What You Need in Your Camping First Aid Kit

Part of going camping is knowing what to have in your camping first aid kit for your needs, because if you’re going camping with kids, you need to be prepared for some bumps and bruises.

What Should be in a Camping First Aid Kit?

If you’re going car camping you can bring a large first aid kit. Space and weight are not at a premium and you can pack several heavier things, like one-time use cold packs. The other option is to use the ice from your cooler.

If you’re creating a backpacking first aid kit, you’ll want to stick to lighter weight options.

We don’t bring much more than what is on this downloadable first aid kit checklist for standard camping trips, because if we need more first aid than that, odds are we’re packing up camp and going to the clinic or hospital. You should have enough to get through a few minor bumps and scrapes or bug bites.

Basic Camping First Aid Kit Checklist

• Bandaids – for minor scrapes
• Blister bandaids – for blisters
• Antibiotic ointment – for minor scrapes and cuts
• Wound Closure Strips – for slightly deeper cuts
• Anti-itch cream – for bug bites and possible plant itchies
• Tweezers – for splinters/slivers
• Hand sanitizer – for cleansing hands and wounds
• Aloe gel – for minor burns and sunburns
• Ice pack – one time use for bumps and sprains
• Pain relief of your choice, make sure you have it in liquid form for the little ones.

Comprehensive Camping First Aid Kits

If you want to create a more extensive camping first aid kit you can add:

• Gauze 2x2s – for bigger scrapes and cuts
• Medical Tape – for holding gauze
• Ace wrap – for minor sprains
• Small scissors – for cutting gauze and tape
• Ibuprofen – for swelling or headaches
• Antihistamine – for itching and minor allergies
• Anti-diarrheal medicine – for upset stomachs

How to Make your Own First Aid Kit for Camping

I highly recommend making your own first aid kit. As a trauma nurse, I’m picky about my supplies and I want to only take what I know I’ll use.

If you’re not sure what should be in a camping first aid kit, the first thing you’ll need is a reliable first aid kit checklist. We have a printable first aid kit checklist you can download here.

A good bag is essential for any good first aid kit, and you don’t need anything fancy.

I’ve used cosmetic pouches, standard zip-top bags or very small dry bags. The main goal is to have your kit be waterproof, you don’t want a sudden rainstorm or hydropack leak to waterlog all of your gauze and ruin your adhesives.

After you figure out what bag you’re going to pack your first aid supplies into, the next step is gathering supplies. You can use the first aid kit checklist I’ve created here for a good starting point on what to bring and what to leave home.

What NOT to Pack in your First Aid Kit

You may have noticed that I don’t have sutures, tourniquets, a splint, sling or additional supplies like that on the first aid kit checklist.

Yes, I’m a trauma nurse and I have a giant first aid kit in my car with this kind of thing and more. The average person doesn’t know how to use these things so they aren’t of any benefit to bring with.

I also count on my improvising skills if I’m really in a bind. A broken bone or sprained ankle can be splinted with sticks, belts become tourniquets, and shirts or bandanas easily become slings with a few safety pins.

You should not pack or bring items you don’t know how to use. Take a wilderness first aid course because you can’t always count on your cell phone having service to look up information.

Before you go into the great outdoors, familiarize yourself with the contents of any first aid kit you’re using, whether purchased or home-made. Check everything off your first aid kit checklist and go scurry around!

**We are not doctors and therefore are not qualified to give advice on specific medications, illnesses or injuries. Please read our disclaimer page for more information**

Happy Camping!