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.

● 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

● ______________________

● 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)

● ______________________

● 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

● ______________________

● 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.