Major First Aid Kits

There's no perfect first aid kit. Every kit is a compromise between portability (you may need to walk or hike to the victim), completeness (you can't have the whole ER in your car), and simplicity (you need to know how to use the stuff). What you have in your first aid kit depends on (1) what you need to do, (2) where you're going to do it, and (3) what you're trained to do.

A first aid kit is a handy and portable way of keeping basic first aid supplies organized -- all in one place, easily remembered, and organized. Even in your home, a kit may be the best place for your medical equipment and supplies.The sample first aid kit at right is for auto or home. It includes supplies for wound care, burn care, fracture stabilization, and medical emergencies.

To learn about individual components, link to: Antiseptic and wound preps    Pain medication Cut closure      Immobilization      Major dressings   Dressings and bandages      Bandaid Tricks

First aid kit in a tackle box. I used this kit for the racing team, and to take along on 3-week river-running trips.
First aid kit in a tackle box. I used this kit for the racing team, and to take along on 3-week river-running trips.

Sample Basic First Aid Kit:   placed in a small backpack or one-tray plastic tackle tox
This first aid kit might be good for a car or cabin. Cost for the components will be around $90. Pre-stocked basic kits like this are available from many sources, on the web, by catalog, in outdoor-specialty stores, and at medical supply stores.

first aid handbook

4-1/2 inch scissor

1    roll 1" tape

2    2x2 gauze pads

3    4x4 gauze pads

1    5x9 gauze compress

1    8x10 gauze compress

2    2" roller gauze

1    2" elastic wrap
2    oval eye pads

5    knuckle bandages

5    fingertip bandages

5    butterfly bandage

10  1" plastic bandages

1    triangular bandage

3    antiseptic towellettes

3    Betadine prep pads

4    alcohol prep pads
triple antibiotic ointment

hydrocortisone cream

burn gel

eye wash bottle

instant cold pack

acetaminophen

ibuprofen

ipecac

penlight

Note: where quantities are mentioned (for example "5 knuckle bandages") consider this a "minimum guideline." You may need higher quantities either for convenience, or because you'll be providing first aid for multiple people. It's best to buy in bulk, then resupply your kit from boxes.

Sample Deluxe First Aid Kit:   fits in a large plastic two-tray tackle box.
This is an extensive kit, with supplies for medical emergencies as well as injuries. It requires some advanced knowledge to use all the components (for example, glucose for hypoglycemia, CPR shield for rescue breathing). It can serve as a home first aid kit, auto or boat first aid kit, or group first aid kit (work or camp). Cost for the components will be around $200. Complete kits similar to this one are sold by specialty medical supply stores

First aid handbook

CPR shield

EMT snips 7-1/2"

splinter forceps

multi-tool w needle-nose

penlight w extra batteries

disposable scalpel #11

thermometer

ipecac

glucose tube

face mask

1   chemical cold pack

1   chemical heat pack

1   hypothermia blanket

1   cottontip swab pack

1   emergency candle, 2-hr

1   box waterproof matches

4   safety pins

1   aluminum splint, 3/4" width

2   ammonia inhalants
2   pair latex gloves

waterless hand cleaner

eye wash 4 oz

1   burn gel dressing 4x4

burn gel 4 oz bottle

triple antibiotic ointment 1 oz

hydrocortisone cream 1 oz

Betadine solution 1 oz

6    Betadine prep pad

9    sting relief pads

10  alcohol prep pad

9    antiseptic towelette

2    oval eye pad

1    padding roll gauze 4.5"

2    triangular bandage

2    roller gauze 2"

2    roller gauze 3"

1    roller gauze 4"

5    gauze pad 2x2

5    gauze pad 4x4
2    non-stick pad 2x3

2    non-stick pad 3x4

1    multi-trauma dressing

1    abdominal pad 5x9

1    maternity pad

10  fingertip bandage

10  knuckle bandage

4    butterfly medium

2    butterfly large

2    plastic bandage x-large

20  bandage strips 3/4"

10  bandage strips 1"

1    Benzoin swab

Steri-strip 1/2 inch

Steri-strip 1/4 inch

1    roll silk tape 1"

1    elastic bandage 4"

1    Coban wrap 2"

1    Coban wrap 3"