Basic First Aid is something that everyone should know. If you don’t know basic first aid and CPR then you should find a local class fast! For the most part, first aid is just first aid. We want to make sure you are prepared and part of that is to have a DIY first aid kit for your camping trip.
Having a first aid kit when you are camping is easy, it’s when you get into buying first aid kits that some people get lost.
There are different types of kits geared more toward certain activities. Regardless of its marketed application, they are generally built around one thing, being able to provide basic first aid.
So I came up with a few things that I believe everyone should have in their kit and take with them on their adventures.
Your goal with a first aid kit is to stabilize the situation and get out to get the proper medical help if needed. A first aid kit is not intended to make you a trauma surgeon or a field medic!
I will start with some of the things that are in my kit. My kit is nothing fancy, and it’s not huge. It all fits in a small tactical medic bag. Now with me being a FF/EMT my kit contains things that the average person does not know how to use so my plan is to help you build your own very basic kit.
You can buy pre-made kits online, just be aware of what you are getting, or you can just go down to the dollar store with this list and hopefully save a few bucks.
Also, an advantage of buying cheap things is that you can practice with them. The last thing you want to do is be in a stressful situation trying to figure out how to use something that could possibly save your life or someone else’s.
1. Bandaids
Everyone knows what a Bandaid is so it shouldn’t need much of an explanation. The main thing with Bandaids is that you want to make sure you have a variety of types and sizes. Meaning that the Bandaid that you put on your finger is not going to do much good if you bust your knuckles. Or a tiny Bandaid will be useless if you fall and scrape your knee.
2. Antibacterial Ointment
This goes along with the bandaid. Clean up the wound as best as you can, put some ointment to help fight the potential for any infection.
3. 4×4’s
These are pieces of dry gauze that are 4”x4” and can be used for bigger wounds and scrapes. 4×4’s do not come with any type of adhesive or wrap to keep them on the wound so they will require tape and/or gauze to keep them in place.
4. Roll Gauze
Roll gauze makes it easier to cover up the bigger wounds. After applying your 4×4’s you can simply wrap the gauze around them.
This will hold everything in place. After wrapping you can use tape to hold the gauze or simply tuck it in. Roll gauze can also be used to help make a splint.
5. Tape
There are many different types of medical tape so you can pick whatever kind you would like. I have a roll of cloth tape in my kit and it never gets used.
Personally, I prefer electrical tape and have a couple of rolls in my truck. It has always worked for me and it allows me to make it tighter which adds a little extra pressure to the wound to help control bleeding.
6. Alcohol Wipes
Alcohol wipes are great for cleaning up wounds and blood on the surrounding skin. Yes, it will burn a little but it is a great disinfectant for small cuts and scrapes.
7. Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication
Some standard Tylenol or Ibuprofen will do the trick here.
8. Antihistamine
Hopefully, you know if you or someone else on your trip is allergic to any type of sting or bite. If they are then make sure they take their Doctor prescribed EpiPen along.
If you were to be unlucky and have some type of reaction then you can take some antihistamine while you seek professional help. These also help with seasonal allergies.
9. Personal Medication
If you take prescribed medication on a daily basis then it would be a good idea to keep a few extras in your kit. That way you always have some.
10. Scissors
I have a pair of trauma shears in my kit. A good pair of shears will cut just about anything!
11. Cold Pack
A good cold pack is used to help reduce inflammation after an injury. These also work really well for the kids when they get those bumps and bruises.
12. Medical Gloves
Medical gloves are very important when it comes to protecting yourself. Now if I am out with my family I am not really worried about getting their bodily fluid on me but I would not want to get a random stranger’s blood all over me.
If you are hiking or at a campground with other people, you never know what might happen, and being able to help out could save someone’s life.
13. Barrier Mask for CPR
These are just a sheet of plastic with a small filter-like valve that allows air to flow through while allowing you to avoid direct contact with the person.
Here is a basic CPR Mask from Amazon.
Other Items You Might Have
- Tweezers
- Eye Drops
- Hand Sanitizer
- Aloe Vera
- Super Glue
- Duct Tape
- Sunscreen and Sunburn Cream
Just imagine you face an emergency at the campground and you can grab your bag to help. You could potentially save someone’s afternoon or their kids skint up knee…or you could be the one who rescues them from a bee sting.
All of these situations can be easily remedied by the things in your first aid kit.
Hopefully, this helped you identify things that you should carry with you at all times. Especially while out in nature. None of this should be taken as medical advice and you should seek training in order to become proficient in these skills. A simple CPR and First Aid class could save someone’s life. SO GO TAKE ONE! Here are the links to the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. You can contact your local chapter with any questions.