Making sure you got some first aid supplies is a cheap insurance for when the unexpected happens, because at some point there is an accident. Small or large, to ourselves, someone we travel with or a stranger.

First aid kit

A first aid kit can save lives, so make sure you either buy one or make your own and bring it along. Don’t leave it in camp or in the vehicle, bring it along. If its in your backpack, on your belt or in your pocket don’t matter. Sure it might be uncomfortable and take time to get used to but it is of no use if it ain’t with you at all times. You never plan to use it, it just happens. Be prepared.

A first aid kit in its most basic form is a small package with a sterile bandage that fits in a pocket. To ensure they are not contaminated the package should be either vacuumed or filled with air and sealed. That way as long as it retains its form its fine and you know it. A vacuumed first aid package that breaks is starting to let in air and grows in size, becoming soft. A package filled with air that breaks start to leak and can be compressed.

Now a sealing that breaks don’t mean it can’t be used, but you should be mindful of what you use it for. Once a seal breaks it means germs and dirt will start to accumulate within the bandage over time, with a risk of causing infections. But it will still stop a catastrophic bleeding or be useable to make a splint.

When leaving camp, make sure to check your first aid kit is in your pocket and inform everyone where it is so they know should you have an accident.

Some examples of what can be done with first aid when being outdoors is:

• Stop the bleeding from small or large wounds
• Keep open wounds protected from germs, dirt and insects
• Support a sprained ankle
• Fixate or support broken bones in fingers, arms and legs.

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Second aid kit

A second aid kit is a small bag with several bandages, some band-aids, a few packages of burn relief gel or band-aids, a small scissor, some plastic sheets, a roll of lace and a roll of tape. They usually have small pockets or space to fit some simple painkillers and other medications.

The second aid kit is what you would use to help others with, you don’t use your own first aid kit unless the other person don’t have one and your second aid kit is not within reach.

Also avoid having any advanced medical equipment in your second aid kit. Equipment that require batteries, sunlight or are generally fragile do not belong outdoors and will just probably break. Better use the money on other things instead.

A second aid kit should be in the top pocket of your backpack or whatever pocket is easiest to reach and open when standing on the ground. There is also bags that come with straps so they can be attached outside the backpack.

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Some examples of what can be done with first aid when being outdoors is:

• Stop the bleeding from small or large wounds
• Keep open wounds protected from germs, dirt and insects
• Support a sprained ankle
• Fixate or support broken bones in fingers, arms and legs.
• Treat burn wounds
• Treat shoe chafing
• Treat chafing