Pretty much what was said above. I carry a lot of gauze and things that can double as gauze, along with some pills that I know how and when to use.

I think the biggest thing that hikers get hung up on when it comes to first aid kits is trying to have everything that they could possibly need. Having everything that you could possibly need is useless if you don't know how to use it. So ditch the stuff that you don't know how to use, because you stand a good chance of making a situation worse by trying to learn on the fly.


One day I'd like to hike the entire John Muir Trail and not leave a single footprint. -Randy Morgenson