Hi All
For the summer I will be working as a canoe guide in northern Manitoba (canada). I will be leading trips ranging from 6 to 11 days. Most of the time the only access will be by plane but we are equipped with sat phones for emergencies, ranging beyond our knowledge.

This kit here is my PERSONAL kit, the group will use the group kit. I am a avid canoer who has lots of back country millage. My training includes standard First aid CPR level C. I have read two wilderness medicine books and i plan on revising them again.

I am looking for feedback, on 1) making the kit smaller (i have a hard time zipping the pack)
2)Stuff thats missing
3) anything else you can tell me
Thanks

Here are some pics of the kit spread out and packed up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26465100@N04/?saved=1

Here is a list of the contents

First aid kit

Bandage

1 Triangular
1 self cling 5 yard bandage
3 X 2” 5yard gauze roll
assorted size and shape bandaids
12 assorted size gauze pads
2 pressure bandages for serious wounds
2 rolls athletic tape
1 roll medical cloth tape
duct tape
Elastic tension reusable bandage
Moleskin
3M steri strip (stuture)
Alcohol prep pads

Tools

Scissors
Nail clipper
Thermometer
EMR Sheers
Safety pins
Scalpel and blades
Space blanket
Pen
Sharpie

Other
2 pair gloves
1 barrier device CPR
Book Wilderness and Travel Medecine by Eric Weiss
Matches
Small travel tube toothpaste

Meds
1 dose Clarithromycin (mild antibiotic)
1 dose Ciproloaxcine ( stronger antibiotic)
2 epipens
1 dose Celecoxip (prescription pain killer)
Tylenol extrastrenght
Peptol bismol tablets
Baby asprin (blood thinner)
Tincture of iodine (disinfectant small wounds)
Tooth ache gel
Benadryl tablets
Flu meds (antihistamine)
Purell
Flamazine (silver sulfadizine cream for bruns)
Bactroban ( mupirocin ointment 2%)
Polysporin
Nasonex (saline spray for sinus infections)
Vasoline
Baby powder
Water sterilising tablets

Good thoughts - here's mine

Add a 12 or 24 pack of OTC antihistamine for adverse reactions

drop triangular bandage and replace with a tee shirt or a tyvek one

drop scissors - shears will handle same duties

replace matcher with mini-bic

Related - where do you carry your edc/ fak?


Teacher

PS toothpaste??

I think it looks good. Might add more gloves and tweezers.

Nasonex ain't saline, it's Momethasonefuroate, which is a prescription corticosteroid.

And TeacherRO:



May I ask why?

a few tips.

-think carefully through your Rx meds.........be safe from lawsuits

-simple OTC meds can cover most people's needs

-flamazine?-i would pass on in favor of bacitracin, less risk of allergic complications (from sulfa)-=use this for cuts scrapes and burns

-why baby powder-if dryness is a problem, Goldbond is better, and or plain cornstarch powder

-black tea bags can help with a tooth ache
-you noted 1 dose of 2 antibiotics, well that is a start, but again careful with dispensing any Rx that isnt prescribed for that person, and one dose in any form is useless for the most part
-bulk up more on bulky dressings and gloves
-thermometer give or take..........
-
-add a SAM splint
-one pair of scissors is plenty
-for multiuse and space limitations, consider coflex bandage and back off the multi rolls of tape
-instead of various sizes of anything..stick with 4x4 and fold or cut to shape,
-maybe swap iodine and alcohol for one bottle of betadine
-pick one simple size bandaid
--add tube of crazy glue (multiple uses!)


-anyway this is just a start............hope this helps

Jim,

I defer to your training and judgement -- my reasoning in that a large triangular bandage is a space waster - and assume the group kit has one.

Teacher

It might be duplication, but the group has their kit and Vader wants his own; it may as well be complete.

I like figtree's idea of going with all 4x4's and sticking with OTC meds. Other than that it looks good to me, a SAM splint would add require a lot more space. With your training, you are in the best position to know the most likely hazards and requirements for this kit.

I don't see the point in sticking with OTC meds if this is his personal kit and he has the medication for himself. Am I missing something? Also, anyone who thinks any over the counter pain med is strong enough in a REAL accident has not been in one (and that's good). Just my 02 on the matter

Hi Guys

Thanks for the help I appreciate it. The kit is for my personal use only so I will keep the Rx medicine.

Also are two epipens and over kill? I'm debating because outthere a plane might only show up in a couple hours but your reaction is there now...

Ok i will remove the triangular it is big. I will also consider the 4x4'

Baby powder is going out. Yup is was mostly for keeping fit dry/preventing trench foot.

Also thanks fr correcting me on nasonex i wanted to say saline nasal mist (0.9% sodium chloride solution) my mistake.

THanks for the help I really appreciate it:)
vader

The problem with other than OTC meds is that they are for someone who's name is on the bottle. Sure, if you have a medical condition, your prescription drugs should have a place in a personal FAK, but I'd check the legality of carrying prescription pain medication in place of OTC Motrin. $.02, what's legal?

"...Also are two epipens and over kill?..."

I would have to say no, two is not overkill. I carry two, and neither my wife nor I have ever had an alergic reaction. I have seen people with a severe reaction though, and I don't ever want to go there. They are pretty small, and don't weigh much, so go for it...