May 07, 2025

257 First Aid Kit, Cabinet of Curiosities, Trees in the Road, Leathermans, Wound Closure

1 hour 1 minute

First aid kits seem like a good idea, but are they useful? Ours is! Let's dive deep on this one. We'll also visit a mummified hand, see trees in the road, play with sharp things and stop a whole lot of bleeding.

If you're looking for my personal articles, you can find them at https://peregrinus.ghost.io

The AI made me do it

PRODUCT REVIEW

Clozex Emergency Laceration Closure

https://amzn.to/44rakZV

A PLACE TO VISIT

Sewards Curiosities

https://wp.cga.ct.gov/osh/museum-of-curiosities/

TECH TALK

Leatherman Tools

https://amzn.to/4d77F9L

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

Online Wilderness First Aid Certification

https://survivalmed.org/courses/wfa-16-hr/

FIRST AID KIT

Wilderness First Aid Training:

Red Cross

American Outdoor School

Emergency Number List:

US poison control 1-800-222-122

General Emergency 911

Mental Health Support 988

Stop the Bleed Kit - TRAINING STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Pressure dressing (Israeli bandage or similar) - Maintains pressure over bleeding wounds

Hemostatic gauze (e.g., QuikClot) - Promotes clotting in deep wounds; requires training

Blister Tape (Moleskin) - Blister prevention

Burn Cream - Minor burns

Medical paper or silicone tape - Gentle adhesion to skin; secures dressings with minimal irritation

Heavy-duty cloth or waterproof tape - Strong adhesion for securing splints, bandages, or emergency repairs

Cotton swabs (e.g., Q-tips) - Applying ointments, cleaning small wounds, precise care

Flat-style instant cold pack (single-use) - Temporary relief for sprains, bruises, burns, and insect bites

Sterile gauze pads (various sizes) - Covering wounds, absorbing fluids

Heavy-duty feminine pads (non-menstrual use) - Used as emergency absorbent dressing for bleeding control

Irrigation syringe (10-20 mL) - Wound flushing

Antiseptic wipes (benzalkonium or chlorhexidine) - Wound cleaning

Hydrocolloid bandages - Blister prevention and treatment

Adhesive bandages - Small cuts and abrasions

Whistle - Emergency signaling; attract attention in remote areas

Disposable thermometer - Fever monitoring

Scalpel (individually wrapped, single-use) - Precision cutting in emergencies; backup cutting tool

Stainless steel sewing needle - Removing splinters, emergency gear or fabric repair

First Aid Guide - Reference

Small compass (cheap but reliable) - Basic navigation in case of GPS failure or emergency

Tick remover tool (e.g., Tick Key) - Safer removal of embedded ticks (optional, useful in wooded areas)

CPR mask (one-way valve) - Rescue breathing TRAINING RECOMMENDED

Sterile eye wash (saline solution) - Flush out irritants, dust, or debris from eyes

Trauma shears (full size, usable) - Cutting tape, clothes

Tweezers (fine tip) - Splinters, ticks

Acetaminophen - Pain, fever (alternate to ibuprofen)

Activated charcoal - for poisoning

Zinc oxide diaper cream - Treats chafing, rashes, minor burns, insect bites; provides moisture barrier

Meclizine or dimenhydrinate - Motion sickness, nausea

Antacid tablets - Indigestion, heartburn

Oral rehydration salts - Rehydration during illness

Loperamide - Diarrhea

Hand sanitizer (60%+ alcohol) - Hand hygiene

Nitrile gloves - Protective barrier

Finger cots - Protect wounds on fingers; keep dressings dry

Non-lubricated condoms - Emergency water carrier, wound protection, or improvised cover

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - Allergic reactions, sleep aid

Hydrocortisone cream 1% - Skin irritation, rash

Ibuprofen - Pain, inflammation, fever

Loratadine or cetirizine - Non-drowsy allergy relief 2-day emergency supply of essential personal meds - Includes medications critical for survival or ongoing treatment (e.g., insulin, heart meds)

Hard candy (glucose source) - Emergency sugar source for suspected diabetic hypoglycemia

Naloxone nasal spray (e.g., Narcan) - Emergency treatment for opioid overdose; potentially life-saving

Permanent marker (e.g., Sharpie) - Mark tourniquet times, label supplies, track wound changes, or leave emergency notes

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By Jeff Wagg

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