High Sierra Topix

Keep telling myself I need to beef up the kit, but I still fall into category A. Thankfully I rarely have had a need to go into the kit (knock on wood)

I'm another "A" person. I have a small plastic box that holds bigger gauze bandages, lots of band aids, a small roll of adhesive tape, safety pins, and a small bottle with aspirin and IB. I also wear a bandana that will work as everything from something to get wet on hot days (it's usual function) to applying pressure, a tourniquet, or for tying a splint. I also carry a SPOT. I think the most important thing to do when you're in the backcountry dealing with any minor or major medical problem is not to panic. Most decisions made when in panic mode are not the right ones.

I always took a "kit", but never used anything more than Band-Aids, gauze, disinfectant, and tape and that's with lots of days backpacking.

I've been in the "A" camp as well, but am looking to beef it up a bit. Age and fatherhood has made me more cautious. I have always carried a few Vicodin (left over from some cracked ribs) and Immodium. The latter is something that I think can really save you in what could potentially be a bad situation.

Another well-pondered, chronic “A” –

Minimal kit includes:

30 ‘of duct tape – (wrapped around a Nalgene)
Large curved needle, hemostats, and dental floss – (able to suture most small wounds.)
Superglue, bear rope - never know
A few antibiotic wipes
Few more alcohol wipes
Ace bandage
Toilet paper - (gauze?)
Alcoholic spirits - (sure, call it medicinal)
Glide - chafing/burns.
Small Swiss Army knife - w/ the scissors

And a pill jar – lightweight but loaded –
Oxycodon, Vicodin,
Immonium, Tums,
Aleeve, Excedrin Migraine…and a large pile of common sense.

Markskor,

What about crutches?

Mike

I agree with the anti diarrheal med. idea. I got diarrhea in Gardner Basin and didn't have Gator Aid. I really had a difficult time hiking over Gardner Pass. Hiking out wasn't any fun either. I got diarrhea at Tunamah Lake too. That time however I had plenty of GA and hiked out with no problem. One can live on nothing more than GA and do lots of strenuous exercise at the same time for several days in a row.

Umm.. Gatorade isn't the same as imodium. Gatorade is great for electrolytes, but imodium is for a GI problem.

Hi there,

I've going out trekking for a few days soon with a few friends, and I was wondering if anyone would recommend taking anything more than a cheap travel first aid kit. One of my mates is bringing duct tape which apparently is useful for broken/sprained limbs, but any other suggestions would be great.

Thanks,
James