First Aid Kits

Ok, there are loads of ready-to-go first aid kits available in shops or on the web, ranging from pocket sized personal kits to full blown rucksack sized group kits, and likewise in price from cheap to “OMG! How much!”

You can of course put your own together which means that you’ll have a supply of spares to replenish your kit after use.

And yes, after EVERY trip, if you got your kit out, check and replenish!

They all come with useful items, but all could do with some additional items such as a card of painkillers, some different sized plasters etc.

They all come with plastic ‘waterproof’ plasters these days, but some of us can’t use them as the adhesive gives up due to grease and/or sweat, so it’s always worth chucking a selection of the old fashioned fabric plasters.

If you’re dealing with young kids, some kiddie plasters with cartoon images may be a good idea as well.

N.B.: Some people are allergic to Zinc Oxide tape, so although it has its uses, best not to include any in your kit.

Other things that are not recommended to go in, unless it’s for your own personal use only include:

·         Antiseptic creams;

·         Burn creams;

·         Needles;

·         Latex gloves.

If you put your own kit together, then you can buy first aid kit bags, but you can also use clip top bags or sealable food containers. This is an advantage over a lot of the commercially available kits as it means your supplies will always remain dry.

There are some basic things that should be in every kit and below I’ll list the things that I think should go in each:

Personal kit

·         Selection of plasters (fabric or plastic);

·         Moleskin padding;

·         Nitrile gloves;

·         Sanitising hand gel;

·         Flat nosed Tweezers;

·         Alcohol-free wipes;

·         Painkillers.

Small group kit

·         Selection of plasters (fabric or plastic);

·         Moleskin padding;

·         Nitrile gloves;

·         Sanitising hand gel;

·         Flat nosed Tweezers;

·         Alcohol-free wipes;

·         Painkillers;

·         Selection of non-adhesive dressings;

·         Selection of bandages;

·         Triangular bandage;

·         Surgical tape;

·         Sterile eye dressing;

·         Half a dozen small safety pins;

·         Instant Ice cool pack;

·         Blunt ended scissors;

·         Survival blanket;

·         Resuscitation shield;

·         Sterile water ampules.

Large group kit/basecamp kit

As small group kit, but bulk up on items especially things like plasters, wipes, sterile water and dressings.

No matter what size your group is, everyone should have their own personal kit, and a small group kit should be carried for groups of four to six people, and the larger kit obviously for larger groups.