First Aid Kit Requirements
Each backpacker MUST have a first aid kit that is fully supplied and maintained in a ready state. This kit
must be carried by each backpacker and cannot be shared to save weight. In overview, the kit contents must
include an assortment of different types of bandages for wound management, materials for blister
management, gauze and tape, antibiotic ointment, antibacterial wipes, cotton swabs, and basic medications
(antacids and pain relievers). This kit can be purchased at REI or any other outdoor activities store, or made
from individual pieces put together. The entire kit must be in a clearly marked FIRST AID. A full check list
is available below.
Wound Management:
10 - large bandaids (1” X 3”)
5 - small bandaids (3/4” X 3”)
10 - butterfly closures (medium or large)
5 - 3” X 3” gauze pads
1 - 2” wide gauze roll, at least 24” long
1 - roll, cloth tape, at least 24” long
Blister Care:
1 - 3” X 4” moleskin pad or equivalent
Sprain Management:
1 ace wrap, 2” wide
Medications:
10 - acetaminophen tablets
10 - ibuprofen tablets
10 - calcium carbonate or equivalent antacid tablets
5 - loperamide (immodium ad) tablets
1 - small tube of antibiotic ointment/creme (Neosporin, polysporin, etc.)
1 - small tube of hydrocortisone anti-itch creme
Miscellaneous:
1 - tweezers
2 - safety pins
1 - scissors
1. The dimensions on the bandages, tape, and wrap are meant to be approximate, not exact. Get as close
as you can, and if you don’t have a match, choose the bigger size.
2. Backpackers with specific first aid requirements must also pack the additional required items in their
first aid kit. This may include items that alleviate allergies (to poison ivy, foods, pollen, or bee
stings), medications for specific medical issues, or specific bandages for existing wounds.
3. Individuals without first aid kits ARE NOT ALLOWED ON BACKPACKING OR HIKING TRIPS.
While group leaders will have first aid items, the requirements of backpacking and hiking prevent
them from carrying large amounts of extra gear for each member of a large group. The vans will
always have large first aid kits with ample supplies for hikers or backpackers. The first aid kits are
designed to remedy manageable situations. For major medical issues, the backpackers will leave the
wilderness, use the large first aid kits in the vans, and, if necessary, seek help at the nearest medical
facility.
By Signing this Form, I __________________________ certify that I have read and understand the
above guidelines and will pack and carry a first aid kit that meets all of the above requirements.
________________________________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian
1
This information is subject to periodic revision as needed., rev. 3/26/09
Science Club Conduct Code
It is expected that all SLUH students participating in any club/sport exhibit behavior that demonstrates
respect for their peers, leaders, parents, and school. In sports, this is referred to as “good sportsmanship”.
Science Club members are no exception to this rule, and, in addition, must also demonstrate respect for the
environments they explore. The following are guidelines:
1. Behave in a way that demonstrates the highest respect for students, leaders, and environment. Always
exemplify the highest moral character, conduct, and leadership. Avoid any physical and/or verbal abuse of any
other student. This includes any form of “hazing”. Avoid any act that brings shame or embarrassment on your
peers, leaders, or the SLUH community. Any behavior that jeopardizes the success of the activity/group or
reflects poorly on the school, moderators, or students will be disciplined accordingly.
2. Follow all instructions given to you by your leaders. This may include additional responsibilities during
emergency/first aid situations. Insubordination in the back country cannot be tolerated, just as it is not tolerated
in the classroom or on the sports field.
3. Review and abide by the present Tobacco/Alcohol/Chemical Abuse policy at SLUH. Especially note that
possession, or being under the influence of alcohol or any other illegal drug or paraphernalia at an event offcampus is not tolerated and will result in professional counseling, suspension, and or expulsion from the club
and/or SLUH.
4. Prepare yourself and your equipment properly and as outlined by your instructors. The success and safety of
the entire group depends on each individual acting as a member of a team. The group is only as strong as the
weakest link. Unprepared participants may be asked to leave the trip if the instructor feels the group
safety/success is jeopardized. Please note that some physical conditioning is a basic requirement for any
hiking, biking, or backpacking endeavor and all students not actively exercising for a sport must make the
appropriate exercise adjustments. Bicycles, daypacks, backpacks and other equipment must be tried out and
“fitted” BEFORE the trip, not during the trip.
5. Use all camping equipment properly and in the manner for which it was intended. This includes knives, axes,
multi tools, the use of fire, and any other equipment brought into the back country. A moment of carelessness
jeopardizes the safety and success of the efforts of the entire group.
6. Practice “Leave no trace” principles in the back country. These include the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Plan ahead and prepare - know the special hazards of the area, walk in small groups, repackage food to avoid
waste, and avoid trail alterations that mark any paths...
Travel and camp on durable surfaces - do not alter an area to make a camp, walk single file on the trail, camp in
small groups at least 200’ of any body of water...
Dispose of waste properly - pack out all leftover food, litter, and trash, deposit all human waste in catholes 6” to
8” deep at least 200’ from the nearest body of water, wash your body or clothes at least 200’ from streams and
scatter the dishwater...
Leave what you find - do not alter historical structures or artifacts, do not remove anything from the areas
traveled or camped...
Minimize campfire impacts - use stoves for cooking, use fire rings for campfires, keep fires small, put out
campfires completely...
Respect wildlife - observe at a distance, don’t feed animals, hang all food...
Be considerate of other visitors - be courteous, step to the downhill side when encountering pack stock, avoid
loud noises and voices...
7. Any major violation of the above guidelines/principles will result in some consequence ranging from
suspension from club activities or school, or expulsion from the club or school.
By Signing this Form, I __________________________ certify that I have read and understand the
above guidelines and will act accordingly on SLUH Science Club trips. Furthermore, I accept the
consequences of any violation of the above guidelines as deemed fair by the Principal/Club Moderators
at SLUH.
________________________________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian
2
This information is subject to periodic revision as needed., rev. 3/26/09
Science Club Safety Code
1. There will be "two-deep" leadership on every overnight trip. In the event of a mishap, one leader can
get help while the other can stay and stabilize the situation.
2. Tenting, stove, and water arrangements must be made ahead of time. All backpackers must have
group arrangements in place before leaving for the trip. Each student, unless tenting solo, will have a
tenting, stove, and water buddy/group. Students can only tent with students, not with adult leaders,
under ANY AND ALL circumstances.
3. Everyone must bring their own small first aid kit. This should consist of any medication that is taken
regularly along with a permission form explaining the need for the medication. In addition, each
student should bring some bandaids, disinfectant, a 2X2 pad, and moleskin. This will take care of
minor cuts, abrasions, and burns. The moleskin will take care of burns on the feet.
4. Everyone MUST HAVE A MAP AND COMPASS!! NO EXCEPTIONS! In the case of an unusual
emergency, a single lone hiker would then be equipped to navigate to the nearest safe area. Maps can
be printed from the website or obtained (black-and-white) from Mr. Kuensting.
5. Everyone should review the procedures of using a map and compass to navigate. GPS units, while
good for indicating position and directions to travel, do not work well as compass and map. DO NOT
REPLACE A COMPASS AND MAP WITH A GPS. The GPS helps but does not replace the map
and compass.
6. Everyone MUST HAVE A WHISTLE!! The whistle sound carries farther than any voice in a forest
and in an emergency, can allow hikers to find one another.
7. All students MUST PRACTICE THE "BUDDY RULE"! Individual students are not allowed to leave
the group except for toilet necessities, and then they must immediately return to the group. UNDER
NO CIRCUMSTANCES is a lone student allowed to hike, cave, backpack, etc.!!! NO
EXCEPTIONS!!
8. Students may split up ONCE THE LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PLAN. The
leaders are responsible for the group and they make all final decisions on itineraries. Students may
hike or cave in groups of at least two, preferably 3 or more.
9. In the event a student is separated from the group by mistake, he should RETRACE HIS STEPS, GO
BACK TO THE NEAREST KNOWN AREA, AND WAIT TO BE REUNITED WITH THE
GROUP! Lone navigation to another area only increases the chances of a lost hiker in the wilderness.
WE DO NOT WANT TO ORGANIZE A SEARCH TEAM TO FIND YOU!!
10. All equipment must be used for what it is intended. Knives will not be thrown or used to carve trees.
Lighters and stoves will not be used to burn anything outside of their intended use.
By Signing this Form, I __________________________ certify that I have read and
understand the above guidelines and will act accordingly on SLUH Science Club trips.
Furthermore, I accept the consequences of any violation of the above guidelines as
deemed fair by the Principal/Club Moderators at SLUH.
________________________________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian
3
This information is subject to periodic revision as needed., rev. 3/26/09
Science Club Equipment Guidelines
1. Each backpacker must have certain pieces of equipment that he cannot share. These items are required because of
safety or health. Other pieces of equipment can be shared, but must be available to each backpacker.
2. Major items that cannot be shared and must be borrowed or purchased by the hikers/backpackers for overnight
trips: waterproof boots, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, pack rain cover, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth,
rope, mess kit, food for the trip, first aid kit, non-cotton clothing for hiking and sleeping, gaiters, toilet paper and
trowel, map and compass, safety whistle, headlamp, garbage bag, containers with 2 quarts of water. If a student
does not have any one of these items, he CANNOT attend the trip.
3. Major shared items include tents, ground tarps, stoves, and water purifiers, and buckets. Students are encouraged
to share these and will be divided into groups to save weight. They will also be part of tenting, cooking, and water
groups. They must stay within their groups when satisfying their shelter, food, or water requirements. All students
must know their tenting, cooking, and water "buddies" before they leave for any trip. Day hiking requirements are
similar, except overnight items and stoves are omitted. Spring break trips will require more items than the list
below, including items needed for long van rides. Packing lists for spring break trips will be provided with the trip
information packet.
4. Equipment must be of backpacking quality. Tents must have a FULL rainfly that fully covers the tent and reaches
near ground. The tent must have a bathtub bottom. Pack rain covers, backpacking ponchos, ground tarps, and
gaiters must be nylon or otherwise indestructible. Backpacking ponchos must cover the student and the backpack
and still reach their knees. The sleeping bag must be rated for 20°F or less. The compass must be of orienteering
quality. The sleeping pad must provide some insulation from the cold ground. Boots must be waterproof. All
clothing MUST be non-cotton - nylon, polypropylene, wool, etc. All items, except possibly a sleeping pad, MUST
fit INTO the backpack so that it can be rain-proofed with the backpack rain cover.
5. Total backpack weight with ALL items should not exceed 1/3 (33%) of total body weight, with a target of 1/5
(20%) total body weight.
6. Cold weather backpacking requires student to not wear cotton. Students will no longer be allowed to attend trips
wearing cotton. The only cotton object in a properly prepared backpacker's bag is a bandana for wiping sweat off
of his/her brow! Clothing should be organized in layers. Backpackers should not bring coats!!
7. Everyone must be ready for inclement weather. We do not normally quit because of rain or snow, but we can only
do as much as our equipment allows. Some of our best trips have been under difficult weather conditions. One
missing poncho can cancel a trip, and some of the trails are hours of driving away. Pack carefully and pack the
right equipment!
8. Backpackers should pack according to the sample packing list (available online):
a. General - topo map, compass, flashlight + extra batteries, garbage bag, camera, knife, lighter/striker tool, backpack, backpack rain
cover, walking stick/hiking poles, 2 extra ziploc bags, binoculars, multitool.
b. First Aid - sunscreen, aspirin/ibuprofen, lip balm, tecnu (poison ivy soap - leave in van), bug spray (not in cold weather), first aid kit,
nylon repair kit.
c. Lodging -tent, ground tarp, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rope (hang pack), pillow sack.
d. Dining -stove + matches, stove fuel, mess kit with pot, utensils, measuring cup, water bottles, water purifier and/or iodine, water bucket
(collapsible - for water purification).
e. Food - bagels, power bars, raisins, dried food (ramen, mashed potatoes, rice, vegetables), nutrigrain bars, bagged tuna, albacore, or
chicken (no cans!); sample breakfast: oatmeal, raisins, poptart, vitamins; sample lunch: powerbar, mashed potatoes, nuts; sample
supper: knorr/lipton soup mix, chicken pouch, powerbar; snack: nutrigrain bar
f. Clothing (ALL NON-COTTON) -boots, nylon/polypropylene outerwear (non-cotton) including shirt, pants, socks, fleece/jacket; thin
long underwear top and bottom (cold weather), hats, sunglasses, spare underwear, socks, spare shirt, gloves, raincoat/poncho,
pajamas (long underwear, socks, stocking cap, thin fleece), gaiters.
g. Hygiene -soap, toothbrush & toothpaste, washcloth, toilet paper & trowel, hand sanitizer, eyeglass cleaner + cloth.
8. Backpackers that use Science Club equipment must agree to repair or replace, at their cost, any equipment they
break or misuse.
By Signing this Form, I __________________________ certify that I have read and understand the
above guidelines and will pack accordingly for SLUH Science Club trips. Furthermore, I agree to
repair or replace, at my cost, any Science Club group equipment that I damage.
________________________________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian
4
This information is subject to periodic revision as needed., rev. 3/26/09