While most leaders will be carrying a first aid kit, each hiker should take responsibility for his/her own personal medical needs, such as asthma, diabetes, knee or ankle problems and sunburn. An effective first aid kit should be compiled considering the medical emergencies with which hikers and backpackers may be faced. Excessive bleeding, respiratory arrest and shock are the three most serious physical problems that may be encountered and require immediate ‘on site’ action. Other medical problems that may be experienced are:
 

• Bites and stings – snakes, insects and ticks

• Blisters

• Bruises

• Burns

• Diarrhoea

• Dislocation

• Exhaustion

• Hypothermia

• Muscle cramps

• Nose bleeds

• Pan sprains

FIRST AID KIT

​

• The following is a guideline, as to what a first aid kit should contain. It is recommended that all kits are in a clean, waterproof container to keep the contents safe.

Hardware

​

• Small pair of sharp scissors
  2 scalpel blades
  1 small torch (Maglite)
  Tweezers
  Safety pins
  Respi-aid
   

Software

​

• Triangular bandage
  2 x 50mm crepe bandages
  2 x 100mm crepe bandages
  1 x 75mm elastoplast roll
  2 x 5 sterile gauze squares
  1 space blanket
  2 pairs examination gloves
  1 packet cotton wool balls
  Eye bath, eye pad/dressing
  1 x 25mm roll of zinc oxide or elastoplast
  20 x sealed individual plasters
  Steri-strips, wound closure – used if patient requires stitches!
  Wound dressings – non adhesive sterile (Telfa) dressing
  Adhesive wound dressings (Primapore)
  Plastic wound dressings (Tegaderm)
  Burn shield
  Very narrow gauze (ribbon gauze) for nose plugging
  1 small and 1 large zip lock bag for contaminated articles
   

Medication

​

• Antihistamine cream – Anthisan, Phenergan or Stopitch
  Antihistamine tablets – Allergix x 10
  Antacid tablets – Maalox or equivalent x 10
  Antidiarrhoeal tablets – Immodium x 20
  Anti-emetic suppositories – Valoid x 5
  Anti-inflammatory cream – Voltaren or Reparil gel or equivalent
  Anti-inflammatory tablets – Voltaren, Brufen, Norflam T
  Antiseptic cream – Betadine, Savlon
  Antiseptic solution – sachets – Betadine, Savlon
  Ear drops – antiseptic/analgesic – Aurone
  Eye drops – Voltaren and Sulphacetarmide ointment
  Isotonic drink – Rehydrate or equivalent x 5
  Nose drops – pseudoephadrine (very handy to use for a nose bleed if plugging is necessary)
  Painkillers – Panado, Disprin, Norfex Co.
  Water purification tablets x 50
  Sterile water/saline – small vaculitre or 20ml plastic ampoules
  TNT spray may also be added for angina pain (heart).
  
  This is a relatively large first aid kit. A good way to carry all of the items on a backpack, would be to divide it into two or three where the leader and one or two experienced hikers would each carry a part thereof. Obviously it depends on the length of hike and the nearest to medical treatment.
   

Acknowledgements:

​

• Dr. Arthur Morgan of the MCSA rescue team Hiking Trails of South Africa by Willie and Sandra Olivier

​

​