Do you carry a first aid kit? What's in it?

[Weldabeast]

Couple small bandaid, couple large bandaid, benadryl, couple guaze pads, couple butterfly, lighter with 24" duct tape wrapped and 24" vet tape wrapped around that, 1 small pair of folding tweezers....

 

[SNIPERBBB]

I keep a few kits in the truck. Cant remember what's in them but it's one of the all but surgery kits

 

[Aeds151]

I must say, I am surprised and impressed with some of your kits. I figured most on here would be more worried about 1lb of weight savings than how to save their own dam lives/limbs. Good work. Thanks for the education on turnies and alternatives. Kudos to those of you that carry proper aid.


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[Topdog]

Quickclot is a good choice.
Neosporin
Bandaids
Gauze
Medical tape
Small bottle of sterile water
Tweezers
Two Cravats

I strongly encourage you all to forego a tourniquet. As a flight paramedic I cannot tell you how many times I’ve stepped in to the back of an ambulance and found a tourniquet applied by either EMS or Law Law Enforcement unnecessarily. All that bleeds does NOT require a tourniquet. Direct pressure, gauze and tape will often get the job done. Quickclot gauze or powder will work just fine too. A bright red spurting arterial bleed “might” require a tourniquet, but outside of the combat-bullets-flying-overhead environment, IT SHOULD NOT BE THE FIRST DEVICE. If a TQ is needed, place it 2 inches above the wound, not high up in the joint. We could get in to a lengthy discussion about why that’s a bad idea, but in the interest of brevity, just take my word for it.

In place of a tourniquet, the cravat can be used. The cravat can also be used to fashion a splint, and with the second one you can make a sling. Two cravats take up the same space as a TQ and have more uses.


Semper Fi,
Mike
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I was in a bad situation once, I now carry a kit, I am a novice with this sort of stuff, my kit is probably a joke, is there anything else you would recommend thats not on your list, I am going to put together a better kit and copy your list and whatever else you recommend, thanks I appreciate it.

 

[Still Kicking]

I was in a bad situation once, I now carry a kit, I am a novice with this sort of stuff, my kit is probably a joke, is there anything else you would recommend thats not on your list, I am going to put together a better kit and copy your list and whatever else you recommend, thanks I appreciate it.

I always carry four 81mg aspirin and three 50mg Benedryl. Everyone that has a family history of heart conditions should carry the aspirin and anyone with any type of allergies should have the Benedryl. If you begin to have chest pain, taking the four aspirin under the tongue to dissolve will not harm you and could save your life. Always call someone too in case you become worse and are unable to. I use a small metal vial that is threaded and clipped on my key chain.

 

[ShooterMike]

I was in a bad situation once, I now carry a kit, I am a novice with this sort of stuff, my kit is probably a joke, is there anything else you would recommend thats not on your list, I am going to put together a better kit and copy your list and whatever else you recommend, thanks I appreciate it.

It really kind of depends on where you may find yourself and the potential for being out there for extended periods of time. Simple things like gum, or some basic nutrition bars. A whistle might be prudent.

Les Stroud has a good book called Survive.
Steven Rinella just came out with a book too, called “The MeatEater Guide to Wilderness Skills and Survival”.

The MeatEater Guide to Wilderness Skills and Survival https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593129695/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_-HR3FbKZKPHP6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

There’s always some thing to be gleaned from those kind of books- I forget stuff all the time and find new things I never knew. Always be a reader.


Semper Fi,
Mike
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[ztrumble]

Great stuff thanks for sharing everyone!

About 10 years ago I was Wilderness First Responder certified. I used to guide backpacking trips for a youth camp.

Still can't believe it never occurred to me to carry a kit hunting!

Definitely putting one together for next season.

 

[Maverick1]

No.

First few years I went elk hunting I carried one in my backpack 24/7 for two weeks straight. (That does not sound like much, until you've bivy hunted with your entire camp inside your backpack every single step of every day....and then you start doing things to reduce weight on your shoulders, back, hips, knees, ankles, and overall body. When you are 4-8 miles into the backcountry, over a couple of mountain ridges, it isn't a short hike IN or OUT.)

Realized two things after those first couple of seasons carrying around a first aid kit while elk hunting:

• One, if I became injured and it was a small cut or wound, a bandage from a first aid kit probably wouldn't really do all that much 4-8 miles from the vehicle and I was carrying extra, unnecessary weight.
• Two, if I became injured and it was a severe cut or wound, a couple of bandages from a first aid kit probably wouldn't be sufficient enough to stop the bleeding or help with the situation all that much, especially if the need came up several miles back.

Haven't carried a first aid kit since then while elk hunting.

Deer hunting is a bit different, though. Most times I am close enough to the vehicle, even going in "deep" on private or public land, that it would likely "only" be a 20-60-90 minute hike out. So, I keep a first aid kit in the back of the vehicle, but I do not carry one with me. Having it in the vehicle could be useful in the case of an accident in the field, at home, in the garage, or on the road for myself, passengers, or other hunters/motorists. Also, most places I hunt deer cellular service is available.

 

[ShooterMike]

No.

First few years I went elk hunting I carried one in my backpack 24/7 for two weeks straight. (That does not sound like much, until you've bivy hunted with your entire camp inside your backpack every single step of every day....and then you start doing things to reduce weight on your shoulders, back, hips, knees, ankles, and overall body. When you are 4-8 miles into the backcountry, over a couple of mountain ridges, it isn't a short hike IN or OUT.)

Realized two things after those first couple of seasons carrying around a first aid kit while elk hunting:

• One, if I became injured and it was a small cut or wound, a bandage from a first aid kit probably wouldn't really do all that much 4-8 miles from the vehicle and I was carrying extra, unnecessary weight.
• Two, if I became injured and it was a severe cut or wound, a couple of bandages from a first aid kit probably wouldn't be sufficient enough to stop the bleeding or help with the situation all that much, especially if the need came up several miles back.

Haven't carried a first aid kit since then while elk hunting.

Deer hunting is a bit different, though. Most times I am close enough to the vehicle, even going in "deep" on private or public land, that it would likely "only" be a 20-60-90 minute hike out. So, I keep a first aid kit in the back of the vehicle, but I do not carry one with me. Having it in the vehicle could be useful in the case of an accident in the field, at home, in the garage, or on the road for myself, passengers, or other hunters/motorists. Also, most places I hunt deer cellular service is available.

By that very same logic, wouldn’t it make sense to carry a few things to stop that bleed when you’re a few miles back in? A cravat takes up almost no space. A pack of quick clot takes up almost no space.

Or, you can sit there and bleed to death.

With a cravat, you can make a tourniquet or you can also make a splint. Or you can use it to make a pressure dressing to hold quick clot gauze in place. Or you can use to help filter water. There’s of long list of things you can do with just a few items. Or you can sit and die.


Semper Fi,
Mike
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[MaxJac]

In the truck, I have the following items:
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/tactical-trauma-first-aid-kit-55-piece?a=679745
and

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/elite-military-first-aid-surgical-kit-16-piece?a=679754

in addition to a medical stapler and staples removing kit. Doing the math, I found it to be more cost effective than tacking the dog to the emergency vet and could help me or a fellow hunter in a really bad situation. As for in my backpack, I have a trauma kit plus a little first aid pouch for 1-2 people from Walmart.

It’s like carrying concealed... if I never have to use it, I have done everything right....

 

[WestGoesEast]

Folks have offered up a good basic kit.

Thinking about most situations, you basically need to be able to stop bleeding or deal with a broken something until help can arrive. In a lot of situations (bad fall, bad cut) you are going to need some assistance.

I'll throw these two things because I have not seen anyone mention it yet, Garmin In-Reach and letting someone know your hunt plan, with when you plan to be at your rig and where you will be (approximately). I take an InReach if I am backpacking for elk, or in the saddle. The types of deep cuts, or falls your likely to suffer, may immobilize you. Being able to have a single button to "pop-smoke" could save you. I know we all know this, but this is an important element of your first aid kit.

Might seem like overkill, but the InReach (Spot or any similar device), works regardless of where you are. Most have plans you can activate on a month to month basis, I run mine September - December, and then drop the service for the rest of the year (obviously we all have enough bills). There are apps on phones, that do similar thing, cell phone coverage is a lot more reliable now, but you never know. You may have been playing on your phone the whole hunt and now the battery is dead.

 

[CharlieTN]

A thought, and I am by no means an expert on the subject, but in some firearms training I was taught to separate “boo-boos” from trauma when thinking about what to carry. Most first aid kits are setup solely to deal with boo-boos, not traumas. But in all reality, what we most need to be prepared for are traumas. Some sort of compression bandage, duct tape, clotting agent, role of gauze, etc, should be what we consider carrying with us.

Just as we think about the worst case scenario and how to get down, let’s think about worst case scenario for an injury and how to deal with it. A step gouged into your leg isn’t easy to treat with neosporin and bandaids. Same for a severe broadhead cut, broken leg or arm, etc.

 

[rhagenw]

I never have before but will now after seeing some forum members with stitches and the falls from trees on Facebook!

 

[Mr Price]

Best thing in mine that has been used the most is super glue. I've glued cut fingers and even a eyebrow from getting scoped with it (not my eyebrow, lol).

 

[trailblazer75]

Best thing in mine that has been used the most is super glue. I've glued cut fingers and even a eyebrow from getting scoped with it (not my eyebrow, lol).

I always like to show this and tell this story when someone mentions super glue.

This is from a string on a brand new bow blowing up and the D-loop running up my face.

 

[Topdog]

Inreach is on my list, I hunt 3-4 miles from my truck with no cell service at times, I’m done messing around and plan on getting one before next season.

 

[ztrumble]

Just as we think about the worst case scenario and how to get down, let’s think about worst case scenario for an injury and how to deal with it. A step gouged into your leg isn’t easy to treat with neosporin and bandaids. Same for a severe broadhead cut, broken leg or arm, etc.

A step gashes your leg and you're still hanging 15 feet up in the freaking tree from a rope essentially tied around your waist...That's when the party starts

 

[Bango Skank]

I keep a CAT tourniquet and some celox granules on my saddle. A bigger first aid kit in the truck which is usually close. Crazy glue is great for small cuts.

If something really goes wrong, my best bit of lifesaving gear is probably the cell phone.

 

[Weldabeast]

The only thing I've ever used of the stuff i carry is the tweezers and a small amount of duct tape...knock on wood I haven't had a need for it.

The only accident I've had was when I slipped on a wet log and I got cut shoulder/neck area by my climbing sticks that were beings carried in the vertical position on my backpack. It stopped bleeding quick enough and I just continue on.

I pulled some thorns with the tweezers and used the tape on a metal to metal contact point...

My little kit is roughly the size of a wallet and I keep it in my hunt vest pocket..

If I was serious injured and unable to make it to the truck on my own Id be counting on having the phone to call and if that wasn't available I keep a whistle on my person and I start blowing I guess ....almost all of the places I have around me that I hunt at u have to check in and out daily so someone will know when I fail to checkout that day that there is a problem

 

[raisins]

Folks have offered up a good basic kit.

Thinking about most situations, you basically need to be able to stop bleeding or deal with a broken something until help can arrive. In a lot of situations (bad fall, bad cut) you are going to need some assistance.

I'll throw these two things because I have not seen anyone mention it yet, Garmin In-Reach and letting someone know your hunt plan, with when you plan to be at your rig and where you will be (approximately). I take an InReach if I am backpacking for elk, or in the saddle. The types of deep cuts, or falls your likely to suffer, may immobilize you. Being able to have a single button to "pop-smoke" could save you. I know we all know this, but this is an important element of your first aid kit.

Might seem like overkill, but the InReach (Spot or any similar device), works regardless of where you are. Most have plans you can activate on a month to month basis, I run mine September - December, and then drop the service for the rest of the year (obviously we all have enough bills). There are apps on phones, that do similar thing, cell phone coverage is a lot more reliable now, but you never know. You may have been playing on your phone the whole hunt and now the battery is dead.

Keep an eye out on Sportsman's Warehouse. I bought the yellow InReach (middle model) for like 240 or 280 (down from 400). It works great.