When going for an outdoor trip, there are several things that you think of carrying along with you on a trail, just in case you end up spending the night in the wilderness. Regardless of you being a climber in the Himalaya or an overnight backpacker or a hiker, carrying with you an emergency supplies kit will benefit you a lot. Equipping yourself with a compact first aid gear will ensure safety in case any emergency arises during your trip.
A good medical kit should be loaded with all the features that are essential in order to keep you and your friends safe during the trip. While it is best to go for lightweight and compact medical kits, you also need to make sure that the kit has enough space to store all the essential items you may need.
There are many different sizes of kits that are available. It is recommended to opt for waterproof kits because you never know the weather conditions you will face outdoors. There are multiple kits available that you can choose depending on how long your trip is going to be. A kit that is suited for a day’s hike won’t be the same that you need for a two-week backpacking trip.
What Should I Look for in a First Aid Kit?
- Size and Weight
Weight and size are two important factors to consider in today’s modern traveling world. In case you are going for a hike, then you would prefer a kit that is lightweight and small in size so that your backpack doesn’t feel heavy. While in case of a road trip, you will have the luxury of space excess weight.
- Typical Conditions
When selecting a first aid kit, you also keep in mind the kind of places or conditions you frequently travel to. While having a band-aid, pain meds and gauze are a necessity everywhere you go, in case you are going into the wild, you will need to carry ointments for burns, injuries, or wounds. But, in case you are backpacking, then you would probably have to look for a waterproof kit and so on.
- Applications Apart from Travel
If you are looking for a kit that works well in a variety of events, then you should probably look for more features in your first aid kit. In case of a go-to-kit, then choose those that come with infectious waste bags, cold packs, sanitized water, etc.
The Best Camping First Aid Kit
Mentioned below is a list of some of the best first aid kit for hiking or camping or any other outdoor trip that is super handy and reliable.
1. Surviveware Large First Aid Kit
Surviveware makes the absolute highest caliber first aid kits in the world. A Surviveware first aid kit is a great option for you if space is an important factor you want to consider. This kit measures 12 x 8 x 6 inches and weighs just 3 pounds with more than 100 essential items inside it. Its small size and low weight make it portable. It can easily be attached to your backpack or bicycle or can even fit in your glove compartment.
The construction of this first aid kit is built to last, with its 600D water-resistant polyester fabric, it is one of the strongest bags in its price range. All contents inside the bag are kept in tight, re-sealable, and laminated bags. This kit features an advanced MOLLE system strap that allows you to strap this kit to almost anything you can find.
The inside of the kit is well compartmentalized, with each item kept in different compartments. All of the inner sleeves are labeled in order to save time during an emergency.
What’s inside the kit?
- 1×6″ Shears
- 1xOne-Way Breathing Mask
- 1x 600D Polyester Bag
- Butterfly Bandages: 5x Medium, 5x Large
- Rectangular Bandages: 2x Large, 5x Mini
- 5x Square Bandages
- 20x Standard Bandages
- 3x Cotton Gauze Swabs
- 10x Cotton QTips
- 1x CPR Pouch with Instructions
- 2x Crepe Bandage
- 1xEmergency Blanket
- 2x Eye Pads
- 5x Knuckle Bandages
- 1x Hypoallergenic Tape
- 1x Nitrile Gloves
- 1x PBT Conforming Bandage
- 4x Safety Pins
- 2x Splinter Probes
- 10x Cotton Balls
- 3x Strip Wound Closures
- 1x First Aid Guide
- 1x Triangular Bandage
- 6x Personal Laminate Baggies
- 1xTweezer
- 1x Whistle
- 1x Premium Knife
- 1x Multitool
- Glow Sticks
- 1x Poncho
- 1x Signaling Mirror
- 1x Wire Saw
- 1x Paracord Bracelet
- 1x Tactical Flashlight
2. Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Backpacker Kit
This first aid kit is one of the best first aid kits for hiking and camping. With well-labeled pockets, a unique layout, and high-quality essential supplies, this kit has it all. The kit’s innovative design allows the user to find all items in a matter of a few seconds.
The kit weighs only 0.85 lb, measures 7.5×3.5×6 inches, and is compact, lightweight, and highly durable. It can easily fit into your backpack, and you won’t even feel its weight. This kit will equip you with all the necessities you will need for long trips. All of the items are packed in a highly durable, water-resistant medical bag that ensures that your supplies are safe under wet conditions.
An added feature about this kit is the external kit map that comes with it. The map shows where the supplies are located and helps you find them easily. The front side of the bag has a reflective mountain design so that you can quickly find your supplies, even in the dark. It is also extremely affordable for all that it offers.
What’s inside the kit?
- 10x Easy access bandages- 1″x3″(5), 5x knuckle
- 4x Butterfly closure bandage
- 6x Antiseptic wipe
- 2x Triple Antibiotic ointment
- 4x Alcohol swab
- 1x Tincture of Benzoin
- 1x wilderness first aid manual
- 1x EMT shears
- 1x splinter picker/ tick remover forceps
- 3x Safety pins
- 3x After bite wipes
- 2x Diamode (Lopermide HCL 2mg)
- 6x Aspirin (325 mg)
- 3x Antihistamine (25mg)
- 8x Ibuprofen( 200mg)
- 8x Acetaminophen(500mg)
- 1x Trauma pad (5″x9″)
- 2x Nitrile Glove
- 1x Wound irrigation tool, 10cc
- 10x Sterile dressing, 4″x4″(4), 2″x2″(4), 2″x3″(2)
- 1x Elastic bandage (2″)
- 11x gauze bandage (2″)
- 1x Tape, 1″x10 yard
- 1x Moleskin (pre-cut/shaped)
- 2x Cotton tip applicator
3. RFX+CARE First Aid Kit
Unfortunately, the RFX+CARE First Aid Kit is no longer available.
If your hiking destination is a place where the weather changes frequently, then this is the first aid kit that you need to carry along. The RFX+CARE first aid kit is a waterproof kit that will keep your medical supplies safe from water. This first aid kit has everything you need from an emergency blanket to more than 100 adhesive bandages. It has 200 pieces of supplies all together, including a tick remover, and the added bonus is that all items are latex-free!
Every item in the kit is highly durable. Some items have expiration dates of 3 years, while some can go up to even 5 years. Measuring 7x3x9 inches, this medical kit is cleanly divided into compartments to increase accessibility. It is one of the best backpacking first aid kits you can find.
What’s inside the kit?
- 2x Adhesive Tape in Bag(19.69″x0.49″ )
- 1xMetal Tweezer(3.47″)
- 2xTriangular Bandage( 37.8″x37.8″x53.54″)
- 1xFirst Aid Blanket(62.99″x82.68″)
- 6xSterile Compress(M) (2.76″x2.76″)
- 30xBeige Plaster (M) (2.83″x0.98″)
- 2xFirst Aid Dressing(3.15″x3.94″x3.15″x15.75)
- 2xClosure Strip (0.23″x2.95″) *3p
- 10xBeige Plaster(L) (2.36″x2.36″)
- 1xElastic Bandage (3.15″x15.75″)
- 2xSterile Compress(3.94″x3.94″)
- 10xSafety Pins
- 2×1 pair Glove (L) in a Polybag
- 1xScissor(5″)
- 1xTick Remover
- 3xPBT Bandage
- 1xUser Guide
- 80xPE Adhesive Bandage Mix
- 10xTowel Tabs
- 1xInner Fabric Pouch
4. Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7
For those who want a minimal use medical kit that you can just slip into your backpack for your daily ventures, then the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/watertight .7 is the kit for you. This kit comes with all the essential medical supplies that are found in larger kits but just in a smaller number. Thus, you are not compromising on the quality but simply the quantity which shouldn’t be a problem for just single-day trips.
This ultralight first aid kit comes with all the essential components such as a role of sterile gauze, bandages for wounds and blisters, and several gauze sponges. It also has three types of band-aids in different sizes and pre-cut mole foam for injuries like blisters. All items are individually packed and well-labeled.
The case is made up of silicone-coated nylon, which is watertight and functions just like a heavy-duty ziplock given its weight and how easily it can be squashed into a bag. The kit weighs only 8 ounces and measures 7.5x10x2 inches. Its contents are perfect for 1-2 people for about 1-4 days.
What’s inside the kit?
- 3x Butterfly Closure Fabric Adhesive Bandage
- 1x Tape, 1″x10 yards
- 3x Easy Access Bandages, Knuckle Fabric
- 5x Easy Access Bandages (1″x3″)
- 1x Elastic Bandage with Hook and Loop Closure (2″)
- 1x Conforming Gauze Bandage (2″)
- 1x Sterile Gauze Dressing (3″x3″)
- 1x Sterile Gauze Dressing (2″x2″)
- 2x Sterile Non-Adherent Dressing (3″x4″)
- 6x Antiseptic Wipe
- 3x Triple Antibiotic Ointment
- 2x Skin Tac Topical Adhesive Wipe
- 2x Ibuprofen (200mg)
- 2x Aspirin (325mg)
- 2x Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
- 3x After Bite and Sting Relief Wipe
- 2x Acetaminophen (500mg)
- 1x Nitrile Gloves Pair
- 1x Sterile Gauze Dressing (3″x3″)
- 1x Sterile Gauze Dressing (2″x2″)
- 1x Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (14 pieces)
- 2x Alcohol swab
- 1x Splinter picker/tick remover forceps
- 1x Duct tape (2″x26″)
5. Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel
The AMK SM (Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel) is a smart first aid kit specially designed for those on the go. Whether you are traveling abroad or going for a quick hiking or camping trip, this kit has all the components needed to take care of minor injuries or wounds you may encounter on the way. The best part about this kit is that it comes with a communication aid in the form of a visual aid guide that can help you in situations where the language gap could be a problem. You can use a visual aid to connect to medical providers at hospitals or clinics.
Over the counter drugs are individually labeled and packaged, and all wound care pads and bandages are sterile and tightly sealed. The medical supplies in the kit are all imported from other countries. The kit features a medical handbook that gives good information injuries or ailments you may experience when you are not connected to the internet. This is a great choice for a camping first aid kit.
The carrying case is made up of heavy-duty nylon denier material, which makes sure that the supplies are protected from any impact and also protects the case from abrasions. Weighing only 17 ounces, this kit is ultralight and comes in a slim tri-fold design. It measures 6x5x4 inches, and you can even remove the medical handbook to cut down a few grams.
What’s inside the kit?
- 4x Acetaminophen (500 mg)
- 4x Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
- 1x Oral Rehydration Salts (Sodium Chloride, Trisodium, Potassium Chloride Citrate, Glucose Anhydrous)
- 2x Antacid (Hydroxide Gel, Simethicone, Magnesium Hydroxide)
- 2x Diotame (Bismuth Subsalicylate)
- 4x Diamode (Loperamide HCI 2 mg)
- 4x Ibuprofen (200 mg)
- 2x Triple Antibiotic Ointment
- Single-Use (Bacitracin Zinc, Polymyxin B Sulfate, Neomycin Sulfate)
- 6x Bandage, Adhesive Fabric, (1″ x 3″)
- 5x Bandage, Butterfly Closure
- 2x Bandage, Adhesive Fabric, Knuckle,
- 1xBandage, Conforming Gauze( 2″)
- 3x Dressing, Gauze Sterile, (2″ x 2″)
- 1x Nitrile Gloves (Pair)
- 1xHand Wipe
- 2xNon-Adherent Dressing
- 1x Orange Biohazard Label (2″ x 2″)
- 1x Glacier Gel (Large Oval)
- 1x GlacierGel (Small Rectangular)
- 1x Ziplock Baggie(5″ x 8″)
- 1x Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (14 pieces)
- 2x Dressing Gauze, Sterile, (4″ x 4″)
- 5x Antiseptic Wipe (Benzalkonium Chloride)
- 1x Pencil
- 3x Safety Pins
- 1x Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
- 1xDisposable Bag(6″ x 8″)
- 2xThermometer
- 1x Comp. Guide to Wilderness & Travel Medicine
- 1x Visual Communication Tool
- 1x Patient Assessment Form)
- 2x Cotton Tip Applicator
- 1x Cloth Tape (1/2″ x 10 Yards)
Conclusion
Keeping a first aid kit handy is paramount to ensure the safety of your life as well as others. While on a hiking or camping trip, if small wounds or injuries are not taken care of that very moment, they may end up becoming more serious later. A good survival kit should have all the high-quality essential supplies. Make sure to check on the expiration dates of all items before to take them out.