I see a couple interesting threads on what people have for Emergency Kits and the items included. It makes me wonder "What items from your kit have you used in an actual Emergency?" Was your kit well stocked? Was it readily available? Were items in good usable condition when you needed them?

I have thinned my kit considerably. The only items I have used are duct tape for blisters, ACE bandage for sprained ankle, alcohol wipes, and band-aids. First thing to go was the C-A-T tourniquet. I find that with alcohol, duct tape, and bandages, I can get through most situations at a minimum weight expense.

If you count slashing your thumb cleaning a pike an emergency, well I used up all my gauze and athletic tape over the remaining 5 days on the trip....if I'd been in town, doc visit and stitches would have occurred...

Since then, I carry gauze, duct tape, alcohol wipes, bacitracin, tylenol/motrin for these types of cuts, and enough duct tape for a bone break if necessary....and a space blanket, waterproof matches, bic lighter, and mag shavings....

This stuff is with me whenever I'm in the canoe...

I used my Garmin Inreach Mini to call for a US Forest Service floatplane and paramedic on Gaskin a few years ago. From hitting the SoS buttun to arrival at the Grand Marais ER took about 4 hours. Had some “luck” (on an otherwise super shitty day) in the incident happening at noon, in perfect flying weather, on a relatively large lake for the float plane.

TipsyPaddler: "I used my Garmin Inreach Mini to call for a US Forest Service floatplane and paramedic..."

That sounds like an emergency! And more than just using your E-kit for first aid needs.

Other than band-aids, tape, occasional pain treatment, no. And happy never to need much from it. Just like the PLB, I'm very happy to carry it especially if it is not needed!

butthead

Emergency kit as in first aid kit or ditch kit? My first aid kit has the steri-strips, gauze, and bandaids. The ditch kit has the emergency blanket, lighter and knife. If I have an emergency where I need but don't have the first aid kit, like dumping in rough weather and getting cut up on rocks, my knife and bandana/clothes will work as bandages.

My first aid kit is pretty well stocked (no tourniquet tho) in a fanny pack that goes in a day pack when we go on day trips away from camp. So far we've been lucky and have only needed Advil, bandaids, and some gauze/ tape /neosporin. Ive been tempted to downsize it, but I admit I'm a what if person. I do make sure my husband (or others) know where the kit is in camp in case I'm the one who is hurt.