Have you ever purchased a first aid kit, opened it up and had the thought:
How many freaking little Band-Aids do I need?
Youre not the only one.
While there are many things that you could argue should be in a first aid kit, that doesnt mean that what is included will be what you need.
There is no such thing as a perfect first aid kit either.
What I want in my car is not the same as what I have at home. What I take on a hike is not the same as what we take to an event. If you have young children at home you will want different supplies then someone who lives by themselves. If you are doing street outreach your needs will be very different from someone putting a first aid kit in their office.
With that being said I dont think the question should be "what should I have in my first aid kit."
Its what could happen and what do I want to have available to me if that happens.
Basic Supplies
There are a few things that I believe should be in every general first aid kit.
Gloves
I recommend nitrile gloves.
These will provide a barrier from you and any blood, vomit, wound drainage or other fluids. Having several pairs on hand can be helpful if you need more than one set, someone is assisting you or if something becomes contaminated.
Make sure they will fit those who may need to use them as well.
Having one giant pair of gloves at the bottom of your first aid kit is not going to help anyone.
Bandages
I love Band-Aids.
However you probably do not need 75 of the same size.
Having various adhesive bandages will be more beneficial. There are smaller sizes for smaller cuts. But you may want some larger ones to help cover a scrape, larger cut, blister or wound that is just that little bit to big for your typical bandaid.
Gauze
Another supply that I wish more general first aid kits came stocked with.
You can use gauze to help cover wounds, soak up blood and apply pressure.
Having a few different sizes on hand can be helpful as well. There is a difference between a small nick and a large abrasion.
Roller gauze can also come in handy to keep your dressing in place on an arm/hand/leg/foot where a bandaid may not work as well.
Tape
You will need to tape something at some point.
Gauze. Dressing. Pad. That bandaid that wont stay on no matter how hard you try.
I know its not sexy. But so is duct taping your wounds shut with what you have on you.
Cleaning Supplies
Having clean water on hand can be very helpful for most minor wounds.
If your creating a first aid kit for somewhere that may not have access to clean water this is something to keep in mind.
Its not going to cure anything if you empty all your antiseptic on someone. Its just meant to help remove dirt and other debris from the wound.
Cold Pack
Instant cold packs are one of those things that you think you will never need. Then someone rolls their ankle, gets hit by something or gets their head bumped. Now everyone wants one.
These are great to have on hand for any kit that you take out of the house.
Scissors
That can actually cut things.
Id say that speaks for itself.
Blood Loss
This is where I think most small store bought first aid kits fall short.
You want to have supplies that will allow you to treat more than a paper cut.
I would say you want at least enough gauze or absorbent dressing to be able to apply direct pressure to a wound that is bleeding.
Based on where your kit will be used and how trained those using the kit are you may want to include some additional supplies for major blood loss.
Such as a trauma dressing or commercial tourniquet.
Make sure you know what these are and when you would use them. Practice if possible.
Burns
If you have a first aid kit in your house you dont need to stock a burn room.
But you should have a plan.
If someone sustains a minor thermal burn they will want to run cool water over the area. Not ice. If your creating a first aid kit that will be used in these scenarios you may want to stock nonstick dressings or other supplies to help after the burn.
If your creating a first aid kit for the kitchen, camping, work, etc. This is something that you may want to add to your list.
Who is using your first aid kit?
This is something that a lot of people overlook.
We are providing first aid to humans.
Do any of them have severe allergies?
Might they need an extra face mask on hand?
Do they need communication devices?
Might they need ear plugs or something that will help with over stimulation?
Are there children that will be using this first aid kit?
Do you spend a lot of time with elderly people?
Will someone need to use the restroom? (hello tampons)
Is there a chance that someone may overdose?
Do any of them have medical devices/medications that you should know about?
These are all things that may or may not need to be in your first aid kit.
But are things to think about when creating your emergency preparedness plan.
Where is your first aid kit located?
Home
First aid kit for your home. You will want to keep common injuries and sickness in mind.
Cuts, scrapes, burns, splinters, sprains, blisters, nose bleeds. Fever. Feeling like shit at 2 am.
You can keep your home kit larger since you are not going to be traveling with it.
Car
Now you will want to start thinking outside the box.
You may be out of your normal element. You may be in an accident. You may get stuck. Weather (looking at you Minnesota).
You will want supplies to cover any cuts and bleeding. But may also want to have some emergency preparedness supplies on hand.
Keep in mind that vehicles can get extremely hot and cold. Make sure anything that has an expiration date or can degrade in your vehicle is replaced periodically.
Hiking/Outdoors
Your going to want to keep weight in mind. As well as how far away from help you are.
Blisters become a much bigger issue when you have 4 miles to go.
Depending on the type of hike, weather, number of people and distance from EMS you may want to add more to your kit.
Sports
Again think about the injuries that are common to the sport.
Cuts/scrapes? Yes.
Blisters? Probably.
Cold packs? Yes.
Wrap/dressing? Helpful.
You may also want to think about what emergency equipment and action plans you should have based on the sport and location.
Events
Your event first aid kit can grow pretty large.
When providing medical coverage at events we think about many factors. Size of the event, weather, location, accessibility, what people are doing, types of people that will be attending, substances, distance from EMS. Past occurrences, resources that are available.
This is where your kit can become very different from the one you have in your backpack.
Fill in the Blanks
Now that you know the basics heres where you can get creative.
If you know that you get a ton of blisters. Stock your first aid kit with blister care.
If your child scrapes their knee every time you walk out the door. Have more wound care on hand.
Go to concerts/festivals? Naloxone may be beneficial.
Live outside during the winter? Keep cold weather supplies on hand.
May someone suffer from migraines and need a sensory free space when they feel sick?
Travel often? Maybe that first aid kit under your sink needs some TLC.
There are endless things that you can add to your first aid kit based on what you need.
Check your first aid kit
Make sure you check your first aid kit.
Things get used up. Packages get torn open. Band-aids lose their stickiness. Some items will expire. Gloves will wear down. And that pair of scissors is missing from your kit now.
The American Red Cross states that you should check your first aid kit regularly and replace any items that have been used or expired.
This does not mean that you need to look through your home first aid kit every Tuesday.
Just make sure to open it up every once in a while. Especially if you will be traveling, going to an event, camping, playing sports, etc.
Build a first aid kit that works for you
There are many recommendations that you can find online for what to keep in your first aid kit. For example the American Red Cross suggests the following in a family first aid kit:
Assorted adhesive bandages
Gauze pads
Adhesive tape
Nonlatex disposable gloves
Instant cold compress
Breathing barrier device
Thermometer
Triangular bandages
Tweezers
Copy of first aid instructions
There are many good recommendations out there.
But they are only recommendations.
Create a first aid kit that works for you. Who will be using it, where will it be used and what kind of emergencies are you trying to prepare for.
Which is why we offer many different sizes of EQUIPped Kits.
Whether you need supplies to take care of a wound, a mini first aid kit to keep in your bag, family kit, blister kit, naloxone kit, menstrual supplies, sensory supports, burn kit or full event medical setup.
Were here to help you prepare.
This resource is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice, emergency medical services, or hands-on first aid training.
