II. Preparations: Protective equipment
- Mouth to mouth Resuscitation mask (e.g. Microshield)
- Non-sterile examination gloves
- Eye shield or glasses
III. Preparations: Wounds
- Individual antiseptic towelettes or hand sanitizer
- Bacitracin
- Elastic bandages in assorted sizes (band-aids)
- Non-adherent bandage (e.g. Telfa)
- Gauze (4x4)
- Elastic bandage (ACE Wrap)
- Roller gauze (e.g. Kerlix or Kling)
- Skin Glue (Tissue Adhesive)
- Simple Suture kit (with 3-0 or 4-0 Nonabsorbable Suture)
- Adhesive tape
- SAM Splints
- Blister kits (second skin or mole skin)
- Israeli Bandages (elastic wrap with impregnated coagulant) or similar
- CAT-Tourniquet (multiple)
IV. Preparations: Other Trauma Items (Consider carrying in car)
- See wounds as above
- Cervical Collar (or Towel roll with tape)
-
Nasal Airways or trumpets (adult and pediatric)
- Advanced Airway devices are of low yield in underresourced areas
V. Preparations: Medications
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Ibuprofen (Motrin)
- Hydrocortisone 1%
- Clotrimazole 1%
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Epinephrine self injectable pen (epi-pen or Anakit)
- Glucose tablets
- Ondansetron (Zofran)
- Consider Antibiotics for extended trips (Doxycycline, Cephalexin, Azithromycin)
VI. Preparations: Tools
- Bandage scissors
- Trauma Shears (e.g. Foldable Leatherman "Raptor")
- Forceps (tweezers or Pick-ups)
- Gallon zip lock bags
- Safety pins
- Scalpel
- Duct Tape
VII. Preparations: Home Disaster Preparedness
- Hand sanitizer and soap
- Emergency Food is often overstocked
- Contrast with water which is often understocked
- Water purification
- See Prevention of Waterborne Illness
- Water filters (e.g. lifestraw)
- Chemical purification (e.g. Iodine tablets, unscented bleach)
- Boiling Water (requires fuel)
VIII. References
- Knight and McCollum (2026) Disaster Planning, EM:Rap, 2/23/2026
- Jacobson (1998) Emerg Med, p. 115-34 [PubMed]
- Weiss (1992) Wilderness and Travel Medicine, p. 90-105
- Forgey (1994) Wilderness Medicine, p. 201-15