First Aid Kit Checklist: List of Supplies And Content

By KÜHL Editor on October 02, 2023
2 min read

There are many first aid kits on the market - small, large, pricey, affordable. It's easy to get overwhelmed by all of the options, so it's a good idea to have a first aid kit checklist to make sure you have everything you need. After all, if an emergency happens and you are well prepared, you could save a life!

However, just as with camping- and hiking, the same over packing problem exists with the first aid kit checklist. What are the chances you will need breathing barriers or sutures for everyone in your hiking or camping group if bad things happen when you explore the outdoors?

"Safety doesn't happen by accident."

Unknown author.

If you want to learn more about backcountry safety, check out National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). NOLS has well-thought-out and extensive courses in wilderness medicine and trail leadership, as well as some first aid kits. In case you want to make your own emergency backcountry kit, check out the "DIY Emergency Backcountry Kit" article. 

Without further ado, here is a list of first aid kit essentials.


First Aid Kit Checklist

Cuts, bruises, and other minor injuries are a common occurrence on any adventure, be it a multi-day backcountry trek, a short trail hike, or an overnight camping trip.

That’s why, as you may have noticed, first aid kit appears in every checklist; but not all first aid kits are made equal. Before you head out exploring, make sure you have the following items in your kit.

First Aid Kit Checklist Featured image on Essential Outdoor Checklist

Basic First Aid Items:


Emergency first aid guide
Paper with personal information and emergency contact
Medical alert jewelry
Coins for emergency phone calls
Absorbent compress dressings
Adhesive bandages
Adhesive cloth tape
Antiseptic wipes and cream (alcohol-based are okay)
Alcohol-free cleansing wipes
Hydro-colloid blister plasters
Emergency blanket
Cold compress
Pair of disposable, non-latex gloves
Sterile gauze dressings
Sterile eye dressings
Gauze roll
Sterile gauze pads
Crêpe rolled bandages
Sterile bandages
Sterile compresses
Triangular-bandages to secure or support limbs
Surgical sutures
Cotton swabs

First Aid Tools:


Splinting materials
Knife or a multi-tool with knife
Digital thermometer
Road flares
EPI pen
Tweezers for splinters
Razor blades
Scissors
Small mirror
Safety pins
Sticky tape
Bee sting kit
Snake bite kit
Plastic bags
Small bottle of water
Optional: Breathing barrier

First Aid Medications:


Keep your medications in original packaging and make sure they are within their use-by dates.

Aspirin
Cough medicine
Vitamins
Sinus medication
Painkillers
Prescription medications
Diarrhea medication
Epinephrine injection pens
Saline solution to clean wounds
Insect sting and anti-itch treatment
Aloe-Vera based gel for burns
Syrup of ipecac
Antiseptic cream
Skin rash cream
Anti-swelling, itching, and redness cream
Antibiotic cream
Poison Ivy cream
Hydrogen peroxide
Eye wash
Distilled water

Optional: Water purification

Be sure to check out our other outdoor checklist as well!

Basic First Aid Kit Image: Milan Degraeve

KÜHL Editor
KÜHL Editor

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