22 Essential First Aid Items

Image: Healthcare Supply Pros

Among the most essential things you’ll need when going on any outdoors adventure is a well-stocked first aid kit. This will come in handy as it will make it easier for you to address various emergencies or injuries such as falls, allergic reactions, insect stings, burns and poisonings that may come your way. It’s for these reasons that other than taking your first aid kit with you, you also make sure that it has not just the basic but the very essential first aid items. In case you aren’t aware of what these items are, take a look:

Basic First Aid Items List:

1. Elastic bandages and bandage strips – in different sizes. These are to be used in wrapping various parts of the body, such as knees, ankles, wrists, arms and elbows after an injury. The best ones are by Curad or Band-Aid.
2. Safety pins – in different sizes. They are normally used for fastening bandages and splints.
3. At least two triangular bandages for wrapping injuries and/or making arm slings.
4. A bulb suction device, such a turkey baster for use when flushing out wounds.
5. Tweezers for removing small splinters or insect stingers.
6. Instant hand sanitizer (may be in liquid form or in form of wipes).
7. At least two pairs of synthetic gloves or disposable latex Gauze pads – in different sizes (4 X 3 and 3 X 3 inches).
8. Plastic bags for disposing contaminated materials Petroleum jelly or any other type of lubricant.
9. Sterile cotton balls and cotton tipped swabs.
10. Sterile eyewash, preferably saline solution.
11. Towelettes or Antiseptic solution.
12. A first aid instruction manual.
13. Scissors for cutting gauze.
14. Aluminum finger splint.
15. A roll of adhesive tape.
16. An eye pad or shield.
17. Antibiotic Ointment
18. Instant cold packs
19. Thermometer
20. Roller gauze
21. Duct tape
22. Soap

Other than these items, you should also attempt to include some of these medications:

• Medicine cup, spoon and syringe for giving specific medicine doses.
• Oral antihistamine to treat allergic reactions and swelling.
• Pain and fever relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
• Hydrocortisone cream, lotion or ointment for itching.
• Decongestants for treating nasal congestion.
• Calamine solution for poison ivy or stings.
• Anti-diarrhea medication.
• Aloe vera gel

In addition to this, you may consider including a couple of emergency items such as your medical history forms and a list of emergency contact numbers.

Aside from having all the essential items, you ought to learn how to use them. As such, you should be knowledgeable of different ways of administering first aid not only to yourself but also to those around you. The best way of doing this is by taking a First Aid course or, thoroughly going through the instruction manual before going on your trip.

Although this list outlines basically everything you will need in your first aid kit, the items to be included may also be determined by your personal needs and wants. For instance, if currently on medication, you should include those medicines in the kit.

So come the next time you are going out hiking, camping or rock climbing, use this list to compare and shop for all the necessary first aid items that will be more than essential for your trip.