Backpacking First Aid (What To Carry + Foot Care, Snakes, Poison Plants, Hypothermia, etc)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- 00:34 Foot Care
00:42 Properly Sizing Footwear
02:36 Keep Your Feet Clean and Dry
03:53 Blister Prevention
04:19 Treatment
06:05 Plantar Fasciitis
07:35 Chaffing
08:53 Sprains
10:20 Cuts and Scrapes
11:41 Poisonous Plants
12:37 Hypothermia
14:01 SNAKES
16:46 List of First Aid Gear to Consider Bringing:
- Triple Antibiotic Ointment (Neosporin)
- Antihistamine (Benadryl)
- Ibuprofen
- Anti Diarrheal (Imodium)
- Blister Treatment (Moleskin/ Leuko Tape)
- Gauze Bandages
- Butterfly Strips
- Super Glue/ Marathon Skin Protectant
- Antiseptic Towelettes or Baby Wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Tweezers
- Knife or Multitool
- Needle or Safety Pin
- Bandana
- Emergency Blanket
- Emergency Beacon (Spot Device, InReach, etc.)
What To Do About Ticks and Other Insects: • Backpacking Around Dan...
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For emergency communication, I went a little further and got my ham radio technician license. It cost 15 to take the test, it's good for ten years, you can good inexpensive radios to cover your needs, all radios can receive NOAA weather radio, and it's really a fun side hobby with a lot of opportunities to volunteer for different emergency support agency like search and rescue, disaster response and storm chasing to help keep track of dangerous storms.
I love how much footage you have of yourself tripping/stumbling!
Yes seriously that was too cute ;)
One of the questions in a health assessment, especially for seniors, is whether you’ve fallen in the past months. I say yes.....get a concerned look and then explain that if you hike, you will fall sometimes.
My PCP knows that now and just asks if I’ve fallen at home or on other flat, even surfaces. 😄
I know it's not really first aid but a glasses repair kit because if something happens to my glasses i could very easily hurt myself by tripping or something so i do think an eye glasses repair kit would be beneficial. I also tend to carry both Advil and Tylenol because for me Advil helps with muscle pain but Tylenol seems to help better with feaver. I usually carry just a few of those little packs that you find at gas stations. Lastly Listerine makes a great antiseptic and comes in small plastic travel sizes. It might seem excessive but it's a luxury item that is dual purpose so i can justify the extra weight. I think the traditional brown color of Listerine has more antiseptic properties than the cool mint so that's the one i usually buy.
good point , about the repair kit...🤓👍
I used to think eye glasses repair kits are useful but then I considered what if the glasses cracks or shattered. So I just bring an extra pair of glasses instead. Sure it weighs more but beats a repair kit.
For bandaids, consider Johnson and Johnson's tough waterproof strips bandaids. You won't be disappointed.
I'm a retired paramedic. I've also worked on movie sets and dealing with construction crews. Trying to keep Bandaids and dressings on these guys were a big problem. Waterproof tough strips are like ducktape bandaids. Carry small scissors though, as you may have a tough time getting them off!
From working in a kitchen, waterproof bandaids can be improved with these new waterproof finger tapes that stick to themselves. They are 10x as tough and last a whole day.
I have used them. They really stick and yes tough to get off, but that's why they are so good.
I always use LeukoTape for dressings for the same reason. Thanks for the info!
Kelly best comment on here
spank some gauze & gorilla tape on it, carry on..lol
Salt - wrapped inside a popped blister. It hurts no more than the blister, and turns the area into leather.
Whiskey - one ounce (30ml) in the morning coffee cures every pain, worry, and curing blisters.
Thread through the blister. Figured I wouldn't learn anything watching these beginer vidieos. I was wrong. Thanks. Keep them coming.
Patrick Gallagher you are right! You think you know, but she will question it and answer it! might be beginner but... subject content does matter, especially as a thru.
Threading it will achieve nothing. Just pop it drain it and be keep it wrapped with dry cloth. If done right all that skin will fall off in a short while anyway.
Never thread it. Even though your needle is sterilized, the thread isn't. If you leave it in the parasites basically have a freeway to your blister and you'll be walking on a petri dish full of bacteria
Outstanding video! Tweezers are my most-used item because of all desert hiking I do. Also I add some blue nitrile gloves to my first-aid kit and to my personal hygiene (aka poop) kit. I wear a glove when using toilet paper and pick up used toilet paper in my gloved hand, pull the glove off to make it inside-out with TP inside, then into a dog poop bag, then into my odor-proof waste bag and pack it out. TMI? But my hand(s) stay clean. :)
Jim, I totally agree with the TP technique. “Deli gloves” are lighter, cheaper and easier to compact.
I second the tweezers. Thorns, Cactus spines, splinters, etc. are one of the most common minor injuries that, if not treated, can become major injuries. For years I relied on the tweezers in my Swiss Army Knife, but decided taking a good, robust pair of tweezers was well worth the weight.
Wait, so 1 glove every time? So if you go on a long hike, that's a lot of gloves...but I see your point
@@lindsayCswain A glove weighs about 3.5 grams. I wouldn't take 100 gloves for a 100-day hike all at the start, but would re-supply along with food occasionally. I'm using an ultralight bidet nowadays, too, so that reduces the amount of dried baby wipe and TP that I need to pack.
If it's already going into the dog poop bag why not just use the dog poop bag to pick the stuff up like you do to pick up dog poop? Then you're only carrying the roll of little bags.
People need to remember you can still get poison ivy in the winter when the leaves have fallen off, the vines themselves still have the oil in them. Worst case I ever experienced was from cutting firewood in the winter and not wearing gloves because it was a warm day.
Good point. I haven't seen it elsewhere so I will mention a product called Tecnu. It is specific to removing Urushiol, which is the icky oily that causes spreading. Soap and water does NOT remove it. Good stuff to have on-board.
I like to double sock up to prevent blisters and works really well for me. No matter what fancy socks I get I always get blisters when I single pair. Feels extra comfortable too
Very useful info, Dixie. This is why you are the best backpacking TH-camr :-)
David Harris she's just getting started its growing :) love it!
You are the best hiker on TH-cam. You’re never annoying! I met you at your booth at traildays in 2019. Lol I acted star struck lol hahaha
For blisters: Apply adhesive tape or a bandaid WITHOUT the pad tightly over the blister. Change once a day. No need to puncture and risk infection. Similarly, if blisters are anticipated, tape the areas to shield them from friction. The Army taught this to my dad in WW-II and IT WORKS!! More modern idea: use double layer socks designed for the purpose. Thanks, Dixie! Hope this helps.
Ah yeah, WWII, totally relevant to our time with outdated equipment, vaccines, etc.
Compede blister gel bandages work awesome and better than most for blisters and are available on Amazon. Putting a layer of Leukotape P over it works great. You need to soak the tape off though and peel it slowly away using one hand to pull and one to hold skin down. Also wool fiber can be used to pad the friction area. REI has the fiber in stock usually but I got mine off of Amazon cheaper.
Thanks for the post. This cool new stuff wasn't available when I did the AT.
I alway's carry a tick remover.
I thought that was a given for anyone spending any amount of time in the woods?
@@shyowl3453 you'll be surprised at how many people dont take them. Then complain they have a tick.
omg! I am so happy that you are posting almost everyday! by the way, the results from the braces are already noticeable! Looking great, Dixie!=) Keep up with the awesome job!
When camping in the New Mexico desert, where did you sleep? Tent, ground, hammock? If in a tent did it totally close up and seal off? Did snakes get under it? How did you keep snakes away while you were asleep?
After the situation back in October with Mitzi Clemons in GSMNP, I've added more items for hypothermia, as well as fresh baselayers for myself (and socks, too.) I also keep hand warmers (stashed so they stay fresh) and extra noms for someone in need of food. Yes it extra weight more but it's like insurance - hope you never need it but it's there if you do (or someone else needs it.)
Download a First Aid app or photocopy First Aid Reference information on to your phone. I feel reassured that I have this info with me when far away from help. Also basic survival and how to “be found and rescued” material. Thanks Dixie-love your work and thanks for sharing with the masses. Peace
Erik Jorgensen just have an I.C.E saved in phone most people know how to access this on trail... these days at least
Eric Winterhalt My thought was that a person often won’t have cellular coverage on the trail when needed and to have this emergency reference info saved in a PDF, photo or app for access 24/7 if you managed to save your phone/battery first-lol
Super glue is awesome!!! I've personally used it for blisters and to close small cuts and gashes. History trivia- super glue was developed as a triage, battlefield sutures. So, it's fine, but is a little "stingie". That just means it's working. 😜
My personal method for super glue blister treatment is clean the area well with antiseptic and/or soap and water, make a small incision in the blister to allow fluid to drain, use the incision to fill the blister with super glue and allow to set. The super glue will seal the blister and keep dirt out, decreasing the risk of infection. It also protects the tender area under the skin, stopping more irritation. When the outer skin hardens, cut away the dead skin. The super glue will eventually fall off once the area is healed.
It also works to treat hot spots before they blister. Just apply a thin layer to the spot and allow to thoroughly dry and set. It becomes a nearly frictionless barrier and eventually just flakes off, giving the skin underneath time to toughen up.
It's important to test anything you're going to apply to your skin before using it in a first aid situation. Apply a small amount to a healthy area of skin and monitor for any adverse reaction. Irritation, swelling, acute discomfort, redness, blistering or welts all mean you shouldn't use that product. Don't worry. There are plenty of other ones.
Another benefit of super glue in a first aid kit- you can actually use it to glue ripped, torn, or broken gear together. I've glued a flapping sole on my trail runners back together well enough to get back to town. Who knew super glue was so versatile? 😝
Great video. Keep em coming, Ms. Dixie.
A blister need only to remain dry. Superglue would be counterproductive to this. Just wrap it in clean cloth and be done.
@@MorrisonScotch While I agree with you in part, how successful have you been with keeping a clean, dry cloth on a blister during a long hike? Not just a short over night, but a 50+ mile hike? Sure, keeping the area clean and dry is a great solution, but not always practical in the middle of nowhere with muddy, wet conditions and water crossings.
I just offered a solution I've successfully used in the past. Do what works for you.
@@trollsteadent.72 yea I just rip the skin off then wrap it in a role of cloth. Check out foot wraps. For tender feet it's great if you keep them fresh and dry. Plus it will prevent any further blistering.
Triple antibiotic diaper rash cream works great for chafing. Works great can get it from Walmart. And it got me through lots of Mardi Gras Parades.. love your videos
Penaten cream ...small size , works great
I sprained my ankle really bad atop Mt Jackson, NH and it took me 5 hours to descend down in Crawford Notch. My hiking poles made for great crutches... Many thanks from Canada, y'all !
I carried a blister kit, ibuprofen, antibiotic ointment, bandages, duct tape, diaper rash ointment, benadryl cream & pills, etc. as recommended by the book "The Appalachian Trail: How to Prepare for and Hike It" by Jan. D Curran. Yep, it is a pain to carry this stuff but I used at least half of the items and they were a lifesaver on the AT. Dixie's advice on shoes and socks is pure gold. I highly recommend polypropylene sock lines and medicated powder to prevent blisters which is really the only way to deal with them effectively. Read a book (like Dixie's book which is much more up to date) before you hike the AT or your will really suffer.
FYI: I carry a snake bite kit but you will likely never need it.
A good rule to follow when in hiking in snake habitat: Step ON, NOT over. In other words, If there is an obstacle -- a tree or rock or something -- on the trail, step up on it, then down because you can clearly see where you're placing your feet. Most venomous snakes are ambush hunters. They hide in the cracks and shadows and hidden spaces. By always stepping ON obstacles, never offer a hiding snake something warm and inviting -- like your leg -- to bite.
You know I've taken people out in the woods marsh and bayou where I'm from. Most people will not see them until I point them out. I can't count the number of times yankee folk are out with me and they can't see it at all even if I point them out, and where I'm from a snake can be every 20 feet or so.
@@MorrisonScotch Glad you've had that experience. Some hikers are not so lucky. Easy prevention on the trail is worth the extra effort, especially in really snakey country. Here's an article (note #2 on effective prevention): www.thehikinglife.com/2016/04/tips-for-hiking-in-snake-country/
this is great advice thank you
I agree. Some of the trail videos do show hikers stepping over those tree-bones.
I have actually heard the opposite - Stepping on something is more likely to cause injury (and I have seen it) - Imagine stepping on a log or boulder obstacle and then slipping off. Not saying there aren't benefits to stepping on the obstacle, but I think you are a lot more likely to fall than you are to get bit by a snake - and a hard fall (from on top of an obstacle can be just as dangerous as a venomous snake.
Not saying you are wrong here, just there are different camps on this idea.
Bactine -- the antiseptic works better for me than any antibiotic, and the lidocaine is a great local anaesthetic. Cuticle scissors -- the day after receiving a wound you can trim back any hanging skin and the wound will heal faster and cleaner.
duct tape works very well, every Medic I knew when I was in the Army had it with them. Just something I thought would help.
Duct tape, cotton balls, tampons, etc.
One a day tablet with minerals. In survival situations, one never seems to get the proper vitamins and minerals. The weight is minimal for the value obtained.
@@MZ95 Better synthetic vitamins and minerals than no vitamins and minerals at all.
Great video! My main safety strategy; do regular check ins so someone knows where you are, and know how to build a warming fire in bad weather emergencies.
RICE for Strain or sprain type injuries. RICE = Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Dixie mentioned soaking in cold water (Ice) and elevation, but of course resting it when you can and compression when you can't will help keep the area stable while the area is weakened.
Not sure of Dixie's opinion, but I would recommend taking a Wilderness First Aid course before any serious treks. They can be pricey but if you can swing it, you will be prepared to help yourself or others.
Honestly this video is pivotal when hiking. Everyone gets hot spots. Everyone gets blisters. All injuries mentioned matter. It is important to notice this & deal with it. I have been trained on these subjects & finally she gets into it! These subject's are very key, especially with thru hiking. Thanks Dixie!
I repackage Ivyrest (poison ivy treatment) and Tiger Balm (amped up iceyhot) into tiny 5-10 ml squeeze bottles so they weigh less but help out so much to relieve those nasty ivy rashes and tired, over stretched, or sprained tendons and muscles.
The locater beaken is invaluable. I'm an x-ray tech, and I can't tell you how much patients I have talked to who have had to hike many miles with a bad break to get help. Don't be afraid, but do be prepared.
Joan Hall this is right! get help when you need it. People on trail are better off keeping you comfortable rather than seeking help for you! It's 2019, they are cheap when doing a thru hike.
I typically carry multiple cool packs. The main reason being, that I live in Arizona. The heat is merciless. Cooling someone down or yourself is vital. Placing the cool packs under your armpits helps more. Placing them on your forehead can be very painful. You will also see lots of Arizonans carry an umbrella. 🌂
Instant shade from 118 to 123 F. degree days.
I personally got the thumbs up 😃 👍 from a fellow Arizonan foe using mine! It's just smart and prevents heat stroke.
This is actually the video I was waiting for. I’m your stethoscope type person😂. (I don’t really carry one but you know what I mean) I am a bit ridiculous and take entirely too much. Thank you for this. And everyone’s comments too. Super helpful.
Leukotape is the bomb. I carry some in my purse just to deal with regular shoe issues too. Thin, but very protective. Durable as an SOB. And adheres like crazy!
Where can i go to actually buy the leukotape?
@@terrybrooks6886 I bought mine on Amazon. The manufacturer is BSN Medical & the product is Leukotape P. It is a 3.8cm wide by 13.7m long roll. I keep a roll of it in my car medical jumpbag. I have a video on my channel about the bag, if you care. Although I didn't show the tape directly, you can see it towards the end. It's a mostly white box with red & blue lines.
I should mention ... I've worn some over a corn for 48+ hrs before, including a long hot shower. It stayed perfectly in place. Likewise on my heels while breaking in new pumps. Skin armor.
From a Cat1 hospital's wound clinic: do not pop the blister! If you do not pop it, it can't infect. The fluid WILL reabsorb. Popping it opens the door to infection, no matter how you do it. Put a moleskin donut around the blister, to keep pressure off it.
I know, in the jungle popping a blister was certain to infect.
Yes, that is my approach too. You need two pieces of moleskin. Cut a hole in the first piece just big enough to go around the blister. The cover that with a slightly larger piece that completely covers the first piece. Then leave it there for several days as the fluid is reabsorbed. Of course if it becomes more painful over then next day or so and there are signs of inflammation, you'll have to take off the dressing and figure out what is going on.
It depends on where it is, in some cases you have to pop it, just take extra care to keep it clean and clean it often
Unfortunately, most of the time you'll get them where they'll continue to rub and cause pain or cause it to rupture. In that case the end result is most likely the same and it Murphy's Law, it'll happen at the worst possible time.
If you’re in Australia, do NOT clean the snake bite. The hospital will need to take swabs from the area to determine which anti-venom to give you. Sit down, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and send for help. Good pressure immobilisation bandages have indicators to help you apply the correct pressure.
Snake bites are only ever fatal if you are moving.... 99% of the time. This is from and Australian Ambulance Officer (me :)) We have LOOTS of dangerous snakes!
Do not move and you'll be fine... as soon as you start moving your lymphatics will also start moving the venom... the venom will not move if you do not move... fullstop.
And what than? (I assume: call emergency, right?) If you don't move will the venom be neutralized by the body? (Partially? At all?)
At lease one large bandage for - God forbid - large wounds. I carry an Army battle dressing. I also suggest an ace bandage.
I always have a styptic pencil or powder. It helps to stop bleeding on small cuts. It stings a bit but works by shrinking the blood vessels. It cuts down the blood flow a lot and makes bandaging easier. You know how you have to change that first bandage faster because it's soaked through? You get a lot more time if you use this.
Lots of interesting ointments and such that I haven't seen in Europe! I always carry Germolene, a salve available in the UK that desinfects and reduces pain. And blister plasters, which provide an extra cushion and really soothe provided there is enough space in your shoe. It's always better to just apply tape before a hot spot develops into a blister, though, like you say!
Nynke K my mum always brings back savlon from England. Not available in Canada and such a nice salve
For poison ivy/oak, try Technu. Use it like soap. It breaks down the oil. I'm definitely carrying a small bottle when I go out.
I carry too much first aid. I was an EMT / paramedic back in the 1980's, and I just can't seem to lighten up.
That said, I guess my advice is carry what you know how to use, and know how to use what you carry. Try out everything you will carry at home, where it is safe to suddenly discover an allergy to a common medication or latex bandage. Your advice was overall, really very good.
each time you made bushwalking or bush-whacking or what would be the right term... I was thinking how you are not oafraid of TICKS wearing shorts exposing basically all your legs. Maybe thats the strategy? Easier to spot.
A combination of Benzoin Tincture and Tegaderm will make for a great watertight dressing that will hold up for a couple of days, at least. Last summer, I was on a week long kayak trip and developed a few hot spots on my feet from mud and sand rubbing under my sandal straps. Not only did this cushion the hot spot, it stayed on through launches and landings and portages. Both products are available on Amazon.
great content, thanks! i'd personally recommend having a first- and a second-aid kit, just so you don't have to rummage through all that stuff when all you need quickly right now is an antiseptic and a wound dressing... hugs from afar!
The current protocol for a venomous snake bite (all NA pit vipers) is to elevate the bite area, not lower it below the heart. Although pit vipers have a complex mix of different toxins in their venom, raising the bite area potentially reduces the damage caused by cytotoxins.
It'd be awesome if you made all your audio available as an audio book or series!
Dominique Toth I don’t even listen to pod casts but that’s a pod cast I’d listen to!
Epipen, steroid pack, anti nausea and a non drozy histamine. It's my anaphylaxis first aid kit!!!
Honestly I’d carry two epi pens either for a backup or in case the first one isn’t enough
Love your videos. Experience makes expertise. Respect you a lot.
My kit is completely different.
For blisters and splinters: #10 scalpel blade. A straight blade with a fine point.
For sprains and to hold bandages in place: Elastic Coban, sport wrap, vet wrap or similar.
For stings and bites: Ammonia pen and Sawyer extractor.
An assortment of CLOTH Band-Aids, including fingertip and knuckle. A tube of super glue.
Saline eye wash.
Dixie thank you so much for your amazing videos. You really help me get through!!!!
Nice. I carry pretty much what you mentioned with the addition of a tourniquet and a bit of duct tape. Because as long as there are edged tools and people using them there is a chance 😁
I'm always envious of people that aren't allergic to poison ivy. I don't think I could handle being surrounded by it on the trail.
I always carry an ace bandage. You never know when you might need the compression, whether to wrap an ankle or knee. This proved invaluable in the Grand Canyon especially on loose rocky segments of lesser traveled trails.
The most important part of a FA kit is not what you're carrying, it's knowledge. If your training is more than a few years old, get up to date on the current best practices. The gold standard for wilderness first aid www.nols.edu/en/coursefinder/courses/wilderness-first-aid-WFA/
get shoes which fit is so understated, so many just buy shoes they think fit but don't. If you get blisters your shoes don't fit or you don't lace them properly. There is far more than shoe size, shoe shape is just as important and, vary brand to brand, it might take a dozen brands to find one that fit properly or the custom made route. Been to so many charity events and other hikes where so many think blisters, black toes etc is just part of the parcel, it isn't
One bandage, waterproof plasters, tweezers, painkillers, germolene (smells nice) lots of antiseptic wipes.
Spreading the knowledge: I'm badly allergic to Poison Ivy, as in I have to take steroid to get rid of it otherwise it spreads. Best stuff that I've used is this Poison Ivy Scrub. I went fishing and found out the place had poison ivy [as I started feeling the itch and saw the plant] and scrubbed the spot with this scrub. The reaction was just slight redness and an occasional itch. The stuff says it destroys the oils that burn you from the plant on the tube and it's pretty cool. I haven't tried it but it supposedly works as a preventive treatment.
Another point on hypothermia at higher altitude there is a broader temperature swing from midday to night. On a bow hunting/fishing trip to Montana it was 80 degrees one day and in the morning I went to the river to do some fishing and ice was forming on the eyes of my spinning rod it was 28 degrees later that day it got back up to 80
2 things. I carry a few pairs of latex or nitrile gloves. Also a solid stick deodorant will work for chaffing as well. It has to be a solid though.
As a wemt we are taught to drain blisters so the patient can keep moving, it’s super important to keep it clean though so it’s something to watch carefully
Prid drawing salve for insect bites like mosquitoes, ants, and spiders. Never had the occasion of trying it for snake bites but put it on blisters and it worked amazing well, drew the fluid out of the blister right through the skin with no sign there was a blister there the previous day.
I would also recommend aloe and raw honey for burns and sunburns. I did a mixture of both, applied to affected area, then cover with bandage if you can because it’s a sticky mess but the healing happens overnight.
"Prid" appears to be a homeopathic medicine with no (ie zero) active ingredients. How can it claim to "draw" anything?
Plain old cornstarch .... no additives...is the best chafing powder
I find the stretching to be the most effective for plantar fasciitis. I also put crocs on when I first get out of bed and that really helps that first weight bearing pain. Don’t know how practical that would be in a rucksack
spray sunburn cream saved my trip. trying to sleep dirty, bug sprayed and burned in my tent sucked. I literally shook with pain. I'm sure the lidocaine could come in handy for blisters ect. and isnt heavy compared to relief and less dirty fingers touching open blisters.
An example of your first aid kit might have been helpful. Texas
Thank you Dixie, you are the best seriously!!
Dealing with venomous snakes: Upon being bitten, suck the venom out yourself and spit it back at the offending culprit. Your victory shall be swift, yet brutal enough to appease the gods.
Hey DIxie, great video. May want to remind people AGAIN (maybe by annoting the video if that's still a thing...), that their cellphone can be their greatest first aid device (by calling for help) IF they do NOT have a SPOT, IN-REACH, or other form of personal locator device. Thanks for the education. Stay sharp, and stay hard! ~Heywoodinator
and if they have coverage, of course! but yes, always try the phone first nless you're really in the back of beyond.
I usually carry some type of maxi pads in case of heavy gash wounds. They work well to pack a potential gash or impalement to the body so as to slow blood loss. ✌️
Hi Dixie, very informative channel, thanks for sharing!
My Question: Have you ever had to give up on a trail due to medical issues (illness, injury)?
Or did you have to take some unplanned zero days to cure?
If so, what was the reason and how did you handle it?
Topic very timely for me, thanks! Re: tape, I’ve been using 3M Micropore surgical tape for my big toe which stays on through multiple showers. Good reading other comments on kinds of tape, and I know that your Homemade Wanderlust forum has a wealth of information.
I wish Dixie would hike the AT with me!!! She would be an excellent guide. I am just scared to go alone.. sigh
Dixie, how do you keep those little socks up? Don't they sneak down over your heels? Great video. Good to have an Ace bandage for sprains. Its useful for a lot of other things too. like skier's thumb sprains with hiking poles.
I live in New England and I walk the most during winter because of how many more calories I burn without sweating. I lose soooo much weight while everyone around me gains weight with the holidays.
for snake bites (and most insect bites/stings [mosquito bites, bee and wasp stings, spider bites, etc]) if you happen to have any broadleaf plantain nearby you can chew it into a pulp and hold it to the bite/sting. It helps a lot.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantago_major
Homemade Wanderlust Good information. 14:23 Yes, relatively few die, but amputations of fingers, toes, or partial or full amputations of limbs are a reality, and even with quick availability of the species-appropriate antivenin, the area of the bite may require periodic treatments by a doctor or wound care nurse for quite some time in order to heal.
Many venomous snakes will "dry bite," i.e., bite but not inject venom, for whatever reason - maybe more as a warning than a weapon (who knows what a snake is "thinking" when it strikes?), but any snakebite should be taken seriously, even those from a non-venomous species, due to the rather high risk of infection.
It's been said that "baby" rattlers actually inject more venom than adults because they haven't learned to control that aspect of the bite. Also, even the recently-severed head of a venomous snake can still deliver a bite for several minutes after it is "dead," and if it does, it may inject its entire venom supply, making the bite much more serious - potentially life-threatening.
Good advice re: snakes and snakebites, BTW. Avoiding being bitten is by far the best treatment. Stay safe out there. Happy Trails.
Apple Stump Bushcraft Stuff and Things... great comment respect the response here.
Wow, there is more stuff packed in this video than I had packed in an 85L pack in the winter. Obscure stuff I have forgotten, like the treated thread through the blister.
Thanks for all of the hard work you put into these videos.
I am not a teacher, but my mom, dad, step-dad, cousin, aunt and great-uncle all taught college or public schooling, from durations of 3 years to 33 years, and you, Dixie, are a natural teacher.
Desitin ointment for sure along with Imodium a.d. is always in my kit ! One bad “cheeky” trip will teach anyone to add that. 😆
looooved this video!
Kinesiology Tape is an amazing compliment to leukotape. it´s more a compression type of tape and amazing if you´ve twisted your ankle and need to reduce the swelling. I used last summer on the kings trail and absolutly loved it :)
I must say one thing!!! A+ video
Deodorant Works real good for chafing
Watched the whole video even though I have a podophobia.
Congratulations...feet are gross. Im not a full blown podophobe but... I'll get there.
After reading this comment, I googled what podophobia is, and realized that's what my boyfriend has. It's kind of a bad idea of them to put a picture of feet on the top of the Google search result. Lol
Chaffing: I sweat like nobodies business between my legs. On those times that I'm chaffed, I clean the area good then apply A&D ointment. I go to bed. Next morning I'm good as new, but I still apply a little more just in case. This stuff goes a REAL long way. It doesn't take much.
Solid deodorant works well too. It lubricates the skin and puts a layer so your thighs won't rub.
Foot swell actually isn't "swelling - the accumulation of fluid", but is the result of the enlargement of the 20 muscles in the foot. Think about a Body Builder, that's what your feet are doing. They're getting pumped up! Not swollen.
Journeys Of Salt Lick correct
What about some Dr. Jack Daniels FOR snake bite. :)
I always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snake bite. And also, a small snake. -- W.C. Fields
Not a good idea. Alcohol or caffeine can speed the absorption of venom.
And, venomous snakebite with concomitant use of drugs/alcohol is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29394429/
Snakes evidently don’t like being asked to “hold my beer.” 😄😄
When performing the 'toe tap' method when trying on new shoes, make sure they're laced correctly and neither too loose or too tight. My FA kit is fairly spartan. I've got a few high quality band aid strips, tweezers, Neosporin in two empty capsules, Ibuprophen, Immodium, needle, floss, Leukotape, Tenacious tape and some bandage wrap. I don't carry scissors as a knife does the job and can be used for a lot of other things as well. Never ask a medical person what to bring backpacking unless they have a bunch of experience in the backcountry...these folks would bring stuff for every contingency including trauma kit, tourniquet, stuff for sucking chest wound and 2 liters of sterile saline solution...you laugh but I once saw a nurse/hiker carrying 2 liters of saline. Bring stuff for cuts and blisters and a few meds. If that's not enough you can hike out 95% of the time or if your really f**ked up hit the button on your inReach assuming you got one.
Antihistamines and peppermints help with nausea too. A tampon is good for deep wounds, nose bleeds and emergency fire starter. Vaseline lip care is good for dry skin, burns, adhesive residue removal, fire starter, chafing and blister prevention. Oh, and chapped lips of course.
Tampons are *not* sterile and you shouldn’t pack them in a wound because they can cause infection. Also, they don’t apply pressure to a wound and can make it worse if you don’t follow the exact path of the wound because it can tear it deeper or wider. A topical dressing applying proper pressure is better than a tampon.
Sanitary napkins (not tampons) make a good battlefield dressing if there is a lot of bleeding. Apply it superficially and then wrap the wound with tape or a bandana or . . . to apply pressure to stop the bleeding
Tampons will work fine. Dressings for wounds do not need to be sterile because all wounds are considered dirty. Just needs to be clean.
Feminine products are *not* suitable for trauma. If you think so, then watch this video from SkinnyMedic, a _highly_ trained & certified medical responder and instructor.
th-cam.com/video/Nf_PPQOrKIc/w-d-xo.html
Ace bandage, works for sprains which I have suffered on trail. It also worked a co.pression bandage for a bleeding wound from a puncture I received on trail. They only cost 1 buck at the dollar store. If dirty or bloody when done through it out and buy a new one.
You’re probably the most informative and smartest backpacker I’ve ever seen
Good info. I'm an LVN and have done a ton of wound care. Very little on the trail but some. I have a kit that I bought at REI it's called "Medical kit mountain series, day tripper lite." I've carried boxes of wound care supplies in my car stock for hospice or home health and always needed something that I didn't have. It can happen on the trail when you least expect it. To that kit I added a small vial of normal saline that can be purchased on line. I have leuko tape. It does have latex so make sure you're not allergic to latex then buy something else. Band aids, "Sport, band aid" by Johnson and Johnson lasted the longest up to 3 days with sweat and water. I don't buy anything else for band aids. Technically if there is a blister you are supposed to leave it intact and let your immune system take care of it. I always pop them on the trail and use the suggestions that you made with antibiotic ointment and dressing of some sort. I've never tried the string method. I put antibiotic ointment after I've cleaned it and popped it. You now have a port of entry for a pathogen so keep it clean and dressed. As always very good video, thank you.
pine resin salve in a tiny container. it will make a tick back right out of your skin too
Hello Dixie, thank you for another informative video. It looks like you are the go to soarce for all things hiking and backpacking. Please be safe out there. See you on the next one. 🤗
Wrap several rounds of Duct of High Viz duct tape around the body of your lighter, it's the perfect width. Great for quick patching for leaks and I need not go on for the possibilites of what else it could be used for... It duct tape!!
Dixie, Love the work you do!
Omg i have chronic planter fasciities hiking or not a couple hours on my feet and it starts to flare up deffinatly need good orthoutics in ur shoes
Brad D I have this too. When seeing a specialist about it he said the stretching of that tendon is the most effective way of managing this. When I got certified for teaching yoga, I had zero symptoms, meaning that big hard knot was completely stretched out. I use this stretch daily weather I’m hiking or not.
Excellent content. Comprehensive delivery & dialogue and most importantly sincere. You’re a natural in front of the camera and your genuine passion of hiking & adventure is clearly evident. Keep up the great work and I wouldn’t be surprised if
National Geographic came knocking on your door for a filming project. Safe travels & God bless you always on the trail. ⛺️🙏🏼😎🤙🏼✝️
I've been hiking for 50+ years. Dixie, your advise in this vid is spot on. I gave all my BP stuff to a son who lives in Montana. I used to carry some MD prescribed pain/inflammation meds. My advice: make friends with your doc to make this his happen 😎.
In Australia I've always been told to bring 3 compression bandages when hiking as a minimum, one to cover the wound then going up the lim, you don't want to restrict the blood flow conpletely but the end of the wrapped lim should look like the unwrapped lim. As we have a lot of poisonous snakes here the people who die are always the people who get bitten and look for help themselves. All of the 5 first aid courses I've done always say to never move the patient as a 5 minute walk could kill them. My biggest suggest would be to do a basic first aid course and when you go tell your teacher you hike so they can adapt the situations given.
Use a proper pressure immobilisation bandage. One with the rectangles thst become square when stretched the right tension. It’s almost impossible to get the pressure right with a normal compression bandage. And do NOT clean the wound as they need to take swabs to identify the snake and hence which antivenom.
This is great info.