First aid kit contents

The contents of a good first aid kit will vary depending on

• the activity you practice

• the remoteness of emergency medical services (paramedics)

• the number of people for whom the kit is intended.

Obviously, it's not possible to cover everything here, but you can draw inspiration from the process we used to build our kits to design your own.

To build your kit, you can check with your sports federation to see if they offer kit contents, discuss with your first aid instructor and search the internet for lists adapted to your discipline.

Pre-assembled first aid kits can be convenient, but I encourage you to open them and make sure they meet your needs, and above all, familiarize yourself with their contents . Who needs 60 bandages? The important thing in the wilderness is being able to respond effectively to real emergencies with the right tools.

In any case, here are some basic principles:

• Your kit must be kept clean, complete and in good condition to be effective the day you need it (and that day will come).

• Plan for a communication system.

• If you are in a group, make sure everyone knows who has the kit.

• Anyone providing first aid in a workplace is required to complete a report containing their name, the name of the injured person, the date, time, and description of the injury/illness, as well as the first aid provided.

As a rafting company, we have to comply with various regulations and laws.

Our kits must conform to the contents list of:

• CNESST

• Transport Canada

• Adventure Ecotourism Quebec

• Eau Vive Québec

CNESST

The CNESST offers different lists depending on the level of risk present in the workplace and the number of workers. https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/fr/prevention-securite/secourisme-en-milieu-travail/materiel-premiers-secours

According to the CNESST, the intermediate (high risk) kit is suitable for work in the forest.

For groups of 5 or more forestry workers, a backboard, a rigid cervical collar, a head immobilizer, and a blanket must be added to the list. These additional items must be located "near the areas where the workers are concentrated."

For 10 or more workers in the forest, you should get the large intermediate kit.

Since we are less than 10 workers and we work in the forest, we chose the small intermediate kit (high risk).

Here is the content it must contain:

Padded, malleable splint, minimum size 10.2 cm x 61 cm (4 in x 24 in)	1
Adhesive bandages, sterile, in assorted sizes (standard bandage, large, fingertip, knuckle, large plate)	25
Elastic bandages (stretch gauze), unstretched length, individually wrapped, 5.1 cm x 1.8 m (2 in x 2 yards)	1 roll
Elastic bandages (stretch gauze), unstretched length, individually wrapped, 7.6 cm x 1.8 m (3 in x 2 yards)	1 roll
Bandage scissors	1 pair, stainless steel (with angled, rounded tip), minimum 14 cm (5.5 in)
Sterile, individually wrapped abdominal compresses, 12.7 cm x 22.9 cm (5 in x 9 in)	1
Sterile gauze compresses, individually wrapped, 7.6 cm x 7.6 cm (3 in x 3 in)	12
Sterile gauze compresses, individually wrapped, 10.2 cm x 10.2 cm (4 in x 4 in)	6
Instant cold compresses (or equivalent)	1
Sterile compression bandages/dressings with ties, 10.2 cm x 10.2 cm (4 in x 4 in)	1
Sterile compression bandages/dressings with ties, 15.2 cm x 15.2 cm (6 in x 6 in)	1
Glucose tablets, 4 g (10 per package) or other acceptable choice (hard candies, orange juice or other juices with fructose)	1 package
Emergency blanket, made of aluminum and non-stretch polyester, minimum size 132 cm x 213 cm (52 in x 84 in)	1
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) barrier device with one-way valve	1
Triangular scarf, cotton, with 2 safety pins, 101.6 cm x 101.6 cm x 142.2 cm (40 in x 40 in x 56 in)	2
Disposable examination gloves	4 pairs of medical-grade, one size fits all, latex-free, powder-free
arterial tourniquet	1
Individually wrapped hand and skin cleansing wipes (or equivalent)	6
Individually wrapped antiseptic wound cleansing wipes	25
Kit contents list	1
Antibiotic ointments, topical, single-use	6
Elastic and compressive support dressings/bandages, unstretched length, individually wrapped, 7.6 cm (3 in)	1
Non-adherent, sterile, individually wrapped dressings, 5.1 cm x 7.6 cm (2 in x 3 in)	4
Splinter tweezers / tweezers	1 fine point, stainless steel, minimum 11.4 cm (4.5 in)
Adhesive tape (diachylon), 2.5 cm (1 in)	2.3 m
Bag for the collection of biomedical waste, single use	2
Sterile eye swabs and eye cover with elastic band	2 sets

The CNESST suggests adding "The Practical Guide for Workplace First Aiders - Intervention Protocols" to first aid kits. We have replaced this document with a pocket guide from the Canadian Red Cross (included in our first aid training courses).

The CNESST list is frequently updated and I find it to be the most comprehensive. It's often used as a reference for building other lists, so if I had to choose just one, it would be this one!

Transport Canada

For rafting in Canada, we must comply with the Canada Shipping Act, specifically the "Special Purpose Vessel Regulations".

https://lois-laws.justice.gc.ca/fra/reglements/DORS-2008-121/page-1.html

Their requirement regarding the first aid kit is rather minimalist...but it's the law!

• 20 adhesive bandages;

• two sterile compresses;

• a strip of gauze measuring 10 cm × 4.5 m;

• a rolled strip of 7.5 cm × 4.5 m;

• a triangular bandage, the base length of which is at least 100 cm, and two pins;

• a roll of first aid adhesive tape measuring 1.25 cm × 4.5 m;

• a pair of safety scissors;

• 60 mL of antiseptic solution and 10 disposable cotton holders, or 10 antiseptic swabs;

• a first aid manual;

• two pairs of latex examination gloves;

• a resuscitation mask.

Adventure Ecotourism Quebec

As we are accredited for "quality-safety" by the organization Aventure Écotourisme Québec, we must respect the proposed content list.

Aventure Écotourisme Québec is the leading network of adventure tourism professionals in Quebec. The AEQ seal certifies our adherence to the highest standards of safety and quality, and highlights all the efforts we make, day after day, to offer participants the best outdoor experience.

In collaboration with Impact Santé, a training partner of the Canadian Red Cross, the AEQ recommends 3 lists:

• Short expedition: Short expedition (less than 24 hours) with a small team (less than 8 people). Ambulance transport available in less than 6 hours is provided.

• Long expedition: Long expedition (less than 2 weeks) with a small team (less than 8 people).

• First aid: A fixed first aid kit, accessible to all, is located in a physical facility. Ambulance transport is available within 6 hours, as well as access to running drinking water and the possibility of being replaced within one week.

Depending on our needs, we follow the suggested contents for a short shipment.

Eau Vive Québec

Eau Vive Québec is our sports federation. It requires different content, depending on the risk zone:

We are in a low-risk zone, but we must adapt our kits when we change zones for special events:

Weak area :

4 pairs - Nitrile gloves

1 - Pocket mask with one-way valve

1 pair - Scissors

1- Splinter tweezers

25 - Adhesive bandages (various sizes and models)

1 - Roll of medical tape

2 - Eye dressings

1 - Tube of antibiotic ointment

1 - Epipen

10 - Sugar (glucose) sachets

4 - Non-adherent compresses 2 x 3

10 - Non-sterile compresses 4 x 4

12 - Sterile gauze compresses 3 x 3

1 - 4 x 4 compression dressing

1 - Roll of gauze 2 x 2

1 - Roll of gauze 2 x 3

1 - Abdominal compress 5 x 9

1 - Compression bandage with 4 x 4 fasteners

1 - Compression bandage with 6 x 6 fasteners

2 - Triangular bandages

2 - Pins

2 - Elastic bandages

1 - Modular splint

2 - Waste bags

25 - Benzalkonium chloride antiseptic wipes

1 - Instant cold compress

1 - Survival blanket

1 - Note sheet and pencil

*The inclusion of an AED during a river descent will be considered within the framework of a moratorium

until 2025

Final list

To sort through all of this and be sure not to forget anything, we made an Excel spreadsheet including the CNESST, Transport Canada, AEQ and Eau Vive Québec.

Here is our list:

Finally, it's essential to remember that a first aid kit is just a tool. It will only be truly effective if you know how to use it. First aid training will allow you to react quickly and appropriately in an emergency. It will be your greatest asset in ensuring your safety and the safety of others.

Alex