This one went a little long. I put timestamps in the description to help you skip around and re-watch relevant parts. GIVEAWAY Recap: What is one piece of must have gear for YOUR first aid kit? Answer in the comments and like the video. As soon as this video gets 100 likes, I'll grab all the user names from the comments, reduce the list for uniqueness, and use Random.org to select the winner.
Epipens - We have Jack Jumper ants on local hiking trails, that around 3% of the population are allergic to. There's not much that will stop anaphylaxis on the trail, other than Epipens, so they are a must.
My one must-have is my glucose meter (type II diabetes). I realize very few people will need that for their FAK, but it speaks to the larger tenet of making sure you personalize your kit for your needs. This is an excellent video on assembling a realistic kit, thanks for the sound advice.
Fantastic reminder on the importance of personalizing your kit. It must FIRST serve YOU before you can serve others. Thanks Rob for the comment and compliment!
Hard to choose only one item...I’m a cyclist and I always have a first aid kit. I use it a lot! I am always replenishing my kit as I am often the only one in my group with a med kit. So, the unofficial nurse. I also started bike packing. I find alcohol prep pads, bandaids and ibuprofen (after 100 miles!) the must haves. If I had to choose one, ibuprofen. You can cover a wound with fabric and clean with water. But, an ibuprofen is essential for pain relief.
Great video, in Australia all hikers should and will carry a 'snake bite kit' as there are many venomous and deadly snakes. And we see them all the time.
I am watching this to build a first aid kit for my group of girls. At meetings, we generally meet indoors and have 30 girls K through 12th grade (plus adults). Outside activities, though, can range from day hiking to two camping nights in tents near vehicles. One must have for our first aid backpack is the folder of all the health forms for all of these people -- so it is handy if needed in a hurry. After our last campout I also want to add a bandana for getting wet and helping with heat related issues.
Bandanas are great and I normally carry one. Women may consider carrying 2 - one for normal use and the other as a “pee rag” (not my term). I would also add 1-2 tampons (or pads) to each kit and possibly a few doses of midol.
Out of all the ones I've watched so far. I like how succinct, and simple this video is. I'm definitely a fan of the build your own. I feel like you're getting better quality items that way.
My must have is the victorinox, not only for medical reasons! Its such a useful Tool - at least if you have enought plasters around. Greetings from Germany
Good, clear, specific recommendations. Nearly identical to my kit. About the only other thing I include is a small piece of paper and one of those mini-pencils. I use it primarily to record what I have taken from the kit as I take it. This way, the next time I am ready to go out I can quickly just grab what is needed from my stock and add it back into the kit. I will also occasionally write notes/observations ... like, being four days away from the car with an injured and now inflamed knee means carrying way more vitamin-I than I had previously considered!
Great suggestion with the pencils and paper! I generally travel with a small, weather-proof journal and a space pen, so I didn't include it in the kit.
Haha, "I love medical supplies". I have the same issue with camping cookware. Thanks for the insight, friend. I was looking for a knowledgeable point of view on this subject.
I have no answer as I’m working on collecting gear to start backpacking, hopefully soon. Just wanted to let you it was awesome to get the break down explained. Good stuff!
Well done. Helped as am starting one myself. I would add small kit to repair glasses. Lost a few screws before and maybe burn cream and insect repellent.
Excellent video! Thankyou! I've been carrying that knife for ages as well as many of those supplies. I'm rebuilding my med kit and will be using many of your suggestions. As I lead (or sometimes solo) trail building/maintenance projects where chain saws, hatchets, machetes, etc. are used I will be including a RMT tourniquet, some hemostatic gauze/pressure dressing. When I do maintenance in hunting areas I might even bring along chest seals. I'd also recommend for your basic backpacking kits dental floss and a whistle.
I built my first aid kit around my needs. I am allergic to NSAIDS, adhesives and Benadryl. So you won’t find those items in my kit but I also have Tagaderm, Co-band and Tylenol. I also have an Epipen, scalpels and a suture kit.
Awesome job! I don't have a background in this stuff and other videos I watched just went over their kits. The way you broke it down has me thinking in a much more organized way. Thank you!! I have completely reorganized my kit.
Why the 2 different kinds of prep pads plus wipes? Do you use all 3 for different things? Trying to fine-tune my own kit and asking myself these questions too 😁 I also like to throw in a mini chap stick and some sharp point tweezers for splinters. I don't think the Swiss army tweezers work all that well.
Great video. You put a lot of thought and effort into the kit and the video. I keep NEW-SKIN Liquid Bandage Spray for Cuts and Minor Scrapes, 1 Ounce in y kit. We all get lots of cuts and this is excellent. I am a former Special Forces Medic and I agree with your phiosophy and your choice of items.
Your first kit is a lot like mine but based on an AMK .5 tweeked to my needs, so a bit heavier. I recently added a Victorinox Classic after buying a few on sale. I think the drugs are the most important. As long as you are careful, you won't get many injuries but things like headaches, cold/flu, stomach ailments can make a trip aweful and may actually cause you to become careless and sustain an injury from said carelessness. My comment is not to support AMK/SOL as I have found them to cheapen their products often by going overseas or including lesser items. I have sent a lot of money their way: 3x .3, 3x .5, 1x .7, about 12 of their American Heetsheets (made in China now), 4 survival kits, and more.
I geek out on first aid because I’ve been thru a lot hit by a car while crossing the crosswalk or the knife decided to attack my finger instead of the avocado or the hot water bottle decides I need a 2nd degree scalding burn 😩
Before Leuko tape, I did the same. These days, I find Leuko tape just sticks better. Duct tape is cheaper and more readily available. You can't go wrong with either.
My compliments and thanks fort the straightforward and refreshing, no-bs info! I made a personal medical kit myself. My big mistake was that i bought an empty medical pouch to store it in (for some reason there always must be a red or white cross on it and it has to be saying “first aid”, as if otherwise it wouldn’t be a reliable medical pouch). I bought the smallest I could find. When I had all my essentials in it, it was still half empty. So, what did I do? Of course I over stuffed it with extra bandages, paracetamol, rubber gloves etc., “Just in case”, ending up at least 2 times as heavy as my initial kit.😊 When it comes to medical kits people have a tendency to think “just drop it in there, it might be useful; you never know what happens”, when all they ever had to cope with in the past was a blister on the heel. Maybe the best thing to do, is to have an ambulance follow me 24/7 (on a comfortable, private distance, of course) when I’m on a long weekend camping out, not even half a day’s ride from my house :D. Anyway, looking forward to your next video & greetings from the Netherlands!
I've done exactly the same thing! I'm happy you found value in the video! Also, as my wife tells me, "If you're not Dutch, you're not much" ;) We're hoping to make it to your part of the world in the next several years.
I use the little scissors on the Swiss army knife to cut my fingernails (if need be) and the file to finish the job. The Swiss army knife tweezers are a little thin, but I've found they work pretty well at removing splinters, stingers, and even ticks.
Very good and (relatively) concise info.I am back country hunting 9-12 October - November time frame for the last 6 years. Beside the items you've mentioned, I have a tick removal tool ( there are a few models available) and tourniquet.
A 'backcountry' medkit with no tourniquet? Most backcountry activities involve knives, hatchets, saws, et cetera, and many involve firearms. Never go into the woods without a tourniquet. And no ACE bandage? Sprains don't happen where you live?
Hey Jeremy, do you carry a second knife on through hikes other the the Swiss Army knife? Doing a 12-14 day though hike on the JMT, debating if I need more than that.
what if someone is choking or drowning and need resuscitation, with the pandemic not sure it would be wise to touch someone's mouth without protection. Would be good to have a CPR face shield,
This one went a little long. I put timestamps in the description to help you skip around and re-watch relevant parts.
GIVEAWAY Recap: What is one piece of must have gear for YOUR first aid kit? Answer in the comments and like the video. As soon as this video gets 100 likes, I'll grab all the user names from the comments, reduce the list for uniqueness, and use Random.org to select the winner.
For me personally, I would need eye drops as well
Epipens - We have Jack Jumper ants on local hiking trails, that around 3% of the population are allergic to. There's not much that will stop anaphylaxis on the trail, other than Epipens, so they are a must.
"I've got a problem, I love medical supplies" haha good stuff
My one must-have is my glucose meter (type II diabetes). I realize very few people will need that for their FAK, but it speaks to the larger tenet of making sure you personalize your kit for your needs.
This is an excellent video on assembling a realistic kit, thanks for the sound advice.
Fantastic reminder on the importance of personalizing your kit. It must FIRST serve YOU before you can serve others.
Thanks Rob for the comment and compliment!
Very helpful video. 80/20 rule makes sense. I appreciated you telling us not only what to include but also how much.
Hard to choose only one item...I’m a cyclist and I always have a first aid kit. I use it a lot! I am always replenishing my kit as I am often the only one in my group with a med kit. So, the unofficial nurse. I also started bike packing.
I find alcohol prep pads, bandaids and ibuprofen (after 100 miles!) the must haves. If I had to choose one, ibuprofen. You can cover a wound with fabric and clean with water. But, an ibuprofen is essential for pain relief.
I am a sucker for medical supplies, school supplies, and pouches/bags!
The one thing that i would add is a small pointer type light. First aid needs are not always going to be in daylight hours
Great video, in Australia all hikers should and will carry a 'snake bite kit' as there are many venomous and deadly snakes. And we see them all the time.
I am watching this to build a first aid kit for my group of girls. At meetings, we generally meet indoors and have 30 girls K through 12th grade (plus adults). Outside activities, though, can range from day hiking to two camping nights in tents near vehicles. One must have for our first aid backpack is the folder of all the health forms for all of these people -- so it is handy if needed in a hurry. After our last campout I also want to add a bandana for getting wet and helping with heat related issues.
Bandanas are great and I normally carry one. Women may consider carrying 2 - one for normal use and the other as a “pee rag” (not my term). I would also add 1-2 tampons (or pads) to each kit and possibly a few doses of midol.
I would add my hip flask of Bushmill’s.
Purely for medicinal purposes :)
Well I learned something new!
I am gonna have to get some pear shaped bandages now! 😆😅🤣
Out of all the ones I've watched so far. I like how succinct, and simple this video is. I'm definitely a fan of the build your own. I feel like you're getting better quality items that way.
My must have is the victorinox, not only for medical reasons! Its such a useful Tool - at least if you have enought plasters around.
Greetings from Germany
Really comprehensive and trustworthy info -- thanks. I always carry floss because its durable and versatile.
Good, clear, specific recommendations. Nearly identical to my kit. About the only other thing I include is a small piece of paper and one of those mini-pencils. I use it primarily to record what I have taken from the kit as I take it. This way, the next time I am ready to go out I can quickly just grab what is needed from my stock and add it back into the kit. I will also occasionally write notes/observations ... like, being four days away from the car with an injured and now inflamed knee means carrying way more vitamin-I than I had previously considered!
Great suggestion with the pencils and paper! I generally travel with a small, weather-proof journal and a space pen, so I didn't include it in the kit.
Haha, "I love medical supplies". I have the same issue with camping cookware. Thanks for the insight, friend. I was looking for a knowledgeable point of view on this subject.
I would put it Sudafed, a personal must have.
I have no answer as I’m working on collecting gear to start backpacking, hopefully soon. Just wanted to let you it was awesome to get the break down explained. Good stuff!
Well done. Helped as am starting one myself. I would add small kit to repair glasses. Lost a few screws before and maybe burn cream and insect repellent.
Excellent video! Thankyou! I've been carrying that knife for ages as well as many of those supplies. I'm rebuilding my med kit and will be using many of your suggestions. As I lead (or sometimes solo) trail building/maintenance projects where chain saws, hatchets, machetes, etc. are used I will be including a RMT tourniquet, some hemostatic gauze/pressure dressing. When I do maintenance in hunting areas I might even bring along chest seals. I'd also recommend for your basic backpacking kits dental floss and a whistle.
I built my first aid kit around my needs. I am allergic to NSAIDS, adhesives and Benadryl. So you won’t find those items in my kit but I also have Tagaderm, Co-band and Tylenol. I also have an Epipen, scalpels and a suture kit.
Awesome job! I don't have a background in this stuff and other videos I watched just went over their kits. The way you broke it down has me thinking in a much more organized way. Thank you!! I have completely reorganized my kit.
Why the 2 different kinds of prep pads plus wipes? Do you use all 3 for different things?
Trying to fine-tune my own kit and asking myself these questions too 😁 I also like to throw in a mini chap stick and some sharp point tweezers for splinters. I don't think the Swiss army tweezers work all that well.
Great video. You put a lot of thought and effort into the kit and the video. I keep NEW-SKIN Liquid Bandage Spray for Cuts and Minor Scrapes, 1 Ounce in y kit. We all get lots of cuts and this is excellent. I am a former Special Forces Medic and I agree with your phiosophy and your choice of items.
Your first kit is a lot like mine but based on an AMK .5 tweeked to my needs, so a bit heavier. I recently added a Victorinox Classic after buying a few on sale. I think the drugs are the most important. As long as you are careful, you won't get many injuries but things like headaches, cold/flu, stomach ailments can make a trip aweful and may actually cause you to become careless and sustain an injury from said carelessness. My comment is not to support AMK/SOL as I have found them to cheapen their products often by going overseas or including lesser items. I have sent a lot of money their way: 3x .3, 3x .5, 1x .7, about 12 of their American Heetsheets (made in China now), 4 survival kits, and more.
I have a diabetic daughter who always drops when we hike so i would have to add a gulcose kit. (Glucose tablets, a squirt bottle of honey, ect.)
I geek out on first aid because I’ve been thru a lot hit by a car while crossing the crosswalk or the knife decided to attack my finger instead of the avocado or the hot water bottle decides I need a 2nd degree scalding burn 😩
Duct tape! I always use that to protect blister sensitive areas. Works better than mole skin.
Before Leuko tape, I did the same. These days, I find Leuko tape just sticks better. Duct tape is cheaper and more readily available. You can't go wrong with either.
@@jeremywardoutdoors gaffer tape works too..
I’ve never tried gaffer tape. TIL
My compliments and thanks fort the straightforward and refreshing, no-bs info!
I made a personal medical kit myself. My big mistake was that i bought an empty medical pouch to store it in (for some reason there always must be a red or white cross on it and it has to be saying “first aid”, as if otherwise it wouldn’t be a reliable medical pouch). I bought the smallest I could find. When I had all my essentials in it, it was still half empty. So, what did I do? Of course I over stuffed it with extra bandages, paracetamol, rubber gloves etc., “Just in case”, ending up at least 2 times as heavy as my initial kit.😊
When it comes to medical kits people have a tendency to think “just drop it in there, it might be useful; you never know what happens”, when all they ever had to cope with in the past was a blister on the heel. Maybe the best thing to do, is to have an ambulance follow me 24/7 (on a comfortable, private distance, of course) when I’m on a long weekend camping out, not even half a day’s ride from my house :D.
Anyway, looking forward to your next video & greetings from the Netherlands!
I've done exactly the same thing! I'm happy you found value in the video!
Also, as my wife tells me, "If you're not Dutch, you're not much" ;) We're hoping to make it to your part of the world in the next several years.
Fingernail clippers. Good at removing splinters.
I use the little scissors on the Swiss army knife to cut my fingernails (if need be) and the file to finish the job. The Swiss army knife tweezers are a little thin, but I've found they work pretty well at removing splinters, stingers, and even ticks.
Excellent presentation on the personal first aid kit. I would like to see your group or first responder medical kit suggestions.
Very good and (relatively) concise info.I am back country hunting 9-12 October - November time frame for the last 6 years. Beside the items you've mentioned, I have a tick removal tool ( there are a few models available) and tourniquet.
Definitely can't get out there without my allergy meds. Either Claritin or Zyrtec. Chicken dinner!
Dental pick or dental floss. Awesome video!
A 'backcountry' medkit with no tourniquet? Most backcountry activities involve knives, hatchets, saws, et cetera, and many involve firearms. Never go into the woods without a tourniquet. And no ACE bandage? Sprains don't happen where you live?
I MUST HAVE ITEM IS MY PERSONAL MEDS.
Did I miss medic shears
Wonderful video. Very informative.
Hey Jeremy, do you carry a second knife on through hikes other the the Swiss Army knife? Doing a 12-14 day though hike on the JMT, debating if I need more than that.
what if someone is choking or drowning and need resuscitation, with the pandemic not sure it would be wise to touch someone's mouth without protection. Would be good to have a CPR face shield,
Yes
I would only go outside with a full hospital at least 5 minutes away
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Swiss Army Knife
My name is Bob and I’m a medical supply addict…
Duct tape