First aid kits are essential regardless of the situation. As a matter of fact we should have multiple first aid kits, In our homes, in our cars and also a bug out bag first aid kit. The first aid kit in our homes will be much larger because it is meant to be used for the whole family, but our bug out bags are a different story.
A first aid kit for your bug out bag should be put together with the individual in mind, because the first aid kit in your bug out bag is put together for one person. With little space available and attention to weight it’s important to pay attention to everything you add to your bug out bag.
Each item individually doesn’t weigh much, but added together these items add up, not to mention that the longer you carry that pack, the more it will feel like it weighs.
We have put together some bug out bag first aid kits and I want to go through what is in them and why. You can purchase one of these at the shtfshop.com for $20. We will only have 20 of these available at the $20 price because with everything we added to it, $20 is basically our cost.
I also have a longer list of items that could be added to this bug out bag first aid kit later in the post.
The B.O.B First Aid Kit
Some of these first aid supplies are self-explanatory so I won’t go into a lot of detail. Some of them I will so you understand how they are used… like potassium permanganate and Medihoney.
1. LokSak Water proof pouch – The first reason I like these is because they are made in the U.S.A. But it is also important to keep your first aid supplies dry. These come in different sizes and remain waterproof in up to 200ft of water.
2. Pair Nitrile Gloves – Pretty self-explanatory, just note that Nitrile is better than latex because some people have allergies to latex.
1. Surgical Mask – An N95 mask is ideal but are a little expensive and unnecessary depending on the situation…like bringing a gun to a knife fight. Having an N95 mask is still good to have in addition to the lower cost surgical masks.
1. Potassium Permanganate – This is a great multi-use item that can be used to purify water, light a fire and as an antiseptic. I will write a complete post about potassium permanganate in the near future, but for now have a look here and find out more about it.
2. Antacid packets – We never know what we will be eating, and how our body will react to that food.
2. Advil packets – It might not be morphine, but it might be better than eating willow bark.
2. Disposable thermometer – A bug out bag is also called a 72 hour bag, so having an expensive thermometer is unneeded. This disposable thermometer is low cost and light weight. In a survival situation this thermometer could be used more than once.
2. Bacitracin Zinc antibiotic ointment – Neosporin is a triple antibiotic leading people to believe it’s better. Because Neosporin is so over used people have actually become immune to the antibiotic properties. This is why we recommend Bacitracin as an alternative to more expensive silver infused antibiotic gels.
2. Iodine Swab sticks – For cleaning treatment area prior to applying an antiseptic. This is also an antiseptic, antibacterial and has drying properties.
1. Xeroform Gauze Dressing (1 X 8) – This is a petroleum based dressing (Vaseline) which could also be used as another bug out bag source to start fire. Xeroform is non-adherent and has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
1. Medihoney Dressing (2 X 2) – We have a limited amount of these because they cost about $5 each, but these work great for burn wounds. These will not be included in level 1 bug out bag first aid kits, so grab yours while you can.
1. Hand Sanitizer – not only is this great for cleaning your hands, but it’s yet another fire starting alternative in your B.O. B.
1. Mylar Blanket – Another multipurpose item that everyone should have in their bug out bags.
2. Mastisol Liquid Adhesive – applied around the wound to make sure the dressing stays on and is non water soluble.
1. Mepitel 3 x 4 – A non-adherent wound dressing. Wound pain and tissue trauma are two main considerations of wound care, and appropriate dressing plays an important role in both. Traditional dressings may adhere to wounds resulting in significant pain and trauma to new tissue upon removal.
6. Alcohol Prep Pads – These are used for disinfecting. It’s used for cleaning because it kills bacteria and evaporates quickly. Also another great fire starter.
12. Curad Bandages – Assorted sizes for small, medium and large cuts and scrapes.
1. Set Tweezers & Scissors – These are self-explanatory and you never know when you will be able to use these multi use items in a bug out or emergency situation.
1. Coban/Vet Wrap – Coban and vet wrap are virtually the same thing, for wrapping sterile gauze in place. A word of caution though, it is an elastic type product and can be applied in such a way that it becomes constrictive.
1. 2 Inch Wide Ace Wrap – An ace wrap puts gentle pressure on the tissue around an injury. The ace wrap also gives support to the injured area.
1. Gauze Pads (4 X 4) – Basic dressing to cover a small wound
2. Large Curad Bandages – (4X2) For medium sized wounds or cuts.
7. Steri-Strips (Assortment Sm, Med, Lg) – Steri-Strips can be used like butterfly bandages or makeshift stitches in an emergency situation.
As I said earlier, the first 20 of these are going be just $20. After that the price will go up. You can order one by clicking here.
We also have a contest going on over on our Facebook page to win a free one. Click here to enter the contest.
More Bug Out Bag First Aid Ideas
We have a contest going on for our Facebook page fans as well as a contest for the members of the Apoco-List Facebook group and here are some of the ideas that everyone has come up with.
The Apoco-List is a private group but if you would like to join just send me an email to dale @survivalistprepper.net and I’ll let you in.
You can also enter the contest by leaving a comment below and giving us your ideas about what to put in a bug out bag first aid kit.
- Israel Battle dressing
- Sports tape/ vet wrap
- Curad makes a silver based first aid cream
- Duct tape
- Head flashlight
- Thermal blanket
- Popsicle sticks
- Water pouchs
- Wet wipes
- Scalpel
- Sanitary napkins
- Electrolyte Replacement Tablets
- Saline solution
- Water purification tabs
- Condoms
- Antihistamines for insect bites or allergies.
- Burn cream
- Safety glasses
- Garbage bag
- 2 copper pennies
- Vicks
- Snake bite kit
- Small knife
- Ammonia capsules
- Suture kit
- Eye wash
- n95 mask
- Bandana
Comment below and tell us what you would add to this list and we’ll put your name in the hat to win one of these bug out bag first aid kits.
17 replies to "The Bug Out Bag First Aid Kit and Then Some"
SAM Splint 36″ roll
Tampon, Feminine pads,Saran wrap
A few pieces of hard candy for those who have trouble with low blood surgar. This might also help a person take his mind off his injuries.
Hi Dale, I have used the copper pennies 3 xs, once on my son’s 16 year old friend on a wasp sting he received. After making sure there was no stinger left in the wound we cleaned it with an alcohol wipe then we taped the cleaned penny to the wound and by that evening there was no sign of the swelling or irritation left on his leg. Our niece who is 6 was visiting and she received 2 wasp stings and we did the same treatment as above (her’s was a more serious swelling and stinging) and by night time for her bath it had almost completely disappeared with no irritation or swelling left on her wounds. I think this “old wives tale” really works and we always keep a couple of pennies for this purpose.
Hey Dale, I would suggest that if your “bob” is to be carried thru a urban environment in a shtf situation, you might include some trauma care items. A pressure bandage, blood cloting agent, and maybe a tourniquet. I believe the amount of people on the streets, it could get “western” real fast.
Thanks, great list. A few things I hadn’t thought about. I also keep a magnifying glass, a set cheater eye glasses, whistle & earplugs if you need to use it.
If someone could please reply to this question. Should I assume the penny needs to be an old pure copper penny? If so, I guess an option would also be to flatten a small piece of copper pipe or other flat copper sheet.
I would add low dose aspirin and acetominophen (for those who can’t tolerate ibuprofen)
Clean Sip water filtration straw
I would put different over the counter medications in my first aid kit, because you never know what you might wind up facing.
I would add a small amount of cordage and a quality pocket knife.
tampons. sounds weird but for deep puncture wounds (or bullet wounds where you need to stop bleeding, insert, apply surgical tape, watch for bleeding or infection. they make a junior/slender that would be just about the right size for packing
Sunscreen. Garbage bag. Great list!
New born baby diapers make great large wound bandage, we used one on a cut foot also on a really bad knee accident.
Saline can be used as eye wash, nasal spray and wound rinse. Toothbrush, floss Orajel and canker sore relief medicine. Fantastic list!
Diaper rash ointment. Can’t get far when your chaffed
Anti-diahrea meds. You never know when you’ll get a tummy ache
Wound Stapler & Remover – Much faster and easier then stitching and only bout $13.00