How to choose the best first-aid kit for your outdoor venture in the bush

Whenever you head out for a hike you never plan to slip on a rock or skin your knee or cut your elbow. We never plan on a mishap or the accidents that happen, but we know something is going to happen. The point is if you spend enough time in the outdoors, then it is not a matter of if you get hurt it's a matter of when. This is why being able to properly choose the best first aid for your venture is vitally important. Several factors need to be taken into account when trying to determine the first aid kit to be taken. Like for instance the number of people, trip duration, kids, adults, elderly, all need to be taken into consideration. Furthermore, based on your skill level you may choose to build your own first aid kit or go with a pre-built kit. Always the most important items are any type of prescription medications that be needed on your venture along with torniquet & some type of bandana to help in aid of broken ligament's etc. because of use of a knife, axe, saw, a slip can happen into a knee, leg, finger, cut or major damage could happen you would need to be addressed asap with the proper covering can depend on life or death. Remember a Bandana is not a substitute for a purpose-built tourniquet many multiple studies tell us that improvised tourniquets are often ineffective at best, & actually increase blood loss due to preventing venous blood return & essentially facing more blood out of the wound & with possible damage to the underlying tissue due to being too narrow. Generally, small & ultra-light first aid kits are good for one or two people over single day trips or brief overnight outings. But most small & ultralight packs do not include the ideal supplies for larger groups or for trips that venture deep into the back country. Large kits are better for supporting a group of more than two people over longer trips. The downside of larger kits is increased weight & volume. For kayaking, canoeing, weight is probably less of a concern, so a large kit may be the way to go. Before purchasing any type of first aid kit, read through the list of supplies & consider whether or not the kit comes with those items that are needed. Almost all kits come standard with certain quantity of adhesive bandages, various forms of gauze, antibiotic, medical tape, etc. Other items that are less often standard but potentially highly important include trauma shears, basic medication's, finger splints, & even emergency blankets. Although be sure to check the quantity of each item that the kit lists. If able to at some point, try to have some type of training in First Aid & CPR especially if you plan to spend time in the outdoors it's important to be always prepared for the unknown! If you're wanting to take your first aid skills to the next level, there are plenty of resources out there. Whether it be training courses, certifications, online tutorials.