In this post I share the essentials I keep in my hiking first aid kit and how I customize it to fit the needs of me, my kids, and my dog on our hiking adventures.
As an avid hiker who loves exploring the great outdoors with my 2 and 4-year-old children and our dog, Summit, I’ve learned the importance of carrying a well-stocked hiking first aid kit. Nature is unpredictable, and even a short hike can present unexpected challenges. From minor scrapes and insect bites to more serious injuries, it’s always best to be prepared.
Especially with kids, you never know what they will get into. Even with minor scrapes and cuts, having a bandaid on hand can easily turn a meltdown into a fun experience. (Especially when the bandaid has fun designs). Ensuring that your first aid kit has everything you need is not just about safety; it’s about peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy the adventure without unnecessary worries.
Now, while I want to make sure I have everything I need on hand, I don’t want to pack a 10 pound first aid kit. I am probably already carrying my two year old and more gear than I ever thought I’d need before kids. I always pack plenty of snacks, layers, enough water for all of us, and emergency gear. Every ounce counts so I am very particular about what comes along in our hiking first aid kit. You can check out this post if you want to see Everything I Pack on a Hike with Toddlers.
Customizing your first aid kit to suit your family’s specific needs is crucial. For instance, I always include some children specific items as well as a couple essentials for my dog. If you or someone you hike regularly with, you might want to consider carrying along an EpiPen for any allergy concerns.
Tailoring your kit ensures that you’re prepared for the unique needs of your group, making your hikes safer and more enjoyable. Taking the time to thoughtfully prepare and maintain your first aid kit is a small, but important part of keeping your family safe on the trail.
Today I’m going to share the hiking first aid kit I carry, what it contains, and things to consider when packing your own first aid kit.
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My Hiking First Aid Kit
I have used many hiking first aid kits over my many years of outdoor adventures, but finally settled on this first aid kit.
The first aid kit I take on all my hikes is the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight Medical First Aid Kit. It is the .7 size and comes with almost all the necessities I need. There are various sizes of this Adventure Medical first aid kit, so you can look through them decide which size is best for you and your hiking needs. The larger it is, the more gear it will come with. This size is specified for 1-2 people for 1-4 days.
The outside pouch waterproof and has a water-resistant zipper. On the inside there is a DryFlex zippered bag that everything is stored in. I like how lightweight the packaging is and that the bright yellow color makes it easy to spot in my hiking pack.
And because I hike with my dog and kids, I do like to add a few items to make sure I have everything I need in an emergency situation.
What The First Aid Kit Comes WIth
The first aid kit comes with a variety of essentials that are great for bringing on a hike. I do choose to take some things out to make it a little lighter, but keep a majority of it. For example, I took out some of the bandages and wound care items as I won’t likely need them all at one time. I make sure to keep them on hand at home and just restock my first aid kit as I use items or I feel is necessary.
Bandages:
- 8 sterile dressings
- 2 non-adherent sterile dressings
- 2 conforming gauze bandages
- 5 adhesive bandages
- 3 knuckle bandages
- 1 elastic bandage
Wound Care:
- 3 butterfly closure strips
- 2 triple antibiotic ointments
- 3 antiseptic wipes
- 3 alcohol swabs
- 1 pair of nitrile gloves
Blisters:
- 11 precut and shaped moleskin pieces
Medications:
- 2 Aspirin
- 6 Ibuprofen
- 2 Antihistamine
- 2 AfterBite® sting-relief wipes
Other Equipment:
- Splinter picker forceps
- 3 safety pins
- 26 x 2 in. roll of duct tape
- 10 yards adhesive tape
What I add to My Hiking First Aid Kit
I like to add a few extra pieces of gear to my hiking first aid kit to make sure my kids, dog, and I all have everything we need in an emergency on the trail. These are catered to my needs as I usually hike with toddlers and a dog. But make sure when you are packing your hiking first aid kit, that you pack any essentials you or your hiking partners might need.
This could include additional medication, an epipen for severe allergies, insulin or something to help stabilize blood sugars, or anything you or someone you hike regularly with might need in an emergency situation.
Water Treatment Tablets
I always make sure I pack enough water for our hikes. But just in case we were on the trail longer than expected or something happened to our water, I want to make sure I have a way to get clean water. The Aquatabs are lightweight and take up almost no room so I always have a few in my first aid kit. I use a sharpie to write the instructions on them so I don’t have to carry the big box they come in.
Leuokotape
Leukotape is a robust, adhesive sports tape specifically designed for preventing and treating blisters. It can also provide support to injured joints. Leukotape stays securely in place even during long hikes or in wet conditions. It is also thinner and more flexible than moleskin, which allows for more precise application and better comfort without adding bulk. When you put it on a blister or hot spot, it will stay in place and reduce the friction/pain from rubbing. If the blister is popped, or already has a bubble formed, I like to put a little gauze on the blister and then the leukotape on to form a sort of bandaid. But unlike a bandaid, this is not going to budge.
Leukotape usually comes in a huge roll but you don’t need much. You can just wrap some around a lighter or pencil or whatever you have so you don’t have to pack the entire roll of it.
Childrens’ Medication:
Almost all first aid kits come with adult medication, but not children’s medication. I buy the kids’ chewable Motrin and chewable Benadryl in case my kids needed it on the trail. While it’s really unlikely and I have yet to use it, it’s something I feel good about having, especially when we are backpacking. When I have a baby, I keep a travel size bottle of the liquid Tylenol or liquid Motrin with a syringe.
Hydrogen Peroxide
I keep an individual package of hydrogen peroxide in my first aid kit for my dog. You could also carry along one of these small travel bottles. This will induce vomiting when I give it to him if he were to eat anything dangerous while out on the trail. I have done this at home and I know how much he needs and is safe for his size. However, if your dog does ingest something they shouldn’t, it’s best to take them into a vet. But that may not be an option in a safe amount of time. So the hydrogen peroxide is a great thing to pack along as well as the knowledge of how to safely distribute it to your dog.
Syringe
There are many uses for a syringe but a few that I use it for. The first is that you can use it to irrigate wounds with clean water or saline solution to remove dirt, debris, or bacteria. This helps prevent infection and promotes healing. You can also use it to flush out the eyes if something gets in them, like dust, sand, or small debris. I feel like this could especially be important with kids since they’re more likely to get things in their eyes and be upset by it.
Hydration Packets
While it’s so important to drink water when hiking, sometimes it doesn’t fully hydrate you. I like to carry electrolytes in powder form so we can hydrate on really hot or long hikes. I try to remember these when I go on a hike but keep extras in my first aid kit in case I forget to bring them. On our hikes I like these hydration packets for me, and these for my kids because they taste a little sweeter so I know they will drink them.
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