Building a First Aid Kit

*Disclaimer:
The information provided here is for suggested use. This is not medical advice. Use at your risk. The authors do not take any responsibility for using the ideas presented here.  As always, use common sense, do your research and talk to a medical provider before using.*

On hiking gear lists you will always see "First Aid Kit" listed. It is very open ended, and can leave one wondering "what do I really need?". It depends a lot on if you hike solo, with kids, with others, how far in wilderness you go and the environment you hike in.  And while a store bought kit is good, at some point you will use up what you have or want different things for different occasions.

Many individual packets listed below can be found at Minimus.

Must Haves:

Knowledge:
Most importantly, nothing in your first aid kit will help, if you don't know how to use it! Take a class on First Aid, on Wilderness First Aid or at least go the library and read up on it.

Prescription medications you need:
Carry a couple days worth of any prescription medications you take. Depending on where you live, you may be legally required to carry them in original packaging (and if you carry narcotic painkillers, it is a must!). Talk your pharmacy to find out if you must. Ask for tiny bottles if you have to carry them that way. If you don't have to, pack them in craft sized ziploc bags, and note on the packets in permanent ink what it is and how much you take.
Change the pills monthly as well.
Let your hiking partners know you have to take the medications, and where they are stored as well!

Pain killers:
Carry both Tylenol and Advil types. A few of each is all you need. Either buy individual packets or pack in craft sized ziploc bags. Mark in permanent ink.
Children's painkillers, if you hike with children.
If you hike with older friends, you might consider aspirin as well. Discuss this with your Doctor.
If you carry prescribed narcotics, you MUST leave it in an original bottle. Ask the pharmacy for a small bottle for them.

Bandages:
Carry a good assortment, and don't pinch pennies here. Buy the best you can get. Go from small ones to large ones. You don't need more than 2-3 of each size. Bandages are light though.

Blister Care:
Want to have a lousy hike? Get a blister. Or ten of them. And have no way to stop the pain.
Bandaid and Curaid both carry a line of blister care products. They are not cheap, but worth the money. Carry a couple of the special bandages designed to cover and fill in the blister. You can also find blister preventive meds/tools for your feet in most well stocked pharmacys. While moleskin was the old treatment, these work much better, and stay on for a couple days, even in water.

Ace Bandage:
A small 2" size can help a person with a knee injury walk out.

Medical Tape/Gauze Bandage:
For using on certain wounds.

Assorted Topical medications in single use packaging:
Antibiotic Ointment
Hydrocortisone Cream
Antifungal Cream (for athletes foot)

Assorted OTC medications in single use packaging:
Diaharea medication (This is something very important to watch)
Antihistamine medication (For stings/bites)

Sunscreen:
SPF 30 and above is a good choice. Always bring it for snow and alpine trips.

Alcohol Prep Pads/Hand Wipes:
Carry a couple of each.

Electrolyte mix (Gatorade, EnergyC, etc)

Lip Balm

Items To Consider:

Latex/Vinyl Gloves:
Good to have if you ever need to help with a bloody first aid situation.

Crown Repair Kit:
If you have dental work such as crowns and fillings, you can get a tiny repair kit at most pharmacy's. This will allow you to finish a trip and protect your teeth. Airplane rides can cause dental issues at times.

Sewing Kit:
All you need is a tiny one that has a couple strands of thread and a needle or two. Can make a big difference if you rip clothing or gear.

Dental Floss:
Yes, you should floss your teeth every day, but even more so, it is great for using as "sewing" thread to repair gear.

Toothpaste/toothbrush:
If doing overnighters, carry a child's toothbrush and a trial size of paste.

Sleeping helpers:
Some people have a hard time falling asleep in the backcountry. A gentle one like Tylenol PM can help you drift off.

Cough Drops:
A few in a small ziploc bag can help in dry environments.

Nexcare Brand Skin Crack Care:
It comes in a nail polish style bottle. You brush it on as a liquid bandage. It fills in even deep cracks.

Tampons:
You never know when your period might show up uninvited, or a partner's as well. OB and other non-applicator styles carry well.

Hand Sanitizer:
You can find trial sized bottles. Dual purpose, it is one of the best fire starters you can use.

Soap Strips/Liquid Soap:
Soap strips are dry and pack well. Can be nice for cleaning up hands. A small 1/2 ounce of natural liquid soap can also be carried for baths, cleaning up.

Hair Pick/Comb:
Not a first aid item by any means, but can make a long trip more enjoyable.