Pulse Take it With You P
Paddlers who spend enough time on the water see injuries. Cuts and scratches are frequent while fortunately more serious injuries are rare, but do occur. Even the management of small injuries requires basic first aid materials. Hold up your first two fingers and repeat after me, “Be prepared!” If it weren’t for Boy Scout leaders and open boaters (is there a
difference?) you’d be hard pressed to find a first aid kit on the river. Off-the-shelf wilderness first aid kits are simply too cumber- some and get left behind. Designing a first aid kit for small group day trips in the river environment is a challenging task. However,
The Perfect First Aid Kit for Paddlers by Matt Cruchet
so is managing even the smallest of injuries without basic first aid materials.
The following kit contains most of the essential supplies for likely paddling emergencies of a one-day trip. The container is waterproof, durable and easily packed. The contents are chosen to reflect the unique challenge of first aid in an aquatic environ- ment. Every item has its purpose. In the words of British Lord Sir Robert Baden-Powell: "If a man cannot make his point to keen boys in ten minutes, he ought to be shot!"
Steri Strips Topical sutures. Used to close small lacertions.
Non-stick sterile gauze pads 2-2x3 pads. Cover wounds. Easier to remove than plain gauze.
Antibiotic ointment Offers limited antimicrobial action.
Antiseptic wipes (benzalkonium chloride or povodone iodine) safe antiseptic to clean a wound. Not alcohol-based.
Sterile cotton tip applicator
For eye injuries and wound cleaning.
1 In your PFD pocket
1 Tincture of iodine For disinfecting water. Toxic to live tissue. Do not use in open wounds!
2 Latex gloves Carried in a film canister to keep them dry.
3 Face shield
Many models available for rescue breathing.
4 Sunscreen
1 Elastoplast roll Cut-to-size bandages.
2 Spenco Tuff Knit Pliable and water resistant cov- ering dressing. Thinner than moleskin, the best way to deal with paddling thumb blisters.
3 Mole Skin Traditional staple. Protects from getting blisters.
4 Spenco Second Skin Aqueous based burn dressing. Great for cushioning nasty blis- ters. Best applied with Tuff Knit.
Matt Cruchet is owner/operator of the outdoor programs company Direct Bearing Inc.
22 //
www.rapidmag.com EMT shears
Scissors to cut almost anything (even pennies). Low profile handle so they fit in the opening. Good quality stainless steel.
Athletic tape 1” roll, good quality. Tape strains and sprains.
Tincture of benzoine Used to prep skin for adhesive tapes. Essential in a wet environment to make things stick.
1 Duct tape For when it really has to stick!
Accident report form “If it is not recorded, it didn’t happen.” DON’T FOR- GET TO BRING A PENCIL.
2 Lanyard 3 4
Nalgene bottle One litre fits all of it.
Cord to attach kit to boat. Tied to bottle-neck. Plastic loop on cap always breaks!
2 3 4
Abdominal pad Or some type of trauma pad for gross bleeding. Packed on top for easy access.
Cling wrap
Stretch gauze roll to secure dressing.
Tensor bandage Good for compression, holding a pressure bandage.
Biopore occlusive dressing Waterproof, breathable dressing. Choice method for protecting wounds in aquatic environments.
Sterile gauze pad 2-4x4 pads. Cover wounds.
Latex examination gloves
Extra pair in kit.
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