As many archers come out of lock down and clubs start reopening after weeks, in some cases months of closure, I expect people will be getting their arrows and bows ready.

Can I ask you to spare a moment or two and think about other elements in your archery kit.

If you carry a water bottle, then are you sure it’s clean? It might have been left unused for weeks? This makes it a great breeding ground for bugs!

Do you carry a first aid kit on your bet or maybe in the car?

Whether camping, skiing, hiking or enjoying field archery I always carry a simple first aid kit, either in my day sack or on my quiver belt. It’s nothing fancy, just a simple kit you can pick up from most outdoor stores with a few extra items, I’ve added over the years like antiseptic cream, spare micropore tape, antihistamine cream, dehydration sachets, etc. Though I have had some formal first aid training thanks to Forest Knights course, I’m no medic. There have been times I have patched a few people up and found it amazing how few people carry such a kit. It’s one of those things you hope to never have to use but am glad to carry.

I have a larger kit in the car with a couple of thermal blankets, survival bags, bandages etc. all in a dry bag.  As it has been said sometimes you hope for the best but plan for the worst. If you check out the Forest Knights site they offer advice on what is useful to include.

Since it’s the start of the summer, (even though the temperatures have dropped), I would have normally already been to the 3d championships. I use that event as a timely reminder to check, replace and refill the kit. It’s worth checking to make sure everything is within date as sterile dressings, antiseptic wipes, etc. have a limited shelf life. You might want to check you have antibacterial hand sanitiser and gloves haven’t perished.

Some outdoor stores sell a refill pack for first aid kits, which is a good simple means by which to restock. One addition to the kit is a tick card, which is a small credit size card with a magnifying glass and simple prongs to help you remove a tick, though I have also got a couple of pairs of tick tweezers too as I have found the cards prongs not that good.

There has been a number of articles in the news about the spread of ticks and the increase in the number of reported cases of Lymes Disease. Lymes Disease is a potentially serious condition and here is a link to a recent BBC news article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32429228 and another on the dangers of tick bites http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-27255853

Stay safe and thanks for reading.