How Important Is Your Wilderness Survival First Aid Kit

Wilderness survival first aid kits are items which are often skimped on when it comes to preparing for an outdoor adventure. The thing is, venturing outdoors definitely increases the possibility of accidents and injuries happening. It is also possible that some of these emergencies could escalate into very dangerous and life-threatening situations.

Before heading outdoors for an adventure, prepare for injuries and illnesses by packing a first aid kit. The items you place in the kit will largely depend on the length of time your trip will last, your destination, and any preexisting conditions that your group members may have.

Many outdoor enthusiasts try to keep the weight of their bug out, or hiking backpacks to a minimum, so they cram in the bare essentials. In the process they tend to neglect the first aid kit. Having the appropriate medical supplies at hand in the event of an emergency situation can make a difference in your chances of survival.

You can choose to go to your local outdoor camping store and purchase a prepacked wilderness first aid kit, assembled by companies with experience of wilderness adventures, or you can supplement the kit with the items you think will be vital, based on your research about the environment you'll be venturing into. The important thing to keep in mind concerning packing wilderness first aid packages is to plan for the worst and as expect the best. It's better to return home with some of the unused items than not to have them readily available.

If you are headed into the wilderness for the very first time it would certainly be to your advantage to obtain information on the terrain and what other people have packed in their wilderness survival first aid kits. This will help you prevent neglecting anything crucial. Furthermore, experienced outdoors people can assist with information as to what is not really required in order to keep your backpack weight to a minimum.

Length of the Trip Will Determine the Contents of the First Aid Kit

The length of your stay out in the wilderness will play a role in deciding how much of what you will need in your kit. A weekend hiking first aid kit will be very different to a week (or more), trek through wild terrain. The longer you stay out there, the more you are exposed to possible mishaps and dangerous situations. Keep this in mind when considering your kit.

Destination Research is Vital

Well researched knowledge of the terrain and environment you'll be venturing into is crucial. This will largely determine the contents of your first aid kit. Many sets may include splints in the event of a fracture, but some experienced outdoor people advise against this as they argue that most of the medical problems you might experience are minor or beyond your first aid skills. The general advice is to keep it simple and that you will do well by taking a first aid class, but buy a good basic kit and build it up to suit your specific requirements.

Gauze squares, band-aids, medical tape, disinfectant, butterfly bandages,remedy's for poisonous plants and snakes, as well as some Advil or Tylenol, would generally suffice as good add-ons to a basic kit. Add to this a good Swiss army knife or Leatherman multi-tool to use as a knife, scissors or tweezers and the first aid kit will be good to go for the average hiker in the wilderness.

The important thing is to modify your first aid kit list to suit your specific needs and remember to add your personal prescription medicines.