Whether you are going on a overnight backpacking trip or doing a day long road trip, it is a good idea to have a first aid kit for a minor emergency. The American Red Cross recommends that you keep a first aid kit in your home and also in your car. While first aid kits vary depending on the type of activity you will be participating in, all first aid kits have some essential tools.
"Flu shot | [Day 37/365]" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: rocknroll_guitar (Patricia H.) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
Features
While features vary depending on the type of the first aid kit, all first aid kits contain bandages, gloves, tweezers and pain killers.
Function
Bandages are used to treat scratches and cuts that often occur when hiking. Tweezers can be used to pick out specks of wood that have fallen into a hikers cut. Gloves are used for protection for the first aid administrator.
Types
First aid kits vary in content based on the type of activity they will be used for. Backpacking first aid kits often have lightweight tools. In addition, there are also first aid tools especially useful for the outdoors, such as water purification tablets or extra batteries to recharge headlamps. Camping and hiking first aid kits have more tools and are not as weight conscious as backpacking first aid kits. For example, emergency whistles, a larger variety of bandages, or flashlights are commonly found in camping first aid kits.
Geographic Concerns
First aid kits can also vary depending on the location they will be used. For example, if you''re camping outdoors in Texas, first aid kits often carry snake bit kits. When hiking in New England during the winter, first aid kits often carry emergency blankets.
Hiker Specific Considerations
In addition, first aid kits often reflect special concerns for hikers. For example, if someone in your party has sensitive allergies, allergy relief medication such as Benadryl should be present in your first aid kit.
