When it comes to survival gear, first aid kits are one of the most overlooked preparedness items out there.
They aren’t as fun to talk about as survival knives, bug out bags, and firearms...
But having the right survival first aid kit is an essential part of surviving a disaster.
The right first aid supplies can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation or disaster.
If you’re unprepared to handle a medical emergency, things can quickly go from bad to worse fast.
From falls, broken bones, wounds, heart attacks, burns and other conditions, it’s very important to ensure your survival.
That’s why everyone needs to build or buy a medical kit.
To help you get started here is The Ultimate Survival First Aid Kit Guide.
The Ultimate Survival First Aid Kit Guide
How To Build Your Survival First Aid Kit
The following describes everything necessary to build an survival medical kit.
The first thing you need to consider when building your first aid kit is you and your family’s needs which include any special or medical condition needs.
Here is a basic list to guide you on which stuff you need to put in your emergency first aid kit.
Use this as a personal guide or supplement to aid your medical preparation. You’ll be grateful you did.
Step #1 To Build Your Survival First Aid Kit
How To Choose The Right Medical Bag
Before collecting the contents for your survival medical kit you need to choose the right medical bag.
You need a bag or a box to put all the supplies in.
Take your time, and think about how to store your medical kit properly, and as ordely as possible.
By preparing your own first aid survival kit you ensure you and your family can survive a emergency situation for days.
These are some things you need to consider when building you first aid survival kit:
- Store your medicine in a dry, cool, and dark area to avoid light exposure
- Always keep your supplies in a water-proof, size-appropriate, and non breakable containers
- Always check expiration dates on all your first aid supply so you can replace it when needed
- Organize items by function to make it more accessible.
- Store the medicine by category (sprains, burns, fever, pain relievers, etc.)
Choosing your container may seem like a mundane decision, but in reality, the choice carries a lot of weight. To make your survival medical kit a perfect fit customize it so it best serves and protects you.
Related post: How To Use A Butterfly Bandage
Step #2 To Build Your Survival First Aid Kit
What To Include In Your First Aid Kit
In order to build a comprehensive medical kit, it’s best to start with the basics.
These basics will be the resources you use most often in your emergency survival kit. So they should be the most accessible as well. Make sure to pack extra.
Most of these supplies can be bought at drugstores, pharmacies or even online. You’ll have no trouble assembling the contents in the following section.
The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches) (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes), also found within our Family First Aid Kit (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch) (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram) (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each) (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- 1 emergency blanket
- 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
- 1 instant cold compress, also found within our First Aid Kit
- 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each) (Similar item found within the Be Red Cross Ready First Aid Kit)
- 1 3 in. gauze roll (roller) bandage
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide) (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- 5 3 in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches) (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass), also within the Deluxe All Purpose First Aid Kit
- 2 triangular bandages (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
- Tweezers
Other Medical Tools
- Q-Tips: Buy these online to get a nice bulk discount and it’s worth going with the Anti-Bacterial Q-Tipsfor an added layer of medical cleanliness.
- Large Trauma Shears: These high-quality EMT shears feature a fluoride coating that provides a non-stick surface for all of your emergency cutting needs. It includes sharp edges and milled serrations for cutting through the toughest material over and over.
- Surgical Grade Toenail Clippers: These surgical nail clippers can handle even the thickest toenails due to diabetes, psoriasis, or fungus. They are sharp, ergonomically designed and made of stainless steel to prevent rusting or corrosion. They also come with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. The last pair of toenail clippers you’ll ever buy and good enough for medical emergencies. Because there are just some medical tasks where nail clippers are the only tool for the job.
- Scalpel with Blades: For basic medical emergencies a sharp scalpel and blade will do. But if you’re looking for something more advanced, look into getting a suture kit.
- Stethoscope: The price range of stethoscopes is extreme. It’s hard to believe but the more advanced ones are several hundreds of dollars. But unless your an EMT or a physician, a standard stethoscope like this one is all you need.
Over-The-Counter Medications
Consider having a small amount of OTC medication available in your first aid kit.
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol) are great for pain relief and reducing a fever. Ibuprofen also helps reduce inflammation which can be helpful with some injuries.
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can be used in case of mild allergic reactions (for severe reactions, Benadryl should still be used, but it may not be enough).
- Aspirin (Bayer) can be kept on hand in the event of a possible heart attack, if that’s something you want to be prepared for.
Related post: How To Use Wild Lettuce As A Natural Pain Relief
Here are other over-the-counter medications your emergency medical kit should include:
- Anti-histamine
- Immodium/Loperamide
- Sudafed
- Throat lozenges
- Bismuth tabs
- Oral rehydration
- Cranberry extract
- Dramamine
- Laxative
Items Specific to Your Unique Medical Needs
No one kit is right for every person.
That’s why special attention needs to be put into developing a kit for yourself and your loved ones. I advise staying away from prepackaged kits unless you’re using it as a foundation to build your kit.
- Make sure your kit is stocked with extra prescription medications if you have a medical condition that requires you to take medication.
- OTC Meds – If you routinely take Over the Counter medications to treat conditions like arthritis, nausea, etc., make sure you have an ample supply of them in your bag.
Medical Creams
- Sunblock
- Vaseline
- Burn creams and dressings
Blister Treatments
- Molefoam
- Moleskin
- 2nd skin
- Medical tape
Wound Treatments
- Nitrile gloves
- Irrigation syringe
- Sterile gauze pads
- Band-Aids
- Alcohol wipes
- Ace Bandages
- Triangle bandages
- Tegaderm
- Steri-strip
- Sam-splint moldable foam splint
- Israeli bandage
- Suture kit
- Iodine
- Tourniquet
Other Medical Supplies
- Vitamins
- Epinephrine
- Purell
- Iodine tablets
- Bug repellent
- CPR pocket mask
- Survival lighter
- Waterproof matches
Step #3 To Build Your Survival First Aid Kit
How To Store And Keep Your Survival Medical Kit Updated
Keeping an organized medical kit is equally as important as any of the contents.
Divide your kit into a few general categories. There are a number of ways you might approach this, but one effective example is to separate the contents as follows:
- Prescription medication
- Over the counter medication
- Personal supplies
Prescription supplies are typically required in more urgent scenarios.
So make sure to keep them stored in an easily accessible part of your med kit.
Much like a plant, your medical kit needs regular attention and updates. Medicines expire, and it serves no one if everything in your survival med kit has gone bad by the time you need it.
Be sure to systematically check for expired medicine.
Devise a system for this step. It can be a major pain to maintain a medical kit and keep it updated if you are sloppy about the process.
Step #4 To Build Your Survival First Aid Kit
Develop Your Survival First Aid Skills
Medical experience is an extremely helpful accessory to this project, but it’s not a skill set that everyone has.
The most important part of building an advanced medical kit is an understanding of how to use what ‘s inside.
Sure, you could enroll in an EMT course at your local community college. Or you could sign up for Wilderness First Responder training. Both of those options are excellent if you have money and time.
But I recommend you check out the medical information product called Survival MD.
Survival MD Training Guide
It’s the only complete medical survival guide for the laymen (like you and me). It shows you how to treat yourself and your loved ones in an emergency when doctors, pharmacies, and hospitals are shut down.
It’s a simple and straightforward, step-by-step program. And you don’t need any medical training… plus: there’s no need for a medical professional to look over your shoulder.
And here’s the best part: You won’t need to spend a bucket load of cash or waste weeks poring over hundreds of pages either. Because there are no weird medical terms to learn!
It’s so easy, a 12-year-old can understand it.
You’ll be amazed what a difference it makes to finally know how to use your medical supplies and protect your family from even the worst medical emergencies.
Having the right survival first aid kit (stored for emergency situations is one of the most important factors in making sure that you and your family will survive an emergency situation.
Treating an injury in the first few minutes of sustaining it will literally mean the difference between life and death.
By reading this article and knowing the right first aid supplies to store we hope that you will be prepared to face any emergency situation that may require first aid.
Do you have everything you need? Did we miss something? Comment below!