First Aid Kit

Last week we had a little accident at home.

My wife Gina was cutting vegetables with a sharp kitchen knife. Actually, she didn't only cut veggies but also the tip of her index finger.

Even it was just a minor wound, it was bleeding a lot. Gina called me for "rescue".

I checked the first aid kit we store in the bathroom for band aids. Unfortunately there wasn't the right size. So what to do? I rushed down in the basement where I store all my outdoor equipment in big plastic boxes. Of course my stuff includes a pretty decent first aid kit for our outdoor trips (I was volunteer with my black Lab "Bucky" at an Austrian search and rescue organization).

I knew there I would find the right size of band aids and I did. But then the surprise! The adhesive wasn't good anymore, just didn't want to stick on Gina's finger.

Actually it's normal that after a certain amount of time stuff gets bad. Even in a first aid kit. Thinking of the cold in the winter, the heat in the summer I'm not surprised.

So what's the "moral" of that story?

Go check your first aid kit on a regular basis. If you have medication in it, check the expiration date. Exchange it if necessary. Check if tapes or band aids are still good. Get new ones if they aren't.

We all know that most of the time we won't need the first aid kit on our trips. But when it happens - even if it's just a little cut on the index finger - it's good to be prepared.

Comments

Mount Everest Death Rate

The death rate on Mt Everest is still too high. According to the British Medical Journal, the death rate remains for many years at 1 death for every 10 successful attempts to climb the world’s highest mountain. Mount Everest is 8,848 meters or 29,029 feet high. An unofficial report states 15 deaths in 2006 season alone. Dr Andrew Sutherland, Oxford-based surgeon and Mt Everest expedition adviser said there should be a lot fewer deaths due to improved climbing gear, established routes and a better understanding of the need of acclimatisation. Sutherland, who climbed Everest this year from the northern side (Everestmax expedition), said most deaths are caused by injuries and exhaustion but a significant number of climbers die from altitude related illness. There are two major forms of altitude sicknesses, HAPE or high altitude pulmonary oedema and HACE or high altitude cerebral oedema. Both causes build up of fluid in lungs or brain and are potentially fatal. Andrew Sutherland ...

Cheap North Face Coats

I'm hunting for some good deals on cheap North Face coats. After digging around with different online stores, I ended up finding what I was looking for on sale over at Amazon . . The prices there seem to be excellent. The selection by far greater than expected. As an example, the woman's Denali Jacket - a popular soft shell - is a the time of this writing 31% (!) off. That's $112.99 instead of $ 164.95 . A good number of color options are available too. Here's a product description: The North Face Women's Denali Jacket No other fleece piece feels like The North Face Denali Jacket. The reasons are versatility and smart design. The Recycled 300-series Polartec® fleece fabric offers exceptional insulating warmth that easily works as a middle layer during winter skiing or as an outer layer while backpacking or camping in the summer. The North Face reinforced key abrasion areas along the elbows and shoulders so you don't have to worry about the frayed pi...

Seven Summits

Seven Summits –Seven Continents – Seven Months Swedish Adventurer Sets New Guinness World Record It’s unbelievable! It seems nowadays that each year sees a number of records and world records in the mountaineering and climbing scene. As you might suspect 2007 will be no exception with the latest feat of Swede Frederik Strang who climbed the Seven Summits in less than 7 months. From the hyped up challenge to the mountains itself, the history, the critique, Seven Summits draws much attention in the world of mountaineering and adventure. This article will explore some of the aspects of climbing the seven highest peaks on all seven continents. The Mission Fred had planned to climb the “Seven Summits” - the seven highest peaks on the world’s seven continents – in just seven months. He started his adventure in the spring climbing season of 2006 with Mt. Everest (8,848 m / 29,029 ft), it was his second time to summit the world’s highest mountain. Strang then raced from one continen...

Yellowstone Hiking

Yellowstone Hiking Image via Wikipedia Yellowstone National Park has over 1100 miles (1800 km) of blazed and mapped hiking trails. Some of them have been used for hundreds of years. Several of these Yellowstone hiking trails were the sites of historical events. Yellowstone hiking trails are known for various geysers, hot springs and other geothermal features. Hikers will have many opportunities for viewing bald eagles, ospreys, grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, Coyotes, Bighorn Sheep, pronghorn antelope and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. With fresh air in the lungs and boots on your feet hike along... Beaver Ponds One of Yellowstone's shorter loop trails then wanders through both meadows and forest. Black bears and Wild Flowers usually dominate the flora and fauna of this part of the world. Fairy Falls 197-foot Fairy Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Yellowstone, The longest and most scenic route starts at the Fountain Flat Drive barricade. Grebe ...

Hiking Safety Checklist

Hiking Safety A Safe Hike Is A Happy Hike by Forrest Treker Hiking Safety Checklist Having made my share of mistakes in the wilderness over the years, I have compiled a list of gotcha's that can be applied to any outdoor adventure. I urge you to print this out and store with your outdoor gear. Hiking can be a most rewarding distraction from the daily grind, but safety should NEVER be taken for granted! Click here for full "Hiking Safety" article.

Outdoor Sports Blog

Search This Blog