George E. Dvorchak - The Pocket First-Aid Field Guide: Treatment and Prevention of Outdoor Emergencies

First-aid kits are available in models ranging from basic to very elaborate. Here, you get what you pay for but remember, too much stuff means additional equipment that adds weight and bulk to your gear. You need to make a determination as to what kind of emergencies you might face in the course of the outdoor activities you are planning and assemble your kit accordingly. If you plan to be backpacking, for example, you want a kit that provides the basics but is easy to pack and lightweight to carry. On the other hand, if you are traveling in a vehicle or have a base camp, you might choose a more advanced first-aid kit. Also consider how far you will be from emergency medical assistance and whether or not you have the knowledge and skills to use various types of medical gear.

To find out what is available, go to your local pharmacy or outdoor supplier and look at prepackaged kits and browse the shelves noting the different categories of first-aid supplies available. Make a list of topics such as basic first aid, foot care, medications, etc. and then go back and purchase what you think you may need or simply would like to have in your kit.

A good way to approach a first-aid kit is to try to keep it compact and light. If you choose to assemble your own kit, there are a wide variety of containers available.These range from backpacks and zipper cases to hard cases and large tacklebox style containers. Whatever style of case you choose, it should be waterproof, or at least water resistant.

Again, in deciding what to include in your first-aid kit, make a determination as to what kind of emergency medical situiations you might face and assemble your kit accordingly.

THE AUTHOR

George E. Dvorchak, Jr., MA, MD is a recognized outdoor writer with articles on firearms, hunting, survival and outdoor medicine. Over the past 20 years, his health-related articles have been featured in national magazines such as S.W.A.T. , American Survival Guide , Self Reliance Journal and Modern Survival .

He is a contributing editor to The Varmint Hunter and Modern Survival magazines and has published articles in Gun World , Guns , American Handgunner , Guns & Ammo , Safari , Shooters Bible and Handguns . He contributs to Starzal magazine in Poland and Magnum magazine in Brazil. George Dvorchak holds a bachelors degree in education, a masters in human anatomy and an MD.

OUTDOORS FIRST-AID KIT

• Sterile adhesive bandages (Band-Aids) in assorted sizes
• Latex gloves (2 pairs)
• 2-inch (2 x 2) sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 4-inch (4 x 4) sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• Triangular bandages (3)
• 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Steri-Strips
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Antiseptic and alcohol wipes
• Antibiotic spray or ointment
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Thermometer
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Waterless hand sanitizer
• Sunscreen
• Sanitizing hand wipes
• Ace bandage
• Molefoam for blisters
• Styptic pencil to stop bleeding
• Tincture of Benzoin in a small bottle with cotton swabs (This enhances the adhesive power of a Steri-Strip or tape to hold a wound together.)
• Dental floss
• Large safety pins and a small roll of duct tape
• Tongue depressors
• Sling to hold a bandage in place or immobilize a fracture
• Tick removal kit (magnifying glass and small tweezers)
• Water purification tablets
• Small magnifying glass
• Disposable razor to shave around a wound
• Heavy-duty fingernail clipper
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