First-Aid and Repair Kit
- Category Price Weight
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Pill Case
$0.00
0.04 lb
-
Drugs
$0.00
0.05 lb
-
Blood and Injury Related
$0.00
0.16 lb
-
Other Mechanical things
$0.00
0.07 lb
-
Repair Kit
$0.00
0.01 lb
I have over 16,000 miles of backpacking under my belt, and have largely settled on a first aid kit and repair that is effective for multi-month trips, and an acceptable weight (my base weight is around 8.5 lbs). I've used every component of this kit, with the exception of the bleed stop (no major bleeding out for me!), to largely keep hiking and to stay on trail. The only time I've been forced to get off trail because my FAK has been inadequate is when I got giardia.
For shorter trips, I cut down on (or just don't restock) the quantity of pills I'm carrying (just won't need all the NSAIDs or acetazolamide).
Most frequently used items: tape (for blisters), naproxen (for throbbing soreness), sewing kit (blisters w. lighter, gear repair), aspirin (soreness, minor aches), ace bandage (various), acetazolamide (altitude)
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Pill Case
Price Weight qty -
Pill case
Small B12 Vitamin Bottle. Added some teflon tape to screw top to increase water resistance
$0.00
17
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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-
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Drugs
Price Weight qty -
Naproxen
12x - lasts longer than ibuprofen. I personally find it does a better job at preventing throbbing pain and aiding muscle recovery than ibuprofen.
$0.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Acetazolamide (Diamox)
4x - only thing that treats altitude sickness. Also very effective if taken the day before going to high altitudes. Crazily under-represented in FAKs.
$0.00
2
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Aspirin
6x - Heart attack prevention, decent analgesic effect when crushed for wounds, general NSAID, blood thinner.
$0.00
2.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Ibuprofen
6x -NSAID. Used more for acute pain, and non-altitude headaches, and less for throbbing pain/swelling.
$0.00
2.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Benedryl (Deiphenhydramine)
12x - Treating allergic reactions. Nasal decongestant. Sleep aid (although current research links use to Alzheimer's, so I'd avoid unless really necessary). Sudafed can pair with benadryl to help cut drowsiness
$0.00
2
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Sudafed
3x- 12hr Sudafed (actual pseudoephedron. Get from pharmacist directly). Primary use as a stimulant, significantly more effective than caffeine. It's also a nasal decongest that can relieve most flu-like symptoms.
$0.00
1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Pepto Bismol
4x tablets - treats diarrhea and constipation. Could change to imodium
$0.00
6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Blood and Injury Related
Price Weight qty -
Super Glue
1x Mini tube. Larger, non minor scrapes or lacerations I've found are better treated with super glue and then tape, rather than to add bandaids or butterfly strips. Also doubles for gear repair
$0.00
2
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Ace Bandage
1x - wrap minor sprains, and to help stabilize knees and ankles.
$0.00
46
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Electrical Tape
1x mini roll. my preffered tape for taping blisters, at this point.
$0.00
10
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Bleedstop
1x - it will stop pretty serious bleeding -- like, serious bleeding.
$0.00
15
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Other Mechanical things
Price Weight qty -
Tweezers
removes splinters/cactus needles. Useful for fetching other things out of my FAK. Helps with tiks, I guess?
$0.00
7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Nail Clippers
mostly used to cut tape, packages, and... to cut/file nails. Can help open my bear boxer bear can. Have also used to cut some paper clips and other odds and ends for repairs. My TSA suitable alternative to a pocket knife.
$0.00
14
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Ear Plugs
Foam. when you need them, they're great
$0.00
1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Lighter
1x BIC Mini
$0.00
10
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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-
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Repair Kit
Price Weight qty -
Cuben (Dyneema) Tape
good for holes in gear (e.g. puffy, tarp, bag, pack, etc.)
$0.00
2
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Mini Sewing Kit
I've sewn so much shit on trail. I also have used the needle to lance blisters. Such a frequently used item.
$0.00
1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Safety Pins
primary use has been for lancing blisters. Also have used to hold tent zippers together, sun glasses together, and other minor repairs before I can sew that shit.
$0.00
1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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Aquatabs
8x - when your filter breaks, it's shitty not having a backup
$0.00
2
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
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