What would you recommend for a first aid kit?

Do you carry different items for a day bouldering, a weekend trading on Krakadouw or a hike in the 'Berg?

HI

I went and got myself one of those first aid kits in a bottle from Cape Union Mart, it has all the basic needs, and even wipes that releaves burning from be stings etc, and items like;

bandages
wipes
all sorts of plasters
emergency wistle
and basic resuscitation kit

I use to carry a large bag with me with all the kit but this bottle holds al the basic kit and is very small with space left for mabe a panado or disprin also to go in.

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take the leap, its worth the adventure

What about other basics like a Samsplint or a Triangle Sling?

Hey Han

Check out WildMedix based in Cape Town. They will be able to assist you with building up a good kit.
I personally carry some splints as well, the samsplints are really neat and handy.
Chat to Walther at www.wildmedix.com/ as they specialise in outdoor FA.

Hi

I have this sneaking suspicion that Hann already knows what to put in his first aid kit, he just wants to stir some debate...

Anyway, I usually take along a doctor friend on longer hikes and he brings everything I need

But seriously I carry quite a limited first aid kit these days, both when climbing and on rescues. I've learnt over the years that there is very little in terms of drugs that you as a lay person may carry. All the "good stuff" is schedule medication and we don't have access to it. Also medication expires and becomes worse than useless. Therefore I only carry stuff to treat the things we may treat, mostly traumatic injuries and hypo- and hyperthermia.

I carry:
Wide sticky elastic plaster
Lots of gauze swabs
Crepe bandage
Disinfectant
Scissors
SAM Splint
Space blankets
Duct tape (the roll can also be placed under a bandage to create pressure on a spot to reduce bleeding)
Various plasters
Strapping/zinc tape
Knife
Tweezers

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Happy climbing
Nic

I tend to have a first aid / survival kit. This way I'm sorted with the same smallish kit. I think Nic's list is pretty great but I have a few extra items as well.

I agree that in general drugs are pretty useless but I always carry an anti-inflammatory in case someone does something like roll an ankle or tweak a knee - this can just make things a little more bearable (I likely use enough anti-inflams that I cycle through them without too much worry for expiry - weak left knee). A triangle bandage is a good idea but I've made do with all sorts of miscellaneous items of clothing. I also usually take two or three plastic ponchos - they take up next to no space and can be a life saver if someone in your party has failed at being properly prepared. I also have a pop-cap container with matches, a tiny piece of fire lighter and a strike strip on it. I know making fires is generally a bad idea in the wilderness but nothing like a fire to keep you warm. I thus also carry a small burn kit. I also carry gloves, disinfectant for nasty scrapes and an eye wash cup.

As a climber having nail clippers is an essential.

If you have any major allergies it is also important to always have a non-expired epipen with you. But you know that...

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I don't think, therefore I'm Not

Include a list of emergency contact numbers and some simple first aid instructions in case you are knocked unconscious and the person you are climbing with has not had any first aid training.

Condoms!

100% agree. In the end when the stuff hits the fan you need help from outside and the first aid kit is just buying you some time. When you are broken and leaking red stuff and cannot speak for yourself the following information need to be available:

• Your medical aid information or at least more than one person to contact to get the medical aid information FAST - if you are seriously hurt you want to be taken to the best medical facility possible. The rescue and paramedic guys will do what they can but if your medical aid info is not immediately available, I wish you good luck, you will most likely be taken to a lesser medical facility where you may need more than just luck (ask the medical and guys that lurk on this forum for the horror stories)
• Who to phone for help (refer image below)
• In addition to this make sure that someone not involved in your adventure knows where you are, when to expect you back and who to call if they suspect that all is not well
• Lastly take a decent first aid course (level 3 with emphasis on wilderness first aid), basic knowledge saves lives and helps you or your buddy to recover from the incident faster

All depends on the availability, reachability and expected response time of appropriate medical assistance. Most of SA is rather well covered by mobile networks and by people who can pull you out. (seemingly the same people responding to this thread ).

If you're on an expedition somewhere in Africa, things start changing dramatically. Now you make sure you carry drugs and own syringes etc. Also, here a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) becomes useful.

The maritime community developed the "Ship Captains Medical" as a qualification for the master of a vessel, to be able to effect much more advanced treatments where a casualty may be weeks from land (and assistance). In this scenario, the treatment is normally done under the direction of a doctor who is providing guidance over long-range HF radio. With assistance from a qualified doctor who will write the script, as a skipper doing a trans atlantic cruise for example, you are able to acquire and carry everything up to morphine in your kit. (provided it's locked, etc. - some regulations apply).

This same qualification is also highly beneficial for people who may consider remote expeditions and where it's only you and your buddies, and you grant consent to being treated by your friends. (be well aware of the medico-legal issues around this). You are shown how to put up an IV, administer injections, manage an airway including using O2, how to do sutures, use local anesthetic, etc. and you have to attend a practical working a shift in a local state ER where you get to do this for real under supervision. In other words, WELL beyond your normal Level III or even BAA. Again, with proper motivation and the assistance of a doctor to provide the script, you'll be able to buy a fairly extensive list of drugs. (again, make damn sure you understand the legalities of traveling with stuff like this.)

For further reading:
"Royal Geographical Society Expedition Medicine" -David Warrell and Sarah Anderson
"Medicine for Mountaineering" - James A Wilkerson

These folks have a lot of information that may be useful. http://www.wildmed.com

I took this course years ago and it was one of the best training courses Ive taken and comes in handy.
http://www.wildmed.com/wilderness-medic ... ponder.php

Like stated earlier basic first aid is good for silvermine or the quarry but as soon as you are a few hours away from good hospitals you need to think about more advanced training and items.

Cheers
Scott