First aid kits are not one-size-fits-all. This guide organizes kits by context (personal, household, vehicle) and by level of capability. Start with Level 1 and expand as your training and resources allow.
Personal First Aid Kits
A personal kit is carried on your person — in a bag, backpack, or vehicle glovebox. It handles the most common individual injuries and buys time until higher-level care is available.
Level 1 Everyday Carry Kit
Fits in a small pouch or jacket pocket. Handles everyday minor injuries.
- Folding pocket knife or small multi-tool
- Emergency whistle
- Assorted adhesive bandages (10–15 count)
- 2 × 4×4 gauze pads
- Medical tape (1 roll)
- Nitrile gloves (2 pairs)
- Small tube of antibiotic ointment
- Pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen, individually wrapped)
Level 2 Day Hike / Commute Kit
Expands coverage to outdoor and extended-day scenarios.
- Everything in Level 1, plus:
- Israeli bandage (pressure dressing)
- Rolled gauze (1 roll, 4-inch)
- SAM splint
- CPR face shield or pocket mask
- Tweezers
- Medical scissors (trauma shears)
- Blister treatment pads
- Instant cold pack
- Emergency space blanket
- Small flashlight
- Water purification tablets
Level 3 Extended Field Kit
For multi-day camping, backcountry travel, or extended emergency deployment. Requires basic first aid training.
- Everything in Level 2, plus:
- Commercial tourniquet (CAT or SOFTT-W)
- Chest seals (vented, 2-pack)
- Hemostatic gauze (QuikClot or Combat Gauze)
- Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) + lubricant
- Canteen or collapsible water bottle
- Oral rehydration salts
- Irrigation syringe (for wound cleaning)
- Infection control: betadine wipes, extra antibiotic ointment
Level 4 Trauma / Tactical Kit
Advanced trauma capability. Appropriate only with extensive training in trauma care.
- Everything in Level 3, plus:
- Needle decompression kit
- Hypothermia prevention blanket
- Full-length SAM splints (multiple sizes)
- Advanced wound care supplies
- IV administration supplies (training required)
Household First Aid Kits
Household kits are stored at home and are intended to serve the whole family across a wide range of injuries and illnesses. They are larger and more comprehensive than personal kits.
Level 1 Basic Home Kit
The standard household first aid kit — handles everyday injuries, illness, and minor emergencies.
- Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes, 30+ count)
- Sterile gauze pads (4×4 and 2×2, 10+ of each)
- Rolled gauze bandages (3 sizes, 2 rolls each)
- Medical adhesive tape (2 rolls)
- Elastic bandage / ACE wrap (2)
- Nitrile gloves (multiple pairs)
- Antiviral / antibacterial wipes
- Antibiotic ointment (large tube)
- Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
- Antiseptic solution (e.g., betadine)
- Digital thermometer
- Tweezers and medical scissors
- CPR face shield
- First aid reference manual
- Pain reliever (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
- Antihistamine (diphenhydramine / Benadryl)
- Antidiarrheal (loperamide / Imodium)
- Antacid (calcium carbonate / Tums)
Level 2 Expanded Home Kit
For more comprehensive home medical capability, including wound management and diagnostics.
- Everything in Level 1, plus:
- Israeli bandage (pressure dressing, 4-inch and 6-inch)
- Tourniquet (CAT or SOFTT-W)
- Hemostatic gauze
- Irrigation syringe (large, for wound flushing)
- SAM splint (multiple sizes)
- Instant cold packs (multiple)
- Instant heat packs (multiple)
- Oral rehydration salts (packets)
- Stethoscope
- Blood pressure cuff (manual)
- Pulse oximeter
- Otoscope (ear light)
Level 3 Home Field Hospital Kit
For situations where professional medical care may be unavailable for extended periods. Requires formal training in wound care and suturing.
- Everything in Level 2, plus:
- Suture kit (sterile sutures, needle driver, tissue forceps)
- Stapler kit (skin stapler + staple remover)
- Steri-strips / wound closure strips (multiple sizes)
- Dental first aid kit
- Urinary catheter kit (advanced — training required)
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics (with valid prescription)
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Prescription pain management medications (with valid prescription)
Level 4 Advanced Medical Kit
EMS-level capability. Appropriate only for trained medical personnel in a true extended grid-down scenario.
- Everything in Level 3, plus:
- Chest drain / thoracic needle decompression kit
- Advanced airway management (King LT or supraglottic airway)
- Full medication range (antibiotic, cardiac, respiratory)
- IV fluid and administration set
- Foley catheter kit
- Advanced wound care: irrigation solution, wound vac if possible
- Ophthalmology kit (eye examination and treatment supplies)
Vehicle First Aid Kit
Every vehicle should have a dedicated first aid kit. Vehicle accidents are the most common emergency scenario most people will face.
Vehicle Car Kit
- Emergency blanket (space blanket)
- Tourniquet (CAT)
- Israeli bandage / pressure dressing
- Hemostatic gauze
- Rolled gauze (2 rolls)
- Adhesive bandages (assorted)
- Nitrile gloves (multiple pairs)
- Trauma shears / scissors
- CPR face shield
- Chemical cold pack
- Reflective safety triangles or flares
- Fire extinguisher (small, rated for vehicle fires)
- Jumper cables
- Basic tools (screwdrivers, wrench)
- Phone charger cable (matching family devices)
Medication Storage
Medications in your first aid kit should be checked at least twice a year and replaced before expiration. Build a 30–90 day rotating supply of:
- Pain/fever: ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin
- Allergy/antihistamine: diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Digestive: loperamide (Imodium), famotidine (Pepcid), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
- Topical: hydrocortisone cream, antifungal cream, antibiotic ointment
- Eye: artificial tears, eye wash station
- Personal prescriptions: maintain a 30–90 day supply; discuss with your physician