Reddit mentions of Medicine for Mountaineering & Other Wilderness Activities

I work as an EMT and in SAR. I have a background in ski patrol and a lot of time outside so I'll chime in.

It depends to where, what, and when you're going to me. Depending on those I will build my first aid kit on injury patterns of what to expect. The first aid kit I carry for a day hike in the summer is different than the one I'll carry on a day of ice climbing in the winter. The best thing about wilderness medicine is the improvisation of gear and skills. There is a lot of medical gear that is completely useless in the back country and a lot of wasted weight. I'll list the basics I build my kit off of and talk about some of bulky gear that could be left at home. Again this list will depend on the day.

Always have-
Bandaids, steri strips, alcohol swabs, gloves, gorilla tap, high quality medical tape, cling (a roll of gauze), triangle bandage, medium sized tensor bandage, tweezers, space blanket, soap, clean ziplock bag, empty irrigation 10ml syringe, water purification tablets, Ibuprofen (advil), acetaminophen (tylenol), Epinephrine, Diphenhydramine (benadryl), Dimenhydrinate (gravol), potassium, and unpasteurized honey (in my cooking kit, for tea and low blood sugar). I also always have my Spot Beacon if I need help.

Sometimes have -
Tourniquet/compression bandage (for shooting/hunting), extra tensor bandages/triangles (biking), or stronger pain control (long backpacking trips).

Not to be rude to the other commenters- but I think SAM splits, trauma shears, excessive bleeding control, and CPR masks are a waste of space. Splits can be improved with branches, bags, and clothing. Shears are replaced by knives, clothing can be used for bleeding control, and CPR in the back country unfortunately doesn't have a great outcome. EDIT - CPR should still be attempted in the backcountry. If you don't have a mask or barrier device, then compression only CPR is still effective. CPR doesn't save lives, defibrillators do. 2nd EDIT - CPR may save you, your partner, or a strangers life. If you need to give CPR chances are that its a member in your party and mouth to mouth is a viable option; if not than you can use a glove with a hole as a basic barrier device.

The biggest thing is that you research and take a course on some sort of first aid. For books I highly recommend these two-

https://www.amazon.ca/Wilderness-Medicine-Beyond-First-Aid/dp/0762780703/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458836008&sr=1-1&keywords=9780762780709

https://www.amazon.ca/Medicine-Mountaineering-Other-Wilderness-Activities-ebook/dp/B004GNGCWC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458836014&sr=1-1&keywords=9781594853937

There's a lot you should know while out there. But the big things I would recommend that you know are know to assess someone, treat basic wounds, split, head injury recognition, what the drugs you are carrying do, and when you know you need help.

Is there a more recent edition of this book edited by Dr. James A. Wilkerson? ... wanted to confirm that this is the same book.

... Amazon link