wilderness first aid kits Is Diclofenac (Catiflan and Voltaren-XR) prescription?
Someone recommended I carry Dielofenac in my first aid kit while I am hiking in the wilderness. It, apparently, is a much better pain killer than Asprin. It would be for emergency use only. Do I need a prescription for this?
You still need a prescription to get it. Take aspirin, ibuprofen, and maybe Tylenol with you. I don't care for Tylenol personally because it can cause liver damage. Check with your MD about what would best to carry that is stronger than NSAIDS. Diclofenac is for arthritis. You may need something else for emergency severe pain.
What would you consider the bare essentials for a first aid kit to be taken on an overnight hike? Weight is a consideration, but I also want a reasonable amount of first aid gear to help my self or my buddy in an emergency. I know knowledge is more important than gear, and I have had first aid and CPR training lately.
For a very basic overnight trip, one or two people can get by on the following:
3-4 band-aids
2 bandanas
2 4x4 gauze pads
Duct Tape (mine is wrapped around a Nalgene bottle. I suppose I have about 5 yards or so.) Use it to make splints, pad hot-spots before they turn into blisters, hold on gauze, etc. etc.
2-3 Alcohol wipes
Small tweezers
That's the bare essentials. My personal kit I carry leading daily hikes, solo backpacking trips, and ski patrolling contains the following:
2 sets of latex gloves
2 4x4 dressings
2 40"x40"x56" Triangular bandages
1 3" x 2yd rolled bandage
Assorted mesh Band-Aids for knuckles, straight strips, etc.
Tweezers
Mylar Emergency Blanket
Bottle of 24 tablets of Exceedrin (I get killer headaches)
Bottle of 24 tablets of Ibuprofin
4 Benadryl tablets
4 DayQil Liquid Geltabs.
1 small tube of Gold Bond creme
1 small tube of Mentholatum Deep Heating rub
1 bottle of NuSkin
1 bottle of Toothache medication (it's extract of cloves and it numbs anything.)
CPR mask
Emergency Firestarter (homemade)
1 mini-bic lighter
6 alcohol wipes
Tongue Depressor
A few toothpicks
1 needle
2 feet of nylon thread (just in case I need to sutcher something...I haven't had to, but I could if I had to.)
1 large rubber band
All of that stuff fits into a pouch about the same size as a 1qt Nalgene bottle. I'd guess it weighs about 2lbs. I never weigh stuff I know I need to take.
