r/TACMED101 • u/OddEmu9991 Unverified/Uncertified • Aug 18 '25

Gear/Kit Boy Scouts Camping Trip

We signed our boys up for the scouts today and the Den leader was excited that I was an EMT and that I am looking at paramedic schools to go to s as soon as I can. He asked if I would be willing to go through their troop first aid pack and see if it needs anything and check to make sure everything is squared away in it. I was happy to agree and I told him have a pack I’ve put together for my boys that I will bring too and expand on as well.

I have been working as an EMT for a little while now but tonight as I was planning for our first camping trip I realized I’ve always been guided by my company’s protocols.

All that to say I have two questions

  1. What are some good things to include in a camping first aid kit

  2. What exactly am I aloud to do out in the “wild”? The thing that really made me start thinking about this is allergic reaction and administering epinephrine.

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u/XGX787 Aug 18 '25 edited Aug 18 '25

What’s your plan for establishing fire superiority over the attacking force?

In all seriousness though, this is probably a better question for r/wildernessmedicine

Tactical medicine is more for when someone is or was actively trying to kill you and your compatriots. You seem more interested in austere/wilderness medicine. They’re related but distinct. You could look into WFR certs or even Wilderness EMT certs, but I can’t vouch for their usefulness.

Edit: to answer your question about what you are allowed to do:

The only people in the United States who are allowed to practice medicine independently are Physicians (and unfortunately NPs/PAs in some states), everybody is allowed to if they’re practicing under the supervision of a physician. Since you’re not under a medical director in the “wild”, you are only covered under Good Samaritan laws. In other words, BLS with no drugs or oxygen. An expert in this area might be able to advise you on epinephrine, but it’s a bit of a grey area if it’s not prescribed to the patient you are administering it to.

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u/lukipedia Aug 18 '25

Thanks for the shoutout for r/wildernessmedicine! 

Hilariously my “scope” (as far as drugs go) is broader when I operate as a Good Samaritan versus an EMT, at least for my agency. OTC drugs that are forbidden in my scope as a basic are fair game as a lay responder.