✅ Top 20 First Aid Kit Items For Your First Aid Kit

Dietrich Easter

Top 20 First Aid Kit Items

 

Critical Trauma Control

  1. Tourniquet (e.g. CAT or SOF‑T) – lifesaving for severe limb bleeds

  2. Hemostatic (QuikClot) gauze or combat gauze – for packing deep wounds 

  3. Pressure/trauma dressings (OLAES or Israeli bandage) – multi-purpose for bleeding & splints 

  4. Chest seals – treat open chest injuries 

Airway & Breathing

  1. Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) – maintain airway, especially in unconscious patients 

  2. CPR face shield or pocket mask – for safe and effective rescue breaths 

Basic Wound Care

  1. Sterile gauze pads / rolls – universal for bleeding and cleaning 

  2. Adhesive bandages (variety of sizes) – for small cuts and abrasions 

  3. Antiseptic wipes & antibiotic ointment – prevent infection 

Tools & PPE

  1. Trauma shears (e.g. X-Shears) – cut clothing, belts, gear 

  2. Gloves (nitrile) – protect both provider and patient 

  3. Tweezers – for splinter or debris removal 

  4. Elastic bandages – for sprains and additional support 

  5. Triangle bandage – versatile for slings

Environmental & Comfort

  1. Emergency survival blanket – prevents shock-induced hypothermia 

Burns & Eye Care

  1. Burn gel or dressings – soothe and protect burns

  2. Eye pads – shield and protect injured eyes

Keep it organized!

  1. A Response Bag

  2. A Label for the kit! (Red Cross Patch or IFAK Patch)

Medications & Disposables

  1. OTC meds – aspirin, ibuprofen, antihistamines (Benadryl) 

📦 Example Kits on Medical Gear Outfitters

  • The Skinny Medic Essentials Kit includes a CAT tourniquet, trauma dressing, gauze, chest seals, NPA, emergency blanket, gloves, and shear-style cutter 

  • The I‑ROK Rugged Outdoor Kit adds burn gel, CPR mask, antiseptic, sting/bite packets, and more in a waterproof case 

  • The Condor Small First Aid Kit delivers compact everyday essentials: trauma dressings, gauze, butterfly bandages, scissors, gloves, tape, OTC meds, etc. 

🧭 Putting It All Together

  • Essentials to always include: bleeding control (tourniquet, hemostatic gauze), airway support (NPA, CPR shield), wound management (gauze, dressings), burn/eye care, gloves, and emergency blanket.

  • Tools to add: trauma shears, tweezers, elastic & triangle bandages, antiseptic supplies.

  • Optional but useful: OTC meds, eye pads, suction tools, and specialized trauma gear.

✍️ Quick Setup Tips

  • Organize your kit by priority: bleeding supplies on top, tools in the middle, and extras toward the bottom.

  • Rotate consumables, OTC meds, and gauze to avoid expired supplies.

  • Store multiple kits: small EDC kit in your bag/car, and a larger home/vehicle kit.

This list gives you 20 vital components to build or upgrade a first aid kit that’s ready for emergencies, whether you're at home, traveling, or in the outdoors. For full kits pre-assembled with many of these items, Medical Gear Outfitters offers ready-to-go options that meet these recommendations. Ready to choose one or need help customizing a build?