First Aid and Emergency Kit

This page describes first aid equipment and other emergency-related gear.

First Aid Kit

A small waterproof personal First Aid kit for treating injuries and ailments. Suggested contents:

• 1 Crepe Elasticated Bandage 10cms wide × 4.5m, for support of joint and bandaging wounds.
• 1 Wound Dressing. Pad with bandage attached, pad size 13cm × 9cm minimum, for controlling bleeding in large wound.
• 1 Pack Waterproof Adhesive Plasters. Assorted sizes for minor cuts and grazes, including two plasters large enough for elbow / knee and 2 large H-shaped for heel.
• 1 Triangular Bandage for sling, head bandage, as pad for control of bleeding or cold compress.
• 2 Bandage Clips. Elastic / metal clips for securing bandages or for closing gaping wound.
• 4 Antiseptic Wipe Sachets. (Non alcohol) to clean dirty grazes.
• 1 Packet Chiropody Felt (moleskin) for blisters and "hot spots".
• 1 Pair Scissors to cut clothing etc. if required.
• 1 Pair Tweezers (oblique tipped) to remove splinters, thorns, stings, ticks etc.
• 1 Small Tube TCP / Savlon Ointment for bites, stings, cuts etc and to smother ticks.
• 1 Small Packet Toilet Paper for hygiene and comfort if "caught short".

Seek doctor's or pharmacists' advice before including the following:

• Ibuprofen Tablets to relieve pain; head, tooth, back or muscular.
• Aspirin Tablets for pain / inflammation and for suspected heart attack (check for allergy).
• Aconite Tablets (homeopathic) for shock, fear and panic. Has good psychological effect.
• Arnica Tablets (homeopathic) for bruising - give as soon as possible after injury.

Take a look through the First Aid manual to find out what to do with all these bits and pieces!

Whistle

Plastic, emergency use only. Keep on neck cord with compass. If help needed give SIX short blasts repeated at one minute intervals - but any whistle blastsor shouts in hills may be emergency. Answering signal when responding to emergency is THREE short whistle blasts repeated at one minute intervals.

Message Kit

Sealable plastic waterproof bag containing label or card and pencil to print emergency message when sending for help. Message must include:

• Nature of incident
• Exact location of incident (6 figure reference and brief description)
• Number of casualties
• Details of injuries
• Time incident occurred

Bivvy Bag

Brightly coloured, heavy guage polythene bad approximately 175cm × 90cm to be used as weather cocoon against wind and rain. Remember, it is not, by itself, a guaranteed "last resort" survival bag, especially in winter. Aluminium foil blankets and bags are not so effective and are more easily torn. In winter it may be useful to include a sleeping bag for use inside the bivvy bag.

Confidence Rope

20-25 metres of light line 6-8mm diameter will provide valuable confidence when climbing up or down or crossing an awkward spot.

Skin Protection Pack

High factor sun block cream, lip salve for sun and wind burn. Anti-midge cream / spray or citronella aromatherapy oil. Face net as last resort!

This information is provided courtesy of Ian Roy, first aid leturer extraordinaire.