It’s always a good idea to have either a prepackaged first-aid kit or a DIY kit on hand. Knowing how to use the items in a first-aid kit is as important as having them, so consider taking a training course. This guide is a good starting point and includes emergency essentials that you might carry separately from a kit. You’ll also need to include any prescription medications your group needs, as well as additional supplies for the road or outdoor use.

1. First-Aid Basic Care

• Health & Wellness • First Aid Kit Checklist • Page 1 of 2
• Antiseptic wipes (BZK-based wipes preferred; alcohol-based OK)
• Antibacterial ointment (e.g., bacitracin)
• Compound tincture of benzoin (bandage adhesive)
• Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)
• Butterfly bandages / adhesive wound-closure strips
• Gauze pads (various sizes)
• Nonstick sterile pads
• Medical adhesive tape (10 yd. roll, min. 1″ width)
• Blister treatment
• Ibuprofen / other pain-relief medication
• Insect sting / anti-itch treatment
• Antihistamine to treat allergic reactions
• Splinter (fine-point) tweezers
• Safety pins
• First-aid manual or information cards

2. Wraps, Splints and Wound Coverings

• Elastic wrap
• Triangular cravat bandage
• Finger and SAM splint(s)
• Rolled gauze
• Rolled, stretch-to-conform bandages
• Hydrogel-based pads
• First-aid cleansing pads with topical anesthetic
• Hemostatic (blood-stopping) gauze
• Liquid bandage

3. Additional Medications/Treatments

• Prescription medications (e.g., antibiotics)
• Sunburn relief gel or spray
• Throat lozenges
• Lubricating eye drops
• Diarrhea medication
• Antacid tablets
• Oral rehydration salts
• Glucose or other sugar (to treat hypoglycemia)
• Injectable epinephrine (for severe allergic reactions)
• Aspirin (primarily for response to a heart attack)

4. Tools and Supplies

• Knife (or multi-tool with knife)
• Paramedic shears (blunt-tip scissors)
• Safety razor blade (or scalpel w/ #15 or #12 blade)
• Cotton-tipped swabs
• Standard oral thermometer
• Irrigation syringe with 18-gauge catheter
• Medical / surgical gloves (nitrile preferred; avoid latex)
• CPR mask
• Small notepad with waterproof pencil or pen
• Medical waste bag (plus box for sharp items)
• Waterproof container to hold supplies and meds
• Emergency heat-reflecting blanket
• Hand sanitizer
• Biodegradable soap