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FIRST AID KIT FOR TREKKING AND HIKING: CONTENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A first aid kit is a set of tools, materials and medications that, in an emergency, can help someone who has been injured or who suddenly isn’t feeling well. While in the mountains, first aid kits take on even more importance and value because, while hiking, we are exposed to more risks and we often find ourselves in isolated areas far from towns and the services they provide.To get more news about chitosan hemostatic dressing, you can visit rusuntacmed.com official website.

There are countless risks involved in hiking, especially when it comes to injuries and accidents. It’s easy to slip, fall or trip when walking on uneven paths or tackling steep ascents or descents, and rocks and trees aren’t exactly comfortable things to land on! Other risks are linked to environmental factors, such as landslides and avalanches, and even cold temperatures and the dark can be dangerous. Animals can also harm hikers and mountaineers, from small insects like ticks to larger mammals like wild boar. Last but not least, don’t underestimate the risk of getting lost—for more on that, we’ve written an article dedicated to GPS devices and apps designed especially for trekking (GPS for Hiking: what type to use and how).

Often the risks of hiking are ignored or downplayed. After all, it’s easy to think that nothing will go wrong. Yet it’s always a good idea to bring a first aid kit on every hike so that you’re prepared no matter what happens. It’s better to have a first aid kit and not use it than need a kit and not have one!
First aid kits: store-bought or DIY?
Once you’ve realised the importance of having a first aid kit with you, it’s best to see what types of emergency medical kits exist and which is the right one for you. First aid kits can be divided into two categories: store-bought and DIY.

Store-bought first aid kits can be found online or in specialty shops; they come in different sizes and contain everything required to meet essential medical needs. Basic first aid kits will include plasters, gauze dressings, bandages, tweezers and medical tape, while more comprehensive kits will contain other materials that are good to have in case of an emergency, such as scissors, cleansing wipes/antiseptic cream, a space blanket, and medicines. The advantage of a store-bought kit is the price, which is often quite affordable for a product that is ready to use and doesn’t need to be assembled by the buyer. However, the biggest drawback of this product is that it is composed of standard medical materials, which may not meet all the needs of hikers, or it may not be suitable for all the accidents and injuries that can happen when trekking. Usually, these kits can be used to treat cuts, scratches and mild pain.

One alternative is a do-it-yourself first aid kit, which you can create with the products you want, according to your needs and the type of excursion you’re planning. For example, you might decide to pack prescription drugs or medications you regularly take, or products that treat insect bites or stings, or even splints, cotton wool, gloves and plasters for blisters, creating a custom kit. This solution is surely preferable to a generic, store-bought kit as it will ensure that your emergency supplies are tailored to your requirements and cover a broader range of problems that can arise when trekking.

Whether you decide to buy a complete kit or assemble one of your own, there are products that are ‘absolute musts’ in any first aid kit for trekking and hiking. We’ll take a closer look at what they are in the following section.