Expedition medicine

[hoppinmad]

Hi All,
Found this usefull online manual, which may be of use to members of the forum
Royal Geographical Society Expedition Medicine
http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Publications/EAC+publications/Expedition+medicine/Expedition+Medicine.htm

follow the links on the left, some of it may be a bit dated but it is especially good on pre-planning and hazard avoidance.

Regards
Stu

[Martin]

Thanks for the heads up Stu :)

Martin

[Fletching]

This is a re-post of a previous thread that I did a couple of months ago. I didn't know how to post images at the time but now I do and have added the correct images:

I thought I'd expand this one into a discussion about first aid kits, as I couldn't find a specific post for this (maybe I didn't look hard enough!). I have three kits in different sizes. The contents vary according to type/duration of trip, but the basics for cuts, burns etc are always present. The larger 'expedition' kit was put together with the help of a GP friend of mine. Where possible and practical, I always try to keep dosage instructions/side effects info when discarding boxes and write expiration dates on the backs (if not already there). It pays to check your kits before every trip.

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1. Expedition Kit - shown in extended trip/solo wilderness mode for (e.g.) Canada/Norway
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http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5289054534_43fc74da59_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5288452397_a4494ff53f_b.jpg

Contents (clockwise):
Antihistamine tablets for allergies/stings/bites
Heartburn tablets
Fabric plaster strip
Lansoprazole (personal meds for acid reflux - you probably have your own med needs)
Burn dressings and liquid
Water purification tablets (and neutralisers)
Vaseline (aloe vera) - can also be used for fire lighting with cotton balls
Eye wash for irritated/gritted eyes
Fabric and waterproof tape rolls
Large wound pad
Sterilisation pouch (in case someone loses a finger, you can save it in this)
Sterile gloves
Sterilisation wipes
Plasters
Bandages
Compeed
A razor blade
Cotton balls
Tweezers for splinters etc.
Sewing kit and scissors (first aid training definitely needed for sutures!)
Germoline
Diclofenac sodium (high strength painkillers)
regular paracetamol
Lemsip flu capsules
Rehydration / Electrolyte powders
immodium for, er, the ****s!
*** Not shown here are:
A resuscitator mask
Prontosan - highly recommended for serious 'axe-type' injuries (http://www.prontosan.co.uk/)

I know there's probably overkill here, I wouldn't carry all this for a UK camp but for solo wilderness (or one kit per team), you've got most things covered, and this is still quite compact considering the contents.

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2. Bug-Out Bag Kit - general camp mode
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http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5289054374_ee2d3913dd_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5289054418_7af0fdfe3a_b.jpg

Contents (clockwise):
Cotton buds
Mini Compeeds
Tweezers
Burn dressings
Micropore tape
Liquid plaster
Wound pad and plasters
Water purification tabs (again)
Safety pins
Bandage
Scissors
A condom (use to carry water too)
Antiseptic/anesthetic cream

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3. Emergency (72 hour) Pouch Kit
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http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5288452181_757bbaccb0_m.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5289054148_11917d92ed_b.jpg

Contents (clockwise):
Water purification tabs (again, again!)
Neurofen
Plasters
Compeed
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I hope I've given some idea of what to include, but your kit will depend on your own trip.

Hope this helps.

Steve

*** Mods - can we please remove the old post as there was no edit button so I had to re-post this. Thanks.

[Marvell]

If anyone (who already know their first aid) is considering a course, I highly recommend Wilderness Medical Training (http://wildernessmedicaltraining.co.uk/). Top notch people running it, top course and a decent book supplied.

They too recommend the Oxford Handbook of Expedition Medicine.

I have a pretty extensive kit for work, it is similar to your larger one with more dressings and burn kit (most common injuries in context) as well as a tourniquet and a pressure dressing and a few other bits and bobs.

Maybe a first aid kit thread is in order.