Do you carry a First Aid Kit on your trips ? How extensive a kit and have you had to use it for anything other than band - aid type stuff ? Izzy

Yes, but I think all we've ever used is bandaids and duct tape. I figure the trip I don't take it is the one when I'll need it, though. So below are my lists, compiled after studying the lists of ingredients included in the various first-aid kids REI sells. I think some of this info comes from this site, too.

repair kits
_____ duct tape (lots)
_____ 22-gauge copper wire
_____ thin nylon cord
_____ patches for tents, mats
_____ plastic zip ties

emergency/first-aid kit
_____ bandaids, Steri Strips
_____ gauze pads & roll
_____ adhesive tape
_____ hydrocortisone
_____ Benzocaine
_____ aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen
_____ heavy-duty pain killer
_____ Neosporin antibiotic cream
_____ alcohol wipes
_____ latex gloves
_____ Ace bandage
_____ bees wax
_____ filling replacement stuff
_____ Orastat or similar
_____ blister kit: Skin Savers, Second Skin, moleskin
_____ aloe vera
_____ zinc oxide
_____ thermometer
_____ nail clippers
_____ duct tape (small amount)
_____ safety pins, needles, dental floss
_____ screwdriver, screws for glasses
_____ a few sheets of paper and a pencil
_____ signal mirror, space blanket
_____ flag tape
_____ waterproof matches and lighter
_____ cotton balls w/ petroleum jelly
_____ first-aid manual

minimal first-aid kit (for short trips with easy access to help--not the Quetico!)
_____ aspirin/ibuprofen in pill bottle
_____ wrap in duct tape, medical tape
_____ couple gauze pads, rubber band
_____ standard and Kerlix gauze rolls

OTC drugs
_____ Benadry
_____ nasal spray
_____ Sudafed
_____ Robitussin Cough Gels
_____ cough drops
_____ Maximum Strength Sucrets
_____ Immodium A.D.
_____ Pepto-Bismol tablets
_____ Tums

i take a first aid kit. its a medium supply. nothing to major but does cover the basics.

I do take a medium sized kit but added zylocain and suture kit. Worst I've had to do is extract a fishhook (on myself).

Buffy,

You are probably wasting money on the aloe vera and the robitussin cough medication. Aloe vera works (for burns)...but only when used directly from the plant (maybe that is what you meant). The active ingredient breaks down so fast that anything in the store is just a marketing ploy. Current thought on robitussin et al is that they are no better than placebo...yet placebo does often have an effect 30% of the time! The ibuprofen you mentioned might work for the cough- assuming the cough is from an inflammation of the bronchioles, the anti-inflammatory action of the ibuprofen might be helpful.

I am also thinking that tincture of benzoin would be handy to use as an aid to make the skin sticky- for holding steristrips. It comes in very small single use vials.

You could substitute Zyrtec for Benadryl as it is longer acting- less pills, less dosing. Claritin may not work as well, but would be less sedating.

Overall a great list and should help me put together a kit. Thanks!

We take a medium sized 1st aid kit. Have not had need for anything other than band-aids. Hope to keep it that way.

Buffy--thats not a first aid kit it's a Doc In A Box!..i take the easy stuff..bandaids-asprin and Quick Clot and a Army wound bandage for the "oh my god" stuff..

If drnatus would comment on Quick Clot I would appreciate it. My USMC son has told some horror stories about this stuff.

Sorry, I have no experience with Quick Clot. I would imagine that not even ER docs use it. You'd have to find a military physician with experience in treating combat casualties for someone who would really know.

Quick clot is a product used for "life threatening" bleeding. In some articles it is suggested to use pressure bandages and tourniquets first before quick clot. During my EMT training tourniquets was the last resort so where does quick clot fall under?

Also some forms of quick clot work by heat fusion (much over 100 degrees) which will burn areas around the wound.

This is a product that is not to replace bandages and pressure dressings for small to medium cuts.

I always bring at least one. Used it twice, hook in my buddy's thumb-needed peroxide, & a Pike rakers on me from grabing him wrong.

drnatus, thanks for your guidance!

Yeah, it's a lot of stuff. I didn't use to carry this much, but I travel with pretty much the same group all the time, and over the years, folks have said, "Be sure we have thus and such." Being an accommodating sort, I've kept adding things. But maybe I should rethink that!

drnatus, I never was a believer in Robitussin either, until I spent some time working in an Alzheimer's unit in a nursing home several years back. One night, several people were coughing, so I administered said medication to all of the residents who had it ordered. To my surprise the coughing subsided greatly approximately 30-45 min later. As for placebo effect, with Alzheimer's patients, they have little to no short term memory by the time they make it to long term care. I have since found Robitussin to be consistently effective and now use it myself. WIth me, it could very well be placebo, with Alzheimer's patients, probably not as likely. Just my $.02.

Glad to hear it worked and has worked for you. Some of the components in some forumlations can be sedating and that may be why it worked in the Alzheimer patients...but hey, who really cares as long as it worked and didn't hurt them!

In a study with kids, a little honey worked better than just about anything else.......but now that will bring up the bear question....and that's another thread! :)

I just got a really nice one of of steep and cheep. Cost like $19.00 plus shipping. I saw it on again today, so they must have a few left.

3 kits, main one with stuff I know how to use, smaller for the day pack, and a small kit on my PFD.

butthead