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What to Include in Your Frist Aid Kit Background Image for Blog Post

What to Pack in Your First Aid Kit

Mar 03, 2025

By Raymon Narez

Last updated March 3, 2025

Why Have a First Aid Kit?

Just like a spare tire, extra charging cable for your phone, and even an umbrella, having a first aid kit is an item that is far better to have and not need, than to need and not have. Even if it’s just for a minor scrape or cut, having something handy to clean and protect a wound, or even make you feel a little bit more comfortable makes a difference.

Before getting started in packing your first aid kit though, it’s important to understand what your use case will be. If you’re more of a homebody and don’t venture out much, your kit may consist entirely of fairly common and more basic items. If you find yourself out in the wild, then you may want to pack some more specialty items. Regardless of where you find yourself more often than not, being preprepared is key.

What Do I Include in My First Aid Kit?

  • Adhesive bandages
  • Relevant medication
  • OTC medications
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Alcohol wipes
  • Tweezers
  • Gloves
  • Emergency contact numbers

If space allows, the kit you keep at home and the kit you have on you for when you’re out adventuring would ideally have some of the same basic items. These include items like adhesive bandages in varying sizes to cover your typical scrapes and cuts. Alongside bandages, have alcohol and/or antiseptic wipes to clean and disinfect; and tweezers for splinters and slivers.

Do you have allergies? Seasonal or otherwise? Having a supply of allergy meds could be helpful in a pinch when your regular supply runs dry, or if you happen to be near your kit when you’ve remembered that you’ve forgotten to take them.

In addition to treatment for allergies, having a good mix of generic over-the-counter medication, such as Ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol), is also a good idea. Some of the more regularly used medications in your preferred brand is smart to have in case an emergency calls for a quick fix to a killer migraine or impending cold. Make sure to keep track of the expiration dates on your medications.

Aside from that, you’re going to want to pack at least a pair of solid nitrile gloves or at very least some sort of non-latex style gloves (in case there is someone with a latex allergy). In an emergency situation, wearing gloves will reduce the risk of getting or spreading any sort of pathogens or contaminants.

Now, that is by no means an exhaustive list, and it will look different depending on what you decide your needs are. Those who are more active or find themselves doing things outdoors may want to add to their kit.

Other Extras to Consider

  • Blister treatment
  • Burn gel
  • CPR shield
  • Gauze
  • Wound closures
  • Tourniquet
  • Space blanket
  • Shears

For those who frequently run or hike, adding some sort of blister treatment item to a first aid kit could be beneficial. Similarly for treating the skin, burn gel is useful for campers who like to build and keep their own fires going.

In a more immediate situation, having a CPR mask, though not required, helps to create a protective barrier, and can even help create a better seal for more effective breaths.

Though shears might tread the line of emergency first aid over general first aid, it could be a good option for some to include in their kit. There could be a time where because of an injury, a piece of clothing will need to be taken off or moved out of the way, and depending on the scenario, shearing off the article of clothing may be the best option. It would destroy the clothing, sure, but when it comes to safety and well being, it’s a small sacrifice to make in comparison. Similarly, a tourniquet, though a little more extreme, is useful to carry for anyone doing more extreme outings than what is typical.

Include a written list of emergency contacts, allergies, and any medical conditions in case someone else needs to use your kit on you. On top of that, a copy of any important medical documents or information may be handy as well.

Conclusion

Now that you have your first aid kit all put together, it’s important to become familiar with everything in there. If you’ve sort of just put everything into a bundle, taking some time to keep it organized can go a long way. In an emergency situation, fumbling around looking for the right item can waste time you might not have.

References

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