Prep & Plan: Summer First Aid Kit

DIY Summer Emergency First Aid Kit

• Pre-made first aid kit ~ I always start out with a premade kit because it comes with smaller packages of gauzes and tapes that I can’t find on my own. They usually also come with a varied collection of band-aids and other bandages. Below is what the American Red Cross suggests you find in a premade kit–or add the missing items yourself. Everything after these first 20 items are extra–but I consider them necessary to my own First Aid kit.
  1. 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
  2. 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
  3. 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
  4. 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
  5. 5 antiseptic wipe packets
  6. 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
  7. 1 blanket (space blanket)
  8. 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
  9. 1 instant cold compress
  10. 2 pair of non-latex gloves (size: large)
  11. 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
  12. Scissors
  13. 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
  14. 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
  15. 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
  16. 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
  17. Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)
  18. 2 triangular bandages
  19. Tweezers
  20. First aid instruction booklet
• Liquid stitches ~ just in case you need to stop bleeding until you get to an ER.
• Water bottle for cleaning out wounds & for hydration
• Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) ~ this over-the-counter medication is great for insects bites, hives, and other allergic reactions. I purchase the tablets since they are easier to pack, but if you have children make sure you have the proper form (chewable or liquid) for their age.
• EpiPen ~ if you have members who have severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. You’ll need a prescription and always keep one for my son in the first aid kit in case we need it on the road.
• Numbing spray like Bactine
• Antibacterial cream
• Calendula cream or Aloe to help ease sunburns
• Prescription medication ~ Always keep extra RX meds with you as well as an extra prescription if your doctor allows it.
• Ibuprofen and Tylenol ~ if you have kids, make sure you have the correct formulation for their age and weight.
• Dramamine or other nausea medication
• Sunscreen (at least 30+ SPF)~ this includes SPF lip balm and ChapStick
• Bug spray that contains at least 30% DEET.
• Afrin nasal spray for nosebleeds
• Hydrocortisone ointment ~ for any kind of itchies like insect bites or poison ivy, etc.
• Flashlight/headlamp ~ you never know when you need administer first aid and it may be dark out.
• Baby wipes ~ perfect for cleaning scrapes and hands and wiping things down when you don’t have water.
• ChapStick ~ a great way to ease chapped/sunburned lips.
• Clean towels ~ carry a few clean towels to help keep your first aid tools clean. Can also be used to help add pressure to a bleeding wound. I like the microfiber towels because they absorb a lot and can be squeezed into a small bag.
• Feminine hygiene supplies ~ can also be used for feeding wounds. They are small but can absorb a lot of blood.
• Premade finger splint ~ because you never know when you might hurt your finger when changing a tire.
• Alcohol wipes ~ to sterilize all of your tools and even skin.
• ACE bandage ~ for sprains, strains, for for holding bandages in place on bigger wounds or holding splints on fractures.
• Small scissors – for all your cutting needs.
• Fingernail clippers – for smaller cutting needs.
• A bottle of Gatorade ~ essential for dehydration and hypoglycemia.
• Ziploc bags of various sizes ~ to carry knocked-out teeth, pulled-out ticks, or used bandages.
• Tweezers & small magnifying glass ~ for splinters, ticks, and other small needs.
• A small First Aid book or chart to help you remember how to do things like wrap a sprained ankle or make a tourniquet.
• A nice canvas bag to hold all of your equipment