Does anyone carry emergency kits? If so what are some key things you bring? I recently have decided to bring an emergency surgical kit. Years ago I went on a trip with 6 friends. One of them got a hook sunk deep into his hand & couldn't get it out. He resorted to ripping it out. None of us were going to paddle his butt out from Insula. :-) I think about that event every time I plan a trip now. I guess the older I get the more aware I am of the what ifs.

I bring basic first-aid supplies. Tape, gauze, tweezers, band-aids, splint material, quick-clot, butterflies, small Ace, moleskin, oral thermometer, alcohol wipes, OTC pain meds, benadryl. Just the basics that will get us back to real help, or that will patch up common, minor injuries like blisters.

Try a site search for, ditch kits, repair kits, first aid kits. Lot of threads and discussions/advice.
Feb 2016 one example out of 10 pages.

butthead

I took a small rectangular (might be 2X6X8) Tupperware container with lid down to the EMS station and asked what they recommended for a BW trip that would fit into it, left with a great set up. They seemed to enjoy coming up with the perfect set up for a trip.

The ongoing effort to put together the perfect first aide kit is one of my lame nursing hobbies. Aside from the the usual (bandaids, ibuprofen, Benadryl, rolled gauze, tweezers, small scissors etc.) I like to put in a small bottle of normal saline, Steri-strips (much easier than trying to suture properly in poor conditions), tube of super glue (ditto), Tegaderm for blisters, small bottle of hand sanitizer and depending upon the length of the trip, 4 days worth of Amoxicillin and Sulfa because strep throat or a urinary tract infection can bring a trip to an early end. We've had both happen in the past. That will buy some time to get back as planned. I no longer bring splinting materials as they tend to be bulky and can be otherwise improvised with things at hand. Several years ago, we took my father in law out with us. He is a poorly controlled diabetic, and I tucked a tube of decorator icing in in case of low blood sugars. It works as well as oral glucose gel and is a heck of a lot cheaper. It made me wonder if ours was the first kit in the BWCA to ever contain a cake decorating supply...

A well stocked emergency/first aid kit is essential however the most essential item is the knowledge to know how to properly use each item. An item in the kit might be needed but it won't do you as much good if you don't know how to use it.

Some basic medications might be a good idea but then again you should also have the knowledge on how and when to administer them, if you're a nurse or doctor thats a big advantage. Also how do you go about getting a prescription for a medication that you don't actually need and it only as a precaution?

quote nofish: " Also how do you go about getting a prescription for a medication that you don't actually need and it only as a precaution?"

If you have a family provider who you have an established relationship with, they may be willing to write a script for a few days with instructions on how and under what circumstances to use a medication. Particularly if they know you are going to be remote for a trip of long duration with limited communication options. Family members have also had their MD's do this for remote overseas trips (trekking in Nepal). It very much depends on the provider, but may be worth discussing with them if you're headed out for 2+ weeks or especially prone to certain illnesses.

yup, matches.

quote 1bogfrog: "

quote nofish: " Also how do you go about getting a prescription for a medication that you don't actually need and it only as a precaution?"

If you have a family provider who you have an established relationship with, they may be willing to write a script for a few days with instructions on how and under what circumstances to use a medication. Particularly if they know you are going to be remote for a trip of long duration with limited communication options. Family members have also had their MD's do this for remote overseas trips (trekking in Nepal). It very much depends on the provider, but may be worth discussing with them if you're headed out for 2+ weeks or especially prone to certain illnesses."

I think most physicians will do this. I carry antibiotics, prednisone and an epi-pen in my first aid kit along with the usual items. Have never needed them, but would be worth their weight if I ever did need them.

Great first aid suggestions in this thread. Since the question was about emergency kits I would add this. In addition to first aid gear, I carry basic survival gear in the pocket of my pfd; fire starting, water purification tabs, signal whistle and mirror, line/jigs/twisters, mini multi tool. This way if I'm separated from my canoe and/or gear, I have the basics. It also encourages me to keep the pfd on, which I struggle with.

Does anyone take ? EMT Gel I always have it in my dog first aid kit when hunting and have seen it perform miracles an some pretty nasty cuts. It is for animals use but I have never seen anything like it for human use. Is there a reason you couldn't use this?

quote Atb: "Great first aid suggestions in this thread. Since the question was about emergency kits I would add this. In addition to first aid gear, I carry basic survival gear in the pocket of my pfd; fire starting, water purification tabs, signal whistle and mirror, line/jigs/twisters, mini multi tool. This way if I'm separated from my canoe and/or gear, I have the basics. It also encourages me to keep the pfd on, which I struggle with."

Yes, great first aid suggestions! I also have all the basic first aid supplies. I carry my first aid stuff along with other emergency items in one dry sack in a daypack that goes with me on day trips. Extra rope, even some velcro strips & fire starting sticks are some new things I added. Also some electrical tape which came in handy last year when my water filter pump got a crack in it.