This is part five in a series about my $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List. Part five, is all about my first aid and gear repair kit.

First Aid Kit

Gauze Roll, Duct Tape, Antibiotic Ointment, Razor Blade, and Meds  |  Cost $3.00  |  Weight  1.2311 oz.

This first aid kit is very minimal, but you can do a lot with a roll of gauze and some duct tape:

Duct Tape Band-Aids in Any Size

With a roll of gauze and duct tape, you can make bandages in any size and shape you need. I keep duct tape either wrapped around pen ink or on my hiking poles, so it's always carried and doesn't contribute to pack weight.

Duct Tape Butterfly Bandages for Wound Closure

Keep an open would closed until you can get to the nearest hospital with a duct tape butterfly bandage.

Duct Tape for Hotspots

When you feel a hot spot starting, cover the area with duct tape immediately to prevent additional friction. Clean the area  with hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes first, so the tape will stick. Make sure it doesn't stick to a blister.

Duct Tape Tick Remover

Remove ticks by folding over a piece of duct tape like tweezers and pulling them straight out. Disinfect the area with hand sanitizer. Contact a doctor immediately if you have signs of infection, rash, or flu-like symptoms, as ticks can transmit Lyme Disease. 

Wound and Eye Wash

Clean a wound or flush debris from your eye by poking a hole in a plastic bags and filling with clean water.

Duct Tape Splinter Remover

Whether it's a tick or a splinter, duct tape can be used in place of tweezers.

Duct Tape Splint

If you need to immobilize a broken bone, it's duct tape to the rescue once again. 

Single-use Antibiotic Ointment

I've never needed more than a couple applications of antibiotic ointment on a trip, so rather than take a full tube, I seal a single-use amount in pieces of straw and fuse the edges with needle nose pliers and a lighter. They can be reopened by cutting a corner off one end, or reapplying heat.

Sewing Kit

Needle and Dental Floss |  Cost $0.00  |  Weight  0.00 oz.

My sewing kit is a sewing needle and some dental floss. Dental floss is stronger than thread and it can, of course, be used on your teeth. I keep the needle and razor blade in a plastic condiment cup with lid, to keep it from poking a hole in something or getting lost.

Duct Tape for Gear Repair

Duct tape can be used for a lot of gear repair. It sticks to window shrink wrap film (polycryo) very well, which I use for a rain tarp, pack liner, and stuff sacks. Duct tape is a great survival item. It can be used in a thousand different ways. 

Other Items

Toothpaste, Toothbrush, and Toilet Paper |  Cost $1.00  |  Weight  1.257 oz.

My toothbrush is the brush half of a travel toothbrush. I purchased the brush and paste in a combo pack at a dollar store. 

Next Monday

In next week's post is all about clothing and other miscellaneous gear. 

Please send me your questions or comments.  If you have an alternative idea for a super-ultralight, super-ultracheap gear list, let me know. I would like to share them in future posts.

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