All Scouts and Scout leaders—as representatives of an organization whose motto is “Be Prepared”—should be sure they are always ready with an appropriate first-aid kit when it’s needed. Your kit may be simple, or more complex if you are trained to use it properly. But the kit must always be on hand and stocked with every essential item.

First-aid kits should be present wherever you might need them. That likely includes having a kit in your car, your home, your meeting location, and with your outdoor equipment for the next hike or camping trip. Since a first-aid kit is one of the essential items for Scout hiking, keeping one with your daypack is an easy way to assure you are prepared on the trail.

The contents of the kit can be as varied as the potential needs and the number of participants present, but it must always be stocked and ready for use. You should also regularly check for and replace expired items and those that need to be restocked after a trip. A kit for a day hike will probably be different from the kit you would carry on a trek at Philmont Scout Ranch or a multiday boat trip at the Florida Sea Base or Northern Tier. If you’re a medical professional or trained in Wilderness First Aid, the kit may be expanded because of your knowledge and ability to safely use the items. Not sure about what to buy and where to get it? A number of professionally prepared first-aid kits are available from https://www.scoutshop.org/, major outdoor retailers, and the American Red Cross. 

RESOURCES

• First Aid Kits
• Guide to Safe Scouting
• Fieldbook (available at scoutshop.org)
• Wilderness First Aid
• American Red Cross

Review complete safety measures at: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/first-aid-kits/

AED Basic Care and Maintenance: An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a small, portable medical device that generates a shock that can jolt the heart into beating correctly. To ensure AEDs function properly when needed, regular inspections are required. 

• AED Basic Care and Maintenance
• Mayo Clinic, “Automated external defibrillators: Do you need an AED?”
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration, “How AEDs in Public Places Can Restart Hearts”

Review complete safety measures at: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/aed-basic-care-and-maintenance/