How many of you carry a first aid kit in your pack or vehicle? I try to keep one handy as often as possible. You just never know if something minor or major could pop up. I was reminded of this over the weekend while descending off a jagged mountain.
Everything was cool until some pine needles and other forest debris hid a wet, rock slope. I jammed my aluminum hiking staff down to stop my fall, but it caught between two rocks and snapped like a brittle pretzel. My last resort was to reach out and grab for a rock.
Unfortunately the rock had a pointed edge and I ripped a hole neatly in my palm. With blood starting to gush I dropped my pack and whipped out my first aid kit. After a quick cleansing I put a bandage on the wound and wrapped it with some athletic tape to hold it in place.
It could have been worse with a sprained ankle or even a broken bone, but regardless the first aid kit came in handy and I'm glad it was stowed in my pack.
Take a quick inventory of your gear and make sure a first aid kit is always on board. If not, hit a Cabela's and get stocked up.
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| Quit calling me a sissy. It stings! |