Setting Up A Simple Aid Station

-by Thumper

A basic aid station should be established at any event.  You don’t want to have to scramble about trying to pull out emergency gear when needed, set it up.  A base for re-supply is always a good thing, ammo, food & water, teams can only carry so much gear.  Plus any comfort you can supply your team with is a morale booster when exhausted.

A shelter from the sun or rain does not have to be complicated, a simple tarp between a couple of trees or off the side of your vehicle will do.  This provides an area for rest or simple rendering of first aid un-impeded by the elements.

Improvements in camping technology have made setting up a solid shelter simple.  An aluminum engineered NASA-like folding frame takes only moments.  These shelters come with screen siding that can be added or solid enclosed siding, you choose which is best for your environment.  Enclosed shelters allow you to use them as warming station in the cooler months with the addition of a kerosene or a propane heater. These rigs cost a bit more, $99 to $150 on average.  But when they fold up, they take up very little room, and are light weight.

Now, for function in the shelter, add a small folding table and a couple of folding chairs for comfort.  I’ve added two folding saw horses for the stretcher to be placed on for treatment purposes.

My personal favorite is the vehicle tent combo.  This allows you to use the back half of your vehicle as an attached sleeping area.  The tent itself is 9’ x 9’ x 9’ plus the addition of the vehicle.  The vehicle connecting portion of the tent quickly disconnects for vehicle accessibility and has an interior closure.  This I like for my base tent, use of the vehicle for electrical supply for lighting and communications equipment.  Why lug around a generator when you can use the vehicle’s power system?   It’s size makes ideal for supply storage, like food containers, water, ammo and gear.

Click back to the support page for a detailed list of gear, especially, first-aid supplies, that your aid station should carry. At the very least, provide shelter and water...