You made it. You’re getting in touch with the wild. Your family’s soaking up the sun and enjoying the fresh air. Then, you start to wonder: what would happen if someone got hurt?
You can prevent serious injury, or even death with a properly stocked First Aid Kit. It’s this reason that any experienced camper will tell you that you can’t go camping unless you have one.
We’ve compiled a list of what’s recommended in a good First Aid Kit for both kids and adults. We’ve done this so you don’t have to worry about what could go wrong, but instead leave your mind to ponder greater things, like which nature trail to hike, or which lake to swim in.
Adhesive Bandages – 1 package of at least 10 strips of varying sizes. We recommend waterproof adhesive bandage strips with antibacterial properties if possible. I personally prefer the printed bandages featuring festive cartoon characters.
Triple Antibacterial Ointment -1 Tube; A necessity for any traveler, keeping this ointment on hand can prevent severe infections if applied immediately.
Isopropyl Alcohol Towelettes/Swabs – At least 10. Although they sting when first applied to an open cut, Alcohol has been proven to remove a significant amount of bacteria and light debris from a cut or scrape. If you feel more comfortable bringing a bottle, feel free. I simply suggest these as a space-saving option. In addition, these can be used to sterilize tweezers and other items that you may need to come into contact with a cut, splinter or wound.
Antiseptic Wipes – At least 10. Again, I suggest wipes and towelettes to save room in your First Aid box for other more important necessities. Antiseptic is best used for first aid on larger cuts and wounds. These can also be used to sterilize tools that you need to come into contact with your skin.
Hydrocortisone Cream – 1 Tube; For bug bites, poison oak, poison ivy, or anything that will make you itchy, Hydrocortisone will help remove the enzymes that cause itchiness in human skin.
Aloe Vera Gel – 1 bottle; everyone stays out in the sun too long every now and then. With a little bit of Aloe Vera Gel, you can soothe the burning sensation on your skin, and prevent severe peeling or cracking. If you’re camping in high-sun areas, we suggest also bringing vitamin e enriched lotion to use in conjunction with your aloe vera gel.
Gauze – 1 medium sized roll. This can be used to stop excessive bleeding in larger cuts, or at least pacify it until you can seek professional medical attention.
Canvas Bandage – 1 large or medium sized roll. These bandages can help to set a sprained or stressed joint, and prevent your tendons and muscle tissues from further tearing.
Asprin and Ibuprofen1 bottle or 3-4 trial-sized packages of each – Both pills can alleviate headaches, but each of them can sever a separate purpose. Aspirin is a blood thinner that can be used to slow or reduce swelling. Ibuprofen on the other hand does not thin blood as severely, and can be used as a multipurpose pain reliever.
Tweezers and a Sewing Needle or pin – 1 of each. Make sure you sterilize these before you allow them to come into contact with your skin. Your sewing needle can be used to lance blisters, boils and infected wounds. It can also double as a tool to extract splinters. Tweezers are best for removing debris from cuts, splinters, thorns and insect stingers.
Topical Analgesic/Pain Creme – 1 tube. For minor aches and pains such as pulled muscles or swollen joints, this ointment is suggested.
Calcium Chews/Heartburn Relief Tablets – 1 bottle or 2 trial-sized packets. These tablets can alleviate feelings of slight nausea or heartburn. Do not take in excess, as the effects can sometimes be delayed.
Anti Diarrhea Medication – 1 bottle, box or 3 trial-sized packets. These come in handy when you accidentally ingest something you shouldn’t have. Alternatively you could have made a large amount of our Jalapeno Poppers, and you ate a few too many.
Gloves – 1 package of at least 5 pairs, medical grade. If your outdoors for longer than a few hours, you will notice your hands can get pretty dirty, pretty quick. When tending to someone else’s open cuts, scrapes or wounds it’s best to put a pair of these on first.
Cotton Swabs – 1 trial-sized package of 20. These can serve many purposes, however they’re recommended to use as an applicator for ointments and creams, and other items you may need to apply directly to open cuts.
Saline Solution – 1 bottle. This comes in handy when you get small flecks of debris or pollen in your eye, and can serve as an eye rinse.
Scissors or Pocket Knife – 1 of each. These can be used to cut your gauze, or to cut off clothing when your subject is unconscious or in a state of urgent need.
Snakebite Kit – 1 kit. Can be found in most pharmacies, and is a necessity for Florida’s exotic woods.
Gallon jug of water – Of course, this may not be compact enough to fit inside of a First Aid Kit box, but it’s a necessity to bring along. You never know when you’ll need an extra jug of water.
Lip Balm – 1 tube. This may sound silly to some, but it’s very beneficial if you’re in full sunlight conditions most of the time. Lips can chap fast, and can become cracked and painful.
It may all sound like quite a bit to carry, but speaking from experience, it seems like the one time I forget to bring what I need is the one time I need it most. If you don’t have room for all of it, try consolidating by removing packaging and using plastic bags or other compact containers.
Every time you go camping, make sure all of the contents of your first aid kit are up to date, and not expired or tampered with. Open tubes or bottles that have been sitting arrest for more than a year should be discarded, and not reused. To prevent outdated items in your kit, simply place a label or a small piece of tape with a clearly written date from when you first opened it.
