Building a First Aid Kit for Hikers

A first aid kit is useless if it contains things you do not know how to use or is missing what you actually need. Here is a practical kit tailored to common hiking injuries.

Core Kit (Always Carry)

Wound Care

• Adhesive bandages (6–8 assorted sizes): Cuts, scrapes, small punctures
• Butterfly closures (4): Hold wound edges together on deeper cuts
• Gauze pads 4x4 (4): Larger wounds, padding
• Medical tape (1 roll): Secure gauze, create moleskin, splint fingers
• Alcohol wipes (6): Clean wounds and sterilize tools
• Antibiotic ointment (individual packets x4): Prevent infection in open wounds
• Irrigation syringe (10–20ml): Flush dirt from wounds — the most important wound care tool

Blister Care

• Leukotape (pre-cut strips or 2-foot section on wax paper): Gold standard for blister prevention and treatment
• Moleskin (2x2 sheet): Padding around blisters
• Needle (sterilized): Drain blisters

Medications

• Ibuprofen (200mg x10): Pain, inflammation, swelling
• Acetaminophen (500mg x6): Pain relief for those who cannot take ibuprofen
• Diphenhydramine/Benadryl (25mg x6): Allergic reactions, insect stings, sleep aid
• Loperamide/Imodium (x4): Diarrhea (can be trip-ending in the backcountry)
• Electrolyte packets (x2): Rehydration after illness or heavy sweating

Tools

• Tweezers: Splinters, ticks, cactus spines
• Safety pins (2): Improvised splints, gear repair
• Nitrile gloves (2 pairs): Protect yourself when treating others
• Emergency blanket: Hypothermia treatment, shelter, signaling

Extended Kit (Multi-Day / Remote Trips)

Add to the core kit:

• SAM splint: Moldable aluminum splint for fractures and sprains
• Elastic bandage/ACE wrap (3 inch): Sprains, compression, splint securing
• Trauma shears: Cut clothing, tape, bandages
• Hemostatic gauze (QuikClot or Celox): Severe bleeding control
• Oral rehydration salts: Serious dehydration from illness
• Prescription medications: Epinephrine auto-injector (if allergic), altitude meds, personal prescriptions

How to Use Key Items

Wound Irrigation

The single most important first aid skill. Dirty wounds get infected.

1. Fill the irrigation syringe with clean water
2. Hold the syringe 2 inches from the wound
3. Flush forcefully to dislodge dirt and debris
4. Repeat until the wound is clean
5. Apply antibiotic ointment and bandage

Tick Removal

1. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible with fine-tipped tweezers
2. Pull straight up with steady, even pressure
3. Do not twist, squeeze, or burn the tick
4. Clean the bite area with alcohol
5. Save the tick in a ziplock bag for identification if a rash develops

Improvised Splinting

1. Pad the injured area with clothing or gauze
2. Mold the SAM splint into a U-shape or L-shape around the injury
3. Secure with elastic bandage or tape
4. Immobilize the joints above and below the fracture
5. Check circulation (color, pulse, sensation) below the splint every 30 minutes

Kit Maintenance

• Check expiration dates every 6 months
• Replace used items immediately after each trip
• Adjust contents for the trip: winter = more warmth items, desert = more hydration items
• Take a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course — the best first aid kit is training

Recommended Gear

Based on the topics covered in this guide, here are some top-rated products to consider:

• Castelli Emergency 2 Rain Jacket - Women's ($105, 4 oz)
• Salomon ADV Skin 5L Race Flag Hydration Pack ($145, 0.4 lbs)
• Snow Peak Aluminum Tarp Pole ($60, 2.3 lbs)
• S.O.L Survive Outdoors Longer Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket ($24, 0.5 lbs)
• Stoic Bivy Suit ($139, 3.6 lbs)
• Hydro Flask 20oz Wide Mouth Flex Cap 2.0 Water Bottle ($33, 0.7 lbs)

Weight

A complete core kit weighs 6–10 oz. The extended kit adds 8–12 oz. This is non-negotiable weight — always carry it.