Suggested First Aid Kit Items
Note: Please leave a comment if I left out anything you would add to your First Aid kit, please let tell us know so we can add it to the list!
How much you need of each will depend on you and availability though I think we can find most items in all of our markets. Since boating is what I know … the list is borrowed from what most First Aid Kits contain though I am sure there are many more things that can be added. If you are not sure what some of these items are … quick internet search should show you.
VIP – make a list of your emergency contacts and keep it with your supplies. Medical consent forms for each family member, medical history for each family member, solar cell phone charger(s) – I know we won’t find solar here in Cabo but order one online and have a friend mule it down for you.
Every time you go to the market, add a few of these items to your grocery list and in no time you will be fully stocked up! Note: We use a large waterproof storage container for the disaster first aid kit (or will once I too, begin re-stocking) but a water resistant backpack would be great if you need to relocate.
STOP BLEEDING/SHOCK
Trauma Pads 5” x 9”
Dressing, Gauze, Sterile 4” x 4”
Gloves, Nitrile (several pairs)
Antiseptic Wipes
WOUND CARE/CUTS
Wound Closure Strips 1/4” x 4”
Syringe (for irrigation)
Povidone Iodine
Topical Adhedive
Triple Antibiotic Ointment or Cream
Dressing, Gauze, Sterile 4” x 4”
Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile 3” x 4”
Eye Pad, Sterile
Bandage, Conforming Gauze, 3”
Tape (Medical) 1” x 10 Yards
Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1” x 3”
Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Fingertip
Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 2” s 4.5”
Cotton Tip Applicator (Q-Tips will work)
Scissors with Blunt Tip
Splinter Picker (Tweezers will work in emergency but not as efficiently)
MEDICATIONS
Antihistamine
Acetaminophen
Aspirin
Cough and Cold Medicines
Ibuprofen
Meclizine
Personal Prescription Medications that do not require refrigeration
Eye Wash
After Bite Sting and Itch Relief Wipes
*MOSQUITO SPRAY seriously … at least one bottle per person
FRACTURES/SPRAINS/STRAINS
Bandage, Triangular
Bandage, Elastic w/Velco Closure 3”
Cold Pack
Ibuprofen
Safety Pins
BURNS/BLISTERS/ABRASIONS
Pre-Cut and Shaped Moleskin
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Aloe Vera Gel with Lidocaine
Antiseptic Wipes
Bandage, Stockinette Tubular 1” x 4”
While you are shopping for your first aid kits items, pick these up as well!
*** Anti-parasite and amoeba medicine
*** Fruit and Veggie Disinfectant
*** Mosquito Repellant (listed twice on purpose)
*** All sizes of Zip-Lock type storage bags, as they are great as keeping everything organized and dry etc.
Do not forget your pets!
Pet-specific supplies
- Pet first-aid book
- Phone numbers: your veterinarian, the nearest emergency-veterinary clinic
- Paperwork for your pet (in a waterproof container or bag): proof of rabies-vaccination status, copies of other important medical records and a current photo of your pet (in case he gets lost)
- Nylon leash
- Self-cling bandage (bandage that stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur—available at pet stores and from pet-supply catalogs)
- Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting (don’t use this if your pet is vomiting, choking, coughing or otherwise having difficulty breathing)
Basic first-aid supplies
- Absorbent gauze pads
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray
- Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
- Cotton balls or swabs
- Gauze rolls
- Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this only when directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)
- Ice pack
- Non-latex disposable gloves
- Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
- Rectal thermometer (your pet’s temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
- Scissors (with blunt ends)
- Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
- Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
- Tweezers
- A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
- A pet carrier
Other useful items
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), if approved by a veterinarian for allergic reactions. A veterinarian must tell you the correct dosage for your pet’s size.
- Ear-cleaning solution
- Expired credit card or sample credit card (from direct-mail credit-card offers) to scrape away insect stingers
- Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or those with low blood sugar)
- Nail clippers
- Non-prescription antibiotic ointment
- Penlight or flashlight
- Plastic eyedropper or syringe
- Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean the thermometer
- Splints and tongue depressors
- Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals, pet-supply stores, and your local pharmacy)
- Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact information on your pet’s collar when you travel)
- Towels
- Needle-nosed pliers
While I’ve never purchased First Aid Kits already assembled with the exception for the ones for the boats/vehicles … while perusing the internet I found some that provide a bit of luxury though I do not know how practical. I endorse none of these companies but did enjoy browsing the article from Bloomberg.
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