10
0First Aid and Health
Injuries, acclimatization, altitude medicine, first aid kit, self-help and health in the mountains.
The Polar Explorer's First-Aid Kit: Borge Ousland's Checklist
ELEvgenii LepikhinBorge Ousland's polar traveler's first-aid kit for the Ellesmere Island expedition: antibiotics, analgesics, wound care products, and other medications.
Borge Ousland, the greatest polar explorer of the last 30 years, shared the composition of his first-aid kit. This list was used by him to cross Ellesmere Island from north to south in 2025. It seemed to me that some ideas would be useful in expedition alpinism as well.
The first-aid kit is compiled based on the actual problems that Ousland or his partners faced. Always consult a doctor before using any medication. Note that some medications are banned from free circulation in most countries!
- Apocillin 660 mg, 50 tablets. Broad-spectrum antibiotic, particularly useful for joint infections.
- Flagyl 400 mg, 10 tablets. Antibiotic used to treat bacterial and parasitic infections. Also useful for preventing appendix and dental problems.
- Azitromax 500 mg, 6 tablets. Antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, especially respiratory ones, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
- Doxylin 100 mg, 18 tablets. Broad-spectrum antibiotic, effective for skin infections.
- Paralgin Forte, 50 tablets. Analgesic for moderate to severe pain relief.
- Paracetamol, 50 tablets. Over-the-counter analgesic for mild to moderate pain relief.
- Ibux 400 mg, 40 tablets. Relieves headache, rheumatic, and muscular pain.
- Acetylsalicylic acid, 1 tablet per day. Aspirin.