There's no perfect first aid kit. Every kit is a compromise between portability (you may need to walk or hike to the victim), completeness (you can't have the whole ER in your car), and simplicity (you need to know how to use the stuff). What you have in your first aid kit depends on (1) what you need to do, (2) where you're going to do it, and (3) what you're trained to do.
To learn about individual components, link to: Antiseptic and wound preps Pain medication Cut closure Immobilization Major dressings Dressings and bandages Bandaid Tricks
Sample Basic First Aid Kit:
placed in a small backpack or one-tray plastic tackle tox
This first aid kit might be good for a car or cabin. Cost for the components will be
around $90. Pre-stocked basic kits like this are available from many sources, on the web,
by catalog, in outdoor-specialty stores, and at medical supply stores.
first aid handbook4-1/2 inch scissor1 roll 1" tape2 2x2 gauze pads3 4x4 gauze pads1 5x9 gauze compress1 8x10 gauze compress2 2" roller gauze1 2" elastic wrap | 2 oval eye pads5 knuckle bandages5 fingertip bandages5 butterfly bandage10 1" plastic bandages1 triangular bandage3 antiseptic towellettes3 Betadine prep pads4 alcohol prep pads | triple antibiotic ointmenthydrocortisone creamburn geleye wash bottleinstant cold packacetaminophenibuprofenipecacpenlight |
Note: where quantities are mentioned (for example "5 knuckle bandages") consider this a "minimum guideline." You may need higher quantities either for convenience, or because you'll be providing first aid for multiple people. It's best to buy in bulk, then resupply your kit from boxes.
Sample Deluxe First Aid Kit:
fits in a large plastic two-tray tackle box.
This is an extensive kit, with supplies for medical emergencies as well as injuries. It
requires some advanced knowledge to use all the components (for example, glucose for
hypoglycemia, CPR shield for rescue breathing). It can serve as a home first aid kit, auto
or boat first aid kit, or group first aid kit (work or camp). Cost for the components will
be around $200. Complete kits similar to this one are sold by specialty medical supply
stores
First aid handbookCPR shieldEMT snips 7-1/2"splinter forcepsmulti-tool w needle-nosepenlight w extra batteriesdisposable scalpel #11thermometeripecacglucose tubeface mask1 chemical cold pack1 chemical heat pack1 hypothermia blanket1 cottontip swab pack1 emergency candle, 2-hr1 box waterproof matches4 safety pins1 aluminum splint, 3/4" width2 ammonia inhalants | 2 pair latex gloveswaterless hand cleanereye wash 4 oz1 burn gel dressing 4x4burn gel 4 oz bottletriple antibiotic ointment 1 ozhydrocortisone cream 1 ozBetadine solution 1 oz6 Betadine prep pad9 sting relief pads10 alcohol prep pad9 antiseptic towelette2 oval eye pad1 padding roll gauze 4.5"2 triangular bandage2 roller gauze 2"2 roller gauze 3"1 roller gauze 4"5 gauze pad 2x25 gauze pad 4x4 | 2 non-stick pad 2x32 non-stick pad 3x41 multi-trauma dressing1 abdominal pad 5x91 maternity pad10 fingertip bandage10 knuckle bandage4 butterfly medium2 butterfly large2 plastic bandage x-large20 bandage strips 3/4"10 bandage strips 1"1 Benzoin swabSteri-strip 1/2 inchSteri-strip 1/4 inch1 roll silk tape 1"1 elastic bandage 4"1 Coban wrap 2"1 Coban wrap 3" |