Wilderness: First Aid Kit

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First Aid Kit

In an emergency situation, a person should be familiar with how and when to use each item in a first aid kit. Completion of a basic first aid course and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course can prepare a person to render assistance in an emergency.

A well-equipped first aid kit should contain the following:

• Pocket Dive/Wilderness Emergency Handbook
• 2 X 2-inch sterile gauze pads
• 4 X 4-inch sterile gauze pads
• 2-inch elastic wrap
• 4-inch elastic wrap
• 2-inch rolled gauze
• 4-inch rolled gauze
• Elastic and butterfly bandages
• Cotton swabs
• Adhesive tape
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Forceps
• Wire cutters
• Soap
• Sterile eyewash
• Syringe, 30 mL
• Acetic acid 5% (vinegar)
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Sunscreen
• Instant heat pack
• Instant cold pack
• Tourniquet

A person should become familiar with both the uses and the warnings for each of the following nonprescription medications. A person should always check for allergies prior to use.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol), 20 tablets
• Ibuprofen (Motrin), 20 tablets
• Aspirin, 20 tablets
• Bacitracin ointment
• Hydrocortisone cream 1%
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25 mg, 20 tablets
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Afrin) 30 mg, 20 tablets
• Ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac), 20 tablets
• Topical anesthetic ointment

For diving and wilderness trips that involve traveling to locations that are distant from medical care, obtaining the following prescription medications from a family doctor or another health care provider is advisable. Prior to taking any prescription medication, a person should always consult a doctor and check for allergies.

• Bactrim DS, 20 tablets (avoid if allergic to sulfa drugs)
• Ciprofloxacin 250 mg, 20 tablets (not recommended for children)
• Ana-Kit or EpiPen
• Compazine 10 mg, 20 tablets
• Cortisporin Otic suspension, 1 bottle
• Silvadene cream, 1 tube

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