Ok, spring is here; the peepers have started their nightly chorus. I had the motorcycle running (couldn’t keep it running but I know I need new plugs!). Next week, we can get the old camper out of storage and begin moving everything over to the new one. Worried and excited is probably my best description at this point.
And one of the first things I worry about is a first aid kit. We talked a little about a hiking first aid kit last week. This one is totally different. This one I want you to throw everything you think you might need in! You don’t have to carry this kit, so, as long as you have room for stuff, go ahead put it in! So if you are interested please read on. . .
I start with a big “Outdoorsman’s First Aid Kit” or something like that, as it has been added to with things used up and moved to different containers. It is originally from one of the big box-type stores. Well, now what to put into it to customize it? Like last week, one of the big things to consider is special needs.
- Again my significant other has problems with allergies (anaphylactic reaction serious), so once again we have a shot kit, Benadryl and prednisone. The Benadryl also works as a sleeping pill especially with some Tylenol.
- Once again do you need inhalers? Nitro? What about a small stock of your regular medications just in case you forget your pills for the weekend?
- Are you prone to stomach problems? Throw an anti-diarrhea medication in, or antacid in whichever you know you will need or both.
- Skin rashes? How about some medicated cream with cortisone to stop the itch?
- I sometimes have a problem with heat rash and skin breakdown shall we say in a area covered in polite company. I throw some spray bottles of medication for athletes foot and some Bag Balm® ointment in also. They work for me, a little harsh for some but, after the burning stops, it works. The Bag Balm® also works on babies diaper rash (which is about the same thing!).
- Band-Aids® … throw the kitchen sink at the kit. You can never have too many of these, and put every size and shape, and style you can find in the kit, you never know what you will, as we say, “Bang Up”!
- Did you remember the antibiotic ointment to put under the Band-Aids®?
- Elastic wrap in 2 or three sizes. And Gauze wrap or Kling in several sizes too.
- Here is also the place to throw sterile dressings, start with 2X2 inch and work your way up. I have a couple of trauma dressings in mine, and they are about a foot wide and 3 or 4 feet long.
- Triangular bandages work well here too to make all sorts of dressings and compresses.
- This is enough to get you started. I advise you to think, dream, and search on the internet for any other items you might need. Like, did I say anything about gloves? Good idea, right? Well, in this brief article, I haven’t even begun to put everything you might need in it, but, if I did, I might as well just have someone drive the ambulance behind me. Put in it what you have found or think you might need, depending on your special needs, training, and desires.
By the way, every year, when you take your kit out, make sure you take and throw away the old medications and get fresh unless you keep the medications in a cooler or other controlled environment. As a HINT, go to some of the drug stores or department stores and look for SAMPLES! They are usually just the right size to throw in the kit and contain enough to get you through most emergencies and, when they get old, you don’t mind throwing them away. If you can find some burn cream, this is also a good place to think of that. Burns are common in the outdoors around a campfire… almost as common as cuts and scrapes! By now, I am sure you are saying, this thing is going to be as big as a barn. Well, if it is, buy a plastic tote to put things in or several small plastic boxes and put everything in one cabinet; you can even label it “First Aid Cabinet.”
I hope that you and yours will never, ever need to use the “First Aid Kit” that you put together, but, if you do, I also hope you have exactly what you need to take care of that person.
Your Obedient Servant,
Gary Smith, Jr.