5 Things to consider when looking for a first aid kit to add to camping or overlanding gear.
1. How many people will be there and what individual needs are there?
You must have enough supplies for everyone who may need attention. Including medications that are appropriate for the ages of participants. Ex. If there are children, you need pediatric doses of Tylenol or ibuprofen. If you have someone who has a life-threatening allergy, there needs to be an EpiPen with that person or in the kit.
2.What type of emergencies are most typically in the area you want to go to? You must always consider the dangers in a particular area.
In the forest there are spiders, snakes, flying insects and wild animals. There are dangers with a campfire, uneven terrain where there can be all kinds of orthopedic injuries. The kit we have in our Jeep is the Sportsman 400 from Adventure Medical Kits. The kit is rated for 10 people, 14 days. This kit is good for camping in the forest in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. If we branch out to other areas, we will reassess our first aid needs.
3.The size of the kit, is it waterproof, where will you put it so it will be assessable in an emergency?
First aid kits come in many different sizes and containers. You need to consider if there is a place for it to fit where it can be easily assessable. If you have Molle panels in your rig, you can get kits that will mount on them. First aid kits can range from $25 to $500, depending on the needs and skills of individuals.
4. Are you knowledgeable enough to provide first-aid?
There are many inexpensive handbooks that can be a handy reference in emergencies. REI has a handbook for $12.95. American Heart Association provides first aid classes that can prepare you for basic emergencies. I will get Kevin to place links on his website.
5.What supplies will you need to have in your kit?
Everybody’s kit should have certain basic items to begin with and the other items can be specific for that family or destination. Some basic items that should be in every kit:
- Bandages, multiple sizes
- Cloth tape
- Antibiotic ointment, individual packs
- Burn ointment, individual packs
- Benadryl – liquid and pills
- Sterile gloves in multiple sizes
- EMT scissors
- Moleskin – good for blisters in shoes, etc.
- Tweezers
- CPR face shield
- Alcohol swabs
- Sterile water flushes for wound irrigation
- Antiseptic wipes
- Elastic bandage
- Splint
- Butterfly wound closures
- Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Tylenol
This is the kit that I have in my truck & Jeep. It’s a good all around kit.
Adventure Medical Kit- Outdoor Series 400
