First Aid Kit
A well-equipped first aid kit is an absolute necessity when paddling away from "civilization." We all have to realize that medical help is not just a phone call away when we are on canoe trip. This means that we are responsible for two things; to have a proper first-aid kit with us, and to ensure that there is at least one, and preferably several people in our group that are trained to use it.
Listed below are two first aid kits. The first is for typical canoe tripping in "semi-wilderness" areas - in other words, the typical three or four day trips we often paddle that do not take us more than a day away from medical help. The second is a recommended kit for trips which travel into more remote areas, where medical attention is often several days, or even weeks away.
A Basic First Aid Kit
Item | Qty. | Used For ... |
Alcohol Swabs | 6 | Cleaning and disinfecting injuries |
Adhesive Tape | 1 roll | Closing open wounds and fastening bandages |
Gauze pads (4" sq) | 4 | Wound dressings |
Gauze roll (1" wide) | 1 | Wound dressings |
Elastic (Tensor) bandage | 1 | Dressing for strains and sprains |
Band-Aids | 12 | Dressings for small cuts, scrapes and blisters |
Moleskin | 1 | Covering blisters |
Latex examination gloves | 1 pr. | Handling victims with open wounds. |
Q-Tips | 6 | Applying antiseptic, cleaning wounds |
Safety Pins | 4 | Fastening dressings |
Thermometer | 1 | Checking for fever or hypothermia |
Scalpel blade or razor blade | 1 | Cutting |
Tweezers (fine point) | 1 | Sliver removal |
Small flashlight | 1 | For quick access if required |
Lighter or matches | 1 | For quick access if required |
Liquid Soap | 1 | General cleaning and disinfecting |
Polysporin or other antibiotic cream | 1 | Would dressing |
Pain Killer (Tylenol or Motrin) | 1 | Pain killer for minor aches |
Sunscreen (SPF 15) | 1 | Sun Protection |
Antihistamine Cream | 1 | Treatment of insect bites, poison ivy, etc. |
Dental Analgesic (Orabase or Orajel) | 1 | Minor tooth pain |
Laxative | 1 | To treat constipation |
Kaopectate or Immodium | 1 | To treat diarrhea |
Pepto Bismol Tablets | 1 | Upset stomach or heartburn |
Antacid Tablets (Rolaids or Tums) | 1 | Heartburn, indigestion |
Cough / Cold Treatment | 1 | Sinus congestion ,etc |
Calamine Lotion | 1 | To treat poison ivy, poison oak, etc. |
Additional Items for Extended Wilderness Trips
Item | Qty | User For ... |
Tylenol with Codeine | 1 | Serious pain control |
Prescription Antibiotic | 1 | Infection, fever |
Dental Repair Kit | 1 | Emergency fillings, broken teeth. |