Accidents can happen in the wilderness
Injuries while recreating in the backcountry can be really anything. Hunters, hikers, and birdwatchers are share the same basic risk, while having some specialized higher risks based on what they are doing.
Hunters are off-trail hikers with some kind of firearm or stringed weapon. Birdwatchers are hunters whose weapon of choice is binoculars and a guidebook. Mountain bikers are hikers on two wheels. Whatever your activity, the probability of getting injured in the field is roughly the same as if you are at your home or in an urban area. The consequence of that injury is potentially much worse.
Take hunting, for example. Generally, hunters are cautious, and hunting is an enjoyable hobby. Accidents caused by things (other than guns) are rarely reported unless the injury requires an evacuation or a trip to a hospital.
If you are moving through difficult terrain, carrying a firearm, or something sharp like a razor-tipped arrow, there are some risks to the person. Most accidents are minor, although sometimes serious injuries can occur in traumatic circumstances.
You could fall from a tree stand or be attacked by a mountain lion. You could receive a gunshot wound. Many hunters end up with small injuries from things like splinters or scrapes. Hunters can be easily cut on razor tips on arrows or a hunting knife. Cutting your finger on a razor tipped arrow in your garage is not as big a deal as cutting that same finger in the field--there is a much greater likelihood of infection in the field.
What first aid kit do you carry?
Most people recreating in the outdoors do not carry an adequate first aid kit and are not able to manage even simple injuries. Since we, at RISE, are lovers of the outdoors, we thought it was important to create a "field" first aid kit that would allow us to provide first aid while we are out enjoying nature.
Introducing the RISE Field First Aid Kit
We recognize that the best approach to a first aid kit is to tailor it to the needs of the people that will be using it. Many first aid kits on the market have items that don't make sense. They include tons of band-aids or tactical equipment for specific scenarios requiring advanced training.
Our approach to a field first aid kit is to support the concepts of wilderness first aid--providing the essentials, you need to stabilize an injury long enough to get to advanced medical care. You should also consider enrolling in a wilderness first aid course to best learn how to use this stuff. A quality training course will prepare you for an emergency and the benefits can save a life.
Since some of the best areas to recreate are out of cell service range, you should be prepared with an alternate way to contact help (not provided in our kit).
What is in the RISE Field First Aid Kit?
Our field first aid kit is based on the concepts found in wilderness first aid. It is beyond a basic kit because the first aid needed while hunting needs to manage a wider set of injuries. In addition to boo-boo kits, our well-stocked kit will give you the ability to stop bleeding, patch chest wounds, and keep injured patients warm with a space blanket. You will be able to splint unstable joints with an aluminum splint, elastic bandages, and cravats.
Making a first aid kit light and complete...
We know pack weight is important, and we have worked hard to create a kit that is both complete and lightweight. We want this to be gear you always carry in your pack!
Life-Threatening Injuries
- (1) CAT Tourniquet, orange
- (2) Compressed Gauze
- (2) Chest Seals
- (1) Trauma Shears
- (1) CPR Mask
Our main concerns with life-threatening injuries for a field first aid kit are stopping bleeding and protecting the ability to breathe. For that, we include a tourniquet, pressure dressing, compressed gauze, and chest seals. Trauma shears are useful for exposing injuries.
We don't include a hemostatic agent to keep costs down and because it only has one use. Since one goal was to keep weight down, we selected components that could be used for multiple emergencies.
While taking a CPR class is great for urban areas, the ability to perform CPR is not really a useful skill for backcountry hunters. CPR stabilizes people long enough for paramedics to arrive with cardiac drugs, electricity, and fast transport to a hospital. In wilderness first aid, CPR is really only viable for people in cardiac arrest from lightning or submersion (both things that can happen while hunting or hiking). We do include a CPR mask in case you do need to provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Splinting
- (2) Aluminum Splint, 36-inch
- (2) Elastic Bandage, 4-inch
- (4) Cravats, Small
- (2) Coban Roll
- (2) Space Blanket
We include two 36-inch aluminum splints (commonly called a SAM Splint based on a commercial brand). You can effectively stabilize an injury to the knee, ankle, elbow, or wrist with two splints. The elastic bandages and cravats (triangular bandages) are the supplies used to anchor the splinting materials.
Cravats are also handy for making a sling and swathe, which is a great way to support an unstable shoulder.
Wound Management
- (1) 60 cc Irrigation Syringe
- (1) Tweezers
- (1) Forceps
- (1) Toothbrush
In wilderness first aid, we are very concerned with infection, so we include items to help you clean and protect wounds. The following antiseptics and bandages should be used after cleaning a wound with lots of clean water.
Antiseptics
- (3) PVP Prep Pads
- (3) Antibiotic Ointment
- (3) Alcohol Prep Pads
- (3) First Aid Burn Cream
- (3) Hydrocortisone Cream
- (3) Antiseptic Wipes
Boo-Boos and Bandages
- (1) Moleskin 2"x5"
- (1) Duct Tape Roll
- (2) gauze pads 2 x 2
- (2) gauze pads 3 x 3
- (2) gauze pads 4 x 4
- (2) non-adhering pads 2x3
- (2) abdominal pads
- (1) adhesive tape
- (2) oval eye pads
- (16) 1x3 cloth bandages
- (3) patch bandage
- (3) knuckle bandages
- (3) fingertip band-aids
- (10) butterflies (small)
- (10) butterflies (large)
- (3) spot band-aids
- (5) junior band-aids
Just like a regular first aid kit, we include white fluffy stuff for minor injuries. You can dress and bandage most common wounds with the included items, and this will likely be the most popular part of your kit.
OTC Medications
- (2) Non-aspirin packets
- (2) Ibuprofen packets
- (2) Antacid packets
- (2) Pain relief packets
- (2) Antihistamine packets
- (2) Sinus Med packets
We include some common over-the-counter medications in single service packages because you never know when you might need them. Please inspect the medications and remove any that you might have an allergy to--and obviously consult your physician with any questions or concerns.
As a side note, you should always carry medications in the original packaging (including prescription medications), especially if they will be out of your control (like flying somewhere).
Try our first aid kit today!
While it won't prevent infectious disease, the RISE Field First Aid Kit will help keep you safer in the backcountry. Hopefully, you will never have to use any of the components on your hunt. Better to have the ability to save a life, though, especially in the wilderness.