Summer is almost here, and for many people that means awesome camping and backpacking trips with the family.
For me, it means loading a few fly rods and heading off to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
Whatever summer camping means to you, it’s almost here and I hope you are just as excited as I am. I also hope you are taking the proper steps to make sure you and your family are safe on your trips. Medical emergencies in back country Tennessee are no joke—and wherever you decide to go, you should be prepared.
I strongly suggest a good first aid kit designed for camping and backpacking like the one I use from REI. I prefer these to just a standard kit, or self-packing one, for a few reasons.
First, I am forgetful. I don’t want to wonder if I have a snake bite kit the first time I see a copperhead. Second, I am lazy. I will wait until the last minute and then I will forget something.
First Aid Kit Contents
Here is everything that is pre-packed and taken care of for you:
- All contents are packed together in a zippered nylon case; clear vinyl compartments let you easily identify the items you need
- Includes a removable kit so you can bring along just what you need for short day hikes from base camp
- Comes with “The Wilderness First Aid Manual” by Dr. William Forgey for quick reference while on the trail; also includes 2 accident/evacuation records and a pencil
- Treat wounds with six 3 x 0.75 in. adhesive bandages, eight 3 x 1 in. adhesive bandages, 5 knuckle adhesive bandages, 5 fingertip bandages and 5 butterfly closures
- Also includes four 2 x 2 in. gauze pads, four 3 x 3 in. gauze pads, a 3 x 2 in. non-adherent pad, two 4 x 3 in. non-adherent pads and eight 4 x 4 in. sterile top sponges
- Four 4 x 3 in. pieces of moleskin, a 9 x 5 in. abdominal/pressure pad, a 4.1 yd. x 2 in. stretch gauze roll and a 4.1 yd. x 3 in. stretch gauze roll
- Contains four 6 in. sterile cotton-tip applicators, a wire splint, 1 triangular bandage, 10 yd. x 1 in. roll of tape, a 3 in. elastic bandage and an irrigation syringe
- Prep and care for wounds with 3 antibacterial wipes, 6 triple-antibiotic ointment packets, 6 sting relief wipes, 6 povidone-iodine wipes and 1 antimicrobial hand wipe
- Also includes 2 hydrocortisone cream packets and 1 aloe vera gel packet
- Medications include 6 Nutralox® mint antacid tablets, 6 Proprinal® ibuprofen 200mg tablets and 6 Cetafen® acetaminophen 325mg tablets
- Also includes 3 Histaprin® diphenhydramine 25mg caplets, 3 Diamode® loperamide 2mg caplets and 1 pill vial with label
- Equipment includes 6 safety pins, a pair of latex-free medical gloves, bandage scissors, splinter forceps and a 10 x 8 in. resealable waste bag