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ockycamper
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Since we bring 15-20 men up to BWCA (we divide into four groups) I bring a full med kit in case one of the other camps needs something.
I used the water tight clear boxes that Walmart sells in the sports section. One is full of a variety of bandaids, gauze, corban wrap, and triangle wraps. The second has pain relievers, neosporin, a variety of tweezers and forceps. The third is a burn kit and trauma kit with tournequets and the fourth has splints of various types.
AFter multiple training events with WFA I repackaged my med kit along their guidelines. Everything goes in a small waterproof sling bag that is bright orange and clearly marked.
Not bringing med gear based on "I never needed it" is like not wearing seat belts due to never having been in an accident.
As a backup every camp has some type of Garmin/Zoleo device as well as radios that can summon help if needed from other camps. We have 3 WFA trained men as well as an optholmolgist that come with us.
I will not be the guy that tells a family we couldn't help their dad because we didn't think we needed first aid/trauma gear or a PLB.
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scat
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Tbh been on almost 30 trips and never brought anything more than a handful of bandaids and gorilla tape. Ok, maybe I should upgrade, but I’m afraid I’ll jinx myself cuz I never had a problem before.
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jhb8426
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LindenTree: "Pics of my ditch kit, dental kit for teeth and maxipads for big wounds. Don't laugh at the maxipads/tampons, the sawyers I worked with firefighting keep a supply on hand also."
When I was on the National Ski Patrol (a long time ago) maxipads/tampons were a crucial part of out first aid kit.
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merlyn
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bojibob: "I fully endorse this message"
I was remiss it not mentioning bojibob as the author of the wilderness challenge. I hope it can be revived again and posted once more. There are new campers (and old) who can learn a lot from it.
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plmn
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Savage Voyageur: "I can’t agree more with you. So many of my trip mates take absolutely nothing with for first aid. A few years ago made a really nice kit. I have a 9x6x4 inch pouch stuffed full of medical gear. Bandages, compression bandages, tourniquet, gloves, thermometer, sutures, blood clotting pads. Everything that a wilderness first aid kit should have. I tell my trip partners about the kit and where it is. I also carry a Garmin InReach unit and tell them how to use it. A good first aid kit should be able to stop the bleeding long enough for rescue to happen. It should also contain things to help out in a non rescue situations, example like a sprained hand or ankle. "
Would love to know more specifics about your kit. This is the kit I take, which isn't bad but obviously not as comprehensive as it probably should be.
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Savage Voyageur
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I can’t agree more with you. So many of my trip mates take absolutely nothing with for first aid. A few years ago made a really nice kit. I have a 9x6x4 inch pouch stuffed full of medical gear. Bandages, compression bandages, tourniquet, gloves, thermometer, sutures, blood clotting pads. Everything that a wilderness first aid kit should have. I tell my trip partners about the kit and where it is. I also carry a Garmin InReach unit and tell them how to use it. A good first aid kit should be able to stop the bleeding long enough for rescue to happen. It should also contain things to help out in a non rescue situations, example like a sprained hand or ankle.
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merlyn
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After some alarming injuries during and after a trip in August I would highly recommend visiting or re-visiting the wilderness challenge portion of the forum. (you must log-in to open the discussion) I also recommend re-thinking your first aid kit, 6 band aids and some cream ain't gonna cut it for a real injury.
S### happens and being prepared and having some wilderness emergency medical training could be a game changer.
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LindenTree
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Pics of my ditch kit, dental kit for teeth and maxipads for big wounds. Don't laugh at the maxipads/tampons, the sawyers I worked with firefighting keep a supply on hand also.  
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OCDave
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"A man's got to know his limitations" - Clint Eastwood as Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry circa 1971)
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bojibob
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I fully endorse this message
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mgraber
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I'm not sure anything is much more important than a GOOD first aid kit, it is up there with food, shelter and personal floatation devices... but they all are below fishing equipment...but even clothing would be below that ;) In all seriousness, not having needed something in the past is a stupid reason for not taking it when it could save your life or keep from having to be rescued and weighs little.
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