LOW coordinator offers tips for hiking safely

Everyone should carry a small first-aid kit, even on the shortest hike. You can easily buy a preassembled kit or put one together yourself. You can find all kinds online that are lightweight and not bulky when you stick them in your pack. I’m also including a list of items to build your own first-aid kit. Having just a few items can make a big difference when an injury or medical emergency arises. On its website, Washington Trails Association provides a list for a good first-aid kit to keep in your pack. It’s very similar to the one I keep in my pack for day trips. Below is the list they suggest, and you can find many other examples online.

Items to have in first aid kit:

1. Bandages — Assorted sizes for small cuts, blisters, or minor skin irritations.
2. 4-inch closure strips or butterfly closures — For larger wounds. The 4-inch strips tend to work more effectively.
3. 4-inch-by-4-inch sterile dressing pads — (you should keep 5 to 10 of these) To apply pressure to a wound to stop bleeding.
4. Non-adherent sterile dressing — (2 inch by 2 inch) These can be used to cover burns, blisters or lacerations without sticking to the wound.
5. Gauze roll — To hold dressings in place.
6. Small roll of 1-inch adhesive tape — Used to secure dressings.
7. Multi-use tool or knife with tweezers — Many uses on the trail from cutting bandages, removing splinters, etc.
8. Trauma scissors — These have a blunt end to protect the patient and can be used for cutting bandages, medical tape, and cutting away clothing to access an injury.
9. Malleable splint — Lightweight foam-covered aluminum such as a SAM splint.
10. Coban and/or ACE bandage — Can be used as an outer wrap for splints, wound dressing, or support for joint injuries.
11. Cleansing pads with lidocaine — For cleaning small wounds and abrasions. These include a topical anesthetic for pain.
12. Topical antibiotic ointment — For application to wounds to help prevent infection.
13. Moleskin — Prevents blisters. Cut and apply a section to your foot as soon as you feel a “hot spot”.
14. Pain relievers — (such as aspirin and/or ibuprofen) Provides relief from minor aches and pains, reduces fever, helps reduceinflammation in injuries.
15. Antihistamines — For relief of allergies or to reduce reactions to bites and stings.
16. Latex or nitrile gloves — Protects against blood-borne diseases and infection.
17. Cotton swabs — For removing small objects from eyes, and for cleaning wounds.
18. Space bag/blanket — Lightweight emergency shelter and for treating hypothermia victims.
19. Paper and pencil — For recording medical data such as body temperature, pulse, time and date of symptoms, injuries, medications administered, etc.
20. Wilderness first-aid booklet — Many prepackaged kits contain these but they can also be found online and are invaluable at providing first aid instructions in the outdoors.