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Anyone who has hiked with NAC, knows I carry an extensive First Aid kit for the group, and I have the knowledge and training to properly assess and care for most injuries that could happen while on the trail. As I will no longer be guiding our hikes for a while, I think it's very important to reiterate the importance of carrying a First Aid Kit, and what supplies you should have, as well as the importance of knowledge needed to use it!
A first aid kit is one of hiking’s Ten Essentials. That is, hiking gear you should have. The first thing I learned as a Wilderness First Responder is that in the outdoors, preparation is key. Whether you are a seasoned summiter or a daily stroller, carrying a first aid kit is essential for the safety of you and others. Here is a checklist, including some tips, for your hiking first aid kit.
Pre-Packaged First Aid Kit vs. DIY
Pre-packaged first aid kits like the Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit and Ultralight Adventure Medical Kits provide a great foundation for your first hiking medical kit. Each is equipped with carefully selected tools and supplies to keep you and a friend equipped for most small adventures. Each pre-packaged kit, however, is different, and it is important to tailor each first aid kit depending on your adventure. That being said, we recommend that everyone should have a DIY first aid kit. Here is how:
How to build your own first aid kit for hiking
Building your first aid kit can be a little daunting. What if I pack too much? What if I forget something? What if it is my first hike ever and I have no idea what I will need? Have no fear. We are here to help! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to build your very own first aid kit for hiking.
Think: SLARS
There are four important things to consider before you create your first aid kit. You can remember them by the acronym “SLARS”.
1. Size of Group
Are you building a personal first aid kit or planning for a group hike? The group size will determine the number of supplies you need.
2. Length of Trip
This determines the same thing as number 1, in case of a backcountry accident, you will likely not have close access to a pharmacy. Because of this, it is imperative that you have enough medical provisions in case you need to reapply gauze and/or provide more medicine.
3. Activity
While this is a guide to building first aid kits for hiking, it is likely your trips will vary widely from others. As we know, each hike is different, that’s what we love about it! However, because of the variations in hiking trips and environments, it is important to personalize your first aid kit for specific issues you may run into. Are you prepping for a flat day hike or an exposed, 14er scramble? If you are prepping for the 14er, a Sam splint is a good precaution for a potential broken bone or sprained ankle from a fall. If you are planning a first aid kit for routine hikes, the splint might be overkill.
4. Risk
Risk falls under the activity section but is more focused on the environmental factors you will face. For example, if you plan on hiking in an area known for poison ivy (such as the east coast and midwest) and/or ticks, consider carrying a poison ivy treatment like Climb On Lotion Bar and/or a tick-specific tool like the Tick Ease Tick Remover to your first aid kit.
5. Special Needs
Whether you are making a hiking kit for a group or yourself, always ensure you carry your personal medications whether for daily or emergency use. It is never a bad idea to carry extras. If you are planning a group hiking first aid kit, make sure everyone brings their personal medications. If you are in charge of medical care and the group members feel comfortable, it is always good to know their relevant medical history like allergies and/or respiratory issues.
First Aid Basic Care
Basic Tools
Tweezers
Multitool or Knife
Small Mirror
Blunt tip scissors
Medication and Ointments
Personal medication (such as Epi-pens)
Ibuprofen
Antibiotic ointments
Antidiarrheal pills
Rehydration salts/pills
Antacid tablets
Bandages
Gauze
Athletic (or climbing) tape
Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)
Butterfly bandages/adhesive wound-closure strips
Blister treatment/kit (such as moleskin)
Other Items
Wilderness First Aid Guide handbook
Burn dressing
Splints and elastic wraps
Tick remover
Antiseptic towelettes
Bee-sting kit
N.A.C. Note: A Wilderness First Aid Handbook is essential if you are unpracticed in Wilderness First Aid. I always have my pocket handbook in my kit. During my Wilderness Advanced First Aid Course, we were given a text book, Outward Bound Wilderness First Aid Handbook, and a waterproof pocket guide, Wilderness Medical Associates: The Field Guide of Wilderness & Rescue Medicine. I highly recommend purchasing each, and practicing some of the skills and techniques. Always carry the pocket handbook with you. Another option is to search for apps on your mobile device. In your App Store, search Wilderness Medicine, and you will find many options available.
Comprehensive First Aid Kit
Wraps, Splints, and Wound Coverings
Rolled gauze
Elastic wrap (ex. ACE Bandage)
Triangular cravat bandage
Finger splint(s)
SAM splint(s)
Hydrogel-based pads
Cleansing pads with topical anesthetic
Hemostatic (blood-stopping) gauze
Iodine Peroxide (wound cleaning) (Pro Tip: Avoid cleaning a wound with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol. It can harm the tissue and slow healing. The best way to clean a wound is with cool running water and/or iodine peroxide.)
Aloe Vera/Extra Sunscreen
Tools and Supplies
Waterproof container to carry First Aid items
Small notepad with pen/pencil (Pro Tip: Notepads are extremely beneficial to record a patient’s ongoing condition. Put your notepad in a plastic Ziploc bag to avoid water damage.)
Knife (or multi-tool with a knife)
Standard oral thermometer
Shears (blunt-tip scissors)
Cotton-tipped swabs
Irrigation syringe
Medical gloves (avoid latex)
CPR mask
Medical waste bag (Pro Tip: Plastic Nalgenes, or any extra water bottle, are a great place to store sharp medical waste items like used needles.)
Emergency heat-reflecting blanket
Hand sanitizer
Biodegradable soap
Lightweight tarp litter (How to make a stretcher with a tarp)
Extra tampons, pads (Pro Tip: Tampons are a great solution for bloody noses when you are on the move!)
Additional Medications/Treatments
Prescription medications (e.g., birth control, antibiotics)
Allergy medications (e.g., Claritin)
Injectable epinephrine (e.g., epi-pen to treat severe allergic reactions)
Glucose or other sugar (useful to treat hypoglycemia)
Cough drops and throat lozenges
Aloe Vera
Extra sunscreen
Anti-itch spray (for bug bites, rashes)
Ibuprofen
Antacid tablets
Diarrhea medication
Aspirin (response to heart attack)
Baby powder (keep sweaty feet dry)
First Aid Kit for Ultralight Hiking
It is critical to never sacrifice preparation and safety for weight. Always keep in mind the SLARS acronym we listed above. However, if you are a stubborn ultralight hiker looking to keep weight low, we have broken down the hiking checklist to the most essential items.
Essentials for an Ultralight First Aid Kit
Gauze pads (x2): Important to stop bleeding and keep an injury clean from bacteria and dirt. These are important to prevent infection.
Antiseptic wipes (x4): Also important for preventing infection, antiseptic wipes help clean up wounds and the area surrounding them.
Bandaids (4): Helpful to cover up small scratches, cuts, and blisters.
Butterfly Bandages (4): Used to close deeper lacerations when stitches are unavailable.
Multipurpose Knife (1): Used for everything and should include tweezers.
Imodium or loperamide (4): Diarrheal medication
Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen (4): Help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and treat fever.
Moleskin: Protect your feet from blisters and hot spots. This can make or break your trip.
Duct tape strips: Can be used for everything. Especially helpful to fix torn gear and keep bandaids/moleskin in place.
For Ladies:
Extra tampons, pads, diva cup: You never know when mother nature will hit you. Always bring spares!
First Aid Training
Despite the wide range of first-aid backcountry handbooks, training in first aid is always a great idea to stay prepared and safe before an outdoor adventure. Basic medical training will help you conquer the initial shocks of a medical emergency and be more prepared for any incident. There are many first-aid courses including through Wilderness Medical Associates Canada, Canadian Wilderness Medical Training, St. John Ambulance, and the Canadian Red Cross.
Written by Ellie Stanton and publish on Hiking Daily on March 11, 2020N.A.C. NEWS
(Sunday, June 19, 2022)
Good Morning,
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
There is no hike this week, as by design. It is Father's Day! I hope all of you can spend time with your family, and to the Father's, I hope you have a great day! After today, I only have one more weekend off. For that weekend I have planned the Lion's Valley Hike which will be a 11km Loop hike in Oakville, ON. This will be my last hike with everyone for some time, so I hope that you can join me. For those of you that are unsure of the distance, there is a shorter 8km option. After June 26th, there will still be planned hikes, but it is important to note, that these will not be Guided Hikes! Some of the Season Pass Holder's have graciously agreed to Lead these hikes, but they will be in no way responsible for anyone's well being. Each person attending will be responsible for their own well being and safety. The Registration form will have an attestation to this, you will have to agree to participate. These awesome Hike Leader's will have a map of the route and will simply guide the way.
That's all the news for this week. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking! Lenny Burch Niagara Adventure Club