Making Your Own Wilderness First Aid Kits

Ready-made wilderness first aid kits are available through many online retailers and conventional stores. But, you can make a simple and inexpensive kit on your own. The items that you should include in the kit depend on how far you expect to be from professional medical help and on your level of medical training.

It's a good idea to take a first aid or survival training class, if you have not already done so. Classes are available for beginners and for advanced students. A variety of subjects are covered in wilderness medicine that would not be covered in a basic first aid class. For example, you would learn how to make a splint from available materials, how to make a crutch or treat a snake bite.

When making your own wilderness first aid kits, start by choosing a box or bag that will be used solely to hold these items. Make sure that it is large enough to hold everything, without being too cumbersome to carry with you. Many people decide to make two kits. One that is small enough to carry in a backpack for day hikes and a larger one to keep at the base camp.

You will need several re-sealable plastic bags, masking tape and a marker. You will make a label for each bag, so that you can easily identify what's inside. Suggestions for labeling include blister kit, trauma, wound treatment, topical ointments and oral medications.

At a minimum you will need adhesive bandages, gauze pads for larger wounds, adhesive tape, moleskin or foam for blisters, duct tape and scissors. Other items that may be included in wilderness first aid kits, if a person has the training, include an epinephrine syringe, latex gloves, extractor and cravats.

Everyone should include a signal mirror, an extra lighter and a wilderness first aid book. Chemical cold and heat packs, thermometers, lighters and tweezers should also be included.

In your topical ointment bag, you may want to include calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, aloe vera gel for sunburns, sun-block, insect repellent and antibiotic ointment.

Over the counter medications to consider include antihistamines, decongestants, antacids, anti-diarrhea meds, electrolyte tablets and medication for motion sickness. Always remember to include iodine tablets for disinfecting water.

Wilderness first aid kits are only one part of being prepared. We always hope for the best, but we should plan for the worst. Special items may be necessary for certain destinations or climates.

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