How A Wilderness First Responder Course Changed my First Aid Kit
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 16 июл 2024
- I finally took a Wilderness First Responder course and got my Wilderness First Responder certification. I was super curious to see how this course affected the things I decide to bring into the backcountry and, specifically, how my backpacking first aid kit would change. After the course, I was pretty proud of some of the things I was already including, and decided to add and optimize some items as well. I think first aid kits are pretty personal, and if you’re not guiding, can vary quite a bit from person to person. I hope this video gives you some ideas of things you can add to your backcountry first aid kit or at the very least gets you thinking about taking a Wilderness First Responder course if you haven’t already!
Leave any questions you have for me in the comments!
Blog: www.eliseott.com/more-gear-lists/m7jcwrznq7vqz0u55n49bj9uq677e4
*This is not medical advice, it’s simply what works for me!
Remember I make new backpacking videos every Wednesday. Subscribe so you don’t miss them!
My first aid kit:
*These links are affiliate links which means I earn a small commission when you use them to purchase, at no cost to you! Thanks for your support!
WOUND CARE:
Gauze Pads: amzn.to/3QZxEXd
Leukotape: amzn.to/44PlKVz
Bandaids: amzn.to/4aaXIFw
Alcohol pads: amzn.to/4aeVqVA
Single Antibiotic ointment (bacitracin): amzn.to/3JU42q6
Mini swiss army knife: amzn.to/3WxrErV
Safety pin: amzn.to/3Ux4LlZ
Wound closure strips: amzn.to/3UP1Arg
Nitrile gloves: amzn.to/3URfpW9
Transparent bandages: amzn.to/3UwTP7Y
12 cc irrigation syringe: amzn.to/3QEwIau
OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS:
Ibuprofen: amzn.to/3y4gKQk
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): amzn.to/4dwNrGf
Aspirin (325mg): amzn.to/4ahvGIi
Aspirin (81 mg): amzn.to/3URgf5f
Immodium: amzn.to/3yaDjDf
Acetominophen (Tylenol): amzn.to/44BAWWc
Glucose: amzn.to/3y7W1Lr
Tums: amzn.to/3Wz1Iwq
MISCELLANEOUS:
Aquatabs: amzn.to/3JTNr5O
Tampons: amzn.to/3wCAqua
Emergency Blanket: amzn.to/44xn1jI
Patient Assessment System (printed): blog.nols.edu/topic/patient-a...
#backpacking #firstaid #wildernessfirstresponder
I was pretty impressed that Elise took a navigation course. Not a lot of people are willing to go that extra mile. Now a WFR course too? Her willingness to put in the time and effort to gain new knowledge, take responsibility for herself and prepare to take responsibility for others makes her a wonderful example to other hikers. Yay Elise!
Thanks!! Just trying to be as knowledgeable as possible!
Agree wholeheartedly. 💜🌿👏
Very helpful, thanks!
I do two things differently, first I do carry 1g of superglue (they come in tiny tubes). This is for closing large wounds and I think is superior to strips. It's a tad more versatile because it can be used to fix gear (ie catastrophic shoe failure).
Then I have swapped the emergency blanket for an emergency bivy. Same material but it's much easier to get good coverage which could make a big difference when having to spend an unexpected night out. SOL makes these and they're about an ounce or two heavier than the Mylar blankets. They do work as a vapor barrier liner.
I would also mention that a satellite communicator is extremely valuable and almost an extension to the FAK. Getting more qualified medical advise there as well but I think the assessment card is worth it (maybe a pdf does the trick).
Oh and I carry a single cigarette in case I wake up under siege by copious amounts of mosquitoes at the tent mesh. Blow the smoke at them to disburse them enough to where it's tolerable.😜
Thanks for the video & happy trails!
Somoene else mentioned superglue and I'm thinking about adding that too now! Love th double use. I used an emergency bivy on my backcountry nav course and could totally see adding that as an option too! I have a garmin inreach I guess I just don't really consider it as a part of the firset aid kit but ee why you would include it! omg a cigarette as part of a first aid kit is hilarious to me but I see the vision for sure. Thanks for the comment and for watching!!
It's interesting how enhancing your first aid knowledge changes your perspective on what to carry in your WFAK. I used to be a SAR team member and it definitely means I carry more that than the average walker and gloves are always readily accessible in my hipbelt pocket. Kudos and congrats for doing the course. The hills always need more first responders!
Totally, I was afraid I'd add a TON but it wasn't too bad (but of course if I was going to be leading groups or anything like that I'd be adding more). Good note on keeping the glovers in the hip belt pocket! Yay for SAR, i'm definitely interested in doing that, it's pretty competitive where I live so I'm trying to get ready.
1 addition I have is a cheap bright yellow emergency rain poncho. Same size an the E blanket and great to use in conjunction. The yellow is great help being spotted.
I usually am carrying rain gear but def like the idea of somethin bright colored as well!
Thank you so much!
Excellent as always 😊
Great video Elise! I’m in Australia and we also carry bandages for snake bite 🐍 😬
oh interesting! what makes something special for snake bites? I know in our course we learned they no longer recommend the suction devices, but I'm not sure about bandages.
Thanks for sharing this info!
thanks for watching!!
I’m a nurse and my usual hiking partners are also nurses. We’ve toyed with the idea of taking a wilderness first aid course but we haven’t been sure if it would be worth it for us. We both carry more robust first aid kits than most so that we are more prepared in any sort of emergency. We can’t really help it 😂. I have heard that it can be helpful to learn items you can use for splints, stretcher (to carry someone) etc. Really like your video because I think it could help a lot of people out there.
I think they have ones specifically for CE for people in medical fields which would probably be far more helpful for y'all. My mom is a nurse and I feel like I had a leg up from growing up with her knowledge around. I do think the adadptations for wilderness situations would be helpful since there are certain things you probably won't ever have on hand out there. But you're already probably more well prepared than 99.9% of people. thanks for watching!
great insight. thanks for sharing your experience and the changes youre making. i was out for a trip a few weeks back and I got injured, and ended the hike and off to the ER. i was happy with what I had in my kit, to stop the bleeding and got off trail with a but of help, and my wife demanded the ER visit, but the first aid kit i had was a huge help! Thanks for all you do to share your expertise.
Of course! Thanks for watching! I’m glad you had what you needed! I think that’s the most important thing - being able to get out of the backcountry safely for more attention when needed. Glad it sounds like it turned out mostly okay - hope you are healing!
@@eliseott going to the ER was mostly a precautionary measure from my wife... it was the right decision in this case! I slipped and smashed my face and nose as we did a river crossing, I looked pretty ugly! All healed up now and was back out the next weekend....
Youre willingness to share your experiences and knowledge with us all is greatly appreciated and very insightful!
I have epilepsy so I have couple of 10 mg diazepam pills in my kit. One tablet should be enough to stop an attack. Afterwards one should replenish electrolytes, which I recommend that you have as a hiker in your kit too
Nice, I always try to talk to hiking partners about any Rx meds they take just in case. And will be more diligent about it post-WFR. Good to know about electrolytes as after care! I do always have those with me!
Highly recommend as well. Did NOLS in Tahoe many years ago. 🌿
It was so worth it!
@@eliseott Totally. The training gives you a confidence that is irreplaceable. You are an excellent ambassador for mindful backpacking. Thanks. 🌿
As a Type 1 Diabetic, I would be thrilled if my hiking partners also carried glucose tablets. I don't expect it though. I've never needed it from someone else (I carry my own), but it's a great safety item for non-diabetics to carry.
they're so small it just seems like an easy thing to add that could help a lot!
Welcome to the grey side! I'm really happy you took the course! It really does completely change how you approach supplies and treatment in the back country. Glad you brought up immodium; more people need to remember it. That's been in my travel and first aid kits for years but people seem to overlook it. And even aside from the related health issues, nobody wants to be stuck on the trail with dysentery, lol.
Random notes: I wouldn't worry about giving the full 324/325 dose of aspirin to someone taking a single low-dose maintenance already. All it's doing is de-stickifying the platelets to help prevent clotting when they can't afford it to happen, so someone having actual cardiac issues bad enough to need aspirin in the moment won't be harmed by a little more. They just say "baby" aspirin because that kind is marketed towards kids - it's flavored (orange sucks, go with cherry) so easier to chew. As opposed to "low dose" which is the same thing as "baby" but isn't flavored at all.
Since you're adding some form of quick stitch, also throw in a couple of benzoin tincture ampules with them, one for one. I'm sure they covered it in your course, but the benzoin will massively help the stitch adhesive stay stuck for longer periods than anything else, even alcohol pads. And if you're in a situation where you need it, you definitely don't want it to come off.
I don't know if you carry it normally, but a couple of single-use Krazy-Glue tubes as well. It was originally designed as skin adhesive, which is why it works so well, but pulls double-duty for both first aid and gear issues. They sell a 4-pack that's perfect. I've used it on torn open blisters, awkward cuts, torn strap, etc.
You might want to think about adding a single CAT tourniquet like what you practiced with; you can fashion something easy enough but they just work so well I'm willing to spend the extra 2.7oz.
The last one you definitely want to add is some plain ol' oral glucose. Not all hikers carry enough simple sugar to counteract onset hypoglycemia. They make tablets that work decent enough so can shave a tiny bit of weight, but I like the gel packets since they're single serve and won't break down. The stuff in our EMS bags is nasty, but Transcend makes some that's decent (I tried both). The EMS in our city is even migrating to that brand because people will actually stomach it.
For both the benzoin and glucose, they're usually sold in larger quantities than an individual needs. I have a ton of both, so if you want a couple and don't want to buy a pack, let me know and I can send some out.
Lastly, don't worry too much about forgetting or messing up the patient assessment. If you're worried about catching all of the ABCs, that's totally fine, and it's a bit of mental security. Also good for practice. But SAMPLE, OPQRSTI, etc. is mostly needed for civilization and in prep for the professionals. The kinds of things you'd be dealing with on a trail won't be affected by those answers much. The only exception off the top of my head is the aspirin and ibuprofen, acting as blood thinners & all so potentially history of stroke could be very bad. Splints, tourniquets, slings, lacerations, blisters & foot rot, heat exhaustion/stroke, frostbite, etc. won't matter much. Anaphylaxis... unless you or they have epi you won't be able to do much about besides call in a medivac. Maybe shove a Benadryl down their throat if they still have an airway & can swallow.
Thanks for all this info!! And yes to the benzoin! I'll definitely look into the Krazy Glue, I love anything that can be double use. I think for more high risk activities I'd consider the tourniquet (if I get into climbing, mountain biking, etc.). I did include oral glucose in this roundup (maybe that wasn't clear or maybe it's different from the tablets?). Good tip for the brand though I'll look into Transcend. And thanks for the note on the PAS, yeah it's not so much that I'm worried about not getting that perfect just worried there's other things I might forget and I can include that in sort of a custom made one (standard vitals, stuff like that). And yeah thinking of the benadryl as more of a precaution to administer at the start of any signs of allergic recations if it makes sense.
@@eliseott Yep, somehow I did miss the glucose stretch. If you already have tablets, stick with those as they're totally fine. I just like the packets because the tablets I've found were in a bottle and not single package, so degrade over time and humidity.
@@HostileTakeover2 they’re in my cart so still time to change (was actually hoping for recommendations like this as someone who’s not as familiar with the various products). Thank you!!
Baby aspirin is just what 81mg aspirin is referred to. Aspirin is not recommended for children for any reason. The chewable, flavored versions are also for adults.
Elise you could just bring baby aspirin with you instead of having both 81mg and 325mg. Give 4 of the 81mg pills in a scenario that warrants the full dose of aspirin. 81mg pills are relatively small. Neither aspirin dose should be used to treat a fever or pain. Use your Tylenol or ibuprofen for those concerns.
@@Trails.andponytails this just made me go “duh” lol maybe I’ll pack both until my 325mg ones expire and then just keep the 81mgs on hand. Basically I just don’t have any 81mg doses at the moment.
Whose course did you attend?
NOLS!
How much extra weight are you carrying with the changes?
I don’t know! But this comment has inspired me to finally get a scale and find out! I’ll update in a few weeks.
First aid and CPR should be a high school requirement.
that and taxes + personal finance!