Backpacking First Aid (What To Carry + Foot Care, Snakes, Poison Plants, Hypothermia, etc)
video description
1. What most people don't realize is that clean water and soap will kill most bacteria and then you can apply any topical antibiotic and a dressing.
2. Snakes: They can feel your vibrations before you even know they are there. If you give the chance, the snake will crawl away. Those funky snake bite kits sold at sporting good stores are worthless. Fangs are curved and where you make the cut is not necessarily where the venom is deposited. AND DON'T APPLY pressure dressing or tourniquet as you stated. People have done more harm by doing crazy stuff than just taking the person to the nearest ED.
WHICH IS THE MOST DANGEROUS SNAKE: The one that bit you.
3. Cuts: Great advice: First, use clean water and soap to clean the wound. Simple cuts will heal fine. You can use the butterfly strips to approximate the wound edges. Using Benzoin on each side of the cut will help them stick better.
Superglue: Excellent but again clean the wound but make sure the cut has stopped bleeding or it won't work. Bring the edges together and voila! The area has to be dry. BTW, the medical superglue used in medical centers is expensive. You will be charged 100+ just for the tube. Caveat: Knarly, dirty cuts with jagged edges, long, or missing tissue is a whole different problem. Keep it clean, cover it and see a doctor when you get out of the wilderness.
Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 9
Philip
I have about 40 years of experience with blisters. On a long ski trip I'll get them on my hands. My first hand experience is: a- get polypropylene or silk socks (this might not be viable on a through hike); b- put on moleskin (or other) on your most susceptible areas before heading out; c- put on moleskin (or other) sooner then later; d- compeed is a miracle, an expensive miracle though; e- blisters heal a lot faster if you don't pop them. I learned this last one by comparing healing times on blisters on both heals, one popped, one not. I only recommend popping for comfort. Some times the blister lump is causing the blister to stretch and painfully pull at the skin around the blister.
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I have about 40 years of experience with blisters. On a long ski trip I'll get them on my hands. My first hand experience is: a- get polypropylene or silk socks (this might not be viable on a through hike); b- put on moleskin (or other) on your most susceptible areas before heading out; c- put on moleskin (or other) sooner then later; d- compeed is a miracle, an expensive miracle though; e- blisters heal a lot faster if you don't pop them. I learned this last one by comparing healing times on blisters on both heals, one popped, one not. I only recommend popping for comfort. Some times the blister lump is causing the blister to stretch and painfully pull at the skin around the blister.
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Starla
I love ur videos its my dream to hike the at with my son (now 10) before he turns 18 its harder for me to get out i have a special needs/disabled baby and no care help when dad is working so plan would be to have him stay home and work and send money periodically but have to find care for my baby. My question is how could i prepare my body for a hike like this without being able to actually go out and hike (like home workouts something like that) also what would be the best time to start the hike and plan to go all the way as far as temp and weather
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I love ur videos its my dream to hike the at with my son (now 10) before he turns 18 its harder for me to get out i have a special needs/disabled baby and no care help when dad is working so plan would be to have him stay home and work and send money periodically but have to find care for my baby. My question is how could i prepare my body for a hike like this without being able to actually go out and hike (like home workouts something like that) also what would be the best time to start the hike and plan to go all the way as far as temp and weather
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Bonnie
I keep my first aid kit simple. As you said you can't take everything. I usually take band aidsTylenol Pepto anti histamine Neosporin and hydro cortisone. The square individual. packets are great for hiking. They are single use and lighter than a whole tube of cream.
My husband had a slight accident one year shaving some wood for kindling for a fire. He cut the top of his thumb off. So I added a packet of blood clotting agent and gauze to the kit.
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I keep my first aid kit simple. As you said you can't take everything. I usually take band aidsTylenol Pepto anti histamine Neosporin and hydro cortisone. The square individual. packets are great for hiking. They are single use and lighter than a whole tube of cream.
My husband had a slight accident one year shaving some wood for kindling for a fire. He cut the top of his thumb off. So I added a packet of blood clotting agent and gauze to the kit.
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Jeff
For chafing, I've been using a powder called AntiMonkeyButt Initially I bought it cause of the name and the funny monkey on the label lol but lemme tell ya, its a damn miracle product! I was a landscaper before getting into hiking, and this stuff eliminated all chafing and healed any chafing I got within a day. I'm not affiliated nor do I make any profit off it, It's just an absolutely amazing product. I will never NOT have it in my pack: )
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For chafing, I've been using a powder called AntiMonkeyButt Initially I bought it cause of the name and the funny monkey on the label lol but lemme tell ya, its a damn miracle product! I was a landscaper before getting into hiking, and this stuff eliminated all chafing and healed any chafing I got within a day. I'm not affiliated nor do I make any profit off it, It's just an absolutely amazing product. I will never NOT have it in my pack: )
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Karen
My kit is completely different.
For blisters and splinters: #10 scalpel blade. A straight blade with a fine point.
For sprains and to hold bandages in place: Elastic Coban, sport wrap, vet wrap or similar.
For stings and bites: Ammonia pen and Sawyer extractor.
An assortment of CLOTH Band-Aids, including fingertip and knuckle. A tube of super glue.
Saline eye wash.
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My kit is completely different.
For blisters and splinters: #10 scalpel blade. A straight blade with a fine point.
For sprains and to hold bandages in place: Elastic Coban, sport wrap, vet wrap or similar.
For stings and bites: Ammonia pen and Sawyer extractor.
An assortment of CLOTH Band-Aids, including fingertip and knuckle. A tube of super glue.
Saline eye wash.
reply
michael
i'm not sure about your snakebite advice, you'd definitely die if you followed that advice here in australia. we don't wash the bite, apply a pressure bandage immediately and don't move. nobody that has used that technique and sought medical attention has died. even with the most venomous snakes in the world that would otherwise kill you within the hour or hours.
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i'm not sure about your snakebite advice, you'd definitely die if you followed that advice here in australia. we don't wash the bite, apply a pressure bandage immediately and don't move. nobody that has used that technique and sought medical attention has died. even with the most venomous snakes in the world that would otherwise kill you within the hour or hours.
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TRAUMA
Good advice. I've actually had both heat stroke and mild hypothermia. I would recommend any hiker take a NOLS wilderness first-aid course at a bare minimum before going on a long trek. Also, a mixture of ibuprofen and tylenol (600mg-500mg) is an excellent pain reliever. Especially if you experience something like a toothache on the trail.
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Good advice. I've actually had both heat stroke and mild hypothermia. I would recommend any hiker take a NOLS wilderness first-aid course at a bare minimum before going on a long trek. Also, a mixture of ibuprofen and tylenol (600mg-500mg) is an excellent pain reliever. Especially if you experience something like a toothache on the trail.
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Scott
Snake bites are only ever fatal if you are moving. 99% of the time. This is from and Australian Ambulance Officer (me: ) We have LOOTS of dangerous snakes!
Do not move and you'll be fine. as soon as you start moving your lymphatics will also start moving the venom. the venom will not move if you do not move. fullstop.
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Snake bites are only ever fatal if you are moving. 99% of the time. This is from and Australian Ambulance Officer (me: ) We have LOOTS of dangerous snakes!
Do not move and you'll be fine. as soon as you start moving your lymphatics will also start moving the venom. the venom will not move if you do not move. fullstop.
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The
If anyone gets the chance, take a legit 4 day wilderness first aid class. WMA or NOLS (Solo is ok too, I guess. Getting this stuff in a structured learning environment is very useful. If you're a group lead, take WiIlderness First Responder. Do the ten day, not the 5 day hybrids. Take my word for that.
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If anyone gets the chance, take a legit 4 day wilderness first aid class. WMA or NOLS (Solo is ok too, I guess. Getting this stuff in a structured learning environment is very useful. If you're a group lead, take WiIlderness First Responder. Do the ten day, not the 5 day hybrids. Take my word for that.
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