First Aid Checklist

For printer-friendly version, click Print Checklist (PDF) at right.

Basic care: Prepackaged first-aid kits available at REI typically contain many of the following items:

  • Antiseptic wipes (BZK-based wipes preferred; alcohol-based OK)
  • Antibacterial ointment (e.g., bacitracin)
  • Tincture of benzoin (bandage adhesive)
  • Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)
  • Butterfly bandages/adhesive wound-closure strips
  • Gauze pads (various sizes)
  • Nonstick sterile pads
  • Medical adhesive tape (10-yd. roll, min. 1" width)
  • Blister treatment (e.g., Moleskin, 2nd Skin, Glacier Gel)
  • Ibuprofen/other pain-relief medication
  • Insect-sting relief treatment (e.g., AfterBite)
  • Antihistamine to treat allergic reactions
  • Splinter (fine-point) tweezers
  • Safety pins
  • Comprehensive first-aid manual or information cards

Comprehensive care: Carry all of the basic items listed above; add items below based on anticipated needs.

Note: The list below is intentionally extensive; rarely will a single kit include every item shown here.

Wound coverings

  • Rolled gauze
  • Rolled, stretch-to-conform bandages
  • Elastic wrap
  • Hydrogel-based pads
  • ______________________
  • ______________________
  • First-aid cleansing pads with topical anesthetic
  • Hemostatic (blood-stopping) gauze
  • Liquid bandages
  • Oval eye pads
  • ______________________
  • ______________________

Medications/treatments

  • Hand sanitizer (BKZ- or alcohol-based)
  • Aloe vera gel (sun exposure relief)
  • Aspirin (primarily for response to a heart attack)
  • Antacid tablets
  • Throat lozenges
  • Lubricating eye drops
  • Loperamide tablets (for diarrhea symptoms)
  • ______________________
  • ______________________
  • Poison ivy/poison oak preventative
  • Poison ivy/poison oak treatment
  • Glucose or other sugar to treat hypoglycemia
  • Oral rehydration salts (e.g., CeraLyte)
  • Antifungal foot powder
  • Prescription medications (e.g., antibiotics)
  • Injectable epinephrine to treat allergic reactions (e.g., EpiPen, Twinject)
  • ______________________

First-aid

  • Knife (or multi-tool with knife)
  • Paramedic shears (blunt-tip scissors)
  • Safety razor blade (or scalpel w/#15 or #12 blade)
  • Finger splint(s)
  • SAM splint(s)
  • Cotton-tipped swabs
  • Standard oral thermometer
  • Low-reading (hypothermia) thermometer
  • Irrigation syringe with 18 gauge catheter
  • Magnifying glass
  • Small mirror
  • ______________________
  • ______________________
  • Medical/surgical gloves (nitrile preferred; avoid latex)
  • Triangular cravat bandage
  • Steel sewing needle with heavy-duty thread
  • Needle-nose pliers with wire cutter
  • Headlamp (preferred) or flashlight
  • Whistle (pealess preferred)
  • Duct tape (small roll)
  • Small notepad with waterproof pencil or pen
  • Medical waste bag (plus box for sharp items)
  • Waterproof container to hold supplies and meds
  • Emergency heat-reflecting blanket
  • ______________________
  • ______________________

Personal care, other items

  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Insect repellent (plus headnet, if needed)
  • ______________________
  • ______________________
  • Biodegradable soap
  • Water-disinfection system
  • Collapsible water sink or basin
  • ______________________
  • ______________________

Selected from a more extensive list published in the book Medicine for the Outdoors by Dr. Paul S. Auerbach.

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