Nobody likes to think that when they go out camping or for a hike or even for hunting, that something bad will happen. But often the best way to avoid anything really terrible happening is, as the Cub Scout motto goes: Be Prepared! There are many things that could happen to you which can easily be avoided by staying clear of restricted areas, not approaching wild animals, being fit and healthy before you start out and above all, being careful. In the event of an accident it is best to have a first aid kit in your pack. Here is a rundown of what it should include:
Gauze and Bandages
These are completely essential. Gauze is what you need for covering scrapes and cuts with porous sanitary material which will protect your skin and help stop the bleeding. Bandages are what you need for protecting and supporting broken or dislocated limbs, protecting damaged skin and holding a splint in place. Several palm sized bits of gauze, a long thin bandage and a tea towel shaped bandage should have you covered. If expecting lion attacks, maybe take more gauze.
Tape and Safety Pins
Pretty straight forward: tape for sticking gauze to your body and to wrap up particularly large splints. Safety pins are good for when putting together a sling for supporting an injured arm as tape will not be strong enough in this capacity. One roll of tape and a small pack of large safety pins should suffice.
Aspirin and Ibuprofen
Both are good pain killers and should be used for headaches and migraines if and when they occur (spending all day in a hide net can give anyone a headache!). However, they can also be used to relieve pain after breaking or spraining a limb. Pack of each should be enough.
Scissors and Tweezers
Scissors are obviously good for cutting bandages and gauze to size while they are also essential for removing any clothing after an accident, making new bandages from clothing or removing clothing after a bad burn. Tweezers can be used to remove splinters or in extreme circumstances: porcupine spines or bullets. Knowledge of survival bushcraft would also be a huge benefit here.
Antibiotic Wipes and Antiseptic Cream
Wipes are handy for cleaning a wound before applying a dressing or bandage. This protects you from infection and helps clean away blood and other debris. Antiseptic cream again is good for disinfecting a wound or applying to a graze or deep cut. Both are the hidden essential to protect you from infections.
Sun Cream and Burn Ointment
If you are going hiking in hot weather both of these can be lifesavers. Sun cream before and as you travel, burn ointment for if you forget to put on the sun cream or if you get burn by a campfire or flamethrower.
By no means is this a complete list, but it is a list of the essentials that you should try not to be without.
Sam Qam is an outdoors retailer stocking all manner of survival bushcraft essentials and other outdoors equipment such as hide nets and archery equipment.
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