Camping First Aid Kit Essentials

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Nothing says “survival camping gear” like a self-engineered camping first aid kit. Learn the necessities of any good first aid kit here.

At first glance, preparing for events that are not very likely to happen seems silly. But consider that such preparations could save a life or at least provide a more relaxing vacation free from the worries of injury.

Camping First Aid Kit Essentials

A well-constructed camping first aid kit is an essential part of any camper’s gear because camping involves many activities that increase the likelihood of a mishap.

The Camping First Aid Kit Container Itself

Many types of containers will work fine for a comprehensive camping first aid kit, but try to find a medium to a large-sized plastic waterproof utility box. Waterproof takes one more worry from the mind so that the camping vacation can be full of stress-free fun.

If the camping first aid kit is situated in a guaranteed dry location, such as inside a vehicle or camper, waterproof may not be as important, but make sure it’s still tightly secured.

The Bulk of the Camping First Aid Kit

From scrape to gash, bug bite to snake bite, all wounds received while camping should be treated promptly and with the utmost care to avoid infection. Don’t leave for the campground without first packing these items in a camping first aid kit:

•   Hydrogen peroxide for slowing bleeding and preventing infection.
•   Small bottle of alcohol for cleaning supplies triple-antibiotic ointment.
•   Hand sanitizer to cleanse those hands before treating that wound, and after.
•   Cotton balls or gauze pads for applying the alcohol.
•   About 25 bandages of various sizes and shapes.
•   Tweezers for removing thorns.
•   Non-latex disposable gloves to avoid cross-contamination.
•   Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream for itches.
•   Aloe vera gel for burns and sunburns.
•   Flashlight.
•   Space blanket.
•   Scissors for cutting clothing and other general purposes.

Illness Treatment and Emergency Gear

Accidents happen, and In the event of a severe illness or some other unforeseen catastrophic incident, there are a few vital supplies that should be at hand:

•   Oral thermometer: it’s always good to be able to monitor a fever.
•   Anti-diarrheal medicine: it may seem a silly addition, but there’s no telling when someone might catch an infection from water or food, putting them out of commission for the whole trip.
•   Antacids for upset stomach relief.
•   Antihistamines for allergies: nothing is more likely to ruin a vacation than a sneezing fit brought on by pollen.
•   Pain-relief: ibuprofen or aspirin (but no aspirin for children).
•   An ample supply of any medications needed by those on the trip.
•   A small bottle of Saline solution: without reliable, clean running water, the ability to flush the eyes in the event of an accident is a necessity. Contact wearers know this to be true.

Bone Treatment

Although the extreme case of a broken bone or sprain is somewhat unlikely, proper preparation will limit the severity of an incident. And it’s not too hard to add a couple of items to a first aid kit:

•   Extra cloth or gauze for wrapping (or to use as a sling).
•   A splint for setting a broken bone (or just use a sturdy stick or two).

First Aid Kit Guide

Perhaps most important of all, any adequate camping first aid kit contains an instruction booklet for complicated tasks involving saving someone’s life or correctly treating an injury. Find a good camping first aid kit book and pack it along with the kit. Skim through it some beforehand, too, to decrease the time it takes to find vital information.

More Information

Find more information about what first aid kits should contain at the American Red Cross or double-check the family camping gear checklist to make sure everything’s packed for the trip.

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