First Aid kits

Pick one up from Wally World or Target or the like

THIS one is good .

Prob the one I will get as mine has expired

Purchase or build a first aid kit with contents that you are able and willing to use. The addition of gloves are a priority. Unfortunately, I've seen massive first aid kits containing SAM splints and airway adjuncts that the owners have no concept of how to use.

Mike

Duct tape. If you can't duct it, f@#k it.

Things that are going to keep you and others safe from bodily fluids like gloves and safety glasses. If you're not a trained EMT, then the main thing you'll be doing in an emergency is controlling bleeding. So you just want to keep the fluid from their holes out of your holes.

Large bandages and wraps. I mean large. Most first aid kits couldn't control more than a pin prick's worth of bleeding. Think about the pics of that JK where the tree came through the floor and imagine how ugly that could have been. That should give you an idea of bandage size.

Super glue can fix a lot of smaller cuts.

And you may want to find out if anyone riding with you has any serious allergies (like bee stings) and ask them to bring along whatever meds they might need.

Cold compress.

Aspirin and Tylenol.

Some kind of waterproof field quick reference guide. Like something with tabs on the pages. Think something you can read in a high-stress situation. Also a list (with directions) of area hospitals, clinics, and any emergency numbers if the area doesn't have 911. Also think about how you're going to get help if you're in an area with no cell coverage.

Flares or a signaling device in case you're so deep in the terrain that an emergency vehicle just can't find you or a helicopter is needed. Sounds like a long shot, but think about some of the deeper areas of RC and imagine trying to get help for someone that is immobile.

Costco sells a pretty good one. Ultimately , you can take a small tackle box and make your own.

Quote from tedsbumper

And you may want to find out if anyone riding with you has any serious allergies (like bee stings) and ask them to bring along whatever meds they might need.

Good call! Our whole group got nailed on Yellow Jacket Trail (yeah I see subtle hint RC gave us with the name). Anyway we did had someone allergic to bees and without their shot, it could have been ugly.

Neosporin and band-aids of various sizes is all you need.

If you want to get fancy, put in:

Bee sting stuff
gauze
vinyl gloves (some people have laytex allergies)

Keep it basic.

I think you can see there are really 2 levels of "kit". The best way to put together the normal kit is to simply find a small bag and go out and buy the things you use at home like bandaids, tape, antibiotic creme, benadryl, cortaid (for poison ivy and such), non-latex gloves, eye protection, etc... This kit is really for your and others comfort during the trip. Think of it as the difference between being uncomfortable and/or miserable and going home early versus enjoying your ride and staying the duration. By having local emergency info handy, that really makes things easier in case something bad does happen. Don't discount having a couple flares and/or a gps device to relay coordinates in case an emergency evacuation is required.

And no matter what, anyone with known allergies needs their epi-pen (or other brand name) with them and accessible at all times. Have them teach everyone else where it is and how to administer it in case they have already lost consciousness. That is definitely a life or death issue so make sure it is available.

Then there is kit #2, really a wilderness trauma kit. This kit is for taking care of the more serious stuff and if you don't know how, then it isn't of much use. Definitely have cpr mask, splinting materials, those battlefield blood clotting powders/bandages, airway adjuncts, and other EMT level type stuff. Stopping bleeding and immobilizing serious injuries are the main goal of this kit. Like was said, you can buy these pre-configured, but if you aren't specifically trained, it isn't of much use. Don't waste your money...

Rule of thumb is to have kit #1 with you and have at least one person who is EMT-B level or above with their medical bag in the group.

dont forget the first item i add to any first aid kit....generic maxi pads. not to offend anyone, but they are perfect for what they are designed for, absorbing blood. for treatment of deep cuts and such they have worked MANY times for good compression, and absorbing the blood. people laugh at me because i carry a first aid kit, maxi pads, and Toilet paper in a waterproof ammo box. i also have my 1 way valve and 3 pairs of gloves vacuum sealed with a food saver in there too