know if anyone has to cut a bandage off
of you) Tweezers (great for removing unwanted small lumps of
wood from my body) Triangular bandage (useful for many
things including wearing as a scarf by scouts) roll of 1"
sticky surgical tape (once immobilised my knee completely
with enough of this after I had torn the cartlige and
strained many of the ligaments so needed it locked solid to
get off the hill) pair of surgical gloves (I might have to
treat someone else) face shield (ditto for artificial
respiration) suchure kit (although it is a while since I put
in stitches) Paracetemol Ibuprofen (lots, works really well
for reducing the swelling in my buggered knees) Terfenadine
(I know it's now illegal, but it still works best for my
hayfever. I have a very healthy heart and I don't drink
grapefruit juice when taking it). Throat sweets Andrews
tablets (for indigestion) Imodium (with a stomach like mine,
you need it) small tub of Vaseline (covers many
problems....)

I tend to go for first aid kits as others in this group
go for cameras. I have one rule when out in the hills: I
get myself and anyone with me off the hills without
outside help.

The key thing is to only take what you expect to need and
what you know how to use (I wouldn't recommend carrying a
suchure kit for most people as it smarts a little putting
stiches in).

Quoted message said:

Also is there any indispensable kit that you carry (apart
from the obvious map/compass/clothing/torch) that's
recommended?

Some wag is bound to say GPS. I'll settle for things like
knife, fire maker (I use a little lighter with a hell of a
mini-Bunsen burner flame), emergency warmth (fleece,
survival blankets, bothy whatever you feel is appropriate),
waterproofs, more water than you will need (I've had to stay
unexpectedly out overnight with nowhere nearby having safe
water - something you only want to do once). Mobile phone,
although Rule 1 says I can only use it for letting people
know I will be late. A little emergency food.

That can add up to a fair old weight, but I am built like a
packhorse (with about as much elegance), so I tend to ignore
anything less than 20kg as being nothing (my knees don't
though). Those a little less well designed to carrying large
loads over rough country should pare kit down to a
manageable weight. There is a theory that if you have it,
you will need it. I prefer to think that if I don't have it
I will need it and if I do, I won't.

Have fun, Paul

"Faolan" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some kind
soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

Nowt.

Quoted message said:

Also is there any indispensable kit that you carry (apart
from the obvious map/compass/clothing/torch) that's
recommended?

A hat.

On Sat, 17 Apr 2004 19:55:38 +0100, Faolan <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some kind
soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

Triangular bandage (don't get the paper ones as they dislike
water) 2 inch roller bandage 2 inch crepe bandage for
sprains. 2x large sterile dressings and an eye dressing. 1
dozen safety pins Various OTC drugs - anti dihorrea,
painkillers, antihistamine, NSAID's

Ephedrine and adrenaline + hypos as I am liable to
anaphylaxis in case of bee stings Suture materials and
needles since I can use them and potentially could
need them.

If cooking a small burn kit may be worth taking.

Quoted message said:

Also is there any indispensable kit that you carry (apart
from the obvious map/compass/clothing/torch) that's
recommended?

Whistle. Tin lid/steel mirror may be worth it as well.

Quoted message said:

TIA!

--
79.84% of all statistics are made up on the spot. The other
42% are made up later on. In Warwick - looking at flat
fields and that includes the castle. Take out the planet
to reply by email

"Faolan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some kind
soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

My little Tupperware box has the following; Plasters,
bandage roll, Compeed, moleskin, paracetamol, Piriton
allergy pills, anti-diarrea pills, antiseptic wipes (need to
find some more somewhere?). I'm sure there's something I've
forgotten...need to restock this anyway! I also have an EMS
First Aid kit with gloves and the larger bandages others
have mentioned but this only tends to go on overnight hikes.

(Looking at the above lot I need to combine the two and add
whatever else I've forgotten!)

Quoted message said:

Also is there any indispensable kit that you carry (apart
from the obvious map/compass/clothing/torch) that's
recommended?

Emergency snacks (Nutrigrain bar, Pepperami etc), water,
emergency whistle, hat, sunblock if sunny, Swiss Army knife,
camera. Like Paul Cummings I carry a mobile phone but only
for me to turn on and call out for help, not for others to
call in and interrupt my walking day.

HTH, Nick

Nobody's mentioned condoms so far ;^}

Regards: Jim Ford

In message <[email hidden]>,
Faolan <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some kind
soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

Also is there any indispensable kit that you carry (apart
from the obvious map/compass/clothing/torch) that's
recommended?

TIA!

I won't repeat other suggestions but would add 1 item that I
regard as an essential part of my first aid kit: Pencil and
paper. This is only really relevant if in a party and its
purpose is that in the event that a party member is to be
sent off to get help the pencil and paper is to record the
following sort of details:

quite important in extreme cases: eg suspected back
injury puts a rescue team on alert that a helicopter
might be required.
b). Time of accident (if relevant)
c). Grid reference
d). Local landmarks
e). State of equipment and morale (eg. Injured party member
in bivvy bag but rest of party has no shelter. Limited
quantity of chocolate, but no hot drinks).
f). Signalling intentions (eg will start whistling now and
torch flashes at 18.00).

This sort of approach was suggested to me during mountain
training as recording these details as a group before
someone sets off is more likely to produce correct
information than will be obtained by asking an out-of-
breath, hungry, tired and mentally shaken messenger two or
three hours later. All the messenger has to do is hand
over the paper and with his dying breath say, "you'll find
them here".

It was suggested also that coins should be included in the
kit (for telephoning) and in fact I do this - more because I
know there's always a bit of cash there for any other odd
purposes that come up. In an emergency one dials 999 anyway
which is free. And of course, nowadays the youth all have
their mobile phones - nasty new-fangled devices.

Oh and other items that lives with first aid so as always to
be available:

Spare guy line. This can be used for all sorts of things:
bootlaces, tying things to the rucksack, making a washing
line, or as a spare guy line.

Cotton thread and needle.

--
Michael Farthing cyclades Software House

In message <[email hidden]>, Jim Ford
<ford@watford53 .freeserve.co.uk> writes

Quoted message said:

Nobody's mentioned condoms so far ;^}

Regards: Jim Ford

Er no: but if you are a leader of a party containing
schoolgirls then you (or a lady fellow-leader) should quite
seriously include "a thingy".

--
Michael Farthing cyclades Software House

Quoted message said:

Also is there any indispensable kit that you carry (apart
from the obvious map/compass/clothing/torch) that's
recommended?

If with a group I tend to carry my shelter with me. Holding
10 people its great for lunch stops when its raining as it
fun for the group as well as increasing moral and stops
people getting cold whilst not walking. Comes in to its own
if someone has an accident as it can protect you from the
worst weather, including intense sun as it can be used to
create some shade.

Cheers

Andy

On 17/4/04 8:51 pm, in article [email hidden], "Paul

Saunders said:

Faolan said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some
kind soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

Mainly just fabric plasters for blisters and paracetamol
tablets. I suppose my off the shelf first aid kit has some
other stuff in it but I don't know what, I rarely ever
open it.

Quoted message said:

Also is there any indispensable kit that you carry (apart
from the obvious map/compass/clothing/torch) that's
recommended?

Knee support, midge headnet. Also a hat to keep of the sun
and sun cream if it's a summer trip.

Swiss Army knife?

--
Andy Howell Birmingham, UK

"Faolan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some kind
soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

I was at a talk by a Cairngorm MRT medic last year. His
recommendation for basic kit was 3 triangular bandages (you
can do all sorts of things with them) 2 pairs of latex
gloves (protect yourself from infection, and it fools the
casualty into thinking you might know what you're doing) 1
roll of gaffer tape (use it to secure bandages/dressings,
improvise a splint with a walking pole) optionaly, some
plasters and painkillers.

I also carry a silver foil blanket for keeping a
casualty warm.

--
Duncan Gray

homepage - www.duncolm.co.uk also www.mountaineering-
scotland.org.uk The Mountaineering Council of Scotland

=| Michael Farthing's |= said:

In message <[email hidden]>, Jim Ford
<ford@watford53 .freeserve.co.uk> writes

Quoted message said:

Nobody's mentioned condoms so far ;^}

Regards: Jim Ford

Er no: but if you are a leader of a party containing
schoolgirls then you (or a lady fellow-leader) should
quite seriously include "a thingy".

Er, a hint of the unscrupulous there. Better just to refer
to the 'opposite

--
' gathering moss, android

Faolan said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some kind
soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

Topping up my 3 yearly certificate last year, someone in the
class asked the trainer what he usually carried. "Oh just a
roll of gaffer tape, usually" was the reply. And if you
think of what the courses cover that really *will* suffice
to patch up punctures (with a bandage improvised from
clothing) and immobilise breaks. Not perfect, but you've got
to decide what level you're working to: saving lives doesn't
require every last possible comfort. Having said that, I
like comfort so I carry more. Most stuff that gets used in
my kit is for minor irritations, so they don't ruin a day:
plasters, painkillers (usually for headaches), eyedrops sort
of thing. One thing I do recommend which you don't always
find in kits are Steri-strips, which are sort of instant
stitches. They work very well and unlike most other things
stick to scalp. Should be available from chemists, though
you might need to ask.

Quoted message said:

Also is there any indispensable kit that you carry (apart
from the obvious map/compass/clothing/torch) that's
recommended?

Usually a water bottle. Not necessarily with anything in it
as there's usually a good resupply possible where I walk,
but if I'm headed up onto a long ridge I'll want water with
me. A bit of food too, and if the weather's good then high
SPF suncream.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext.
33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177
Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

In the writings of Faolan, the <MPG.1aeb8e025266cfb69898a5
@news.individual.net> scrolls contained these prophetic words:

Thanks for all the advice, seems I had most of the kit you
recommended listed already. The only things I needed to add
to it was gloves/face shield. Something I had forgotten
about :o).
--
Scottish Heritage: celticshadows.co.ukcelticshadows.co.ukOpen ↗

"Duncan Gray" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I was at a talk by a Cairngorm MRT medic last year. His
recommendation for basic kit was 3 triangular bandages
(you can do all sorts of things with them) 2 pairs of
latex gloves (protect yourself from infection, and it
fools the casualty into thinking you might know what
you're doing) 1 roll of gaffer tape (use it to secure
bandages/dressings, improvise a splint with a walking
pole) optionaly, some plasters and painkillers.

I don't really understand the apparent obsession with
triangular bandages. They can be useful, sure, but they're
relatively bulky. If I was in a position where I needed
one or more, I'd happily sacrifice a spare base-layer
shirt to make them. I'd rather use the space for that
spare base layer than for 3 triangular bandages...more
versatile overall.

My own kit for the UK includes:

Compeed Ordinary fabric plasters Card & pencil Wound
dressing & Micropore tape Elasticated bandage Lip salve
(plain...works elsewhere if necessary) Antiseptic wipes
Nurofen Paracetamol Diarolyte powder Couple of safety pins
and a needle & thread.

My swiss army knife has al the tweezers, scissors etc that
might be necessary.

It all packs into a tupperware box around 2in x 3in x 5in
and weighs very little. I don't generally take mouth
protectors and latex gloves into the UK hills, though I do
have them in the car kit. I'd certainly add them for many
places abroad, but then I load up my kit with all sorts of
stuff (temporary tooth fillings, sterile hypodermics, etc)
if travelling in remote locations abroad.

I find that the compeed, plasters,antiseptic wipes and
painkillers are the most-used things in the UK. The gaffer
tape sounds a potentially useful addition, but in my
experience the vast majority of injuries in the hills are
very minor cuts, scrapes and blisters. Anything more major
(and rare) and I'd improvise from other items rather than
try to carry gear for every eventuality.

Rob

In article <[email hidden]>,
Duncan Gray <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

"Faolan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some
kind soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a long
distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had some
first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I just
curious to see what other people carry...

I was at a talk by a Cairngorm MRT medic last year. His
recommendation for basic kit was 3 triangular bandages (you
can do all sorts of things with them) 2 pairs of latex
gloves (protect yourself from infection, and it fools the
casualty into thinking you might know what you're doing)

You can get nitrile gloves which (as well as being a nifty
lilac / blue) are much harder to tear. I got mine at B&Q
where they were being sold as a decorators accessory.

Quoted message said:

1 roll of gaffer tape (use it to secure bandages/dressings,
improvise a splint with a walking pole)

I always carry a small roll or gaffer tape now (it was
recommended on both my last two first aid courses).

Quoted message said:

optionaly, some plasters and painkillers.

I also carry a silver foil blanket for keeping a
casualty warm.

I prefer the bags of the same material as they can be used
like a blanket or you / the casualty can get inside for
greater shelter if mobile.

--

dscs.demon.co.ukdscs.demon.co.ukOpen ↗

"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

One thing I do recommend which you don't always find in
kits are Steri-strips, which are sort of instant stitches.
They work very well and unlike most other things stick to
scalp. Should be available from chemists, though you might
need to ask.

Ah yes, I forgot those in my other post. I have steri-strips
in my kit, too. Very useful items.

Rob

Rob Naylor said:

I don't really understand the apparent obsession with
triangular bandages. They can be useful, sure, but they're
relatively bulky. If I was in a position where I needed
one or more, I'd happily sacrifice a spare base-layer
shirt to make them. I'd rather use the space for that
spare base layer than for 3 triangular bandages...more
versatile overall.

You can actually cover a lot of the immobilisation
possibilities by turning one sleeve of a jacket inside out
and doing some appropriate pinning work with pins and/or
tape. No sacrifice needed. First time I did a 1st Aid course
it was the MCofS one, and the head of Arrochar MRT pointed
out there's not much you can do with a TB that can't be
improvised. So it's again down to the best tool for the job
against having to carry it about safe in the knowledge that
you can make do.

I don't bother, but lots of people do. They can make a
comfort difference (from bloody awful to merely very awful
if you've broken your arm, I'd guess) but they're not going
to save a life.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext.
33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177
Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

"Nick Pedley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Faolan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've lost my 'kit' list for a first aid kit. Can some
kind soul fill me in what I should be carrying for a
long distance but lightweight first aid kit? I have had
some first aid training so I have a fair idea, but I
just curious to see what other people carry...

My little Tupperware box has the following; Plasters,
bandage roll, Compeed, moleskin, paracetamol, Piriton
allergy pills, anti-diarrea pills, antiseptic wipes (need
to find some more somewhere?). I'm sure there's something
I've forgotten...need to restock this anyway!

I know what I forgot - the tiny bottle of iodine tablets for
sterilising drinking water. It's so easy to lose in a bag I
keep it with the First Aid stuff, after all if I need them
it's an emergency.

Nick