Originally Posted By OregonMouse
That's why it's a good idea to go through your gear at least annually and check its condition. Good task for the winter!

One particular thing that needs at least annual attention is the first-aid kit. Medications expire and can become ineffective or even harmful; paper coverings of gauze pads and bandaids become yellowed and brittle, compromising sterility; elastic (as in Ace bandages) dies; and so on. Besides, you don't want to find that you've used up all your ibuprofen just when you need it!

Yup, the 1st aid kit and toiletry kit contain all manner of items that don't age well and with the former, you hope not to use at all and can languish a decade before you know it.

I discovered in one of my too-seldom gear reviews that all my ClO2 tablets (a few of which I kept in several spots, including the 1st aid kit) had all oxidized into useless powder. My emergency water treatment had had its own emergency.

Live and learn.
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--Rick