Just read about a hiker who brings just Tylenol and duct tape, improvising the rest from his pack. Is this Too minimal for a hiking kit?

Why does he have the Tylenol? Other than for personal use, meds like T have no place in a FAK. He is correct that most FA items can be modified from common objects at hand. I have done it more than once, but I much prefer to have some dedicated items in my kit. Especially are elastic or self adhering bandages, along with a 4x4 or two if we are going all out. While splints can be improvised rather easily, a SAM splint does a superior job IMHO. Bandaids are an EDC item with me (two or so tucked in my wallet) - they cut down wonderfully on the drama when someone gets an owwie.

a couple of non adherent pads, a roll of elastic self adherent tape (Coban), some cloth knuckle bandaids, and a roll of Kerlix for packing off serious wounds, and an irrigation syringe (or other pressure wash) will probably get the job done for most events

I have some otc drugs in a medicine bottle or a small plastic envelope, depending on which bag it is in.

http://ilbob.blogspot.com/2011/02/otc-meds-in-my-fak.html

each bag has some minor fa supplies like bandaids as well.

this is all for convenience and comfort rather than as serious fa equipment.

I just do not think it is useful to carry a bunch of first aid equipment with me.

I already have some duct tape, electrical tape, hankies, and a water bottle. I can easily use those if I need to flush a larger wound and bandage it.

My default FAK platform is an AMK - either one of their old ultralight kits or the new International Field Trauma kit. I always have one close by.

For those rare times when I don't carry a full kit with me, my personal minimum, and what I supplement each kit with, is: water, a bandana and/or a triangular bandage, a couple of thick maxi pads, a small pen or squeeze light, and some OTC meds (Asprin, Tylenol, Gravol, Benedryl - as well as kids versions for our son - and hand sanitizer. Bug spray, sun screen and cooling gel for burns.) I also have a pill fob with prescription meds and aspirin on my edc key chain.


Besides water and meds, my main four are:

Maxi Pads => pressure bandage, splint, their intended purpose...

Bandana/triangular => broad/narrow bandage, pressure bandage, sling, face mask, hankie, hat...

Light => FA in the dark, pupil check...

Bandaids=> I'm a mom. "They" include them when they hand out our parent cards.

I have a couple of the larger AMK FAK's, but my "Minimal first aid kit" is a small container with band-aids, a couple povidone iodine pads, neosporin and Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper Tweezers. For the small cuts that happen routinely, that's all I need. If I need more I'll get to one of my bigger kits ... or I won't. You make your choice and take your chances.

We would all be well advised to include a couple of pairs of nitrile (or equivalent) gloves.

Great point, hikermor. Protection for first aider and patient both.

We should probably also mention a means to contact medical professionals.

I carry a couple of aspirin in case I have a heart attack and a clean handkerchief for everything else.

Served me well for the last sixty years.

My EDC includes several bandaids of different sizes in a small ziplock bag in my wallet as well as my bandana.

I carry a small but serious FAK when I go into the woods. It's geared toward trauma: cuts, OTC meds; small battle dressings, etc.