Your First Aid Kit SUCKS // This One is Better

NOTE: I mentioned baby aspirin but the aspirin I carry is actually regular strength (325mg). Baby aspirin is sometimes used as a preventative treatment for some people. I also highly recommend taking a first aid course.

When I took Wilderness First Aid, the instructor recommended not packing a commercial irrigation syringe. His advice was to pack a small ziplock. If you need to irrigate a wound, fill it with water, and use a safety pin or needle (which you should have in the kit anyway), to poke a hole in a corner. It works just as well, and takes up way less space. Steri-strip, or butterfly bandage is a must. Another hiker fell and broke his glasses. The frame snapped at the bridge and made a small cut between his eyes that bled like crazy. Nothing else would have worked to patch him up for the two mile hike back to his car. Fortunately, he had spare glasses in the car to drive home. If you carry a Sawyer filter, a spare O ring is a great addition to the repair kit.

I rolled an ankle on a steep hike, about 2 miles from the trailhead on my way down the mountain. My ankle didn't roll inward like it had in the past; it rolled outward, causing me to instantly collapse right on top of it, making it worse. At least I got all my swearing done for the year that day. Now I consider my trekking poles a first aid device.

“This is my drug bag”

I have to say I really appreciate this. Most YouTube backpacking channels really downplay the need for a proper first aid kit. But for the amount of times I have reached for mine it is totally worth the small weight.

I’ve got most of this stuff in my kit, but I’m going to organize it better. You are without a doubt the most organized person I’ve ever known. Thanks for this content.

That is a pretty solid kit. I love the ferro rod idea, since I usually ditch the toothpick because it's utterly useless. For fire starters, I keep a couple of cotton balls soaked in vaseline. They work pretty well in a pinch.

Love love love this video! And I am just about to upgrade my first aid kit, so thank you! Something for bad sun burns could be also very helpful.

Appreciate the thought that went into this video. Definitely not just a "look what's in my first aid kit" video. Nice job

Well done Lad, you got the basics covered. Keep up the safety first approach

You seriously have the best YouTube Channel out there. Like, overall. Awesome informative stuff!

Awesome video! I definitely agree with making your own first aid kit. I like the way you’ve organized and labeled yours! Thanks for sharing!

Love that Dyneema first aid pouch! Great video Justin. I've just finished putting my first aid kit together, but now I'm going to include that Swiss Army knife and fire starter you have. That is genius! Thank Mate.

Hello Justin, thank you sharing this very informative video. I really enjoyed it. All the best to you in the outdoors. 🤗

Some great ideas! We don’t do a lot of hiking, so keep our first aid stuff in a metal ammo box, but I think we’ll supplement some of the things now. Great video.

I'm 58, live in Brazil, and have just started backpacking. Thank you so much for your talk! It inspired me to continue practicing and exploring new trails! I was afraid I was too old and actually a little bit discouraged.

I have been an ER nurse and first aid kit lover for 40 years and I have never heard of leukotape. What a cool product! Thanks

Justin: your videos are super helpful. This one is especially good! Thank you!

That mini firesteel in the Victorinox is awesome! Would love to have one.

That mini flint is something cool beyond words. Definitely going to run that setup.