First Aid Kits

All fleet vehicles are equipped with basic first aid kits.  It is strongly suggested that if you’ll traveling significant distances from the field vehicle that you customize, pack, and carry with you a kit that takes into account your activities, crew size, and level of training.

• Customize your kit for your destination, tasks, group size, and level of training.
• Re-pack your kit prior to each trip; replenish used/expired items.
• Commercial kits are good starting points. Purchase a good kit and add components to it.
• First aid kits don’t save lives, people do. All participants should be trained on how to use ALL kit components.

Survival Kits

A survival kit, also referred to as an emergency kit, is any group of items that enable a person to temporarily persevere in adverse circumstances until they can reach a place of greater safety.  Kit components will vary depending on the hazards and the environmental conditions.

• Components will vary based on the environment/risks associated with your work.
• First Aid kits are a sub-component of the survival kit.
• Develop a checklist for your kit to ensure all items are present, functional, and have not expired.
• Inspect your kit regularly depending on the nature of the potential hazards associated with your work.
• Take the time to learn how to use each kit component, or at the very least, make sure instructions are included in the survival kit checklist.

Possible Survival Kit Components

Deciding on what to pack in your survival kit should be made after performing your Risk Assessment.  Your mileage may vary, so to speak.  What gets packed will depend upon the results of your risk assessment, including risks associated with site conditions and your planned activities.

Aside from required field equipment, here are a few recommendations to consider to help keep you safe:

• First Aid Kit
• Navigational Tools (Maps, compass, GPS, etc.)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Communication Devices
• Extra food and water
• Automobile Jack
• Fire Exinguisher
• Batteries
• Personal flotation device(s)

• Allergy or other medications
• Water Purification Tablets or Filter Devices
• Sunscreen and Hat
• Flashlight
• Spare Tire
• Road Flares
• Bug Spray
• Blanket
• Extra clothing

Other Gear for Safe Fieldwork

Field gear is usually needed for just about any type of field work.  The gear that you need will vary based on your research discipline, but you should be sure to make plans for emergencies by bringing along a survival kit that includes first aid supplies.  You should also consider field activities that might pose additional risk where you might need PPE, an eyewash, or secondary containment of chemicals.

Gear that can make you more comfortable and also minimize your risk because comfort can become safety under extreme field conditions.  Examples include:  rubber gloves to wear while electrofishing; waders; hiking boots; cold weather gear, like a ski hat, gloves, parka; hot weather gear, like a sun hat and clothing made out of breathable fabrics; insect repellents; sunscreen; and snake chaps.

If you plan to collect specimens in the field, it is important to prepare accordingly with appropriate plans and permits.