Getting hurt. I can’t say it Jams my Cams, because its a part of the sport I have come to expect. Flappers, twisted ankles, ticks, sandpapered nipples from sliding out of a topout; you name it, I’ve done it. What really makes me happy (Unstucks My Nuts even!), is being prepared for it, and being able to help myself, and help others. How do I do it? With my handy dandy First Aid kit. What follows is what works for me, but just having the tools isn’t enough, you need to know how to use them. I highly recommend everyone take at least some level of First Aid training every few years – you don’t need to have a Wilderness First Responder card in your pocket, but most community colleges will offer a worthwhile course.
One other caveat before I get into the technical stuff – it’s very important to know the people you are climbing with, especially if you are far from home or far from help. I know it might seem obtrusive, but when I am going on a trip with someone new, especially a minor, I pull themparents aside and ask the big questions:
Do they have:
- Any food allergies
- Any allergies to medications
- Diabetesasthmabee-allergyetc.
- Bloodborne pathogens (You should ALWAYS wear gloves when dealing with someone else’s bodily fluids, regardless of the answer to this question)
- Other medical issues that could cause incapacitation (seizure conditions, etc)
I know it might seem obtrusive, but it beats the alternative. Onto the less heavy stuff.
First Aid kits! I call this my bouldering kit, because I’m not going to drag it up a wall. It takes up a little more spaceweight than a full Nalgene, and I use it a lot.
Lets start with an often overlooked part, the container itself. My two best kits have been unusual. I prefer a kit with discrete compartments, and that’s easy to locate things in. For that reason, I usually go with a make-up bag that folds open with clear compartments, or a travel toiletries bag. Examples here, here, and here. See what your local Goodwill has tucked in with the luggage and backpacks. Alternatively, buy a generic outdoors First Aid kit, and add the climber specific stuff you need. It pays to label the compartments with the contents to help you (or someone aiding you) find stuff that much faster.
Now that you have the bag, lets fill it. I’m going to order this list from what I consider the essentials to what are nice-to-haves. 90% of these can be bought at your local dollar store.
Essentials:
Tape – You better already have this in your chalk bag, but a spare roll never hurt anyone.
BandAids – Der. I like to get a variety of sizes: standard, fingertip, butterfly, and the big patch ones.
Gauze RollPads – Somethings are too big for a bandaid.
Anti-septic – Got to clean out scrapes! I get the dollar tree alcohol swabs, but nicer alternatives like BZK exist.
NeosporinAntibiotic Ointment – Good for packing cuts and putting on tips overnight.
Gloves – Seriously, don’t touch others blood if you can help it. I prefer non-latex options.
Climbing Specific:
Super Glue – Fixes shoes and skin
Elastic Wrap – Great for supporting twisted ankles short term. Make sure you pack safety pins with it – those little toothed clips that come with never work for me.
Emeryboards – Sand down calluses and nails to prevent tears
Nail Clippers – Gotta keep them short and neat
Cuticle Scissors – These are for cutting flappers, and usually included in the dollar store nail care kits that you should have gotten your clippers from.
Instant Ice Packs – shockingly, I’ve found these at the dollar store, and I go through about 3 a year, mostly for other people who twist ankles at comps.
Drugs:
ALWAYS ALWAYS LABEL SECONDARY DRUG CONTAINERS CLEARLY! BETTER YET, KEEP THEM IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING!
NSAIDs – Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. I personally prefer 200mg Ibuprofen.
Excedrin Migraine – A headache will ruin my day, so I am quicker to reach for these, but they are nice to have.
Anti-diarrheal – This is one you might not think of right away, but believe me, Imodium or similar can be a lifesaver if you’re out on a longer trip or camping.
ColdDayQuilNyQuil – Be very careful with these – many contain acetaminophen, and if you take them in conjunction with ExcedrinTylenol, you can exceed safe doses.
BenadrylAnti-histamine – For those of us so afflicted, these are lifesavers
Multi-purpose:
Duct-Tape – This can be used to support joints, fix gear, or hold your GoPro in just the right position
Tweezers – We all get splinters. Finding a good fine pointed pair for a reasonable price can be tough
Toilet Paper – after wiping myself with oak leaves for the umpteenth time, I added this to my bag. Get the biodegradeable stuff! Doubles as tissues in allergy season.
Heavy Artillery:
SAM Splint – These are malleable aluminum splints for when the really bad stuff happens.
Trauma Scissors – AKA Penny-cutters. Just don’t make a habit of cutting pennies or they might not work when the time comes.
EpiPenInhaleretc – If someone has a medical issue that may require this, they need to carry it, and make sure at least one other person in the group knows where it is, and how to administer it.
And there you have it. This kit won’t weigh much, and is easy to throw into your bag – preferably an outer pocket where its easy to get to. If you make and carry the kit for your crew, make sure they know where it is in case you are the one injured. It won’t solve all that ails you, but its a cheap way to provide peace of mind. As always, stay safe out there!
Justin Meserve likes to stay healthy on a budget, but we convinced him to stop “just rubbing chalk on it” long enough to write this article.
