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I never used to carry an emergency or a first aid kit. Bad Bad Bad hiker! I went for years barely carrying water, but never without my binoculars and a bagful of field guides. Thank goodness nothing bad ever happened to me.

Times have changed though. After having our daughter we realized that we needed to be much safer both when we were with her and when we were not. So off we went to the store to put together our first aid and emergency kits. It is overwhelming how many types there are out there.

You can make your own or buy them. And you can customize them a myriad of ways.  The key is to make it useful and to carry it and not to forget to refill it when you use something. Your kit does you no good sitting at home so carry it. Make a little one for your day pack and a bigger one for your car. Think about emergencies and plan ahead. We hope you will never need it but we hope you have it if you do.

Here’s one example of a good First Aid / Emergency Kit from Altrec:

Atwater Carey Backpacker First Aid Kit

The Atwater Carey Backpacker First Aid Kit has enough supplies to treat most field injuries and stop major bleeding. Content features include adhesive gauze tape, trauma dressing, moleskin, antibiotic ointment, wound closures and backcountry first aid instructions.

These lists are not comprehensive. There is no substitute for planning ahead and using your common sense. And don’t forget common sense precautions when planning your trip.

Small First Aid/ Emergency Kit for Hiking and Day trips

Buy or make your own. Keep in a waterproof container. Don’t forget to replenish things as you use them. Again this is not a comprehensive list. Please use planning and common sense when engaging in activities.

I keep the following in a quart size ziploc in our daypack: Adventure Medical Kit Pocket Medic, Adventure Medical Kits SOL Survival Pack,  and Petzel E-lite emergency headlamp, and a multitool.

The Pocket Medic includes:

• Butterfly closures (2)
• Adhesive bandages (6)
• 2 x 2 Sterile dressing (2)
• Sting relief pad
• Double antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic towelettes (3)
• Moleskin
• Motrin (4)
• Safety Pins 92)
• Tweezers

To this kit I have added

• Antihistamine
• Allergy medication
• Personal medication
• Personal information: Names, allergies, medication taken, emergency contacts

The SOL Survival Kit includes:

• Compass
• Mini rescue flash signal mirror
• Whistle
• Waterproof and windproof survival matches
• Tinder
• Survival blanket
• Fishing kit
• Duct tape

Our emergency headlamp is a  Petzl E+Lite headlamp. It has a battery that when held in the lock position will not corrode for 10 years. It includes flashing SOS signaling and regular headlamp light. It also has a whistle.

We also keep a multitool in our kit.

First Aid Kit

We keep a larger First Aid Kit in the car or back at camp.

This is not a comprehensive list. You can modify it to fit your situation. Make sure it is usable. Keep in a waterproof container. Good idea to have a comprehensive kit with you as well as an emergency kit that is portable and can be taken with you when hiking or on day trips. Make sure to refill the things that you use when you get home. Please use common sense and planning.

• Personal information including contact people clearly marked somewhere.
• Personal medications (take extra)
• Bandages
  • Different size band-aids
  • Finger band-aid
  • Triangular bandage
  • Roll bandages
  • Sterile gauze pads
  • Ace bandage
  • Butterfly closures
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic cream
• Cotton swabs
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Tweezers
• Medicines
  • Antacids
  • Aspirin/ Ibuprofen/ Tylenol/ Naproxin
  • Sinus medication
  • Allergy medication
  • Eye drops
  • Ipecac
• Moleskin (for blisters)
• Scissors
• Sunscreen
• Sunburn lotion
• Burn ointment
• Bee sting kit
• Snake bite kit
• Poison ivy cream/cleansers
• Bug repellant
• Hot/cold packs
• Notepad and pen
• Latex gloves
• Sterile compress
• Splinting materials
• Coins for phone calls
• Feminine products
• Antibiotic soap
• Thermometer
• Small bottle of water
• First aid manual

Other things that I keep around for those times when you need them.

• Repair kit for tent/ air mattress
• Safety pins
• Small sewing kit
• Duct tape (can be used as bandage, to make splints, to repair things around camp.)
• Tissues
• Batteries

And of course you need:

• “Emergency” chocolate- you just never know when this will come in handy

As always we welcome your feedback. If we have forgotten something please let us know.