First Aid Kits

Scouts should make their own personal first aid kit and have it ready for an emergency. A personal first aid kit should be lightweight, compact and in a waterproof container and come with Scouts to every troop night, camp and tramp. It should be easy to get at when it is required .

Individual First Aid Kit

Each individual should carry, on their person, the following items in a waterproof container, recommends The Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft Manual 2020,
 

  • Cohesive bandage (100 mm)

  • Sterile triangular cloth bandage

  • Plastic dressing strips (plasters) (6–10)

  • Plaster strip (200 mm)

  • Non-adherent sterile dressings (2 or 3 of various sizes)

  • Gauze dressings (2 or 3)

  • Sticky tape (1 roll)

  • Safety pins

  • Scissors

  • Pain relief (e.g. aspirin, paracetamol or Nurofen®)

  • Burn gel sachet

  • Sunscreen, lip balm and insect repellent

  • Tweezers or splinter probes

  • Disposable CPR face shield

  • Notebook

  • Pencil

  • Non-alcohol wipes

  • Personal medication

If you are going on a long trip or to a very isolated place, you may decide to carry a more comprehensive first aid kit, although you do need to keep your pack weight down. Discuss your requirements with a chemist or first aid instructor.

Group First Aid Kit

You need one one kit like this for a group of four to six people (quantities in brackets), recommends The Mountain Safety Council Bushcraft Manual 2020, This is to be carried in addition to individual kits.

  • Non-alcohol wipes (10)

  • Betadine® for grazes (check for allergy first)

  • Crepe bandage (100 mm)

  • Cohesive bandage (75 mm)

  • Sterile triangular cloth bandages (2)

  • Pain relief (e.g. aspirin, paracetamol or Nurofen®)

  • Plastic dressing strips (plasters) (10–12)

  • Plaster strip (200 mm)

  • Non-adherent sterile dressings (4 large)

  • Gauze dressings (6)

  • Combined wound dressing (BCP size 14 and 15)

  • Burn gel sachets (4) Disposable CPR face shield

  • Strapping tape (1 m roll)

  • Butterfly closures (1 pouch)

  • Scissors

  • Disposable gloves

  • Tweezers or splinter probes

  • Low-reading clinical thermometer

  • Saline (30 mL)

  • Antihistamine cream

  • Diarrhoea prevention (optional) (e.g. Diastop or Imodium®)

  • Electrolyte sachets (4) (for replacing salts lost from diarrhoea or vomiting)

  • Chemical cooling/warming packs

  • Fine, strong thread for removing rings from fingers

  • Safety pins

  • Needle and thread

  • Notebook

  • Pencil