12 Best First Aid Kit For Backpacking

It is not a new thing for accidents to happen while hiking. This is why it is essential to bring the best first aid kit for backpacking during a hike. This will help you clean and secure any wounds as well as lessen pain from injuries. Even as you minimize the weight of your luggage, ensure you have all the basic requirements for an emergency.

If you feel you cannot build your own hiking first aid kit, stop at an outdoor store and get a pre-packaged personal first aid kit. You can go ahead and add other items that you feel are indispensable for you. If you decide to create your own, the following are items that you must include.

Best first aid kits you should have triple-check while backpacking

One of the most important pieces of gear that a backpacker should take on their trip is a first aid kit. You never know when you’ll need to treat an injury or illness. Whether it’s a small cut or something much more serious, your first aid kit will have everything needed to make it better. In this article, we’ll be discussing the best backpacking first aid kits and what they include, so you’ll be ready for anything!

1. Surviveware Large First Aid Kit

Durable Bag

It comes in a bag made from 600D Polyester. This is very strong, it can withstand the toughest conditions and hence is durable.

Water-Resistant Bag

The bag is also water-resistant and items placed on the inside are placed in laminate pouches for extra protection.

Adequate Space

No doubt, this first aid kit from Surviveware is FDA-approved. It is large enough to hold 200 basic life-saving items plus extra space to add other personal items.

Labeled Compartments

The inner compartments are all labeled according to their functions for easy operation during emergencies.

Removable Systems

This will come in handy when you want to attach the bag to your car’s headrest.

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2. Fortis EDC Survival First Aid Kit

Fully Equipped

It has 254 life-saving items, consisting of both first aid and survival EDC equipment, convenient both for day-to-day use as well as a natural disaster. It also consists of an Israeli trauma bandage, and upgraded EMT scissors among other value-added items which add more value to the kit.

Multipurpose

This first aid kit is suitable for both domestic use as well as outdoor activities.

Money-Back Guarantee

Since customer satisfaction is a top priority, there is a ninety-day money-back guarantee as well as a one-year free replacement warranty for this first aid kit.

Cons

• Exposure

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3. Adventure Medical Kits Sportsman Series

Multipurpose

This is ideal for recreational fishermen and hunters. However, it can as well serve campers and backpackers.

Well-equipped

It consists of tools useful in case of wounds caused by bullets, arrows, and fish hooks among others. The kit can serve four people on a trip lasting up to four days.

Lightweight and Compact

It is light in weight and compact to fit in any pack.

See-through Compartments

This enables you to see and easily remove whatever you need.

Informative

It contains a booklet, ‘Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicine’ for more information about first aid.

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4. Lightning X Products Premium Kit

This is a good option for tactical medics, the military, the police, and the outdoors.

MOLLE Compatible

The items are put in a MOLLE pouch which is compatible with MOLLE gear.

Durable

The kit is made from high-quality nylon which is designed to last even in harsh conditions.

Adequate Storage

It consists of eight elastic storage loops for adequate storage. You can as well add your own items.

Easy Access

The kit has a drainage grommet and a drawstring cording platform holding the pouch open at a ninety-degree angle to easily see and access the items.

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5. Survival First Aid Kit (USA Model)

Upgraded Items

The new 2019 version of the kit consists of 3 X external d-rings, a MOLLE system, and shoulder straps on the outside panel, and a zip pull with the product logo.

Labeled Equipment

Besides the fact that every item in the kit is labeled, there is information on how to use them plus the number required. It also has reflective piping to easily find it when it’s dark.

Water-Resistant Bag

Its bag is water-resistant and has strong zips as well as double-stitched handles.

Additional Spaces

This version has an increased depth as well as other additional spaces to give room for other stuff that you may require.

Money-Back Guarantee

There is also a money-back guarantee in case of dissatisfaction.

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6. Adventure Medical Kits Sportsman Series

Well-Equipped

It features all basic supplies including a trauma pad, elastic bandage, irrigation syringe, butterfly closures, medical tape, die-cut moleskin, and forceps among others.

Easy Access in the Dark

Its external kit map plus the reflective design makes it easy to find items in the dark.

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7. Swiss Safe First Aid Kit

Well-Equipped

It consists of 152 essential items useful during emergencies and disasters.

Money-Back Guarantee

In case of dissatisfaction, there is always an option to replace the kit or to be given back your money.

Well-packed and Lightweight

It is compact and can easily fit in a backpack and anywhere in the house and office.

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8. Lifeline 85 Piece First Aid Emergency Kit

Has all essentials

It consists of all basic medical supplies plus an emergency whistle to alert your friends in case you get separated from them or have an emergency.

Hard Shell Foam Carry Case

This is strong and durable.

Dual Zipper Case

The dual zipper with pull tabs makes it easy to open the case, even with gloves on, and access the items in case of an emergency.

Multiple Compartments

These enable you to easily organize the kit.

Warranty

There is a twelve-month warranty for this kit.

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9. Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight

Water-Resistant Bag

It consists of dry flex bags on the inside and a seam-sealed siliconized nylon bag on the outside to secure the supplies from water.

Well-equipped

It has all the basic medical supplies best suited for four on a trip lasting up to four days.

Small and lightweight

It can easily fit in a backpack and has an insignificant weight which is not burdensome.

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10. First Aid Kit, All-Purpose Aid Kit

Well-equipped

It consists of 156 essential items which are useful during emergencies.

Well-organized

Despite being compact and lightweight, everything perfectly fits in. In addition to that, there is an extra small pouch with a zipper closure for other necessary items.

All-round kit

This can be used absolutely everywhere: at home, in the office, in school, in the outdoors among many other places.

High Quality

The bag is made from durable rip-stop nylon and vinyl fabric and has a strong handle. Its components are manufactured and sold by FDA registered company.

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11. I Go Compact First Aid Kit

Well-equipped

It consists of 85 essential medical supplies for emergencies but is still very lightweight.

Multipurpose Kit

It can be used at home, in institutions, and in outdoors.

Upgraded Items

It consists of items such as bigger, stronger metal scissors, and tweezers among many others.

FDA Approved

These kits are manufactured using a high-quality FDA-approved facility.

Money-Back Guarantee

If you are not satisfied with the kit, it can either be replaced or your money is given back to you.

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12. First Aid Kit, All-Purpose Aid Kit

Upgraded Items

It consists of bigger, stronger, metal scissors, tweezers, and flashlights among others. It houses a total of 163 pieces.

Compact, Lightweight, and Durable

The kit comes in a lightweight bag therefore easy to carry around. It is also compact making it easy to fit anywhere in the backpack, at home, in the car, and so on.

Multipurpose

It can be used on any occasion, at home, outdoors, and in many other places.

FDA Authorized

The kit has high-quality items manufactured using a trusted FDA-approved facility. You can receive a 100% refund in case of dissatisfaction.

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Basic Items in a Backpacking First Aid Kit

Medical Gloves

Before handling any wound, you need to have medical gloves on for hygiene reasons. The weight of gloves is very insignificant so feel free to carry a few more pairs.

Irrigating Syringe

Using an irrigating syringe with purified water is the best way to clean a wound. Ensure it has a tiny tip for water to come out with a lot of pressure.

Pair of Tweezers

This will help remove things such as debris from a wound making it clean and free from infections.

Antibiotic Ointment

This is applied on a cut or burn to prevent and treat minor skin infections.

Hydro-gel Pads

These are excellent for dressing wounds while backpacking. They hydrate wounds and blisters so they heal faster. Hydro-gel helps cool down the wound and temporarily relieves pain for up to six hours. Hydro-gel pads are clear to enable you to easily monitor the progress of the wound. Always carry different sizes to fit any size of the wound.

Blister Treatment

With the wrong choice of shoes and socks, walking long distances may be a nightmare. So, carry blister bandages and tape covers to wrap up parts of your feet that are prone to blistering. These will prevent a hot spot from becoming a blister.

Gauze

Gauzes are suitable for bigger wounds. It surely gets terribly painful while removing these so consider non-stick gauze. These will cause little or no pain at all at the time of removal. They also do not interfere with the healing process of the wound. Neither do they leave any residue. They definitely cost a little bit more, but it’s worth it.

Elastic Wrap

These will help to put mild, uniform pressure around an injury to reduce pain and swelling. It also provides the injury with support. You can as well use this to hold bandages in place. This is way more comfortable than a bandage and is reusable. It is advisable to remove this and let the injury rest for some time then wrap it up. That should be done twice a day. Also, wash it daily.

Medication

Always include pain relievers and any prescribed medication in your backpacking first aid kit.

Cutting Tool

This could be a knife, a pair of scissors, or a scalpel. These can be used in various situations so always have them close.

Items in a First Aid Kit

While backpacking, you are trying to minimize the amount of luggage. In that case, you only carry the basic requirements. A standard first aid kit will consist of a lot more items. They include athletic tapes, cleansing pads, antiseptics, rubberized bandages, cotton tip swabs, safety pins, thermometers, and tongue depressors among others.

The 5 Main Aims of First Aid

Preserve Life

First-aiders are usually not medical professionals. Their job is to make sure that a patient is in stable condition until the ambulance arrives. In case the patient is in a critical condition, the first aider focuses more on preserving life rather than providing care to the patient.

Prevent Escalation

This means that if a patient is bleeding severely, the first aid should be to end the bleeding prior to the arrival of the ambulance rather than stitching the wound. This will prevent the condition from worsening and the creation of more health problems.

Pain Relief

Pain relievers can only be given to the patient if they don’t cause further harm to them. In cases of bleeding, some pain relievers may be risky.

Protect the Unconscious

All unconscious patients should be removed from dangerous conditions such as fire, floods, or traffic. First-aiders and individuals who are nearby should be kept safe as well.

Promote Recovery

Every action that a first aider does should be aimed at helping the patient recover.

4 Principles of First Aid (4 Cs)

Call for Help

Always call for help just in case there are people around to help. Also, call the local emergency number.

Calmly Take Charge

You have to be relaxed and free from tension in order to perform well.

Check the Scene and Casualty

Check for the responsiveness of the casualty and eliminate anything that is unsafe such as a fire.

Carefully Apply First Aid

Provide care to the casualty and ensure that they are safe until the ambulance arrives.

What to Consider while choosing a First Aid Kit for Hiking

Trip length

Get a first aid kit whose estimated number of days (indicated in the product description) marches the time you will be spending on the trip. When shopping for a first-aid kit, keep in mind the size and weight of your bag.

Trip Activity

A trip that involves more intense activities, such as car camping, will require a more comprehensive first aid kit. Check that all contents are safe to use in severe weather or high elevations.

Trip Risk

Keep in mind the risk of the place you are going to and ensure you have items that will provide solutions. For instance, when going to a very rocky and thorny place, accidents are likely to happen, so ensure the kit is fully equipped.

Special needs

Carry pain relievers, EpiPen (in case of allergies), and other medical prescriptions if necessary. Be sure to include a personal medication if you have any allergies or reactions to medication.

Conclusion

It is very advisable to bring along friends during a hike. This way, it will be easy to get help in case of emergencies.  It is also important to have a personal kit even when there is a large group kit. This will cater to your personal needs and help when the kit handler is not close.

In conclusion, the best first aid kit for backpacking should contain all of the necessary items to help you in case of an emergency. It is also important that the first aid kit is lightweight and easy to carry so that you can take it with you on your hike. We hope that our buying guide has helped you choose the perfect first-aid kit for your next backpacking adventure.

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