What to put in your camping first aid kit

Sleeping under the stars is like nothing else – but it does come with risks. Forget snake bites, what about sunburn? Don't forget your camping first aid kit when organising your next trip. A great place to start is with our 2-person first aid kit. These packs are ideal for hikers, but can form the basis of a comprehensive camping first-aid kit. 

If you do get minor scratches, scrapes and bumps despite packing sturdy clothes, don’t leave them untreated. Clean and sterilise your wounds and injuries. Wipes and disinfectants can help treat surface cuts, while a saline solution can be good for soaking cuts or washing out eyes. 

• Disinfectants
• Ointments and wipes
• Saline solution
• Sanitiser
• Cold packs
• Pads
• Eyewash
• Eye patches

Disinfecting your wound is the first step. It is important that you cover it so that you don’t bump it and cause even more pain or expose it to flies or other causes of infection. When packing your camping first aid kit, include:

• Adhesive bandages of all sizes
• Cloth bandages to help support a sprain or similar
• Gauze and a pair of scissors (for hard-to-dress wounds)
• Heat pads and emergency blankets in case of emergency

There are a few first aid kit accessories that are particularly suited for camping:

• Tweezers can help you remove debris that may cause an infection in a deeper wound.
• Splints will help temporarily hold together a potentially broken bone until further medical attention can be sought
• A sharp blade (pocket knives are invaluable camping tools) if you want to quickly cut up materials
• Gloves will help you keep a wound clean when dressing it.

When you’re caught in a sticky situation camping out in the bush, don’t forget about the medications that can help.

• Antiseptic creams are the number one medicine for your camping first aid kit
• Cold and flu medications are beneficial in cold and wet weather
• For allergic reactions, remember to include anti-inflammatory medication and antihistamines

Packing a camping first aid kit usually has you thinking of medical emergencies. Think about your surroundings and prepare for the worst-case scenario. 

• Keep a power bank for your phone with adaptable charging cables
• When hiking, a navigation device and map 
• A whistle goes a long way when lost
• Matches kept in a waterproof container
• Keep a spare torch with extra batteries, or better yet, use a solar-powered one. The Goal Zero Crush Light packs up small and works well as an emergency solar-powered light. 
• Include sunscreen and insect repellent, the great outdoors can be unkind
• Pack a roll of duct tape – it has multiple uses in that it can help repair your tent, or broken tools, but also in an emergency, hold bandages together (just don’t directly apply it to your skin).