Paddling Specific First Aid Kit

I imagine this has been discussed before, but I'm curious what must haves do people think should be in a paddling specific first aid kit? Over the weekend on the Vermilion we happened upon a group of rafters and my dad patched up yet another head injury, and it got me thinking, 3/4 of the stuff in my bag is probably worthless on the river.

Band aids, gauze, tape, pain management meds, neosporin, tweezers and a pair of scissors, are my essentials...

thanks, curious to see feedback

-ej

Ej,
I carry the same stuff you do plus:
A regulae Sam Splint (plus one for fingers), Ace Bandage, Eye Wash Solution (plus eye cup), 1 bandage pack that stops open wound blood flow), the band aids are waterproof as is the tape.
If I was on a longer Wilderness trip I would have more stuff but this a pretty basic local river pack.

Some alcohol swabs, antiseptic wipes, cigarette lighter (cold weather fire starter) and a CPR face shield.

In addition to what you guys have already mentioned, I include a space blanket, matches, chemical hand warmers, etc. to combat hypothermia. If you ever have someone seriously injured, you may need to wait for help w/ them and keeping their body temp regulated will help lower the risk (&/or diminish the likelihood) of shock. If you ever need to deal with a serious bleed, bandaids will be useless. Feminine hygiene products are what many folks carry because they're cheap & absorbent. The QuickClot that Bill mentioned is a good thing to have along, but expensive to carry in quantity. There's a lot that can be improvised for splints, but SamSplints are definitely easier to work w/ & fairly lightweight & compact.

The most basic rule of first aid kits is:
Have one. Know what's in it. Know how to use it.

Burn gel.
Small scissors
Pain relief pills/ benadryl (the quick dissolve strips in case someone is unresponsive)/ If you have access to an epi pen and know how to use it.
A quick start lighting gel or brick if you have room to help start your fire if its raining.
Food/ food gel. (Candy or energy bars for anyone who may be in diabetic shock or just need the energy)
Water purification tablets

Epi-pens are not rocket science to use, and if you need one there is no substitute!!

I also carry steri- strips or Butterflys to close wound, a waterproof antiseptic that makes a watertight seal on wounds,ace wrap with safety pins and bandanas to make sling or compression bandage. Aspirin is important should anyone have chest pain.Electolyte powder, like small packets of Gatoraide provides potassium and salt if someone gets dehydrated in hot weather. I also carry emergency bivy sack to keep someone from hypothermia to use with hot packs. Worked great. Immodium for diarrhea.

i do carry all the first aid stuff, but have only used it once

the stuff i use the most usually concerns my general comfort level

i try to carry a couple power bars because it really sucks to be hungry on the river and still have a while to go, i also like to have a few handwarmers in case i get really cold i can tape one over a major artery and warm up, i also carry a light of some sort and that has come in handy a few times, breakdown paddle or a pair of hand paddles

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Good stuff, the pack is getting full.

My base kit is a homemade bandage for paddling and hiking:
Leuko tape - http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/leukotape_p.html
Tincture of benzoin - http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/tincture_benzoin_ampules.html
Antiseptic
Triple ointment
Gauze or toilet paper
Scissors - http://www.rei.com/product/403028/victorinox-classic-swiss-army-knife
Ibuprofen

Works great for blisters on the feet when hiking and blisters on the hands when paddling. Rub the tincture of benzoin on the skin where the edge of the bandage will be and it won't come off for days. Even when wet in high wear areas. Might have to trim the edges from time to time. Wrap some leuko tape around the triple ointment bottle so you don't have to lug around the whole roll. Makes for a simple small kit for any size blister or cut. From there I just add, depending on the length and type of trip.

Ace bandage
Sting relief
Duct tape
Super glue
Wound closure strips
Fire starter kit
Benadril
Prescription pain relief

First aid kits can be as personal as the type of shows & tequila you like in Tijuana.
Dean

Came across this in an email from Rapid magazine not too long ago:

http://content.yudu.com/A1rjnk/rafall04/resources/24.htm

I also carry a small magnifying mirror so I can see my own eye if I get some sand or something in it, of course if you're young enough not to need reading glasses a regular mirror would be fine.