Although first aid kits are useful irrespective of where you are, they are especially important to have with you when you go camping. When you are outdoors, the chances of getting injured are much higher. For example, you are exposed to reptile or insect bites; you could get scratches or scrapes; extensive hiking could result in blisters; or you could even experience serious emergency situations far away from civilization, in some back country. A well-equipped first aid kit could come in useful to alleviate the pain of a sprained ankle or perhaps could even be a lifesaver.

While the items you include in your camping first aid kit will depend upon your activities, however, there are a few basic things that should be included in all kits. Given below is a list of items which you can keep in a container such as a cosmetic case, or a small drawstring bag, or any handy container that can be secured with a lid.

A typical camping first aid kit for the family should include:

• A pair of scissors
• Tweezers
• First aid tape
• Cotton swabs
• Antiseptic wipes
• A couple of large sized compress bandages
• 4-5 large sized gauze bandages
• 4-5 smaller sized gauze bandages
• Liquid pain relief spray
• Either a large tube of antibiotic ointment, or smaller individual tubes
• Different sizes of ACE bandages
• A small bottle of aspirin
• A small tube of hydrocortisone
• A breathing barrier kit for CPR
• A couple of pairs of latex-free medical gloves
• An oral thermometer which contains no glass or mercury
• A blanket for emergency

Although the above are the minimum requirements that you would want to have with you when you go on your camping trips, many outdoor experts also recommend adding the following items as well:

• Insect and bug repellent
• Eye wash or eye drops
• Water purifying tablets
• Aloe Vera lotion or any sun burn relief spray
• Eye patches
• Pain relief medication for tooth aches
• Smelling salts
• Calamine lotion
• Various medications to combat common ailments such as colds and coughs, headaches, stomach upsets, and so on.

There are many companies that have ready-made camping first aid kits on offer. If you plan on bicycling or hiking outings, or any other kind of outdoor activity that will involve moving away from the camp, you will require taking along an additional smaller sized first aid kit, with fewer supplies, that you can carry in your backpack.

And finally, keep in mind that maintaining your camping first aid kit is as important as taking care of your other camping gear. After coming back from a trip, check the supplies in your kit and replenish anything that has been used up. Remember to include the amount of supplies according to the number of people going on a trip. Check for expired or outdated supplies and medications, making sure to replace anything that you throw away.

By Rita Putatunda

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Some first aid basics need to be covered now, I think, as we approach the season, in Canada, when more people are outside enjoying the spring weather.  Don’t forget to put first aid first in you planning and you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to alleviate or diminish bodily injury.

Basic first aid that you can render when a person is unconscious, bleeding, has broken bones, eye injuries and burns.  It is very important to have knowledge about the basic first aid steps because emergencies can happen anywhere and at anytime.

Here are a few steps to be followed in an emergency:

• Send or call for help
• Check the situation
• See that the area is safe
• Attend to unconscious casualty first
• Keep a close eye on the injured person’s condition till help arrives

Bleeding

If there is severe bleeding, it is important to apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean, dry dressing. After that, raise the area above the level of the heart (Unless broken).

Broken Bones

If you suspect broken bones, it is advisable to let the casualty remain in the same position till expert help arrives.

Burns

In case of a burn, cool the area with water for at least 10 minutes. Do not apply dry dressings on the affected area. Certain chemicals can cause serious damage, so it is important to flush the area longer than usual. If necessary, continue the treatment on the way to the hospital too.

Eye Injuries

Any injury to the eye is serious. If there is something that has gone into the eye, wash the eye with sterile fluid from a clean container or clean water. If chemicals are the cause, repeat the procedure for at least 10 minutes, while gently holding the eyelids open. As the casualty is sent to the hospital, provide him / her with a pad to hold over the injured eye.

Unconscious

If the victim is unconscious and does not display signs of life, give him/her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

• Pinch the nose of the victim and cover the mouth with yours, then blow until you see the chest rise. Give the casualty two breaths, each one taking one second.
• In case the victim is still not breathing normally, coughing or moving, begin chest compressions. To do this, push down the victim’s chest 11/2 to 2 inches 30 times right in the center of the chest. Begin pumping at the rate of 100 pumps per minute.

First Aid Kit

It is always best to be prepared for minor accidents and injuries; this can be done with the help of a well-stocked first aid kit. Ensure that the kit is always locked and kept in cool, dry place, out of the reach of children. The medicines in the kit should be checked at regular intervals to check that they are within the use-by dates. You could also keep one in your car for emergencies.

A basic first aid kit should contain the following:

• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Tape
• Crpe bandages
• Painkillers
• A thermometer
• Disposable gloves
• Cough medicine
• Antihistamine tablets
• An antiseptic cream
• A packet of safety pins
• Triangle shaped bandages
• Sterile eye dressing – at least 2
• Plasters in a variety of shapes and sizes
• A cream that can be applied on skin rash
• A spray or cream to relieve insect bites
• Nasal or decongestant spray
• Distilled water which can be used as an eye bath and for cleaning wounds

By Rachna Gupta

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Travel first aid kits are a must when you are out with your loved ones.  Don’t forget to pack a variety of first aid items, putting first aid first on your list to ensure you have a safe and happy travel experience.  Some of the space in your luggage should be taken up with the basics of first aid, whether back packing or flying, you never know when you may need to put first aid first.

So, are the great outdoors beckoning you to the adventures they promise? But, before slinging on the backpack, make sure to take along a well-stocked first aid kit. Nothing can ruin a hiking, camping, or backpacking trip as being unprepared if you happen to get injured, ill, or if some emergency situation should crop up. If you are setting out for some area that is new to you, it is a good idea to find out about the region to check out what the kinds of insects, poisonous plants, and reptiles that you are likely to come across, and take along first aid supplies accordingly.

Even if you travel to an urban location in the US, you may not want to hunt for a 24-hour pharmacy in an unfamiliar city, if you should require it. And, even when traveling to a location that you are familiar with, taking along a first aid kit can prevent discomfort and inconvenience if you should require first aid medications while on the road. If you should travel to another country, make sure to get information about the extent and quality of health care facilities available there, and it never hurts to take along your first aid kit.

While there are first aid kits that are available in the market these days, and most of them are well stocked, it is best to tailor your kit according to the activity, the distance or the length of time you will be away from access to medical care, as well as the number of people going on the trip. For example, while a small kit containing a few basic items will suffice for a hike lasting a day, you will need a better stocked and larger kit if you should go out camping with family or friends or on a long-distance hike.

Here are some of the essentials you will need to include in your travel first aid kit:

• A first aid manual
• Sunscreen – with SPF 30, preferably
• Sterile gauze pads – of various sizes
• Adhesive bandages – of various sizes
• Adhesive tape
• Aspirin – to counter mild pain
• Ibuprofen – a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication
• Antacid – in case of indigestion
• Antihistamine cream – to treat allergies
• Antidiarrheal medication – for example, Pepto-Bismol or Imodium
• Antiseptic agent – a small bottle of liquid antiseptic soap, to clean hands and wounds
• Antibiotic cream – to treat minor wounds and cuts
• Oral antihistamine – loratadine or diphenhydramine, for treating motion sickness and allergies of the nasal passage
• Dental kit – if teeth should break, or in case of loss of filling or crown
• Cough medication
• Flashlight
• Needles and tweezers – to remove splinters
• Sunburn spray or cream
• Eye washing solution
• Safety pins – small and large
• Knife – Swiss Army type
• Scissors
• Gloves
• Thermometer
• Lip emollient
• Insect repellant
• Moleskin – for blisters
• Mild sedative
• Water purification tablets
• High-altitude sickness medication
• Packets of oral rehydration solution
• Matches or Cigarette lighter – useful for sterilizing instruments as well as to get a fire going out in the wilderness, not only to keep warm, but also to make smoke in order to signal for help if in trouble.
• Cell phone – along with a list of people to call in an emergency
• Phone card – with at least 60 minutes of time, along with a few coins for a pay phone

Make sure to include your personal medications, taking enough with you to last the entire trip, and a little surplus. Also, check with your doctor about any medications that you may not be familiar with, along with their dosages.

By Rita Putatunda

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