Hiking is an exciting sport and exercise, whether for a short day hike, a long distance trek for several months or a longer walk for a few days or a week. Just like with any other athletic activity, preparation and training helps to make the effort enjoyable and safe. However, injuries, accidents and illnesses will occur unexpectedly. Most of the time first aid kits should be part of your survival gear and these should always be available for hikes. The hiking first aid kit supply list must be detailed and packed in your container as you go along your adventure. It is a brilliant idea to keep a kit for all general activities and one that is targeted for specific endeavors.
First, have a proper identification when you plan to go on a hiking. You can grab a 3x5 card and write your name, address, phone numbers, insurance numbers, identifying numbers, next of kin, and a list of illnesses and medicines you take. Then in red color, write down your allergies. Cover this card and bring this card with you wherever you go.
Second, find a right container where you can put in the content of your first aid kit supply. You may have a film canister where you can place your I.D, a few band-aids and aspirins in. You can keep this film canister in your pocket or attached to a lanyard about your neck with your compass and whistle. This container needs to be light, small, and easy to carry. A first aid kit for hiking must be compact and contain essential items, which will support your medical needs.
The content of your first aid kit may include sterile gauze in different sizes with adhesive tape and cloth bandages which can easily be wrapped around and utilized in case of sprains or other related injuries. You may also carry sharp scissors that can easily cut through thick clothes that you might be wearing when hiking, however, use it with blunt nose so you don’t hurt yourself in the process. Keep some medicines in your kit like antibiotic cream and spray to sterilize and treat open wounds and gloves for the same.
In some cases, hikers bring blankets, as part of their gear and that will be useful when injured as well. Sanitary wipes, pain killers, insect repellant and rubbing alcohol should also be included in your hiking first aid kit.
There are ready-made first aid kits available in all sizes in department stores and hiking stores as well. These are commonly adequate to provide for your basic needs and all you will have to do is keep replenishing it.
Lastly, after completing the necessary items on your hiking first aid kit, keep them in the hiking bag where it is easily accessible for yourself or others. You may also want to include in your hiking first aid kit list some trauma and injury supplies such as band aids, moleskin or other bio-occlusive dressing, butterfly strips and other wound dressings.
Remember prevention is always better than cure particularly when you are out in the forest hiking. You will be required to improvise on almost anything and everything and some of those things are not in your backpack. It is ideal that you are quite creative and alert while you pursue this type of endeavor. Ensure that all the members of the hiking team are aware of the first aid kit. If anyone has any special medical condition, you should know what treatment or medication is required. Special medication should be clearly stated to avoid confusion.
