Let’s see, Lip Balm, a few bandaids, 12 IB profrin, 6 immodium AD, duct tape, sterile gauze/pads, film container of baby powder, film container of epson salts, medical tape, sewing needle, unflavored floss, first-aid cream, iodine cleansing pads…
I may be leaving a few things out, but this is my very basic first-aid kit that I’ve been working on. I welcome any comments or suggestions. Is they any particular item that you think is a must-have? -Sweeper
Sweeper
Well. I see no flaws, but in that genre add a knee brace…many people dont need it after the first 200 miles though, and the all important baking soda…foot powder, laundry detergent, deodorant, toothpaste, etc., you might want some alch. swabs too.
scruffy sleeper
Sweeper:
You might consider some sun-screen. With your early departure, you will be out a long time with no leaves. Also, you will encounter bright days and snow on the ground. How about eye protection from the glare?
speedbump
If you take one, DON’T use it. I had trouble early on but refused to wear a brace. That HELPED me. If I had succomed to the torture and worn one, I would have worn it the whole way (I know people who did wear it the whole way). But because I took time off when needed, instead of pushing them with braces all the time, they got much better, and quickly I might add. Take an ace-bandage instead of a knee brace.
Hungry Howie
We each have our own experience. For me, I also want 3 or 4 butterfly closures, a tiny bottle of tincture of benzoin, and a small piece of moleskin. I know some use duct tape for hot spots or blisters. But I prefer the moleskin. If you ever have to close a serious cut, nothing like butterfly closures. Apply tincture of benzoin to both sides of cut and let dry till tacky. Stick one side of butterfly to one side of cut, and another butterfly to other side. Pulling in opposite directions on the butterflies, pull the wound closed and stick other side of butterflies. Hard to describe, but easy to do. Then iodine swab everything, put on your sterile pad, and slap on the duct tape if you will. I Also like to have and elastic bandage. Good to wrap sprains, etc. But, its great to keep mild pressure on wounds. Speeds stoppage of blood. Just be sure you can feel pulse beyond the dressing. Use the tincture of benzoin under the moleskin, makes it stay in place better. Be darn sure the benzoin bottle doesn’t leak! Terrible stuff if it gets loose in the firsat aid kit, or worse, the pack. I carry my bottle in a small zip lock. By the way, one can get strong small zip locks from industrial supply houses. They are used by many businesses for small parts or samples. You might even think of someone who works at such a company.
Trailblazer75
I agree with all the items on the list,especially the sunscreen I got burned badly in Georgia in Febuary and was lucky to scrounge some face conditioner with SPF4 out of a hiker box at Hiawassi. I second the opinion a ace bandage is a better choice over a kneebrace. I had in my kit and glad it was there cold remedies,prescription pain and antibiotic pills,several 1" square gauze,and anti-diarrehia pills.
Michael
Please take the following as advice only and as this does not replace advice by YOUR doctor; I was advised by mine when I asked him what to use on extended woodsy trips for the runs and he said to use Rheaban which is Attapulgite(pronounced like it sounds)also sold as Kaopectate, Donnagel, Diasorb etc-see CVS pharmacy online. He said to use this instead of Immodium for this reason; Immodium slows your digestive tract,which is potentally bad if what gave you the runs is a parasite i.e. Giardia, Crypto. Hold it in and you have a big fat festering you get the point. Kaopectate which I used to get as Rheaban but can’t find now is a “clay like powder that absorbs bacteria” but keeps the flow going which is the bodies way of ridding intestinal funk. Keep hydrated and it should go away in the usual coarse. If I recall Giardia and Crypto give very violent explosive army destroying diarhea and not the bran muffin boogie. I’ve used Rheaban and the like for years and it works the same as Immodium and some times better. Toss it around you guys and check it out.
Bushwhack
Kaopectate IS clay. The name comes from kaolin, a very fine clay. The rest of the name comes from pepsin, a digestive aid. It helps break down grease. Add a little flavor, and you have Kaopectate. The clay absorbs water primarily which is what helps slow the runs by helping to solidify the feces. You are right, it works, but you may need several doses. Pepto Bismal also works. Studies have indicated that it is one of the best treatments for Motezumas revenge. The old bismuth and paragoric was better, but since paragoric is an opium derivative, they have turned away from it.
Trailblazer75
This is one of the advantages of Pepto Bismol, it now is available in tablets. Lighter weight for you lite packers, and no liquid to get over everything.
Trailblazer75