Lesson 1: Wilderness First Aid Kits Emergency Reference Guide p

Wilderness and Remote First Aid Kits Wilderness and Remote First Aid Kits Objectives: –Describe the contents of a Wilderness/Remote 1 st Aid Kit –Determine how to modify a kit for group size –Describe ways to improvise missing/needed items

1 st Aid Kit Overview Factors for Determining what goes in the kit: –Environment, altitude, season, type of terrain –Number of people in the group –Length of the trip –Distance to travel for help/availability of rescue –Experience of group –Pre-existing conditions

Exercise: What Goes In the Kit? Get together in groups of 4-6 and make a list of items you would bring in a wilderness first aid kit –One for crew of 12 hiking in high mountains –One for crew of 12 canoeing/kayaking –One for crew of 12 sailing

1 st Aid Kit Contents Adhesive BandagesSterile gauze pads Non adherent Sterile PadsBulky Absorbent Dressing Cloth based tapeself adherent gauze roller bandage Butterfly bandagesantitbiotic cream Triangular bandagessafety pins Elastic bandagesmoleskin Alcohol or soap padssugar packets AspirinAcetaminophen BenadrylIbuprofen Non latex glovessplinter tweezers ThermometerSam Splint CPR Breathing Barrier

1 st Aid Kits- Key Points Evaluate & repack kit for each trip –Renew expired medications –Replace damaged items –Update supply based on environment Don’t carry items you don’t know how to use Encourage each group member to have personal kit

Prevent Disease Transmission

Routes of Disease Prevention Direct - Touching body fluids Indirect - Touching bandages or contaminated equipment Airborne - Inhalation of droplets from a sneeze or cough Vector-borne - By an animal bite or insect sting

Steps to Prevent Disease Wear gloves Dispose of soiled items properly Remove soiled gloves properly Cover cuts, scrapes, etc. Wash hands with soap and water Avoid touching eyes, nose, etc. Use a mask for CPR and rescue breathing See a doctor if exposure occurs

Glove Removal Pinch and Partly remove first Glove and pull glove toward fingers Remove second glove (inside out) using partially gloved hand Finish removing both gloves (inside out) Discard in appropriate container Wash hands

Glove Removal

Questions??? What else could you add to your First Aid Kit?