Camping and spending time in the wilderness is an essential part of the human experience. It's our natural home after all. I sometimes think about all the people who have gone before us, who did not have the advantages over the elements that we have today.
If you encounter a medical emergency in the wild, or even just a campground, here is what to do:
First, stop shaking the patient, and stop screaming. Only the patient is allowed to scream. Yell out for a doctor or nurse in campgrounds. Someone might very well be one. Call 911 if you have a phone with cell service.
Recent events where I live have convinced me that the pre-made kits are useless. People tend to pack their own fears that are unique to them, and not items that would help someone else. In the wilderness, it is more likely that it won’t be about you, but another person in trouble. I call mine my "Good Samaritan Bag." It's "Mom and nurse approved" by my own mother, an RN licensed in the state of Nevada.
For pet care while on a trip, go here: https://blog.nols.edu/2018/03/21/using-your-wilderness-medicine-skills-to-treat-pets
You can buy pre-made kits, but the best kit is the one you are going to make yourself. It should include items that will stabilize a person for the following conditions that are likely (even unlikely) to occur during a wilderness trip, even if you are going to an established campground. Remember that while people might go on vacation, their medical conditions are ever present and never take a break. Campgrounds, and definitely all wilderness areas, are far from help, and in some cases, too far away for any meaningful treatment.
The following is a list of items that I personally have packed, keeping in mind that it may more often be about helping someone else, and I hope it helps you to build your own.
- A tactical red duffel bag or any other red bag. Roll up toiletry bags are great! You can paint or iron on a basic white cross to indicate on the outside it's a first aid kit.
- First Aid book. I highly recommend this one, Wilderness First Aid Field Guide 3rd Edition by Alton L. Thygerson, MD, a real surgeon and medical doctor, specifically for wilderness adventure. But don't just buy it. Study it! You can buy it here: https://a.co/d/4SfZygq.
- If that one is too expensive try this one, very similar: Wilderness First Aid: Emergency Care for Remote Locations by Howard D Backer, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. I found it for 4.99 at Thrift Books.
- Basic First Aid booklet for things you might not be familiar with. These booklets can be obtained for little cost through the Red Cross, REI, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as other organizations.
Information about snake bites, a serious condition, can be found here:
Having said that, here is a list of conditions that you need to prepare for, and be ready.
- Burns - minor to severe
- Excessive bleeding from injury
- Illness - minor to life threatening
- Broken bones
- Head injuries - from mild concussion to traumatic brain injury
As to actual instructions on how to treat these conditions in terms of your first aid kit, please refer to the book I mentioned above, or medical advice from your doctor ( a great resource for information during your next visit!). The booklets I have mentioned, as well as any other books you can find written by wilderness first responders and other experts. Study them and understand them, before you go out or while you are out.
Copy and paste this checklist into Word or Google Docs, then print and use it. It's FREE, and I authorize it's use by anyone for any reason. I don't care. Just do it.
Sterilization:
- Travel size soap, or preferably a slice of real anti-bacterial soap for washing hands. You are not going to cause global climate change with a few uses, good grief. It's for an emergency, ffs.
- Hand sanitzer, alcohol wipes, betadine wipes. In the absence of those, whiskey, vodka, and/or anything that you can find that is 40 proof or higher
- bottle of water - anywhere from 4 oz to 8 oz, for swallowing tablets, and other use.
- Sterile latex or nitrile gloves of the correct size for your hands
Basic Tools:
- Sawyer venom pump for INSECT and SCORPION STINGS ONLY. For the love of God, DO NOT use it for snake bite. https://www.snakebitefoundation.org/blog/2018/9/6/how-to-survive-a-snakebite-in-the-wilderness
- Tweezers that actually tweeze - a lot of them are pointless or cosmetic only
- Surgical scissors or any that actually work - those little ones are useless.
- Pocket knife used only for first aid.
- Women's battery powered shaver - for getting rid of hair that could infect wounds. "Women's" because they are small and more useful
Over the Counter (OTC) Medications:
- Aspirin and Ibuprofin but again, do not use if the person is bleeding. Use Tylenol or Ibuprofin.etc - pain relief : Please do not use aspirin on a bleeding person. Some people are allergic to Ibuprofin. Plain, regular aspirin is the most widely tolerated pain reliever but again, it's bad for bleeding people or those with hemophilia.
- Children's chewable aspirin - not just for kids. It is a good option for those with Angina and other heart conditions as directed by an actual doctor.
- Benadryl or similar brand - allergic reactions and bee stings, etc. Will also cause drowsiness, a good thing for some people suffering - do not use for head injuries. Use common sense.
- Neosporin and/or Bacitracin
- Liquid decongestant - Tussin makes a "wide target" one for all symptoms
- Burn gel
- Calamine lotion and anti-itch cream
- Glucose tablets - diabetic tabs
- Packets of real sugar if no glucose tabs
- Athlete's foot/anti fungal cream - more generally for comfort than anything else
Wraps, Tapes and Bandages:
- Compresses including tampons with no applicator for open, large wounds that are bleeding excessively
- Bandages of all sizes, from minor cuts/scrapes to much larger and more serious wounds.
- Small, compressed "disc" type towels for bleeding, or for sterilizing any other equipment you might use - very useful and will stay somewhat clean inside their packages until used.
- Emergency blanket - very useful when used correctly
- Garbage bag - for wrapping wounds on to keep the area clean
- Duct tape - yes, duct tape goes in too. Used for creating a solid splint for broken bones
- Vet tape - used for animals but works great for people who need a temporary wrap or "ace" bandage
Good luck! And stay WELL.
