Thanks for the tips folks. I'm going to start whittling it down today.

The Gravol is an anti-nausiant and a must have IMO. There's only one thing worse than wanting to vomit during a hike...and I have Immodium for that

The gauze rope (the only name I have for it) came with the road rash kit. I just looked at it more closely and realized that it is in fact a tube. I've been considering getting rid of it anyhow as it's not separately packaged and might not be sterile if I ever wanted to use it (I've certainly handled it enough times packing and repacking the kit)

One of the reasons I'm packing so many meds is just from my experience and because this isn't an emergency only kit. I often take week long camping trips and sometimes it's not just my wife and I. There have been many occasions when we're with another couple and they're completely ill prepared. Something that can sooth the symptoms of a cold or the flu (or whatever discomfort it happens to be) can make the difference between toughing it out and going home early because somebodies wife is a little sick.

The 1060 is the largest 'micro' case in the line up and has the interior dimensions of 8.25" x 4.25" x 2.25". Purely from a SAK point of view I'd rather have something like the Adventure Medical Pelican kit but that's a pricey kit and is too big. This case fits like a glove in my motorcycle bags and all three of my backpacks.

Thanks for the help so far...Keep that feedback coming guys!

I appreciate your enthusiasm Jim. I'll remember to bring my accidentally amputated limb to the ER if I don't faint

Hmmm.. It doesn't make sense to put something like a fingertip-dressing into a road-rash kit. Maybe it's a net-dressing (don't know the name exactly, but in the hospital it's called Bandafix):



It this it? If so, It's used to fixate a gauze pad/dressing,and it could be a useful addition.

That could be Jim. If so, could be handy to keep in...would also explain why it doesn't need a sterile wrapper.

PS about the eye drops:
I had laser eye surgery about a year ago so my eyes can get dry...I also like to have something sterile to flush them with in case something gets in there...the flap they cut never actually heals you know!

No alchol sanitizer? I'd add some mid sized safety pins.
What is your EDC? Does it include a lighter, blade, pen, paper?

My EDC stuff is almost overboard.

Inspired by Doug Ritter I have a small personal pocket survival kit which I never leave home without:

• GSI 420 waterproof case
• 18" Duct tape wrapped around the case
• 24" paracord wrapped around the tape
• 6 assorted band aids
• 6 assorted safety pins
• 20' of brass snare wire
• Modified firesteel
• 4 Spark-lite tinders
• Utility knife blade (wrapped in heavy paper)
• Small spool of black thread
• 3 needles and 3 strait pins wrapped with some thread
• 2 Immodium
• 2 Reactine antihistamine
• 2 Tylenol Ultra
• 2 Gravol
• $20 bill
• 6 assorted fish hooks
• 6 assorted split weights
• 50' fishing line
• 4 Aquatabs (each good to lean 1L of water)

Plus the stuff in my pockets:

• Ronson Jet Lighter
• SPF 30 lip balm
• Kershaw Cyclone
• Gerber EAB pocket folder
• Fox40 whistle
• Suunto mini thermometer/compass (attached to the whistle with a split ring)
• Gerber Infinity Ultra flash light
• Victorinox Cybertool or Gerber Needlenose Multipliers (on belt)

...and that's just the 'must have' stuff. I also often have a home brew gear repair kit (actually I have a ton of kits for different purposes) which also has alcohol and safety pins in it.

My FAK lives in a small nylon pouch with clear sides, like this one :



Since you EDC a knife, I would not carry medic shears around. Way too heavy and bulky.

I would also remove the burn pads, but that's just me. I think that the simplest way to soothe minor burns is to use cool water, i'm not actually saying that your pads are crappy or anything, but that I would rather use the space/weight for something else, such as... some 4x4s. Someone taking a nasty fall off a slippery rock can easily end up with a bloody wound the size of your hand ! (i've seen several).

Like someone said, unpack the moleskin and only carry one "sheet".

The After Cuts & Scrapes is more a comfort item, the benzalkonium towelettes are best for all your wound cleansing/cleaning needs.

In my book, a triangular bandage is an essential item. You should have one in your kit.

Alcohol sanitizer is also a good item to have.


Btw... nice kit, i'd use it in a pinch!


P.S. : In all these years i've been carrying a first-aid kit in the backcountry, do you know which item actually *DID* save a life or prevent something from going really wrong? Benadryl caplets. A lady on dayhike was going into anaphylactic shock after being stung by a wasp. This happened roughly 5 minutes before we were out of the trail. She was complaining of not being well, becoming semi-conscious... I took control of the situation, made her comfortable and gave her three Benadryls. We had to radio the coast guard for help, they sent an ambulance and we met it half-way. To make a long story short, doctors said I may have saved that lady's life by giving her the Benadryls.

If those are the AMK shears, I'm pretty sure they can cut through lot more than clothing, which could come in handy.

The shears are the AMK shears and they're quite light. My only beef is their odd shape makes it hard to pack around without wasting space in the kit. Now that you mention EDC I often carry a SAK with scissors in addition to a knife so I guess they are expendable. I picked up some 4"x4" pads today that will need a bit of room anyhow.

The burn pads aren't specifically for burns, they're for road rash. Road rash hurts! Proper care for road rash involves scrubbing or picking out all of the foreign matter from the wound...which hurts even more! The pads really soothe the pain.


I didn't start carrying anti-histamine until my dad developed a deathly allergy to stings like that. The first time it happened he didn't know what to do and by the time he got to the hospital his leg was swollen so badly they had to cut his pants off as they were cutting off his circulation due to the swelling. He carries an epipen of adrenaline now but I don't ever want to be in a situation where I know that's happening to somebody but I can't help.

I did some whittling this morning (and some shopping yesterday) and here's the changes so far:

I've removed:

• Book: Don't get Sick
• Magic instant washcloth tablets
• EMT shears
• Itch Gel
• All but one sheet of Moleskin
• Many of the meds

I've added:

• 2x 4" square gauze pads
• 4x After Bite towelettes (for a total of 6)
• 8x Alcohol prep swabs
• 6x Standard size adhesive bandages
• 4x Med-Small adhesive Bandages
• Recycled 10 caplet Advil container with:
  • 6 Advil
  • 2 Tylenol Ultra
  • 2 Tylenol Cold and Flu
  • 2 Tylenol Back Pain
  • 6 Gravol
  • (all the loose pills are in the container, the blister packs remain as is)

It's still VERY full but at least now when I pack it I can hear a tiny bit of slop when I shake it. My first instinct is to fill the holes! At least with a bit of space I'll have room to add a little bit yet and if I ever have to repack it in the dark one day, the extra space will be nice to have so that it doesn't have to go back together EXACTLY the way it came apart.

I don't think it's quite right yet but it's damn close. I'd still like to add another pair of nitrile gloves for example. Could be a good time to experiment with the 'store it on the outside of the case' ideas!