New First Aid kit recommendations

The new Canadian Aviation Regulations included the requirement that “a first aid kit be carried on board every power-driven aircraft, other that an ultralight.”
The standards for the kits listing the minimum contents did not cover privately-owned aircraft. This has been rectified by the latest Aeronautical Information Publication amendment (July 16, 1998). AIR 4.13 lists the recommended items, which include:
antiseptic wound solution
bandage adhesive strips – 25
bandage gauze 7.5 x 4.5 cm – 2
bandage triangle 100 cm folded – 2 with safety pins
burn dressing 10 x 10 cm – 4
sterile compress 7.5 x 12 cm – 2
sterile gauze 7.5 x 7.5 cm – 4
first aid manual
hand cleaner or cleansing towelettes
eye shield or tape
scissors
splint set with padding
surgical tape 1.2 x 4.6 cm
tweezers
Consider this a minimum list. You can develop your own extra items, such as pain pills, bug repellent, blankets, etc., to match your flying area and season. Industrial safety supply companies will make up kits to a list of specifications. So will aviation specialists, Braidner Survival Kits. The Vancouver company offers a Type A Aircraft First Aid Kit, which meets the private aircraft recommendations and commercial operator requirements for up to six people. It has a few extra items, comes in a soft-sided bag which weighs 2 lbs or even in a hard case which weighs approx 3 lbs . Contact Braidner, Tel.: 604-254-0455.

SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENT OPEN FOR INTERPRETATION
The CARs take a different approach to the survival equipment than the old Air Regulations. The requirement for an aircraft flying over land to carry survival equipment is waived if it “is operated in a geographical area where and at a time of year when the survival of the persons on board is not jeopardized.” The interpretation for this exemption in recreational flying is up to the aircraft operator. If survival equipment is deemed necessary, it shall be “sufficient for the survival on the ground of each person on board, given the geographical area, the season of the year and anticipated seasonal climatic variations, that provides the means for:
(a) starting a fire;
(b) providing shelter;
(c) providing or purifying water; and
(d) visually signaling distress.”
This could be as little as matches, a space blanket, water tablets and a mirror. More detailed guidance appears in the Aeronautical Information Publication at the back of the Airmanship section. Braidner offers a 23-item private operator survival kit for one, two and three to six people. The six-person kit weighs 18 pounds and sells for $220.
The regulation does not apply to balloons, gliders, hang gliders, gyroplanes or ultralights or an aircraft that is operated within 25 nautical miles of the aerodrome of departure and that has the capability of radio communication with a surface-based radio station for the duration of the flight.