This summer we have been urging people to assemble a first aid kit that is ready to go at the drop of a hat. Some of the things we put in our first aid kit are a little unorthodox, but they’re not too hard to find. You could easily include them in your first aid kit.
Recently, we discussed this topic on a live radio show. A dedicated listener, Wendy W-S, took notes and was kind enough to share them with us. Now we are sharing them with you so you can follow her advice and put a printout in your first aid kit.
What to Include in Your First Aid Kit:
I compiled the first aid info into a handy guide to place in first aid kit after hearing your July 7th radio show and looking at the article.
Red bag (small fishing box or tackle box)
Include:
- Antibiotic ointment (brands: Polysporin, Neosporin (has neomycin which some people are allergic to)
- Antiseptic wipe (to clean cut or abrasion) (example: benzalkonium chloride)
- Baking soda (to soothe stings)
- Bandages
- Black pepper (to stop bleeding from minor cut)
- Candied ginger (heartburn, motion sickness)
- Castor oil (soothe stings, prevent bruising)
- Elastic Wrap (sprained ankle/wrist)
- Liquid bandage (blisters and burns) (brands: New Skin -paint on, Skin Shield -paint on, Nexcare spray)
- Meat tenderizer (soothe stings)
- Mustard (swallow for cramps, apply for burns)
- Pain reliever (aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, your choice)
- Wash cloth (cover blood, wipe wound)
- Roasted almonds (heartburn)
- Sawyer Picaridin (insect repellent – ticks and mosquitoes)
- Soy sauce (burns)
- Sugarless gum (heartburn and constipation)
- Sunscreen, at least SPF 15 (prevention of sunburn)
- Tea tree oil (soothe stings, treat nail fungus)
- Tweezers (remove tick, sliver, etc)
- Vicks VapoRub (to soothe stings)
- WoundSeal powder (to stop bleeding)
If you have these items handy they can also be used:
- Aloe vera (burns, wounds)
- Vinegar (swallow for muscle cramps, heartburn)
- Onion (cut and apply to insect stings)
- Potato (cut and apply to insect stings; may also be used to treat wart)
- Pickle juice (swallow for muscle cramps)
How to Use Your First Aid Kit:
- BITES/ STINGS
- Sawyer Picaridin (prevention of insect repellent – ticks and mosquitoes)
- Credit card to scrape out bee stinger, then apply fresh cut onion or potato
- Baking soda (mix with water to soothe stings)
- Vicks VapoRub (to soothe stings)
- Castor oil (to soothe stings, prevent bruising)
- Meat tenderizer (to soothe stings)
- Tea tree oil (to soothe stings, treat nail fungus)
- BLISTERS
2nd Skin (blisters and burns) - BRUISES
Castor oil (soothe stings, prevent bruising) - BURNS
Cold water - Aloe vera
- Liquid bandage (blisters and burns) (brands: New Skin -paint on, Skin Shield -paint on, Nexcare spray)
- Mustard
- Soy sauce
- Sunscreen, at least SPF 15 (prevention of sunburn)
- Vinegar
- CRAMPS in Muscles
- Mustard
- Pickle juice
- CONSTIPATION
- sugarless gum
- CUTS/ BLEEDING
- Black pepper (bleeding minor cuts)
- Antiseptic wipe (clean cut or abrasion) (example: benzalkonium chloride)
- Antibiotic ointment (brands: Polysporin, Neosporin (has neomycin which some people are allergic to)
Bandages - Wash cloth (wipe wound)
- WoundSeal powder (bleeding)
- HEARTBURN
- Candied ginger
- Roasted almonds
- Sugarless gum (heartburn and constipation)
- SPRAINS
- Elastic wrap (sprained ankle/wrist)
We’d like to remind you to pack any prescription drugs you will need during your trip, whether they are regular medications like blood pressure pills or as-needed medicines such as an inhaler.
Take Your First Aid Kit with You:
Don’t leave the first aid kit in the trunk or glove compartment, but take it with you. That’s important for two reasons: 1) you will have it handy when you need it; 2) any medications you have packed will not get overheated.
Enjoy your outdoor adventures!
