Whether you are traveling alone, taking part in an expedition or climbing course, or responding as a member of a search & rescue (SAR) team, you will need an appropriate first aid kit. What you should take and how you should package it depends on many things. Here are three basic guidelines to help you build an effective kit:
Tip #1: Design your first aid kit with your trip in mind.
Customize your wilderness first aid kit for each new trip. Photo: Paul Nicolazzo
There is no generic first aid kit. The type and length of activity or expedition defines what you will want to have in your kit. Generally, the further you are from “help,” the bigger your first aid kit will be. If you are on a very long trip, you will also need to consider whether or not you will need to set up a resupply. Also, the level of training of the medical “officer” will limit how much invasive equipment or Rx drugs you can carry.
First aid kits used by expeditions are conceptually very different from those used by rescue teams. Expeditions hope that they will NOT use their first aid kits and adhere to the principles of improvisation: they limit specialized items, focus on multipurpose equipment, and adapt expedition gear for medical uses (for example, using skis for splints and sleds for litters). As your ability to improvise increases, the size of your expedition first aid kit decreases. Rescue teams, on the other hand, know they WILL use their equipment and often carry specialized gear with them rather than scavenging their personal gear for improvisation.
It is important to examine the medical history of each team member; you may need to add special equipment or drugs to your kit. Pay attention to any allergies. If your experience in wilderness medicine is limited, look over Wilderness Medical Training Center’s (WMTC) publications and consider carrying their Wilderness Medicine Handbook. You should also consider carrying SOAP Notes to thoroughly document your assessment and treatment of injured team members. You may download a copy of WMTC’s Patient SOAP notes from their website for free (print on rite-in-the-rain paper) or purchase them directly from WMTC.
Tip #2: Organize your first aid kit effectively.
Packaging that is organized and well thought-out protects valuable and irreplaceable equipment. It permits fast and easy access to emergency gear without “vomiting” kit contents everywhere. Critical concepts to organization and packaging are:
- Use different colored compartments or packs. DO NOT use plastic bags as pack or compartment substitutes.
- Clearly label each compartment or pack: In many expeditions each expedition member carries their own personal care kit (blisters, sun screen, OTC meds, personal Rx meds, minor cuts & scrapes, etc.) leaving the expedition first aid kit for emergencies and minor trauma (more serious wounds and unstable injuries). This helps ensure that the expedition first aid kit is complete when it is needed.
- Laminate a contents list for each pack and indicate the intended use for each item.
- Seal soft goods in plastic to protect them from moisture. Use individual mini zip-locks or “Seal-a-Meal” freezer type packages.
- Tubes break. Repackage ointments into one and two ounce wide mouth (or larger depending on group size) Nalgene bottles.
- Liquids leak. Package liquids in one and two ounce narrow mouth (or larger depending on group size) Nalgene bottles.
- Use a weatherproof drug log for ALL medications so that you know who is using them and why.
- Train your expedition or team members to use your kit. Until they are trained, only you know why you assembled the kit as you did. Without specific training most people will not know how to use the equipment you have so thoughtfully assembled. Restrict access to compartments or packs that members are not trained to use.
Tip #3: Anticipate possible problems.
An effective first aid kit is built from a comprehensive “possible problem list.” Divide your list into Basic Life Support or Trauma, Environmental, and Medical problems. Choose the problems that you will likely encounter and prioritize them. Once you are satisfied with your possible problem list, compile a list of first aid supplies needed to treat them; carry more of the stuff that you WILL need. Below is a basic checklist of potential problems; use this list as a guide as you build your trip-specific first aid kit.
| Possible Major Trauma and Basic Life Support Problems: | ||
|
Respiratory Arrest No Pulse Severe Bleeding |
 |
Vomiting Unstable Spine Injury V, P, or U (Voice responsive, Pain responsive, or Unresponsive |
| Possible Minor Trauma Problems: | ||
|
Wounds, Blisters, & Infection |
|
Stable & Unstable Musculoskeletal Injuries |
| Possible Environmental Problems: | ||
|
Hypothermia Heat Stroke Heat Exhaustion & Dehydration Sunburn Second Degree Thermal Burns |
|
Ingested Toxins Allergies Poison Ivy, Oak, & Sumac Acute Mountain Sickness |
| Possible Medical Problems: | ||
|
Disease Diabetes Asthma Water Treatment |
|
Ears Eyes Teeth |
Paul Nicolazzo and friend.
Paul Nicolazzo founded the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC) in 1997 and continues to serve as the center’s owner, director, and head instructor. Paul has been active in search and rescue since 1977, has taught wilderness medicine around the world, and has acted as an outdoor skills consultant and staff trainer for each of the US-based Outward Bound Schools, as well as numerous private and state schools, colleges, and outfitters. When at home in Mazama, Washington, he is an active WEMT who responds with the Methow Valley SAR and Nordic ski patrol. Paul is the author of numerous books on wilderness medicine and risk management, and in between teaching first aid courses, he writes a medical column for Off-Piste Magazine and occasional articles for WaveLength Magazine. He continues to guide, teach, rescue, and find time to enjoy his own expeditions.
Based in Mazama, Washington, the WMTC offers year-round courses in Wilderness First Responder (and WFR recert), Wilderness EMT, Wilderness First Aid, wilderness survival, technical rescue, and risk management. Contact the WMTC by email atoffice@wildmedcenter.comor by phone at 509-996-2502 with questions on courses and availability.
The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is the standard emergency medicine curriculum for climbers, backpackers, kayakers, and other wilderness enthusiasts, and is a prerequisite for guiding careers.