Wilderness First Aid
River Running Medical and First Aid Issues
River Running Outings are wilderness adventures where the group may not have ready access to definitive medical care such as 911. Each trip leader should be first-aid trained and carry a first-aid kit for medical emergencies. The first-aid kit only includes general first-aid supplies and some over-the counter medications appropriate for the type of outing-it does not include any prescription medications.
You should carry a basic, personal first-aid kit, along with whatever over-the-counter and prescription medications you may need. If you are bringing a prescription medication, it is best to bring a spare set in the event that your primary set gets lost, wet or unusable.
At the put-in you will have access to a medical form if you have any medical issues the trip leader should be aware of. Fill out and submit to the trip leader before you are accepted onto the trip. We ask for this information so that our trip leader will know in advance of special medical conditions you may have, rather than learning about them in a crisis. Also, in the event of serious injury or illness, this form provides emergency medical personnel with a useful medical history. After reviewing this form, the trip leader may discuss whether the trip will be safe and enjoyable for you considering your medical history. Information on this form is confidential. It will be seen only by the trip leader, medical personnel, or others who know and understand its confidential nature. The form will be retained along with your liability waiver for a period of time following the trip, after which it will be destroyed. If you choose not to go on the trip, this form will be destroyed immediately.
Be Prepared
When going on wilderness trips know where the nearest medical help or hospital is located and have an idea on how long it will take to get there. The county sheriff is the first responder in most cases so have the sheriff's phone number with you. Depending on how serious an injury is a life flight helicopter may be necessary. Satellite phones can be rented for wilderness trips and new text phones are available.
Please visit our trip Frequently Asked Questions, and other useful information for planning your trip.
Suggested First Aid Kit
Surgical Nitrile Gloves
Band-Aids
Steri-Strips
Bandages
Gauze Sponges 4" X 4"
Cleansing Compression Cloths
Latex Free Tape
ACE wrap
Tweezers
Moleskins
SAM Splint
Tincture of Benzoin Swabs
2nd Skin Dressings
Sterile Scrub Brush or Sponge
Trauma shears
Triangular Bandages
Irrigation syringe
Eye Drops
Eye Pad
Eye Glasses Repair Kit
Knife
Mirror
Nail clippers
CPR Pocket Mask
Temparin Temporary Filling Material
Epinephrine and Benadryl
Tylenol and IBU
Ciproflaxin (for bad belly)
Antibiotic Ointment
Mosquito Wipes
Lotion for dry skin
Oral Thermometer
Wilderness First Aid Book with protocols
Sand Paper (smooth out paddle grips)
Notebook with pencil
Waterproof Matches
Emergency Blanket
Safety Pins
Disposal Razor