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Talking Ski First Aid Kits with Teague Holmes

By

Gavin Hess

Holmes' first-aid kit is populated with items that balances preparedness with weight efficiencies.

Holmes' first-aid kit is populated with items that balances preparedness with weight efficiencies.

As the backcountry season begins to open up in the Northern Hemisphere, thoughts turn to being prepared for emergency scenarios. This means first-aid kits and repair kits are robust enough to do the job, yet light enough to haul in the pack all day long. Here’s Teague Holmes’ take on the preparedness/efficiency equation.    Backcountry…

Responses

  1. Beacon.shovel.bearspray

    Thanks for laying this out nicely for the reader to digest. I am wondering if you could link to an example or two of the “zip-off 3/4 length long underwear” mentioned above?

    1. Simen Hjelmeland

      https://www.northernplayground.no/nb/shop/ziplongs-r-3-4?fit=men

    2. Slim

      Seems like the hunting brands offer more full zip options. Kuiu and Firstlight.
      Here is a model that is called ‘boot top’ , so not 3/4, but not ankle length either. If you don’t have short legs, this should be plenty short (26” inseam)
      https://www.kuiu.com/products/peloton-97-fleece-zip-off-bottom-gunmetal?variant=40340236533918

      1. Ben Coffman

        I have the kuiu 97, very happy with it for skiing/ice climbing. One of the warmest per weight fleeces that I’m aware of, and breathes well enough for a leg item. Being able to take the long underwear on/off with boots on is a game changer for temp regulation.

        1. Ben Coffman

          (Alpha is warmer per weight, but I’m not aware of any bare alpha pieces with full zips – they’d likely get shredded. pretty quickly)

  2. Slim

    I see hypothermia as a major danger in backcountry skiing. Whether on its own, or as an additional complication during injury or illness. So, the spare clothing/shelter makes a lot of sense. The one part I have not packed myself is the spare base layer. First I heard of it was from mtn guide Zahan Bilmoria. Two things have stopped me so far:

    1: base layers offer a poor warmth:weight ratio. I can get more warmth for the same weight with additional fill in a puffy or sleeping bag
    2: I imagine it’s hard to put a dry base layer on someone who is wet and immobilized enough to need it?

    Has anyone here tried putting a new baselayer on an accident victim?

    I guess I have to get out in the yard suited up in ski gear, let my kids hose me down, then strip off the wet gear and redress starting with base layer to test this. Brrrr.

    I think the Brynje Super Thermo mesh (poly pro) baselayer seems the way to go if I do bring one. Not only do they offer probably the best warmth:weight of any made layer, but more importantly, they work well when you are wet. And are very stretchy to fit different people.

    1. Ben Coffman

      Have you heard the BPL podcast on this? I generally find those pretty informative. I tend to get a sweaty back while moving with a pack, pretty much no matter how cold it is. That’s always seemed like a bit of a liability to me, and obviously isn’t optimal on longer trips. I’m planning to experiment with wearing a mesh layer in temps that are “too warm” for a mesh+solid layer this year, to see whether it’s still drier. I’ve been playing around with this on runs with a vest where it’s a bit overkill (ex. 40 F), and have found that I not only feel 100% dry the entire time, (even if I’m not), but I believe my back is legitimately drier (based on the eye test of how wet the solid layer is) when compared with the solid layer alone. Perhaps some more evaporation is actually occurring.

      1. Ben Coffman

        If that’s just a drier system overall, then perhaps there’s no reason to ever not wear a mesh layer in the winter backcountry. That would at least cover the safety aspect of always having one yourself, without an “extra thing in your pack” penalty. No need to carry an extra base layer if you’re already wearing one that never gets wetted out (assuming polypro, not merino). (And presumably in an emergency you could just give yours to a victim, unless things have gotten really wild.)

    2. Beacon.shovel.bearspray

      I have found the Mountain Hardware Airmesh tops to have an excellent warmth to weight ratio FWIW

    3. Gavin Hess

      Slim, good thoughts/info here. Another tidbit I picked up from Z was the idea to carry an insulated vest as it is easier to get on to a patient regardless of their layers/size/potentially easier with some injuries.

      I’m interested to try out the mesh base layers- I can remember just as I was leaving the xc skiing world, they were very popular among the Norwegians.

  3. Teague Holmes

    Thanks for hitting me up and writing the Gavin.
    I love that my finger Sam Splint is in there.
    Since I’ve been carrying it, no one has broken a leg. I have never knocked on wood. I only just make the next best decision I can.
    Just a couple notes of clarity:
    •Correct, I carry a space bag. Honestly not sure why the blanket is in there. I think I grabbed it from my mountain bike kit as this was before the ski season started.
    • That Petzl Arctik mini headlamp lives in my Kit. I try to remember to test it and replace the battery to be sure it’s ready.
    Then I’ll carry that Petzl whatever the model is when I feel more hopeful, or, concerned that we will be out beyond dark.
    • I actually never carry an extra bass layer. (I must have miscommunicated, which sounds about right) I stay pretty dry, and if I do sweat and get damp, I’m usually dry by the time I start up again.
    • those Northern Playground three-quarter zip off log underwear are absolute money! Start on a cold inverted spring morning? Comfy. Then Climbing up a coolie so steep your dragging your nose and baking in the sun? Zip off without taking your boots or skis off and your legs are breathing easy. I can honestly say they build them to last. Unconditional guarantee and they will repair them at no charge. They want you to keep them forever. And that my friends is a standup company. (I have no affiliation with the brand. They are just great.)

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