Before going to PNG to do the Kokoda track our doctor asked to see our first
aid kit that we carried. We took it in and the doctor was really good in
advising what we should and shouldn't carry especially with regard to some
medications such as for gardia.



We also carry a large amount of fixomull tape - which we usually give away
to others that need it. (really good for blisters - feet, waist, shoulders
etc)



Highly recommend getting a doctor's or expert advice such as below.



Belinda & Ken



_____

From: aushiker@... [mailto:aushiker@...] On
Behalf Of Mark McLauchlin
Sent: Wednesday, 6 February 2008 8:04 PM
To: aushiker@...
Subject: [Aushiker] First Aid/Survival Kit, what do you carry?



Hi all,

Recently completed my Senior First Aid course with St John and it
enlightened me as to what is important in my first aid kit and also
it was a refresher on my skills.

From the course it was obvious that the areas I hike in are relative
high risk in terms of if there is an issue, major, then the
likelihood if you are alone that you are going to be in trouble. So
for example if you get a snake bite, the best care is to remain calm,
reduce movement and compress and splint the area, so that give you
little option if alone but to either stay put and die, or compress
and make a slow pace back to where you can get help. Bandages are
important (add to list). That takes care of bites

Breaks well almost any break you need to split and immobilize, so
arms are ok, legs will be a different story, so we need bandages
again, see a common theme here?

Dehydration we are going to need water and electrolytes, which you
can get in small packets, add to list also, trick here is to lay
down, elevated head and shoulders, keep cool with wet cloths, so add
electrolytes to kit.

Bleeding (external) bandage, pads, all ok so long as not major or
shock doesn't set in.

Anaphylaxis, if you know you are allergic then make sure you have
your epiPen or other meds, so for me this is in the kit

The above could go on for ever and this is not to be considered
medical advice, just some of my thoughts, remember DRABCD, oh if its
been a while go and do a course CPR has totally changed in the last
12 months.

List
Bandages
Electrolytes
pads or thick dressing
epiPen
Tape
padadol
Aspirin (300mg) good for angina.
Band-Aids for blisters
Tweezers for ticks and splinters

Remember that anything you can do is better than nothing

Cheers





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