Experts’ guide to building a first aid kit

Outdoor adventures don’t always go as planned. A blister, sprained ankle or upset stomach might not be a big deal — until you’re miles from the trailhead. A well-built first aid kit (FAK), and the knowledge to use it, can make all the difference when something goes wrong.

Josh McNary knows this better than most. As a senior Wilderness Medicine instructor with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) — one of the most respected organizations for wilderness education and backcountry medical training — he’s spent decades teaching people how to handle medical situations in remote places.

Hear from Josh on how to dial your own outdoor-ready first aid kit.

My expertise comes from a 30-year outdoor education career, with 24 years as a NOLS Field and Wilderness Medicine instructor. I’ve taught over 400 weeks for NOLS and led wilderness expeditions on 5 continents. I’m a senior Wilderness Medicine instructor, having taught over 6,000 students on courses ranging from WFAs to WEMTs. I currently oversee training and support for 320 of the finest Wilderness Medicine educators in the business.”

First, think about what you’re preparing for

Before you can decide what to put in your first aid kit, it helps to understand what you’re actually preparing for. In the outdoors, many first aid situations are minor issues that become more challenging when you’re far from help.

When packing your first aid kit, “you’ll think about what injuries or illnesses you are likely to experience and prepare accordingly,” says Josh.

According to the data, the most common issue is GI ailments. One cannot take camp hygiene too seriously. Do not share utensils. Pour food into your hands, rather than reaching into the bag. Wash your hands after pooping and before cooking.”

“Your first aid kit should be optimized around managing these conditions in your chosen environment,” he adds. So, as you’re choosing supplies, think about these common problems and the realities of your trip.

• Gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses
• Minor cuts
• Blisters
• Muscle injuries, like sprains and strains

Customize a pre-made kit

There are two approaches to putting together a FAK: start with a pre-made kit and customize it, or build one from scratch.

A ready-made kit gives you a head start with the basics already packed. Then you can upgrade, swap or add items to match how you spend time outside.

Here’s the kit ExpertVoice members like to start with, plus Josh’s suggestions for improving it.

My Medic MyFAK Mini

“Better than anything I own! I had the opportunity to shoot with one of these for the first time a bit ago. I was seriously impressed. I own a few scopes that cost a bit more than this, and the glass in the Midas Tac Gen 2 is better. I was able to shoot out to 1,000 yards for the first time, and with this optic, I didn’t have any trouble walking the rounds in to get my first impact at 1,000 yards on the third shot. I think it would be hard to beat for the price.”

KT Tape KT Tape Pro

“Josh says tape is one of the first things worth upgrading. “Leukotape and KT Tape are far superior to standard white cloth tape. One kind of tape likely won’t meet your needs, so it’s wise to have a selection.”

Nalgene Snap Cap Vials

“Many pre-fab kits come with single-use packs of medications, which are fine until you’ve used them.” Josh recommends repackaging medications into 0.5–1 oz Nalgene containers and labeling them clearly with a Sharpie.”

NOLS First aid guide

According to medical-related retention studies, “even the most experienced practitioners benefit from a reference resource,” says Josh. If your kit doesn’t include a guide, add one (like the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Field Guide).”

Build a kit from scratch

This approach gives you full control over what you carry and helps you know exactly what you have and how to use it.

Start with a durable, weatherproof container, like this one from Sea to Summit.

Then add supplies that match your activities, environment and group size. To help you get started, we asked Josh for his go-to list of first aid essentials. “This is a generic list optimized for expeditionary wilderness travel, prioritizing items that are tricky to improvise and/or that simplify care of common injuries.”

Download a printable checklist version you can use when assembling your kit.

Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag First Aid

This bag keeps contents dry, visible and easy to access. It’s lighter and more packable than bulky hard cases, and can be secured to boats, bikes or packs.

As you work through the checklist, keep these factors in mind.

1. Trip length and group size: You’ll notice Josh’s checklist doesn’t include specific quantities. That’s because you should scale your kit based on how long you’ll be out and how many people are in your group.
2. Additional gear or tool:  “If one were to carry a firearm or work with chainsaws, one should add specific bleeding-control tools,” says Josh.
3. Medications: Josh’s list doesn’t include medications, as those can vary widely depending on access, trip goals and personal needs. That said, many kits include pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen and/or aspirin), antihistamines and anti-diarrheal medicine.

An experts’ five first aid essentials

Ideally, your first aid kit has everything you need for common backcountry problems. But if space were limited, what would an expert prioritize?

We asked Josh what he’d pack if he could only carry five items in his first aid kit.

Here’s which ones made the cut — and might be worth adding to your kit, too.

A story from the field