Camping First Aid Kit - What the doctor packs
As the token doctor of our camping crowd, the task of tackling all campsite medical calamities naturally falls to me (Sam). That, combined with many years of remote camping, has meant that my medical kit has been tried and tested. This is what I pack.
The container
Should be waterproof and puncture proof.
It should also be easy to find in a crisis and in a location that you can access at any time.
Contents
Medications
Paracetamol (or acetaminophen if you are in America)
Ibuprofen
Gastrostop (loperamide)
Antihistamines
Kwells/motion sickness tablets
Equipment
Gloves - two pairs
Sterile needle or tweezers - for splinter removal
Normal saline - for irrigating eyes or dirty wounds (+/- syringe for irrigation).
Hydralyte - for gastro or hangovers...
Dressings
Bandaids/basic plasters - lots
Larger dressings - a few
Steristrips - I LOVE these, and I have used them so often to hold deeper cuts/wounds closed when you don't have access to sutures. Place them perpendicular to the wound to hold the free edges together, and then put a dressing over the top.
Medical tape
Gauze - the inside of the packaging also works well as a sterile work-surface
Cotton buds/Q tips - but a sterile version not the supermarket version
Scissors
Bandages
Topical lotions and potions
Antiseptic - e.g. betadine or savlon
Alcohol swab
Lip balm (generally paw paw because it has so many uses)
Burn cream - although lots of room temperature water is the best remedy for most burns, sometimes you dont have access to lots of water
Hand sanitiser
Things that I DON'T bother packing
Because other items can easily substitute if needed
Tourniquet, sling - clothes will usually work
Splint
Icepack/cool pack - we usually have something in the fridge that can do the job
What is in your medical kit? Is there anything that I have missed?
xxx The Ladies