Another thing is that all this stuff deteriorates. A lot of people buy kits, keep them forever, and when they need something all the stick is gone. The homegrown kit is cheaper and usually evolving so things stay fresh.

i kind of agree with Tonka. First aid kids should have a little of everything. Aside from this (to be on the safe side), since we would usually go as a group, we would bring two-ways with us, an extra Motorola battery (reliable even in tough conditions), and GPS. Yes, I know they're mostly electronic stuff, but they can come in handy and become real life savers.

Mountain Impulse wrote:Always moleskin.

This.

In winter or when otherwise expecting snow, at least one person in the group should carry a sleeping pad. Essential to keeping an injured person warm and dry if they can't stand up. Pads are also useful when improvising a leg splint. Inflatable pads are really effective and pretty comfortable: wrap around the leg, reinforce with a pole or two and bind with wraps of tape/string/clothing, then inflate to completely immobilize.

I put a lot of other stuff in my first aid kit that's not necessarily for first aid: a package of energy gel, a candle, a lighter, a rubber band, a sewing needle, a roll of dental floss, some duct tape, a razor blade.

I'll second the duct tape - when all else fails that stuff can be used for all sorts of injuries.

However, this is the best travel first aid kit selection I've come across so far.

Am I correct that hardware store superglue is sterile enough to use in emergency medicine (I'm no good with needle and thread...)?

The superglue in hardware stores IS NOT the same as the superglue used to patch large wounds!
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/rea ... in-vietnam
http://www.wisegeek.com/can-i-really-us ... -wound.htm

I checked dermabond, the medical grade of cyanoacrylate -- it is quite expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keyword ... ond&page=1

Non-MDs are supposed to use this stuff for small wounds only.

On the other hand, I have used superglue to make artificial fingernails and toenails when my natural nails were damaged by accidents.

There are contrary opinions:
http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/20 ... rglue.html
(This guy says go ahead and use the hardware-store type).

Overall, it sounds like it's tricky to use the regular stuff. You can't let it get inside the wound, so you are supposed to pinch the sides of the wound together tightly and apply the stuff on the closure, or on the sides (and then push it to the center).

http://web.mac.com/nitrogun/nitrogun/Superglue.html
Also see above