What You Should Have in Your Ultimate Survival First Aid Kit

Written by Guest Contributor on The Prepper Journal.

As a prepper, one of the most important things you can have on hand is an ultimate survival first aid kit. Although prepackaged kits are available in almost any pharmacy, relying on them will leave you ill-equipped if the SHTF.

The following lists will help you create your ultimate survival first aid kit. They are extensive, but not all-inclusive. You will have to add items for special needs you, your family, or even your pets may have. Use your best judgment on quantities. However, keep in mind a rule many preppers follow – two is one, and one is none.

The descriptions and comments within the lists are not medical advice. If you want to be prepared if the SHTF, learn ahead of time how and when to use all the items in your kit and PRACTICE with them. A chest seal looks simple, but there is an art to handling and applying them. Celox Grandules are a nightmare in the wind or in rotor down-wash, they are an eye, and throat irritant and take 2-3 minutes to clot whereas the Rapid (or Ribbon) are much easier for the non-professional to handle. Knowing how to use your medical items can NOT be over-stressed.

Primary Components of the Ultimate Survival First Aid Kit

In addition to the items below, include a comprehensive first aid reference manual. Make sure it’s a paper copy. If the SHTF you could be without power, making electronic versions inaccessible. Being able to look up a medical situation you’re not familiar with can make all the difference to the person you’re trying to help.

Item	Simple Description/Comments
Adhesive bandages	Get self-adhesive.
Alcohol pads/antiseptic solution	Used to sterilize areas around wounds.
Antibacterial soap	For cleaning wounds, hands or anything else that gets dirty or contaminated. Buy high quality grade.
Antibiotic ointment	Reduces the chance of infection.
Antifungal ointment	Treats fungus infections that thrive in wet and humid conditions
Battle dressing	For traumatic wounds where bleeding is profuse.
Blood clotting powder	May stop or minimize bleeding, especially in people who are on blood thinners.
Burn gel	Helps alleviate pain associated with burned skin.
Butterfly bandages	Used to close lacerations.
Compression bandages	Used to treat sprained joints. Stock different sizes so you can wrap any joint.
Cotton balls/pads/swabs	Cleans wounds and applies ointments. Stock an assortment of styles and sizes.
CPR barrier/masks	For protection against exposure to infection.
Eye solution/wash	Saline-based, helps remove debris from the eye. Used regularly can keep eyes clean.
Foot powder	An alternative to antifungal cream. Powder lasts longer and is easy to apply.
Gloves	Protects against contamination and any blood-borne diseases. If latex allergy is a concern, non-latex gloves are available.
Hand sanitizer	De-sanitizes hands and skin. Not recommended for open wounds.
Hydrocortisone cream	Helps the body recover from insect bites or stings and minor rashes.
Hydrogen peroxide	Helps treat gum discomforts.
Instant hot/cold packs	Helps reduce pain and swelling. Stock different varieties and sizes.
Irrigation syringe	For cleaning wounds. A squeeze bottle is a good alternative.
Large cloth dressings	To protect wounds. 5×9 inches is a good size since they can be cut down as needed.
Medical tape	Used to secure bandages or to hold medical equipment in place. Try to stock waterproof or water resistant.
Oral thermometer	For detecting fevers.
Petroleum jelly	For the dressing of burns and small cuts to prevent reinfection or dirt from entering. Can also retain moisture in the skin, especially when it’s too cold. Helps keep heat inside the body.
Roll bandages	Have various uses and can be cut into different sizes as needed.
Scalpel	Used for minor surgery or to remove excess tissue. Surgical grade scalpels are best.
Sewing needles	Helpful for dislodging foreign matter from under the skin.
Sharp scissors	Cuts bandages and other materials. Have more than one set.
Splinting material	There are a variety of materials and most can be cut to the size needed.
Sterile gauze pads	Covers wounds. Have a variety in the kit.
Superglue	Used as a waterproof, invisible bandage for small cuts, blisters, and abrasions. Also used for more significant wounds instead of stitches.
Sutures	Used to close severe wounds. A good suture size is a 3-0 and above since smaller sizes might not be sufficient.  If possible, have different sizes on hand.
Syringes	Can inject or withdraw fluid as necessary.
Tourniquets	When used appropriately, can reduce or stop the blood flow through a vein or artery by compressing a limb.
Triangular bandages	Suitable for immobilizing dislocations and fractures.
Tweezers	Most often used to remove splinters or other tiny objects.
Wooden tongue depressors	Used for checking throat obstructions and for splinting small fractures.

 

Equipment and Kits for Your Ultimate Survival First Aid Kit

 

The following list of equipment and kits will assist you in administering first aid in critical situations.

Item	Simple Description/Comments
Automated external defibrillator (AED)	Small, battery-operated unit used for starting a failed heart during cardiac arrest.
Blood pressure cuff	Used to monitor blood pressure.
Burn kit	For severe burns, or burns located on more than one part of the body.
Cervical collar	Immobilizes a neck due to a neck or spine injury.
Dentist kit	Items in the kit include temporary treatments for lost fillings, caps and crowns.
Foldable stretcher	Enables the carrying of an injured person.
Locking forceps	Used in combination with suturing. They can also stop hemorrhaging blood vessels.
Oral airways	Keeps a person’s airway open.
Snakebite kit	Generally includes an extractor pump that pulls venom from pooled areas in the body. Cannot extract venom already in the circulatory system.
Stethoscope	Verifies breathing and heartbeat.
Suture kit	Contains a variety of items you need for suturing wounds.

 

Essential Medications for Your Ultimate Survival First Aid Kit

Include these medications in addition to any pharmaceuticals prescribed by your doctor for ongoing medical conditions. If the SHTF, you may not be able to get to any doctor, or to any pharmacy. So stock in sufficient quantities.

Item	Simple Description/Comments
Acetaminophen	Reduces pain and fever.
Antacid	Temporarily relieves stomach and gastrointestinal pain.
Antihistamine	Alleviates mild allergic reactions.
Aspirin	Common painkiller and is also used to treat certain heart conditions.
Asthma inhalers	If you or a family member have asthma, put one or two in your kit and leave them in there.
Broad spectrum antibiotics	Act on a wide range of diseases. Are used when the source of infection is unknown.
Cephalexin	Heavy-duty antibiotic good at treating staph infections and other bacterial infections.
Diarrhea treatment	Controls diarrhea and can prevent dehydration.
Dramamine	Used to treat symptoms usually associated with motion sickness.
Epipen or other allergy medication	Prescribed for people prone to anaphylactic reactions from insect stings or certain foods.
Ibuprofen	Is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Insulin	If you or a family member has diabetes, ensure your kit includes a good supply of insulin and needles to administer it.
Nitroglycerin	This is a treatment for patients with heart conditions.
Prednisone	Is an immunosuppressant and used to treat some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Stool softener	Treats or prevents constipation.
Sugar pills	Can quickly raise the blood sugar of a person who has diabetes.
Throat lozenges	Soothes throat pain.

 

Handy Herbals for Your Ultimate Survival First Aid Kit

There are many oils, herbals and other natural remedies available. This list provides a few that may prove very helpful in a survival situation.

 

Item	Simple Description/Comments
Aloe Vera	Treats skin-related problems and burns.
Cranberry extract	Primarily used to treat urinary tract infections.
Clove bud oil	Alleviates tooth and gum pain.
Lavender oil	Helps heal burns and wounds.
Peppermint oil	Can release tight muscles. Mixed with lavender oil can reduce itching caused by rashes or poison ivy.

 

Rounding Out Your Ultimate Survival First Aid Kit

This list supports or enhances other items contained in your survival first aid kit. Pack enough for yourself, and some to barter with. Bartering materials are valuable if the SHTF.

Item	Simple Description/Comments
Aqua tabs	Cleans and purifies water in minutes for drinking, cooking and bathing.
Baking soda	Provides relief to bee stings and can draw out excess pus from a wound.
Batteries	If you have flashlights or transistor radios or even portable ham radios, have extra batteries on hand in the appropriate sizes.
Cotton sheets	Used to create makeshift stretchers.
Emergency blankets	Useful in cold weather and for preventing any victim from going into shock.
Ensure	Can help with nutritional needs. Some products come in powder form for easy storage and transport.
Extra broad spectrum antibiotics	Antibiotics may be one of the most needed medications in your kit.
Flashlights	Stock several of these in different brands and styles. It’s helpful if they use the same size batteries. Include a headset type if possible.
Hot water bottle	Filled with water, can reduce muscle pain and provide warmth if needed.
Lip balm	Treats and prevents chapped and cracked lips.
Magnifying glass	Used to see foreign objects embedded into skin making them easier to remove.
Pedialyte	Replaces fluids and minerals after a bout of vomiting or diarrhea. Comes in powder form for light and manageable storage.
Pen/pencil and paper	Recording vital signs may become essential. You want to track them so you can gauge improvement or deterioration in someone’s condition.
Plastic bags	Used to dispose of contaminated medical waste. Can also double as irrigation devices by poking a hole in a corner. Resealable are best.
Pregnancy test	Knowing if someone is pregnant can ensure proper nutrition.
Sunscreen	Prevents sunburn.

 

Using and Maintaining Your Ultimate Survival First Aid Kit

Now that you have all the items assembled, you have a few more steps.

• Place items in a durable, waterproof bag. Some have liners inside.
• Create a list of what’s in the bag, along with any expiration dates. Check the list at least twice a year. Replace anything that that’s missing or expired. Refill medications ahead of time.
• Become as familiar as possible with the medical kit inventory.

It’s vital that you and all the members of your family learn how to use the items in the kit. Otherwise, they are of no benefit to anyone. Keep in mind that there are common and uncommon uses for items in your medical inventory. So learn as much as you can about each thing.

With this kit you will be as prepared as you can be if the SHTF.

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