DIY Backcountry First Aid Kit
Disclaimer: While I am certified in NOLS Wilderness First Aid and American Red Cross First Aid/CPR, I am not a physician, nurse, paramedic, or licensed medical professional. The information shared in this guide is based on my Wilderness First Aid training, reputable outdoor education resources, and my personal experiences as an avid backpacker and outdoor enthusiast. It is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any new medication, assembling a first aid kit for your specific health needs, or relying on any medical treatment in the backcountry. In the event of a serious injury or illness, seek professional medical care as soon as it is safe to do so.
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This past spring, I completed the NOLS Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course, and it completely changed the way I think about safety in the backcountry. The course covered everything from patient assessment and evacuation decisions to treating common wilderness injuries and illnesses when professional medical help may be hours away. While I learned countless valuable skills, one lesson in particular has stayed with me: the importance of carrying a well thought out first aid kit.
Our instructor walked us through several commercially available first aid kits and explained the strengths and weaknesses of each. While preassembled kits can be a great starting point, many include low quality supplies, medications that are close to expiring, or items you'll likely never use while omitting essentials you probably will. It became clear that the best first aid kit isn't necessarily the biggest one, it's the one that's intentionally built for the environment, group size, trip length, and activities you'll be doing.
Since completing the course, I've started assembling my own backpacking first aid kit from scratch using many of the recommendations from NOLS, along with a few additions based on my own experiences on the trail. Building it myself has given me confidence that I know exactly what's inside, how to use each item, and when it's appropriate to use it.
Below is a breakdown of everything I carry in my wilderness first aid kit, why I chose it, and what situations each item is designed to help manage. My hope is that it serves as a helpful starting point for anyone looking to build a lightweight, practical, and reliable medical kit of their own.
Here is an Amazon list with the first aid items I personally own and use. I purchased many of these supplies in smaller bulk quantities so I can restock my kit as needed without having to buy everything individually each time, while still making sure items are used before they expire.
Medications
Neosporin : Helps prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and abrasions.
Advil (Ibuprofen) : Reduces pain, inflammation, and fever. Great for sore muscles, sprains, headaches, and general aches after long hiking days.
Aspirin: Pain relief and anti-inflammatory. Also used in emergencies if a heart attack is suspected (only if appropriate and advised).
Aloe Vera Gel:Soothes minor burns and sunburns while helping cool irritated skin.
Water Purification Tablets:Emergency backup for making questionable water sources safe to drink if your filter fails or freezes.
Imodium (Loperamide): Helps control diarrhea, reducing dehydration risk and allowing you to continue hiking if symptoms are mild.
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine):Treats allergic reactions, itching, insect bites, and can help reduce swelling after stings.
Tip: Your first aid kit should also include any prescription medications or emergency medications specific to your own health needs. Think about any medical conditions you have and how they might be managed if you're hours or even days from the nearest trailhead.
For example, because I'm prone to kidney infections, my physician has prescribed Bactrim for me to carry on backcountry trips. If symptoms were to develop while I'm deep in the wilderness, it can help begin treatment while I safely exit the backcountry and seek prompt medical evaluation. This isn't a substitute for medical care..it's simply part of my personal emergency plan developed with my doctor.
Everyone's needs will be different. Whether it's an inhaler, EpiPen, insulin, prescription medications, or another physician-recommended emergency medication, be sure to discuss your backcountry plans with your healthcare provider and pack accordingly. A first aid kit should be customized not only to your trip, but also to your own health.
Tools
Swiss Army Knife: Multi-purpose tool for gear repairs, food prep, cutting bandages, and countless campsite tasks.
Tweezers: Remove splinters, cactus spines, ticks, and debris from wounds.
Medical Gloves (Nitrile): Protect both you and the patient when treating wounds or dealing with bodily fluids.
Fire Starter: Emergency backup for building warmth, drying clothing, signaling for help, or cooking if your lighter fails.
Wound Care
Benadryl Spray - Provides temporary relief from itching caused by bug bites, poison ivy, and minor skin irritation. I carry this in addition to Benadryl tablets because it has been an absolute lifesaver for me. After being attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets, I discovered just how effective it is at relieving the intense itching and burning from stings. Since oral Benadryl can make me drowsy, I prefer reaching for the spray first whenever possible. It's become one of my favorite additions to my first aid kit and provides some of the best relief I've found for insect stings, mosquito bites, and other itchy skin irritations.
Bandages (Various Sizes): Protect small cuts, scrapes, and blisters from dirt and further irritation.
Blister Treatment (Leukotape, Moleskin, or Hydrocolloid Bandages): Prevents hot spots from becoming painful blisters and cushions existing ones for continued hiking. Blisters are my Achilles' heel. As a runner, hiker, and lifelong athlete with admittedly large feet, I've been battling them for nearly 20 years. Of all the products I've tried, hydrocolloid blister bandages are hands down my favorite. They create a waterproof seal and have a cushioned gel pad that protects the blister while promoting healing. If I know I still have miles to hike, I'll apply the bandage and then secure it with a layer of Leukotape over the top for extra protection. That combination has saved more backpacking trips than I can count.
Pro Tip: The best time to treat a blister is before it becomes one. As soon as you feel a hot spot developing, stop and tape it. Taking five minutes early can save you days of discomfort later.
Butterfly Closures: Help pull together the edges of small, straight cuts when stitches aren't immediately available.
QuikClot Clotting Gauze: Helps control severe bleeding by promoting rapid clotting. Best reserved for significant wounds where direct pressure alone isn't enough.
Alcohol Wipes: Clean tools or intact skin before treatment. (Note: For open wounds, irrigation with clean drinking water is often preferred over alcohol, as alcohol can damage healthy tissue.)
ACE Bandage: Supports sprains, strains, and can help secure splints.
Gauze Pads: For larger wounds that are too big for standard bandages.
Medical Tape: Secures gauze and can also be used for gear repairs.
SAM Splint: A lightweight, moldable splint for suspected fractures or serious sprains. Excellent for longer or more remote trips.
Emergency Blanket: Tiny, lightweight, and potentially lifesaving for hypothermia or unexpected overnight situations.
Safety Pins: Secure wraps, repair gear, or improvise first aid solutions.
Remember: The goal of wilderness first aid is to help you manage an illness or injury until you can safely reach definitive medical care…not to replace it.
