With a little guidance and know-how, packing the right聽first aid kit is easy. Where to start? We consulted Dr. Paul Auerbach, the author of Medicine for the Outdoors, who helped us assemble five different adventure-specific kits, starting with the basics, a聽great kit to have pre-packed and ready to go聽for everyday adventures. If you鈥檝e got kids or are going to the beach, camping or backpacking, keep scrolling: You鈥檒l find more destination-specific first aid items, as well as聽tips from Dr. Auerbach.
Wilderness First Aid 101
Having the right first aid kit is just the start. Knowing how to treat common injuries is just as important.
Basics
Keep this kit handy to grab and go.
1. No Hurt Wrap聽Sticks to itself, not skin or hair, to support and secure sprains and strains.
2. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Waterproof Bandages聽(Various sizes) Reliable protection against water, dirt and germs.
3. Hand sanitizer
4. Antiseptic ointment
5. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Waterproof Adhesive pad聽Waterproof protection for those larger scrapes and abrasions.
6.听惭耻濒迟颈迟辞辞濒鈥嬄Carry a tool that has scissors, a knife, tweezers and even needle-nose pliers.
7. 1 yard of duct tape
8. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Gentle Paper Tape聽Easy tear鈥攏o scissors needed.
9. Aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen聽Carry 48 hours鈥 worth of doses of each in a waterproof container.
10. Iodine tablets聽To purify water for drinking.
Camping
No need to bring a field hospital鈥檚 worth of supplies with you鈥攅ven though you can.
1. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Active鈩 Waterproof Bandages聽Cushioned protection that stays on when you sweat.
2. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Durable Cloth Tape聽All-purpose tape that provides extra holding power.
3. Rolls of gauze聽For applying ointments and cleaning wounds.
4. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Waterproof Adhesive Pads聽For sensitive cuts and scrapes that need a little extra cushioning.
5. Antiseptic ointment聽Use under a gauze dressing to help prevent infections.
6. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Tegaderm鈩 +Pad Waterproof Dressing
AUERBACH鈥橲 FIELD TIP: Need to extricate a contact lens but don鈥檛 have any way to clean your fingers? Those mini-marshmallows you brought along for hot cocoa can double as a contact lens remover.
Backpacking
When you hit the trail, add the following to your pack.
1. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Blister Waterproof Bandages聽A gel pad in the bandage helps reduce pain while keeping dirt and water out of the blister.
2. ACE鈩 Brand elastic bandage
3. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Flexible Clear tape聽Stretches and flexes for comfort while you鈥檙e on the move.
4. Moleskin聽(Various sizes) The pad can be easily cut to surround a blister and prevent the skin from rubbing against the inside of your shoe.
5. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Tegaderm鈩 +Pad Waterproof Dressing
6. 2 SAM庐聽Splints*聽4 1/4-inch x 36-inch SAM splints, built from a thin core of aluminum sandwiched between closed-cell foam, can be shaped to secure a variety of injured body parts.
7. Emergency space blanket聽A lightweight extra layer that will help keep you warm in case you鈥檙e lost, injured or stuck in the backcountry.
AUERBACH鈥橲 FIELD TIP: If you need to splint a broken bone or sprain, try not to move the injured area. Secure the splint above and below the injury, taking care not to constrict circulation. Splints should be applied so that the body part is in a 鈥減osition of function:鈥 Wrist/hand injuries should be splinted as if the hand were holding a can, elbows and ankles should be bent at 90 degrees, and knees should be slightly bent or straight.
Water Sports
If you plan on getting wet, bring these items on your next adventure.
1. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Waterproof Bandages
2. Rolls of gauze聽For applying ointments and cleaning wounds.
3. Vinegar聽Use it to flush certain jellyfish stings such as box jellyfish.
4. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Waterproof Tape聽Great for preventing blisters during those long canoe trips.
5. Sunscreen and aloe vera聽gel
6. Waterproof bag聽To keep your first aid kit dry.
7. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Tegaderm鈩 Waterproof Transparent Dressing聽Ultra-thin, breathable and waterproof protection for larger scrapes and abrasions.
AUERBACH鈥橲 FIELD TIP: Never flush a jellyfish sting with cold, fresh water because it may worsen the sting. But flushing with non-scalding hot water can lessen the sting. For a scrape from coral, clean the cut with fresh water and soap.
Family 国产吃瓜黑料
Keeping the kids happy means being prepared.
1. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Sensitive Skin Bandages聽Take the fear out of bandage removal.
2. Children鈥檚 ibuprofen and acetaminophen聽Don鈥檛 try to be clever by cutting doses of these adult-strength painkillers in half with your unsterilized camping knife. Get the kids鈥 stuff.
3. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Sensitive Skin Adhesive Pads聽Perfect for your little ones or for grandma.
4. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 No Sting Liquid Bandage Spray聽For a long scrape of mild road rash or a tough spot to bandage, this spray-on waterproof solution dries fast and provides protection against dirt and germs.
5. Rubbing alcohol聽To clean off small areas of poison oak or ivy, followed by a thorough cleansing with soap and water. To help control itching, use an antihistamine.
6. 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 Sensitive Skin Tape聽Water-resistant adhesive stays on, rain or shine, until you鈥檙e ready to take it off.
AUERBACH鈥橲 FIELD TIP: To treat a sprained ankle, follow the rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE) protocol. Get off your feet, apply cloth-wrapped ice to the injury for 20 minutes, wrap it with an elastic compression wrap (ACE鈩 bandage) and elevate the injury to reduce swelling.
specializes in products designed to help you feel better. With a focus on comfort, quality, and innovative technology, 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 is motivated to help you live an active life.
*SAM is a trademark of The Seaberg Company, Inc. and is not affiliated with Nexcare or 3M.
**聽3M, ACE鈩, 狈别虫肠补谤别鈩 and Tegaderm鈩 are trademarks of 3M.聽 All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
