I restock my first aid kit at the beginning of each trip and do a thorough restock at the beginning of each season. Since Spring is just two weeks away I recently pulled out my personal first aid list. On our multi-day expeditions and international trips we carry larger first aid kits full all kinds of goodies.
Sample First Aid Kit Lists
- Medium First Aid Kit List (PDF) from Northwest Rafting Company
- Major First Aid Kit List (PDF) from Northwest Rafting Company
Something that big isn’t realistic for every day use, so here’s the first aid kit I leave in my truck and bring on day trips where we’re not too far from a road. Great organization starts with a functional case. I’ve found one that I like, but Pelican boxes full of zip lock bags work great too!
| Item | Why? |
| Small First Aid Book | Knowledge is power! |
| Band Aids (10) | Small wounds |
| Neosporin | Small wounds |
| Steri Strips (5) | Closing deep wounds |
| 4×4 Sterile Gauze Pads (2) | To help cover wounds |
| Tegaderm (2-3) | These are great and easy to use waterproof/breathable dressings – a must for paddling |
| First Aid Tape (1-2 rolls) | Everything |
| Gloves (3 pair) | Body Substance Isolation (BSI) – keep yourself stay safe! |
| CPR Mask | Body Substance Isolation (BSI) – keep yourself stay safe! |
| Hand Sanitizer | Sometimes is just plain nice to have clean hands but you should sanitize your hands before and after working around wounds. |
| Chap-stick | Chapped lips are no fun |
| Small Sunscreen | Emergency backup |
| Aloe Vera | Sunburn |
| Ibuprofen (Advil) | An important part of I-RICE (Ibuprofen – Rest – Ice – Compression – Elevation) |
| Aspirin | Shown to help with heart attacks |
| Bendadryl | Allergic Reactions |
| Anti-diarrheal | Mandatory for international trips |
| Tweezers | Wilderness Medical Institute (WMI) sells the absolute best tweezers |
| Trauma Shears | For cutting through clothes or even kayaks! |
| Lighter | Accidental overnighters or to sterilize the tip of a safety pin |
| Moleskin | Blisters |
| Small Irrigation Syringe | Cleaning deep wounds |
| Sam Splint | Easy splint |
| Ace Bandage | To help with splinting or a quick immobilization of a joint |
| Triangular Bandages (1-3) | To create a sling |
| Safety Pins (3) | Great for splinting, but also great for getting splinters out |
| Pencil | Keeping notes |
| Soap Notes | Keeping track of important Subjective – Objective – Assessment – Plan data |
| Type A & B Tear-Aid | This doesn’t take much space and is great for quick, easy field repairs. |
Every first aid kit is a little different and I change mine based on the type of trip I do, my training, and based on things I learn from experience and/or conversations.
