Overlanding-Prep Work Part 2-First Aid items to consider.

Overlanding-Prep Work Part 2-First Aid items to consider.

The first thing you should have ready to go is a First Aid Kit, but this should not be the first thing you pack because it needs to be the item you can get to the fastest.  There are so many First Aid Kits you can buy at most outdoor stores and not all are equal so choose wisely.  Please do not buy the cheapest but find the best you can afford and then try and buy the one above that if you can.  This could save a life or keep a wound from getting infected.  I also bring an ace bandage wrap with me because they have so many uses.  You can wrap a wound, secure an ankle, also a/knee, create a sling for a busted arm, and other things that are not health related like tie things down.  Also since I get out of the vehicle a lot and the terrain is not always flat, I bring an ankle brace.  I know I have the ace bandage wrap but I also know that I am likely to twist an ankle.  If you know yourself as well as you know your vehicle then you must bring the special tools and parts to limp yourself back to camp, again for me an ankle brace.  Have a blanket either a real blanket or an emergency blanket.  Not only for warmth at night, but if someone gets sick or gets an infection from a wound they will get the chills even when it is warm.   Also be sure to bring some over the counter meds like allergy medicine, cold medicine, aspirin, and pep-to just to name a few.  Each one of these I wish we had at least once.  Super glue is another great tool to have, great for large cuts and blisters.  Oh and you should also bring whiskey.

I recommend you take a wilderness and remote first aid class in your area.  You may think you know what to do but unless you have taken a class you could do more harm than good.

Here is a list of some of the items I feel should be taken on a overlanding trip.  This is not a be all end all list and should be added to per the needs of each individual.  These are items to get you started.  Remember safety before anything else.

1. Band-aides in a variety of different sizes and shapes
2. Small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
3. Triangular bandages
4. Ace bandage wraps
5. Safety pins
6. Disposable sterile gloves
7. Tweezers
8. Scissors
9. Slcohol-free cleansing wipes
10. Sticky tape
11. Thermometer (preferably digital)
12. Skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula
13. Cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
14. Antiseptic cream
15. Painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen
16. Cough medicine
17. Antihistamine tablets
18. Distilled water for cleaning wounds
19. Eye wash and eye bath
20. Super glue
21. Ankle brace
22. Adhesive tape
23. A blanket
24. Whiskey only use at the campsite when the day is over

Be safe and GO ALL OVER!

*Free image from pixabay