Unfortunately a lot of people forget their first aid kit when heading out to the trails. Safety should always be a main focus. But what do you need in your first aid kit?
Well, let us start by establish that the ideal first aid kit is very individual and dependent entirely on what you will need it for.
Before attempting to purchase a first aid kit, it is a good idea to consider:
• What do you need it for? Is it for short or long hikes, foreign stays or adventures far away from civilization?
•What is your limit about the weigh and volume? Are you going to drag it your entire trip on a 5 day hiking adventure or maybe you will only need it for a few hours in the wild?
• How far is there to any medical attention? Does it require to throw yourself in a 6 hour drive to get to the nearest hospital or is it just nearby?
If you are going to hike for several days in a more sparsely populated area, where you can not just get in touch with other people, it requires a lot of your first aid kit.
First and foremost, multiple wax patches, cleansing wipes and painkillers (or other pain relievers) against back, neck and shoulder pain. Antihistamine against hypersensitivity reactions such as hay fever or hives is also recommended. You must also have different bandages and dressings for the slightly larger (nerve) wounds and lesions plus suture strips bandages for smaller cuts.
The following list is our suggestions for things to carry with you in your first aid kit:
- Band-aids
- Blister patches
- Wipes
- Alcogel
- Painkillers
- Antihistamine
- Bandages and dressings
- Suture strips bandages
- Elastic ribbon
- Safety pins
- Scissor
- Cream against insect bites and sticks
- Tweezer
- Tick remover
- Saline Drops
- Sunscreen
- Burns ointment
It is a very good idea to pack your first aid kit in a waterproof bag (dry bag) and in addition to the list, we will recommend to bring an emergency blanket, a lighter and a small emergency stove.
A first aid kit is like an insurance; you never hope you will actually need it. Nevertheless it is one, if not the most, important part of your gear, so remember to check it thoroughly before you start any hike and fill it up if needed.
Remember that hiking, biking, skiing, whatever drives you, is all about enjoying yourself in nature – but if you are in pain or gets sick, it is not that much fun.
Our guides are always thinking about safety and will also carry a suited first aid kit – so as long as you are on one of our many guided trips, you do not need to worry about safety.