6.1 First-aid kits

First aid kits only treat the effect—not the cause. Why not worry more about the cause? i.e., just don’t fuck up. Then you won’t need a first aid kit.

But as long as if you keep that in mind, there isn’t anything really wrong with keeping a kit around for diving, hiking, climbing, etc. It should consist of just two items, though. One for yourself, and one for whoever you are with.

For the people along with you, carry one small bottle of glucose tablets. Label the bottle ‘for pain’ or something vague like that. If your partner is complaining of foot pain, tell them it’s ibuprofen. If they say their arm hurts because a shark bit it off, tell them it’s morphine. If their stomach hurts, tell them it’s an antacid. You get the picture.

The second item is for you. If you ever find that you have screwed up so badly that you are sure that you will absolutely never, ever be able to live it down, then carry a cyanide pill so you can at least die with honor.

2003.8.13
Based on a post to rec.scuba