I made the best of teaching the Wilderness First Aid class inside an REI store this weekend — far from anything resembling wilderness. I’d tried on different hydration packs and gave each a good wear test while I taught. I just happened to be wearing a Salomon pack when my co-instructor started teaching the dislocations class. And inspiration struck.

Can you see the resemblance?

And shouldn’t Salomon want to give me this pack to keep teaching with it and demonstrating its first aid features? Do they have hydration pack ambassadors? Maybe if I demonstrated more of it’s first aid care potential. Traction splint? Back board? 😉

For the record, I fell in love with the $140 S-Lab Sense Ultra 5 XS (It fits like a glove!) and not their $175 pack, which was a surprise and great except for the $140…  I need a new hydration pack before Tussey and Diagonale des Fous. I’ve had my old pack for maybe six or seven years now, and the elastic on it’s pockets and chest strap is stretched out and loose. The zipper is sweat-rusted and finicky and I’ve mended and made alterations to the pack so many times, there are holes in vest material.  It also has a fun odor that can’t be washed out.  But made two more dances with it?  Thoughts?