"Be Prepared" - That's the motto of the Boy Scouts. And as an Eagle Scout, former Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, and camp staff employee, I can tell you: when you're outdoors, you MUST be prepared for every contingency! That's why the experienced outdoor types (like myself) will tell you: whenever you head outside for camping, hiking, or wilderness adventures, you had better take a camping first aid kit.



I know your first reaction: Grab the first aid kit you have at home. But that won't do. Why? Well, when is the last time you saw a home first aid kit with splints for broken bones, or suction cups and a surgical knife for treating snakebite? The simple fact: you need a good camping first aid kit, not a regular home first aid kit, because you need the special supplies that come in an outdoor or camping first aid kit.

Which reminds me: if you have a youngster in the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, one of the very best gifts that you can give them is a good quality camping first aid kit. The same holds true for someone who is in wilderness or survival training. It is very true - not marketing hype - that these kits have been known to save lives.

Your first priority? Make sure that your camping first aid kit is well-stocked. After all, if it is going to be of any real use it should have more than just burn cream and band-aids! Your kit should be stocked with a variety of bandages, adhesive tape, finger and leg splints, ace bandages, tweezers, scissors, snake bite kit, gloves -- and a comprehensive first aid guide.

By the way, a good comprehensive first aid guide is critical. It will tell you what to do for wounds, burns, handling cases of poisoning, animal bites, broken bones - even drowning and what to do if someone is unconscious. If the guide included in your kit is too skimpy on content, buy a larger book and keep it with your kit at all times.

Here's a good tip: Buy one of those sturdy metal fishing tackle boxes (the ones with the fold out trays) and stock it with the items that you will need. This would make the perfect camping first aid kit for a scout troop or for family use.

You can (and should) also include these other items in your first aid kit as well: Tylenol or aspirin, a pre-paid cellular phone, water purification tablets, emergency matches (in a waterproof case), a set of thermal blankets, and a handheld GPS device. Of course, you will not find some of these items in most pre-stocked kits, so you will have to buy them separately and then add them to yours.

On a final note: Once you have put your kit all together with the supplies you need, don't forget to inspect the contents at least once or twice a year. You should remove any medicines if they are past their expiration date, as well as any supplies that have been opened or damaged, as that will compromise their sterility. If you use anything from your camping first aid kit, make sure to replace it. If you don't you may need it later during a medical emergency.