General Disclaimer

This is not medical advice, proper medical training is required and you must operate within your scope of medical training.

The contents of this kit can be altered to preference/specific needs and ultimately will be up to the parties’ level of medical training, the location of the intended activity, and the amount of time in the field. The fundamental concept is having availability and access to some very simple tools that not only help with minor injuries but also aid in stopping life threats. Though this may seem like a lot of “stuff” to carry in your pack, all of these tools fit into a small compact pouch. Its weight is negligible when one considers the life-saving potential of its contents. If you are interested in learning more about medical training, we recommend Desert Mountain Medicine as a provider, looking into their Wilderness First Responder program.

Notes: The BVM (Bag Valve Mask) is a separate contained device, and if you are not operating in avalanche terrain (where the likelihood of breathing emergencies/asphyxiation is highest), one could argue to remove it from the kit. If you need to perform CPR with rescue breathing, a BVM is the recommendation (of course mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-mask with a shield is a personal preference).

There are multiple suppliers for most or all of these items, including your local pharmacy. Rescue Essentials is a good one with a wide selection.


Universal Precautions

• Surgical Gloves (3 pairs)

• Hand Sanitizer (2 oz. container)

• Face Mask (N95, Surgical, Cloth)

• Bio Hazard Bags

• Extra Zip Lock Bags

Wound Care: Dressings

• Gauze Pads, 2” X 2” or 4” X 4” (#4-6)

• Non-Adherent Dressing: Zeroform 1 (1” X 8”-12”)

• Large Gauze Pad (Trauma Pad): 5” X 9”or Israeli Trauma Bandage 4”

• Kling or Kerlix Wrap: 2”-3” (#2)

• Steri Strips: 1/4” or tape configured into butterfly

• Coban Wrap (Horse Wrap): 1” and 2-3”

• Basic Band-Aids: 4-6, various sizes

Wound Care: Blisters

• Moleskin

• Blister Band-Aids: Hydroseal

• Benzoin (for applying to skin to assist bandage adherence)

Wound Care: Bleeding Control

• Celox Combat Gauze

• Tourniquet: CAT GEN 7

• Bandage Material (see above)

Airway

• #28F Nasopharyngeal Airway

• Pocket Bag Valve Mask

• Viral Filter for BVM (American Red Cross) 

• COVID Kit for Victim: Paper Surgical Mask, Latex Gloves, Hand Sanitizer

• 14g Needle Decompression Kit for Tension Pneumothorax (only to be used if properly trained)

• Epinephrine: 3 cc Vial or Epipen (Vial form requires syringe and needle for administration. Vials should be stored in a container that is protected from light) 

Ortho

• SAM Splint: 8-12” (mostly useful for wrist and upper extremities)

• COBAN to wrap

Creams

• Hydrocortisone Cream

• Triple Antibiotic Ointment

• Sunscreen

Allergies

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl 25mg)

Feminine

• Tampons (3) 

• Pads (2)

• Hair Ties

Pain Relief

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) + Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be taken together for a strong pain relief management system in the backcountry

Metal Items

• Tweezers

• Nail Clippers

• Scissors (small)

Additional Supplies

• Mylar/Survival Space Blanket (Small Version)