DIY Hiker’s First Aid Kit for Dogs and their Humans
Packing for our hike last week, I realized that the only first aid kit I had was for the dog. Over time, I’ve accepted the fact that if something were to happen to Batman on our travels, I’d be well-prepared with an 18-piece kit; whereas, if something happened to me, I’d just curl up helplessly and die.
In an effort to improve my fate, I put together a basic first aid kit that the dog can carry on our hikes for the both of us. The whole kit weighs exactly 1 pound and takes up half the space of a gallon-size Ziploc. I used mini travel bottles to store liquids, pill pouches for meds, and even found a good use for those plastic roll thingies that poop bags are wrapped around — they’re great for making mini rolls of duct tape.
My first aid kit includes:
- Assorted bandaids
- Blister relief pads
- Sterile gauze wrap
- Butterfly closures
- Neosporin
- Betadine
- Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting if Batman eats poison)
- Witch hazel
- Styptic powder
- Q-tips and cotton balls
- Alcohol cleaning pads
- Wet Ones antibacterial wipes
- All-natural bug repellant wrist band
- Cortizone Quick Shot for itch relief
- Aspirin, Pepto, Benedryl and Gas-X (for bloat)
- Technu poison ivy scrub
- Gloves
- Pawz disposable dog boots
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Emergency whistle (I like Fox40 the best)
- Mini Maglite
- Disposable water bowl
- Duct tape (always carry duct tape!)
- Matches
- Thermal blanket
I also carry an extra leash that can double as a tourniquet because my war zone medical training has left me paranoid about the dangers of massive blood loss.
On our last hike:
