First Aid Kit Rational

Introduction

The following article was developed by Rick Aiken.

A good first aid kit is LIGHT and CHEAP. If it isn’t light, you won’t carry it; and if it isn’t cheap, you won’t build it in the first place.

Take a First Aid & C-P-R course. Carry the First Aid Kit even if you do not know much first aid. Someone else might know how to use it to your benefit.

Contents

  • BENADRYL: In case I get a whole bunch of insect stings, or anytime I suspect anaphylaxis, I would chew up (not swallow whole !!) some Benadryl and ask if anyone has an Epi-Pen handy.
  • ASPIRIN: At the first sign of a heart attack, I will chew up ( do not swallow whole !!) several aspirin and take my nitro tabs.
    Call 911 ASAP.
    Take a First Aid & C-P-R course.
  • Tube of Cake Icing: Weighs less than an ounce, and is ideal for low-sugar diabetic events or hypoglycemia generally. Can also be used to pump some quick calories into a hypothermic patient.
  • ANTI-DIARRHEAL PILLS: Untreated diarrhea leads to dehydration and loss of electrolytes. This will cause loss of physical ability, judgment, and reasoning, and eventually to cardio arrest.
    The loss of physical ability and judgment may lead to a swim, or worse.
  • GATORADE: Replaces fluid and electrolytes. Best if cut 50-50 with water. By the time you are moderately thirsty, you are already in the early stages of Dehydration. Dehydration can lead to hyperthermia or to hypothermia. Both of these conditions lead to loss of judgment and loss of physical performance. During any extended exertion we need to replace lost fluid and electrolytes.
  • FOOD: Hypoglycemia leads to poor judgment and loss of physical ability.
  • MEDICAIN SWABS: Relieves pain from insect stings and stinging plants. Provides pain relief only. Will not prevent onset of anaphylaxis.
  • IBUPROPHIN: Nobody has ever died from sore muscles, except for the times when sore muscles lead to poor paddling, which can lead to a swim, or worse.
  • Big Life-Threatening BLEEDS: Apply direct pressure immediately with whatever is at hand. If the bleed is immediately life threatening, and if there is nothing quickly available, and if, like me, you are not too concerned about an exposure to blood borne pathogens when working on a paddling companion, your unprotected hand will work quite well until someone can unpack the first aid kit. Maintain direct pressure for at least five minutes. Check capillary refill and distal neuros.
    Place a pressure dressing onto the wound. Use Absorbent Pads, Cravats, Tape, & Vet Wrap Check capillary refill and distal neuros. Send for help.
  • LARGE—but not life threatening—BLEEDS: Dry the whole area with paper towels, clean the wound and surrounding area with alcohol wipes, place dressing directly against the wound, hold in place with vet-wrap, and then cover with tape. Check cap refill & neuros. Do not tape directly onto or near to the wound. Never wind tape directly onto the patient from the roll. Pull off a length and then apply it. Be sure to check distals prior to and after bandaging or splinting, and every 15 minutes thereafter. Adhesive Bandages, Gauze, Tape, Vet Wrap, Paper Towels, Alcohol Wipes.
    Take a First Aid Course.
  • SMALL Cuts & Scrapes: Who cares.? You ought to keep several sizes of adhesive bandages in your kit, but nobody ever died from skinned knuckles, unless it lead to poor paddling, etc., etc.
    Prep the area with paper towels & alcohol wipes before bandaging.
  • BREAKS & SPRAINS: Check Distals FIRST. Find position of least discomfort — usually the position of use — and then use some combination of splints, Cravats, Elastic Bandages, Tape, Vet Wrap, Absorbent Pads to immobilize the affected limb. Be sure to check distals prior to and after bandaging or splinting, and every 15 minutes thereafter.
    Take a First Aid Course.
  • HYPOTHERMIA: Wrap the patient in a Trauma Blanket and prevent continuing heat loss, use a Mylar Bag or Large Plastic Bags as a vapor barrier and to further insulate the patient. Only if the Patient is CONCIOUS & ALERT: use Heated Liquids to warm the patient from the inside and get some calories into the patient. Also useful: Fire Starter, Matches, Metal Cup, Bivy Sack. Get Professional Help ASAP.
    The Hypothermia Bag, if you do it right, doubles as bow flotation.
  • MISC USEFUL ITEMS: Tweezers, razor blades, Q-tips, splinting material, para-sissors, sewing needles, heavy duty thread, Leatherman Tool, very small flashlight……

You can construct an entire kit that weighs 3 to 4 pounds and should be enough for most scrapes, bleeds, small breaks & sprains, minor dry suit & boat repairs.