Safety comes first. Especially when you head into the wilderness, carrying a prepacked first-aid kit is a must. And that’s not all – knowing how to use it is as crucial as having it, so consider enrolling in a first-aid course.
Here’s a quick kick-off overview:
We’ve prepared a comprehensive first-aid kit checklist to help you pack for your safe camping trip. Our list includes emergency essentials that you can carry individually from the kit, as well as prescribed medications and extra supplies.
Get the first-aid kit checklist in the format convenient for you:
First-aid basic care
- Antiseptic wipes (BZK-based wipes preferred, alcohol-based OK)
- Antibacterial ointment (e.g., bacitracin)
- Compound tincture of benzoin (bandage adhesive)
- Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)
- Butterfly bandages / adhesive wound-closure strips
- Gauze pads (various sizes)
- Nonstick sterile pads
- Medical adhesive tape (10 yd. roll, min. 1″ width)
- Blister treatment
- Ibuprofen / other pain-relief medication
- Insect sting / anti-itch treatment
- Antihistamine to treat allergic reactions
- Splinter (fine-point) tweezers
- Safety pins
- First-aid manual or information cards
Wraps, splints & wound coverings
- Elastic wrap
- Triangular cravat bandage
- Finger splint(s)
- SAM splint(s)
- Rolled gauze
- Rolled, stretch-to-conform bandages
- Hydrogel-based pads
- First-aid cleansing pads with topical anesthetic
- Hemostatic (blood-stopping) gauze
- Liquid bandage
Additional medications & treatments
- Prescription medications (e.g., antibiotics)
- Sunburn relief gel or spray
- Throat lozenges
- Lubricating eye drops
- Diarrhea medication
- Antacid tablets
- Oral rehydration salts
- Glucose or other sugar (to treat hypoglycemia)
- Injectable epinephrine (for severe allergic reactions)
- Aspirin (primarily for response to a heart attack)
Tools & supplies
- Knife (or multi-tool with a knife)
- Paramedic shears (blunt-tip scissors)
- Safety razor blade (or scalpel w/ #15 or #12 blade)
- Cotton-tipped swabs
- Standard oral thermometer
- Irrigation syringe with 18-gauge catheter
- Medical/surgical gloves (nitrile preferred, avoid latex)
- CPR mask
- Small notepad with waterproof pencil or pen
- Medical waste bag (plus box for sharp items)
- Waterproof container to hold supplies and meds
- Emergency heat-reflecting blanket
- Hand sanitizer
- Biodegradable soap
Got anything to add to the checklist?
Leave a comment below!
