Creating a Simple Hunting First Aid Kit
The basic hunter’s first aid kit plays a vital role while tramping around the mountains. Hunting involves close contact with everything from slippery rocks to sharp knives and the potential for injury is always present. Carrying a well-stocked first aid kit is non-negotiable for the savvy outdoors person.
Learning an applicable skill set is also worth the time investment. Enroll in your local first aid and CPR courses and also consider taking more advanced certification courses like Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder.
Here are a few quick tips to creating a simple hunting first aid kit:
Keep it light
Overloading the first aid kit is not necessary and improvising splints and other treatments in the field is possible with local resources. Keep the basic necessities and minimize as needed to fit your pack. Having a robust kit back at base camp or at your vehicle is ideal and a small, agile kit in the pack. Getting patched up in the field with the mobile kit will help you return to a vehicle or a base camp where further treatment is possible.
The basics of first aid involve cleaning and sterilizing a wound, stopping bleeding, setting breaks and sprains and carrying a last resort emergency communications system for calling first responders. The exact contents of the medical kit will vary based on the environment with specialty items designed for specific toxins, bites and issues in each region.
Start with the Basics
Gauze & Tape – Gauze is useful for covering wounds and stopping bleeding. Just a small roll in your mobile kit goes a long way towards treating a wound in the field. Athletic tape is ideal for sticking against the skin but duct tape will also work in the field while doubling as an emergency repair item for leaking tents and broken gear.
Antiseptic – Antiseptic wipes are compact and easy to use in the field. They are also contained in pouches and will last for a very long time. Otherwise, carrying a small container or Iodine or peroxide will also suffice. Bring the wipes in your field kit and keep a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide in the larger vehicle or base camp kit. Also bring along triple antibiotic ointment to treat cuts and scrapes.
QuikClot – Heavy bleeding is very dangerous in the field. Hunters are working with sharp blades while processing game and the presence of broadhead arrows and firearms adds an element of danger even when the strictest safety standards are followed. QuickClot sponges or WouldSeal topical powder are designed to stop heavy bleeding. They can save your life in a serious emergency.
Splints – Field splints are easily constructed with sticks and tape to hold fingers and limbs in a straight fashion. First aid splints are however useful and while they are too large for a backcountry kit, carrying a splint in the vehicle is handy.
Medication – Antihistamine pills are a good thing to carry for allergic reactions. Bring any personal medications and keep them in your kit with extras just in case. Many medical kits also have Ibuprofen for pain and swelling included as well.
Bandages & Blister Care –Carry a selection of different sized bandages for everything from finger cuts to larger scrapes. Additionally, carry a few high quality blister pads like the Band-Aid Hydro Seal or Compeed.
Waterproof Bag – Keep everything stashed in a waterproof bag to protect the contents. When buying a kit like those made by Adventure Medical Kits, they typically come in a waterproof hard case or soft case container for protection. These kits are a great investment as they come in a compact pouch ready for travel in your backpack or hunting vehicle.
Emergency Communication – Dropping contact with the outside world is something many hunters enjoy but having a source of emergency contact is important. A satellite system can double as a hunting tool for marking waypoints, navigation and for safety. SPOT and Garmin both offer communication platforms for texting and sending an SOS signal. Purchase the emergency insurance plans along with the device to maximize your protection.
Learn More About Our BC Hunts
We hunt one of the most remote places in British Columbia, nestled along the Yukon border. To learn more about our guided hunts, please explore the rest of our website. For more tips on gear and how to prep for a hunt, take a look at our gear page.
If you’re interested in pricing, availability or other details, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime! We’d love to help you plan an awesome BC hunt. 
Written by Zach Lazzari
Zach is an outdoor writer, a hunting and fly fishing guide, and very proud to be a part of the Kawdy Outfitters team. You can follow Zach’s adventures at bustedoarlock.com.