My First Aid Kit for Backpacking

When I just got started with hiking I would just carry a few plasters with me and called it a day.

But now that I go on longer hikes, that sometimes also go into remote areas without cell reception, I feel better knowing I can tackle most small injuries with this new first aid kit.

You could just buy a store bought first aid kit, but I think it’s better to fill it with things you actually think you might need.

Before we dive in, I just want to mention that this is my setup that caters to my needs. You might want to add or remove items depending on what you do, and where you do it.

Storage & organisation

I think it’s fine to practically use anything to store your first aid stuff in as long as it’s:

1. Waterproof: you don’t want your bandages to get wet.
2. Stand out: should be easy to find by you or others.

That’s why I went for this bright red 1L dry bag from Sea to Summit.

And inside that, I organised everything in ziplock bags that are waterproof too.

Wound treatment

This stuff is mainly for small cuts and abrasions.

As you can see, I wrote on the plasters what kind of plaster it is so I don’t forget 😋

Medication

I carry water purification tablets as a backup in case my water filter ever breaks.

One trip I used them when I didn’t have my water filter yet and was running out of water.

They taste awful, so I hope to never use them again! 😋

Some people boil their water as a backup instead, but that seems very impractical and time consuming if you ask me.

Besides that, I take some simple remedies for when I’m hiking/traveling.

Tools

You don’t need much, but some tweezers to remove ticks/splinters and scissors to cut your bandages are a must.

I use the small scissors on my Victorinox Hunstman.

This pocket knife has tweezers too, but I don’t think they’re good enough to carefully remove ticks, which is why I have some extra tweezers with me.

(the tweezers unfortunately already had way too much use!)

Besides that I also carry two safety pins to improvise an arm sling if I would ever hurt my arm badly.

And since I got sick on one trip I carry one lightweight thermometer 🤒

Gear repair

The first aid kit is not just to fix me up, but to fix my gear too 😋

Sometimes I use the medical tape (not in this picture) for temporary repairs too.

Miscellaneous

I realized it would really suck if I would ever lose the cap of my water bottle, which is why I carry a spare.

Same for the lighter, I rather carry a spare than having to eat cold food (and drinking no coffee 🤯) if I ever lose it.

The emergency blanket is the heaviest item in my first aid kit at 61 grams, but it could potentially save your or someone else’s life. If I have a sleeping bag with me, I won’t be carrying this.

Over to you

Did this article help you to put your own first aid kit together? 💪

Or do you think something is still missing?

Let me know in the comments below! 🤗