A well-stocked first aid kit is essential to be prepared for injuries and illnesses, whether at home or on a camping trip. Accidents can happen, and medical issues are inevitable, so having the right tools and supplies can make a big difference. A first aid kit checklist helps ensure you don’t forget essential items.
Items like tweezers for splinters and bug bites, an ace bandage for sprains, blister care supplies, and instant cold packs are camping first aid kit must-haves. Don’t forget kid-friendly supplies, like children’s medications and fun bandages. You’ll also want a first aid kit in your car in case of accidents or roadside emergencies. A tackle box makes a great car kit to organize and quickly find your needs. Be sure to check expiration dates and restock after using items.
Whether you are a minimalist hiker with an ultralight kit or car camping with lots of gear, have the essential medical tools on hand. Use a first aid checklist to build a homemade kit customized to your family’s needs. In our guide, you can learn more about the items in a first-aid kit that shouldn’t be forgotten. By the end, if you don’t know how to use one, a camping first aid kit checklist ensures you’ll have everything you need. (Read Hiking Equipment For Beginners)
What is a Camping First Aid Kit Checklist?
An emergency first aid kit is a collection of medical supplies and tools used to treat minor injuries and stabilize more severe injuries until professional medical treatment can be obtained.
First aid kits come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations designed for specific uses:
- Home first aid kits – For treating common household injuries like cuts, burns, sprains, etc. It should contain basic first aid supplies.
- Vehicle first aid kits – For treating injuries during road trips or daily driving. It should be lightweight and portable.
- Camping/hiking first aid kits – For outdoor adventuring. It contains supplies to treat wilderness injuries and survival tools.
- Workplace first aid kits – For occupational injuries on the job. Contents based on potential workplace hazards.
- Sports first aid kits – For active sports like soccer, football, hiking, etc. It contains supplies to treat sprains, fractures, and fatigue.
First Aid Kit Checklist: Must-Have Tools and Supplies
Here is a detailed checklist of the basic essential supplies every first aid kit should contain to pack in your camping gear:
Bandages
Bandages are a first aid kit staple that covers wounds, secures dressings and provides pressure to stop bleeding. Include various bandage styles and sizes:
- Adhesive bandages (band-aids)
- Gauze roll bandages (2-inch and 4-inch rolls)
- Conforming gauze bandages
- Triangular bandages
- Butterfly wound closures
- Non-stick sterile pads
Gauze
Sterile gauze pads and rolls are used for wound covering, padding, and applying direct pressure to stop bleeding. Include gauze in multiple sizes:
- Sterile gauze pads (2×2, 3×3, 4×4 inches)
- Sterile non-stick gauze pads
- Rolled gauze bandages (various widths)
- Non-stick rolled gauze
Adhesive Tape
Adhesive tape is essential for securing dressings, bandages, and gauze. Include several types:
- Medical adhesive tape
- Paper tape
- Elastic wrap
- Adhesive foam tape
Antiseptic Wipes and Antibiotic Ointment
Antiseptics are used to sanitize wounds and prevent infection. Include:
- Antiseptic wipes
- Antibiotic ointment packets
- Alcohol wipes
- Povidone-iodine pads
Medications
Stock your first aid kit with basic OTC medications for pain relief, upset stomach, allergies, etc.:
- Acetaminophen tablets
- Ibuprofen tablets
- Antihistamines
- Antacid tablets
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Antibiotic cream
Instruments and Tools
- Tweezers – for removing debris and splinters
- Scissors – for cutting tape, bandages, gauze
- Safety pins – securing bandages
- Thermometer
- Penlight flashlight
- Cold pack
- Salt packet – helps induce vomiting if ingested poison
Next, look at additional items for home, camping, car, sports, and workplace first aid kits. (Read Hunting For Beginners)
Additional Supplies and Wound Coverings
Beyond the essentials, you may need to stock additional supplies based on your particular first aid kit needs. Here are some recommendations of what these kits also includes for extra safety:
For Home First Aid Kits
- Activated charcoal – absorbs poisons
- Anti-itch cream – for bug bites
- Cold/hot packs
- Elastic bandages
- Emergency space blanket
- Eye patch
- Face mask
- Fillable first aid kit organizer
- Instant cold compress
- Manual aspirator – for nasal mucus suction
- Oral thermometer
- Roller gauze bandages
- Saline eye wash
- Sam splint – for immobilizing limbs
- Tensor bandage
- Tourniquet – stops bleeding from extremity wounds
For Camping/Hiking, First Aid Kits
- Blister kit – moleskin, pads, bandages
- Duct tape
- Emergency GPS locator beacon
- Emergency tinder/fire starter kit
- Insect repellent wipes
- Portable radio/cellphone charger
- Signal mirror
- Splinter probes – remove splinters
- Survival instructions manual
- Survival space blanket
- Water purification tablets
- Wire splint
For Vehicle First Aid Kits
- Auto emergency kit – road flares, reflectors, jumper cables
- Biohazard waste bag and cleanup kit – for body fluid spills
- Bottled water
- Car phone charger
- Fire extinguisher
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Heavy-duty paramedic scissors – cut seatbelts
- Jumper cables
- Seatbelt cutter
- Space blanket
- Warning triangle
For Sports First Aid Kits
- Athletic tape
- Blister pads
- Cold and hot packs
- Cravat triangular bandage
- CPR mask
- Elastic wraps for sprains
- Emergency heat packs
- Eye black grease
- Gloves
- Instant ice pack
- Plastic bags for ice
- Rolled gauze
- Sam splint
- Scissors
- Second skin moisture pads for blisters
- Tweezers
For Workplace First Aid Kits
- Bloodborne pathogen kit – full body fluid/blood spill cleanup kit
- Burn gel packets
- Burn dressing
- Chest seals for puncture wounds
- Eye wash station
- Face shield
- Finger splints
- Heavy duty shears
- Heat/cold packs
- N95 respirator masks
- Rolled gauze
- Tourniquets
The workplace first aid kit contents can vary based on potential job hazards. Check OSHA workplace regulations for your specific industry first aid kit requirements. (Read Can You Camp In Your Car)
First Aid Kit Checklist Template
To help you get organized, use a free printable first aid kit checklist PDF. All you’ll need to do is click to download a free PDF template, such as the Red Cross emergency kit list. Print multiple copies so you can stock and replenish your first aid kits. You can check off items from your first aid medicine list PDF as you pack them into your kit.
How To Stock Your First Aid Items
Follow these tips when packing emergency essentials, or you need to restock your wilderness first aid kit:
- Use a clear plastic container: So you can quickly see the contents
- Organize items: Group similar items together and label them
- Check expiration dates: Replace expired medications, ointments, gauze, etc.
- Consider the user: If kids may access the kit, avoid tools and meds they shouldn’t handle.
- Include instructions: Print a first aid manual on basic procedures like CPR, wound care, splinting, etc.
- Customize for intended use: Backpacking kits need more injury/wilderness tools than home kits.
- Make removable kits: Have mini kits to grab on the go rather than the whole bulky kit.
- Replenish after use: Restock any items used immediately so the kit stays fully stocked.
With a well-organized, fully stocked first aid kit, you’ll be well-equipped to handle bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes, and other minor emergencies at home or on the go. Having the right first aid supplies can help treat injuries, prevent infections, and even save lives in more serious situations until professional medical help arrives.
So be prepared by downloading and using this first aid kit checklist to assemble your kit today!
Conclusion
When an injury or sudden illness strikes, every second counts. A fully stocked first aid kit helps you respond quickly and appropriately with kids around. Regularly check expiration dates and replenish any used items you need to take. Aesthetically organize the contents and label them clearly. (Read Big Game Hunting Podcast)
Customize your kit based on likely hazards – home, outdoors, workplace, etc. Download our free printable checklist to stock up on wound care supplies, medications, tools, protective equipment, and specialty items, such as items to keep bandages in place.
With a comprehensive first aid kit, you’ll be ready to use the items to handle cuts, sprains, burns, and other common injuries when you go camping.
