hunting/camping first aid kit

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jon1985

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Carleton Place, Ontario
I did a quick search and lots of guys say they carry one, but they don't really go into detail about the kits themselves.

I am looking for a first aid kit that can fill a few roles for me. I do lots of camping, some out of a car, and lots out of a canoe for 3-8 days.

I have started hunting this year and was carrying a very basic first aid kit, basically bandaids, which is fine for most of my hunting as it is out of a truck on about 300 acres with full cell service so not remote at all.

I am looking for a more comprehensive kit for camping without going over board that I would carry hunting aswell. I have in the past made my own basic kits (bandaids, sling, gauze, tape, some disinfectant wipes, very basic). There are things I would like in the kit that I havent carried before. Things like sutures, maybe a coagulant powder/bandage of some sort, maybe some basic meds (creams and ointments, Ill add Advil and Tylenol myself).

I am open to any suggestions out there.

After thought:
I typically carry a separate 'survival kit' when I am camping (matches, emergency blanket, spare compass, rope) but if there is a nice, compact kit out there that combines both I would be open to that aswell. I should mention, I don't typically carry iodine tablets or any sort of water purification for 2 reasons when Im canoe camping, 1-we always bring 2 water filters packed in separate bags, 2-we always have a small stove and plenty of fuel to boil if need be.
 
I built my own. Maybe it'll give you some ideas. I keep it in my pack, or on my vest when I hunt. I keep water purification tablets, and needles with thread in my survival tin. A Sylvia Ranger compass is attached to my vest, along with topo maps of all my hunting areas. I keep 100' of Para cord in my pack, and a CF canteen cup/stove. I have a small emergency tube tent and a CF shelter half rolled up and attached to the bottom of my pack.

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IMO, you can't beat building your own kit. That way you get everything you want, without any of the unwanted stuff that always seems to be in the premade kits... like seriously, how many alcohol wipes do I really need!?

Dollar stores are a great source for the little stuff, and way cheaper than other sources.

My basics include: bandaids, gauze (squares and a roll or two), some polysporin, tensor bandage, triangle bandage, tweezers, magnifying glass (tweezers are useless if you can't see well enough to use them) CPR face shield... I need to add some butterfly bandages still, and probably some super glue...

One thing to consider with the survival kit is food and fire. Have at least two lighters and also waterproof matches (a bit of tinder or a few fire starters is good too) and put a few Cliff bars (or whatever your preference is) into the survival kit - having a few calories in the kit really helps keep spirits up in a bad situation.

My last advice is to practice your fire making skills. Know what works for you, and know what doesn't before you are in a dire situation.
 
Don't forget to throw some small tubes of crazy glue in your kit , faster than stitches and less painful. also leave less of a scar .
Have had to use the crazy glue a few time , handy stuff
 
In my airplane kit I carried a big thick pocket book, to help me stay put while others were looking for me. One time I actually used it.

Also I had a Shell Vapona strip. The yellow plastic bug killer. I had a small tent. Black flies can be so bad they can thwart basic activity and drive you crazy. An exposed Vapona inside a tent is a safe haven.

I think a good antiseptic cream is important in a kit.
 
Like said in previous posts I think a critical point is knowing how to use the items in your first aid kit.
I usually divide my kit into sections of use/ urgency.
Since size of the kit isn’t critical if it’s something you have in the truck/ canoe or camp and not something that has to fit in your backpack hiking all day.
, your band aids are likely to see more use than your tourniquet. Not saying that the tourniquet are not important but you are less likely to use one and much more likely to use white goods and meds.
So I divide my kit into a section that would have items for a catastrophic injury and Items for more frequents minor accidents.
In event of catastrophic injury, I would need to get help ASAP and would need items for quick response that I would know how to use.
What I have for that is tourniquet , clotting powder and super glue. I don’t bother with sutures or other items. If I have an injury that is catastrophic or needs stitches I wouldn’t attempt it and use glue with gauze and get to the nearest hospital.
For the minor accidents I pack all sorts of band aids, bandage scissors, conforming gauze, bandage tape, gauze squares, a few alcohol pads, Advil, Tylenol, vetrap, tweezers for removing annoying wood splinters, safety pins, hypodermic needles for removing splinters and popping blisters.
 
Thanks guys. Seems like the best bet may be to just build my own again.

I have decent survival and first aid knowledge. Trained and qualified lifeguard and 20 years in scouting and family camping has taught me lots. Never actually had to trap or hunt for survival, but I have the basic skills should I need to.
 
Retail kits contain lots of things like excessive alcohol wipes because they meet requirements for commercial applications.

Suther said:
IMO, you can't beat building your own kit. That way you get everything you want, without any of the unwanted stuff that always seems to be in the premade kits... like seriously, how many alcohol wipes do I really need!?

Dollar stores are a great source for the little stuff, and way cheaper than other sources.

My basics include: bandaids, gauze (squares and a roll or two), some polysporin, tensor bandage, triangle bandage, tweezers, magnifying glass (tweezers are useless if you can't see well enough to use them) CPR face shield... I need to add some butterfly bandages still, and probably some super glue...

One thing to consider with the survival kit is food and fire. Have at least two lighters and also waterproof matches (a bit of tinder or a few fire starters is good too) and put a few Cliff bars (or whatever your preference is) into the survival kit - having a few calories in the kit really helps keep spirits up in a bad situation.

My last advice is to practice your fire making skills. Know what works for you, and know what doesn't before you are in a dire situation.
Click to expand...
 
Getting a first aid course every few years is also great. So many practices change with new knowledge in medicine
 
There is a kit at the camp, fairly well stocked. Leave the band aids, polysporin, stitch kits (if your brave) at the camp. If need be carry 2 bandaids, if you get hurt more than that hunting for the day head back to camp early seriously...

When out I personally didn't carry any first aid gear last year beyond rubber gloves and some scissors.
If I had to treat a injured casualty in the woods I'm probably fine using materials at hand. Unlikely I'd be treating a gunshot wound, more likely i'd be encountering someone in distress with cardiac/respiratory symptoms or traumatic injuries such as fractures/lacerations.

Basic First Aid
You may not be alone, while hunting it is understood that 3 rounds fired into the air in slow succession is a distress call do not be afraid to use it. Also radio/call your hunting party to inform of the situation if possible.

Apply Pressure to the bleeding would, do not tourniquet unless you plan to loose the limb
Rest/Support/Elevate
If SOB, search belongings for puffers/epi pens etc possibly carried by the other party
IF CP, search belongings for tablets specifically aspirin & nitroglycerin which they may carry
No Food or Drink for casualty if plan is to send to hospital

Splints for injured limbs can be made by trimming thick branches and tied with some fabric/rope.

Up on the atv or sidebyside and off you go.

I carry a cell phone and often times it works where I hunt now, I'm fairly confident that with a few pair of gloves and scissors I can get by just fine without carrying a massive kit.
 
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''IMO, you can't beat building your own kit. That way you get everything you want, without any of the unwanted stuff that always seems to be in the premade kits... like seriously, how many alcohol wipes do I really need!?''

As many as you can stuff in. They also double as fire starters. (Get the thicker versions)
 
As a lifeguard you would know not to treat beyond your scope of training. As such, if you think you will need it, get more training!

Cell access and <1h to critical care negate a whole bunch of the necessity of a big kit (ie. what you have it likely enough)

Wilderness presents a lot of challenges and potentially a situation of prolonged care if your find yourself without access/communication.
If you realistic about your needs and your abilities, you can likely create a kit for yourself as you discussed. No one can ever have enough kit for every eventuality.
However access to communications for evac (cell/radio/sat/iridium etc- which are rentable if you are really out in the wild!) is crucial. Distance and time to primary care will dictate a lot of what you need to prep.
Minor stuff- a boo-boo kit is very helpful. A full blown trauma kit? unlikely to be carried and its of limited use if its an hour a way at camp.

I cannot say I agree with the advice above on TQ's, but the protocol should be direct digital pressure, bandage, bandage, TQ.

In remote situations your enemies are the "Trauma triad of death".. in short, you aren't likely to die directly of a broken leg, but hypovolemia and shock, can cascade into a high mortality outcome.

In short- things that will kill you, you will need access to additional care/resources so have a plan and communication. If you qualified/able to provide the critical interventions to stop deadly bleeds, stabilize fractures, deal with penetrating chest wounds etc, you increase survivability.
 
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