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DIY: A Travel Medicine Kit Checklist That Fits in Your Carry On

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travel first aid kit list diy

A travel medicine kit is an essential part of packing.   Getting sick on vacation is miserable , but sooner or later, it happens to everyone.  I seem to get hit with a bad cold every year while traveling (those darn airplane germs!) and my husband is so sensitive to stomach issues we call him “the canary in the coal mine”. 

The good news is that it’s remarkably easy to find just about any medication anywhere in the world — but it often takes a big chunk of time, especially if you’re staying in small towns or rural areas where you have to drive a long distance to the nearest pharmacy.  And take my word that you don’t want to get food poisoning at 1am and have to wait until morning for a store to open to get supplies.

The faster you can solve your problem, the better.  But unlike Mary Poppins, I can’t carry everything all the time — there has to be a balance between having enough to be useful without weighing you down.

After tons of travel, I’ve created a comprehensive, mini first aid kit.  This DIY first aid kit is quick and cheap to make plus has all the essentials.  When you’re not traveling, throw it in your day bag for local adventures or keep it in your car so it’s always handy.

This DIY first aid kit for travel is perfect for roadtrips, carry-on suitcases, camping, and more. Read the full guide on how to prepare and a list of items to include in your travel first aid kit.

Travel Medicine Kit Basics

Although you can buy a pre-packaged travel emergency kit, I recommend tailoring it to your specific needs.  That way you’re 100% familiar with what’s in it ahead of time and have products you trust.

Generally speaking, there are three sets of items that should be on your travel first aid kit list:

  • Medications You Definitely Need (prescriptions you use at home on a regular basis + special medications for your destination, such as something to help with altitude sickness)
  • First Aid Items You Commonly Use  (in my case, that’s band-aids for a myriad of adventure activities + ibuprofen as the “all-purpose drug” for fevers, muscle soreness, and headaches)
  • Items You Can’t Get Easily at Your Destination  (I include items I’ll want immediately in this category; i.e. anti-diarrheals, so you can solve the problem at 3am instead of running to a store)

Your first aid packing list might change a little for every trip.  You can take just the necessities for a weekend in New York City but will need a more comprehensive first aid kit for remote destinations.  

Organizing Non-Prescription Medications

No one wants to pack a dozen pill bottles in their carry-on!  Besides, it’s highly unlikely you’ll need all 200 aspirin!  Better to condense a 2-3 day supply into a more compact case.  That’s likely all you’ll need — if that! — but in any case, it’s at least enough to buy you time into you can restock during your trip.

pill container for diy first aid kit

That’s why I use a standard 7-day pill case to organize my over-the-counter medication.  Instead of using each compartment for one day’s worth of pills, I use each space for a single type of medicine.  So, for example, Monday will hold ibuprofen and Tuesday will hold allergy meds.

Just be sure to label, either by writing with a Sharpie marker right on the case or taping a legend to the back.

I’m sure you can find these pill organizers at your local pharmacy, or you can order a basic pill case on Amazon .

These are the 7 medications I divide in my organizer, although you can tweak it for your own travels:

  • Ibuprofen (I prefer it for pain relief but you could easily substitute Tylenol or aspirin)
  • Decongestants (after ibuprofen, this is the most reached-for drug I pack; airplanes are a hotbed for germs!)
  • Antihistamines
  • Anti-diarrheal
  • Antacids or indigestion meds
  • Motion sickness meds
  • For me, it’s lactaid, but this is also a great spot for vitamins or probiotics

Pick the Perfect Bag

My first aid kit is about the size of a paperback book, giving me enough space to work with without weighing me down.  I keep it stocked with essentials so I can “grab and go” for most trips without having to worry about a last-minute supply run.

I use an old airline amenity bag as my travel medicine kit.

First Aid Kit Supplies:

  • My over-the-counter pill box
  • Bandages (I prefer ones with built-in antibiotic cream for convenience)
  • Antiseptic wipes for minor cuts
  • Throat lozenges
  • All-purpose first aid balm (hint: Green Goo works great for bites and stings, is all-natural, and the TSA considers it a solid for packing purposes)
  • Moleskins for blisters
  • Oral rehydration salts – for cases of food poisoning, over-exhertion, or one too many late nights
  • Ginger chews (for nausea)

For those of you thinking this is overkill, yes, you can buy premade kits.  Here’s the problem: the cheap ones are worthless: you’ll get bandages that don’t stick and so few pills that you’ll be replenishing them after one trip anyway.  And you’ll likely get a few medications you’ve never tried before, which would make me  really  nervous if I was far from a hospital.

The best travel first aid kit is made by Adventure Medical.   It’s crazy comprehensive and probably bulkier than need be, but I trust all the medical supplies in it.  (Making your own will be cheaper, but obviously not as easy).

Don’t Overstuff Your First Aid Kit Contents

I don’t bother packing items that I don’t use at home, but if these are more common in your household medicine cabinet, you might want to bring them with you while traveling:

  • Medical equipment you may need (i.e. syringes, inhalers, epi-pens)
  • Aloe wipes or other sun relief items (I may not bring aloe, but I do pack sunscreen!)
  • Multi-vitamins and other nutritional supplements
  • Antifungal gels or creams
  • Separate antibacterial ointment
  • Disposable gloves
  • Elastic bandage wrap
  • Thermometer
  • Medical Tape

Remember you don’t need a lifetime supply of everything, so count out what you’ll most likely need and leave the rest at home.  I find small GoTubbs  to be a good size for packing specialty items.

Gotubbs for DIY first aid kit

Be Smart About Your Travel Health Your first aid packing list is just one piece of the travel health puzzle. Particularly when traveling abroad, you should start by researching if there are any diseases that are common in that area.  The CDC has an official  traveler health resource to get you started on things like zika virus, malaria zones, etc. (although I find the UK version  easier to navigate). For many destinations, especially in tropical countries and/or developing nations, you may also need to ask your doctor about travel vaccines.  Read my complete guide to budgeting for travel immunizations . Lastly, it’s always a smart idea to purchase travel insurance which will help cover health care costs if you seek medical treatment abroad or if you need emergency help.  I always purchase through RoamRight , but no matter who you choose, you should educate yourself about policy options .

The Most Important Tips for Your Travel Medical Kit

If you’ve got safe drinking water and health insurance and wash your hands often, that’ll get you most of the way there.

My last piece of advice when it comes to a travel first aid kit is to make sure it’s accessible!  If you get a headache onboard an overnight flight but your first aid kit is in your checked suitcase, it does you no good.

Make sure what you need is easy to get to when you need it.  That’s a mistake I’ll only make once!

*     *     *

DIY Travel First Aid Kit List

A first aid kit prepares you for illness, common injuries, and minor accidents. Homemade first aid kits can pack small to fit in suitcases, purses, or cars.

Instructions

Divide over-the-counter medications into small dosages to save on space.

I recommend restocking when you get home from a trip so you're ready to "grab and go" when you pack for the next one!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Organizer Pouch

What’s in your travel medicine kit?

Is there something different in your carry-on first aid kit? Do you have other travel tips?

22 thoughts on “DIY: A Travel Medicine Kit Checklist That Fits in Your Carry On”

On every leg of air travel I wear a new paper mask covering nose and mouth. I put it on as soon as the plane doors close, removing it just long enough to eat and drink. Two reasons: 1- So I don’t catch the cold other travelers have; 2- Because the air is so dry on planes, I appreciate being my own humidifier.

Sounds like the perfect size kit. I travel with very little because I tend to purchase meds if I need them at my destination, but anti-diarrhea meds and nausea medications are two that I ALWAYS have with me. Since I lead tours, I can’t be feeling too ill to go out with the group! Those two things usually get me through the day, no matter how sick I am and then I can spend the night in the bathroom if need be, lol.

Before traveling, we prepare our bag with some essential things which we think can be used in journey and first aid bag with proper medication tools is one of those essential things, Make a list of all tools and check before leaving whether all tools present on the list are in the first aid bag or not, I think all tools mentioned in the above post cover everything, but I like the idea of bringing new paper mask, thanks céline bouchard for mentioning this idea in your comment.

Hi can I buy your bag?

@Sabina, What bag do you want to buy? You can make your own easily!

I also bring small scissors to cut the moleskin. One thing about first aid packing that is such a pain is the common recommendation to bring all prescription medications in their original containers, particularly for international travel. On the one hand, that is the safest in case you were to be detained or questioned, but on the other, it adds a lot of bulk to packing that otherwise could be reduced in size. What are your thoughts on that?

@LeRainDrop, Almost everyone I know packs their prescription meds in a pill box rather than original containers. I’d bring a paper detailing meds/dosages + physician’s name and phone number, just in case. (I’d be MORE conservative if you have highly controlled substances, like pain meds)

Thank you so much! I have a handful of prescriptions but no controlled substances, and I got the comprehensive letter from my doctor detailing all my medicines. I wish I found your site earlier, as I’m packing right now for an extended trip to Guatemala in two days, and your site provides a great wealth of info!

Thsis is great info. I’m packing for a trip right now, and will be including these items in my bag for sure.

This is a great list! I never leave home without a fully stocked first aid kit. You never know when the kids are going to hurt themselves.

@Audrey, Or the adults 😉

My wife is responsible for the kit in our family. I’m glad she is, I would have forgotten half of these things!

@Scott, I’d forget too without a list…

Great idea. I never seem to have the right things when I pack. Now I can just use your list and be prepared when we travel. .

Hi Becky, It was great to meet you at WITS17 this year. I always make sure that we have a first aid kit in our car, since we have four children and an accident prone dad of the house!

@Natasha, Pleasure to meet you also…great conference! Funny how sometimes it’s the parents who are more accident prone than the kids.

This is not exactly gear but: Don’t forget to call your wireless carrier to find out what options it offers for traveling wherever you are going. Accidental roaming can be very expensive, and most carriers offer options that are much more economical.

@Paula, Totally true! It’s best to have a set plan that works in your budget or buy a local sim card on arrival.

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I totally agree with you in that the things you need to pack in your first aid kit will depend on the place where you are going. It is important to understand what type of dangers you might be exposed to in order to have the best supplies on hand to avoid any serious accidents. We are planning on taking a camping trip in a few days and wanted to make sure we had the best first aid kit for the job, so I’m glad I found your page.

@Marcus, Hope your adventure was a success!

Excellent and honest post. I found this much useful information, as to what I was exactly searching for packing tips. Thanks for such post and please keep it up.

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Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

How To Pack A Professional Travel First Aid Kit

A properly-stocked first aid kit for traveling around the world

I get a lot of questions about health care on the road. Since I’m not a doctor, I don’t like giving medical advice beyond a few general tips so I’ve asked Mike Huxley, a registered nurse, to share his expert tips and advice when it comes to packing a first aid kit for your travels.

I have been traveling the world for over fifteen years now, and in that time I have patched up more travelers’ scrapes and sprains than I can remember.

Thankfully, pretty much all of the incidents I have dealt with so far have been minor. Even during my time spent volunteering as an expedition medic in the Sahara, the jungles of Kalimantan and Borneo, and many other amazing places, I have been able to deal with most accidents and injuries that have crossed my path.

I have only been able to do all of this, however, because I have always packed my trusty first aid kit. It has evolved and been refined over the years, but I have always carried one.

As any experienced traveler or health professional will tell you, things can and occasionally do go wrong on any trip , and taking a well-stocked kit with you is always advised.

When I first started traveling, I did what most sensible people do and carried a commercially available emergency first aid kit .

However, over the years, and with a lot of experience and my nursing qualification behind me, I have refined my own kit to reflect what I will use out on the road and what I know will make for a much better first aid kit for the average traveler too.

The best first aid kits are simple but varied and have a variety of dressings and equipment to deal with the basics. More importantly, they can be used with little or no training. So, what items should you include? Here are my picks for the essentials:

1. Band-Aids/Plasters It goes without saying that these are absolutely essential in any first aid kit. The most common form of minor injury is a cut or a graze, so it is always a good idea to carry a handful of Band-Aids in a variety of sizes .

If you think you will be doing a lot of trekking on your travels and you aren’t used to that form of exercise, then some blister plasters are a good idea.

It isn’t necessary to go overboard and carry so many you could start your own tiny field hospital; just a few of each type will do, as you can always restock when you pass a pharmacy.

2. Gauze Gauze is the medical jack-of-all-trades. I never carry a first aid kit without a supply of gauze in it, and I can’t tell you how many times it has come in useful over the years. It can be used to apply pressure to a wound, clean an injury, soak up blood, help stop bleeding, and even form part of a basic dressing for small-to-medium wounds.

A clean wound and a layer of gauze kept down with either tape or an adhesive bandage is often enough to allow time for you to go and get it looked at by a professional.

The best type of gauze to carry in a first aid kit is individually wrapped sterile squares. This eliminates the need to cut them to size when you need them quickly and obviously makes it easier to keep the wound clean and sterile.

3. Crepe bandages (ACE or elastic bandages) For when you have something a bit bigger than a cut, basic crepe bandages are useful for keeping small dressings clean and in place until you can get some medical attention.

Remember, you’re only going to use them in an emergency, until you can get some professional medical care (ideally covered through the travel insurance that you got in advance of your trip). You don’t need too many of these, just one or two at most.

4. Surgical tape Surgical tape is one of those essential emergency items for when you need to apply and secure gauze or a bandage to a wound, although Band-Aids can do the same job if need be.

5. Small scissors These come standard in any commercially available first aid kit (although you can buy them separately too) and are obviously useful for trimming gauze or bandages to size. Just be careful if you do carry scissors to ensure that your first aid kit goes in your checked bag when you are in transit or else airline security will take them off you.

If you’re flying carry-on only, small scissors (max 4 inches/10 centimeters) are permitted according to the TSA. If you want to be on the safe side, get ones with rounded tips. Also, remember that you don’t need to bring them from home — most grocery stores or stationery shops have them as well.

6. Tweezers Tweezers are another item that often comes standard in most first aid kits and can be useful for pulling out splinters, getting out little bits of stone or dirt when cleaning a wound, or any number of other practical uses.

7. Antiseptic wipes For some reason this tends to be the one thing most people overlook when thinking of first aid, but antiseptic wipes are an absolute essential in any good pack. No one wants a cut or wound to get infected, and antiseptic wipes are perfect for cleaning it before applying a dressing.

Just a small handful will suffice for most packs. Like most basic items, they are easy to replace at any pharmacy when you run low.

8. Condoms Apart from the obvious benefits (staying sexually safe), these handy little items can be used as emergency water carriers or even filled with ice as an emergency ice pack. I’ve personally never had any call to use them in that manner, but it is a handy bit of information to keep in mind.

9. Pain relief medication A small pack of basic acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) or any of the associated brand names ( like Tylenol ) is usually sufficient, but ibuprofen or other similar medications are fine too. It doesn’t have to be fancy — basically whatever you normally take for pain relief when you have a headache or minor pain.

10. Loperamide tablets Also known under a variety of brand names such as Imodium , this is useful for stopping diarrhea for short periods when you need to catch a bus or train. Remember, these are for those emergency moments only when you are actually in transit, as they do not cure diarrhea and shouldn’t be used when you can rest up for a couple of days. (Normally the best way to treat diarrhea is to let everything pass through your system normally and drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.)

If you use them sparingly, properly, and as directed on the pack, loperamide tablets can be useful additions to any travel first aid kit.

11. Antihistamine cream It happens to all of us on our travels: we get bitten by some form of insect and end up with a painfully itchy bump or rash. Don’t worry, the absolute majority of the time the bumps and stings aren’t anything to worry about at all, but they are damned annoying! This is why a good antihistamine cream is a useful addition to help control itching and swelling.

12. Antibacterial creams It’s also a good idea to carry antibacterial creams like Neosporin for any cuts and scrapes you get. This will help heal them faster as well as prevent any possible infections.

Obviously, this list can be tailored or added to depending on your trip needs (a tropical jungle trek will require different planning than a city break in Europe ). Any good first aid kit should also include any specific, individually prescribed medication or antimalarial prophylaxis.

For the majority of travelers, however, the items and kit listed above will cover the majority of basic incidents and accidents. You’ll also want to make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance as well to protect you against unexpected costs that you might incur should an emergency happen.

For any injury, illness, bang, or scrape that requires more than the basics and cannot be covered by the kit above, you should seek professional medical attention. Unless you are extremely far off the beaten track, you should be able to seek out professional assistance to deal with medical emergencies pretty easily if something happens you can’t handle yourself.

So go pack up your own little first aid kit and keep it stashed in your pack for emergencies. Odds are you will probably never use it — and I hope you never need to — but if you have one, at least you can enjoy your travels with peace of mind and be safe in the knowledge that you are prepared.

Important Note: When carrying any generic medication, it is essential that it is kept in its original packaging when you are traveling in case customs officials need to check it. The information provided here is for general travel health advice and information only. It is provided by a qualified nurse, but it is not a replacement for a personal consultation with a travel nurse specialist, your GP, or a doctor specializing in travel medicine who can tailor advice to your individual medical history and needs.  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

  • SafetyWing (best for everyone)
  • Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
  • Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Packing Light Travel

15 Tips on how to assemble a perfect travel first-aid kit

by Anne Betts | Dec 31, 2022 | Health, Safety and Comfort | 5 comments

perfect-travel-first-aid-kit

Updated December 31, 2022

How do you assemble a perfect travel first-aid kit , yet still manage to pack light? I don’t claim to have a universal solution, but the following works for me.

Table of Contents

1. Identify your needs in travel first-aid kit

2. never packing ‘what-if’ items doesn’t apply to a first-aid kit, 3. build your kit from scratch, 4. get sound advice, 5. help out other travellers if possible, 6. adopt packing light strategies, 7. get prescriptions filled before departure, 8. label everything, 9. have access to medicinal information and first-aid advice, 10. review your kit before each trip, 11. list kit contents, 12. identify factors affecting kit contents, 13. individualize your kit, 14. and to complement my first-aid kit…, 15. back home, reach into the travel first-aid kit, 16. in summary….

Each kit is different. A first step is figuring out what you expect of yours. Here are some ideas:

  • It has what’s needed to respond to illness and injuries given the destination, season, activities, and health needs of those who depend on the kit.
  • It contains enough supplies to deal with minor injuries and illnesses until it’s possible to get to the nearest clinic or pharmacy. Besides, no one wants to spend valuable travel time navigating a new destination (especially when feeling unwell). 
  • It takes existing health issues into consideration, and travel related injuries and illnesses given past experience.
  • It contains trusted supplies written in a familiar language and acquired at a cost that may be cheaper at home than at your destination.
  • It’s small enough, and light enough, to carry at all times (or have key items always accessible).

Packing light travellers advocate never packing ‘what-if’ items.

A first-aid kit is an exception. It’s like that emergency medical insurance you hope to never have to use. Returning home with a kit that was never opened, or tossing expired medication that was never used, are indications of healthy, injury-free travels.

Assemble your own first-aid kit. It gives you more control over the contents and the container. By all means, look for clues from pre-assembled kits, but there’s a good chance an off-the-shelf kit won’t meet your needs. Cobble together your own, considering your destination, activities, and health needs. Chances are it will be cheaper, lighter, smaller, and more useful than a generic version.

commercial-first-aid-kits

Bloggers, especially those with a healthcare background, are helpful sources of ideas. For specific advice, consult a professional health care provider. Your family doctor and pharmacist are aware of your health issues, and can suggest compatible OTC (Over-The-Counter) medication. Your pharmacist can also provide suggestions on generic (and cheaper) alternatives to brand-name products. A travellers’ clinic specializes in preparing people for worldwide travel.

Unhealthy or injured travelling companions impact on all members of a group. My first-aid kit has responded to the occasional health issues of others, and I’ve been the grateful beneficiary of supplies from another person’s kit.

The right supplies in the right quantities add very little weight, and are invaluable if they allow everyone to get on with their travels.

  • While cycling beside the canals of the Netherlands , a blister pack containing two Tylenol tablets fixed a companion’s splitting headache.
  • A couple of Loperamide tablets enabled us to continue exploring Singapore when my nephew was suddenly struck with an attack of Travellers’ Diarrhea .
  • When hiking the trails of Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, a piece of anti-blister tape protected a friend’s heel from further chafing.
  • When hiking the Banks Track in New Zealand, another hiker gave me some hiking wool to help prevent chafing of sensitive areas. 

anti-blister-hiking-wool

If your kit is large and heavy, you’ll be tempted to leave it at home, or back at your accommodation. A first-aid kit should be small enough, light enough, and functional enough to have a permanent place in your day bag.

  • Look for travel-friendly sizes. Check out truck stops, drug stores, dollar stores, and hiking and outdoor stores for products packaged in small sizes. Google “OTC medication travel sizes” and you may discover online suppliers in your own country. This is how I stumbled across minimus.biz  with their range of single-dose blister packs of OTC medication and first-aid supplies.

travel-size-first-aid-supplies

  • Dollar-store purchases tend to be much cheaper than those available elsewhere. I find it hurts less to discard expired medication or have folding scissors confiscated by an overzealous security agent if I paid dollar-store prices for the item. 
  • Where feasible, choose blister packs of tablets over bottles and liquids, and single-dose blister packs over tubes and bottles.

blister-packs-take-up-less-space

  • Where feasible, transfer or decant to smaller containers.
  • Use see-through zip-top pill pouch bags to separate various products.

zip-top-bags-first-aid-supplies

  • Choose a container for your kit that slips easily into a day bag. It will need to be waterproof if you’re involved in activities around water. Otherwise, carry a spare zip-top bag, dry bag , or a rain cover for your daypack.
  • Pack a pocket pill container  for storing medication and supplements for use while in transit or on the move.

daily-pill-storage-container

Your prescriptions are valid only in your home country. Get them filled before leaving home. Pack quantities needed for the duration of the trip, and extra to cover possible travel delays. Ask your pharmacist for the smallest possible labelled container, and ask for the expiry date to be listed.

Scan the information sheets received with the medication, and take the electronic copies with you. For this purpose, I use the app Scanner Pro  and cloud-based app, Dropbox . 

Don’t separate medication from the manufacturer’s packaging. Keep medication in its sealed package or blister pack to protect its integrity, stability, and effectiveness.

The manufacturer’s packaging helps promote safe use by providing information on medicinal ingredients, dosage instructions, and expiry dates. It’s also useful information to help respond to possible inquiries of border services agents.

Having the medicinal ingredients at your fingertips is handy when trying to purchase additional supplies across a language barrier. If you separate medication from its box, cut up the box and slip the pieces containing relevant information into a small zip-top bag with the blister tabs.

first-aid-kit-manufacturer-packaging

For supplements and probiotics, I find the containers take up too much space. Zip-top bags and reusable prescription containers offer downsizing options.

downsized-containers-first-aid-supplies

Before packing or taking any medication, consult an authority site for information and advice.

  • How should it be safely stored?
  • What temperatures affect its effectiveness?
  • Will it cause drowsiness?
  • What can or can’t be taken with it?
  • Can it be taken on an empty stomach?
  • What’s the suggested maximum dosage within a 24-hour period?

Drugs.com is an excellent resource, as is the Traveler Advice Page of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Canadian Red Cross First-Aid app is a useful resource for emergency first-aid advice.

Remaining committed to carry-on travel requires packing with time to spare. I tend to start at least a week before departure, and definitely earlier if I know my first-aid kit needs refreshing. It helps to break packing into manageable chunks, usually by category such as ‘toiletries,’ ‘first-aid kit,’ or ‘clothing.’ For the first-aid kit, this means time to: 

  • discard expired medication
  • replenish low supplies or missing items
  • remove or include destination- or season-specific items
  • communicate with others, if not travelling solo, to lighten the load by sharing supplies across first-aid kits.

A detailed list of the contents of your first-aid kit, and those items that complement what’s in the kit, can be helpful. Brand names (and their generic equivalents) aren’t available in all countries, so it’s important to include the medicinal ingredients of each. Store it in a cloud storage app, or where it’s readily accessible on your device.

  • keeps you organized when it comes to replenishing or removing supplies;
  • is helpful when seeking advice from health care professionals;
  • is useful when consulting with travelling companions on sharing first-aid supplies;
  • is a reference to avoid overdosing when taking combinations of different medications (e.g., “Tylenol Poisoning” is a real problem; some cold-and-flu medication also contains Acetaminophen/Paracetamol);
  • enables you to purchase depleted items with the same or similar medicinal ingredients at your destination; and
  • can be easily updated for future travels.

Take into account your own health needs and previous experience in managing them. For example, here are some of the things I considered for recent trips.

Blister prevention and treatment. It’s not uncommon to walk 20 km / 12.5 mi each day, more than at home. Also, feet change. Shoes that fit perfectly when they were purchased might not remain so.

Allergic reactions to insect bites.  Biting insects are my nemesis. The New Zealand sandflies sent me scurrying for antihistamine, and bites from some unknown insect in Australia landed me in the emergency department of a hospital (at a considerable cost) to get a prescription for an antibiotic (that cost $5 to fill). I now ask my doctor for a prescription for both an antibiotic ointment and tablets that can be filled before leaving home.

Digestive ailments. I take medication for acid reflux. This means that Acetaminophen/Paracetamol (e.g., Tylenol) is a safer pain reliever than Ibuprofen (e.g., Advil). Also, with reduced acid in my stomach, I always expect Travellers’ Diarrhea. I also need to plan to deal with occasional and very uncomfortable heartburn.

Minor scrapes.  Most trips involve time on a bike or scooter, increasing the chance of minor scrapes and abrasions.

Respiratory issues. I have a propensity for a bad case of the ‘flu to morph into pneumonia. After remaining insanely healthy during the pandemic, I expected to fall prey to Covid or influenza on my first post-pandemic international trip. This pointed to the need to pack Covid test kits, and my doctor gave me prescriptions for an antibiotic and a puffer, both filled before leaving home.

first-aid-supplies

Staying healthy on long-haul flights. Planes harbour harmful bacteria, and long flights increase the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis. The dry environment contributes to dehydration, dry skin, and sore nasal passages.

In the event it’s helpful, here’s a list of the contents of my kit, based on the considerations described above, and the advice of my family doctor and pharmacist. I favour generic alternatives to brand-name products as they can be considerably cheaper.  

  • Anti-diarrhea (e.g., Imodium): Loperamide hydrochloride 2 mg when a blocker is required (e.g., on transit days)
  • Antihistamine allergy relief (e.g., Claritin): Loratadine 10mg
  • Topical antibiotic for skin infections: Sodium Fusidate 2% (prescription)
  • Oral antibiotic for skin infections: Amoxycillin/clavulanic 875/125 mg (prescription)
  • Antibiotic for respiratory/bronchial bacterial infections and severe Travellers Diarrhea: Azithromycin dehydrate 250 mg (prescription)
  • Anti-nauseant (e.g., Gravol): Dimenhydrinate 50 mg
  • Blister prevention and treatment: Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin Plus ; Moleskin pre-cut and shaped by Adventure Medical Kits ; Polysporin Blister Treatment Cushions; Spenco 2nd Skin Adhesive Knit ; blister prevention wool ; BAND-AID ® Blister Cushion
  • Cough, cold and ‘flu relief: Sambucol Black Elderberry Pastilles
  • Heartburn relief: Tums Extra Strength  (Calcium carbonate 750 mg)
  • Antiseptic: tea tree oil
  • Miscellaneous aids: cotton wool buds ( Organyc ); cotton balls; tweezers (remove splinters, thorns, ticks, debris); safety pins (remove splinters, thorns, fashion a sling, miscellaneous uses); folding scissors ( Fiskars )
  • Pain relief, fever reducer: Extra Strength Tylenol (Acetaminophen 500 mg)
  • Wound care: MooreBrand Gauze Pads (2” x 2”); Webcol Alcohol Prep Pads (Isopropyl Alcohol 70%); 3M Steri-Strips ; waterproof bandages ; variety of sizes and shapes of plasters

All these supplies fit in a soft-sided zippered packing organizer measuring 17 x 10 cm / 7 x 4 in and weighing 218 g / 7.7 oz.

travel-first-aid-kit-packed

  • compression socks
  • clear duct tape (to keep a bandage in place)
  • emergency ID bracelet
  • flashlight: FourSevens MiNi X
  • immune support: Ener-C drink mix ; NOW Oregano Veg Capsules 450 mg
  • insect repellent: Mosquito Shield Piactive (Icaridin 20%)
  • electrolyte hydration supplement (exercise, flights, hot climates): NUUN Sport
  • Nature’s Aid all-natural skin gel with healing and soothing properties for allergic reactions, minor scrapes, sunburn, and inflamed muscles
  • laminated Emergency Contact Card

laminated-emergency-contact-card

  • nasal soreness: Boroleum (Petrolatum 97.92%; Camphor 1%; Menthol 0.54%)
  • pashmina (doubles as a makeshift sling)
  • probiotics: Saccharomyces Boulardii
  • activated charcoal
  • sanitizing wipes: EO Lavender plastic-free bamboo wipes
  • Soap Leaves: Sea to Summit
  • sunscreen: All good sunscreen butter
  • tablet towels
  • reusable dry bag to make an ice pack

Rather than keeping separate supplies in a home medicine cabinet and a travel first-aid kit, anything with an expiry date should be utilized when it’s needed. Purging a a travel first-aid kit of expired medication can be costlier than it needs to be, especially if you’ve enjoyed healthy and injury-free travels. 

  • Avoid pre-assembled kits. Build your own.
  • Be strategic. Base kit contents on your destination, season, activities, and health needs.
  • Get advice from health care professionals.
  • Look for medication and supplies in travel sizes.
  • Don’t separate medication from its packaging.
  • Keep a record of the exact medicinal ingredients of what’s in your kit.
  • NEVER, NEVER, NEVER travel without emergency medical insurance. When your kit comes up short, an early visit to a healthcare centre could be the best financial decision you’ll make. 

With thanks to Adrian Comeau, Pharmacist, Saulnierville Pharmacy, for his helpful suggestions and advice.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are for general travel health information only. It’s not a replacement for a personal consultation with your doctor, pharmacist or travel medicine specialist.

If you found this useful, you might be interested in these related posts:

  • How to prevent and treat travellers’ diarrhea
  • Ten suggestions on what to pack in case of a travel medical emergency
  • Create a travel comfort pack for easy access to self-care essentials
  • 25 Ideas on how to prepare an emergency preparedness toolkit for travellers
  • It could save your life. Get an emergency ID bracelet for travellers
  • How to make a traveller’s emergency contact card in 5 easy steps
  • 12 Ideas on what to include in a MacGyver kit for travellers
  • Travel with tablet towels: a multipurpose essential every traveller should pack
  • No soap? No problem travelling with soap leaves
  • Travelling with duct tape: 30 practical uses
  • 10 Reasons to travel with dry bags

Thoughts? Suggestions? What’s in your travel first-aid kit?

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Mado

Your thinking is so thorough! I will definitely reread this when the time comes to prepare for my next trip. The one I have with me now is twice the size of yours…

Mandy Yanga

Thank you for this! The steps are so on-point! I’ve been thinking of assembling me and family’s first-aid kit, not because we’re travelling soon but because of the natural calamities happening. We do not know when a storm’s gonna hit or when will there be an earthquake that’s why i’m searching on what to put in a first-aid kit. I’m so thankful I came across this post. This is so helpful! Thank you so much!

Adrian Willson

Great piece of advice on how to carry your first aid kit while travelling.

Eric

Great tips! I love making sure my first aid box is full of everything we might need. I’d suggest every parent take a first aid course so they are prepared.

John Gatesby

Very informative read! I agree one must be equipped with a proper first aid kit before venturing out to a new place for vacation or a visit. I usually keep medicines for allergy, gold cough, stomach ache, muscle ache and most importantly for any injury.

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Travel Size First-Aid Kit: What to Pack & Downloadable Checklist

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Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

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When you pack for a trip, especially a trip overseas, it’s easy to forget about medications and first-aid. That’s why you should always bring a basic first-aid kit with you on your travels.

I always keep a pre-packed first-aid kit ready to go so I don’t have to think twice about it when I’m packing. Of course, you may need additional items depending on where you’re going and what activities you have planned. But this first-aid kit packing list covers the basics.

15 Tiny Travel Products to Help You Stay Healthy on Vacation

What Do I Need in My Travel First-Aid Kit?

These everyday medications will take care of most common aches and pains that come with a long day of travel.

  • Antihistamine
  • Antacid tablets
  • Hydration pills or electrolyte replenishers
  • Cold relief medicine
  • Motion sickness relief
  • Muscle relaxer

For minor bumps and bruises, make sure you have these emergency first aid supplies in your medical kit.

  • Various sized bandages
  • Alcohol swabs or antiseptic wipes
  • First aid balm or sting relief, anti-itch cream , & antibiotic cream

From treating splinters to sunburns, these miscellaneous items are must-haves in your travel first aid kit.

  • Thermometer
  • Hand sanitizer

First-Aid Kit Tips

Flat lay of travel first-aid supplies and medical supplies you should have in your emergency bag or medical kit

  • Look in the school supply section of your local drugstore for a small container, or order a small tackle box from Amazon .
  • Only separate medication from its labeled bottle if you know you’ll be able to differentiate pills.
  • Keep prescription medications separate from your first-aid kit.
  • Include over-the-counter (OTC) medication based on your needs; i.e., if you’re traveling on a cruise and need motion sickness pills, make sure to include those.
  • Pack a natural balm like GREEN GOO First Aid , which can relieve symptoms for dry skin, insect bites, scrapes, rashes, chafing, cuts, sunburns, blisters, and poison ivy.
  • Include various-sized bandages ; they double for blister protection if you plan on doing a lot of walking.
  • Hand sanitizer , a small tissue pack , lip balm , and sunscreen are also must-haves.
  • Be sure to fill out the Medical ID on your iPhone and list any allergies, emergency contacts, and your doctor’s information.
  • Keep a laminated copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card accessible during your travels as well as a photo of your card available on your phone.
  • Remember to pack extra face masks if you plan on visiting a destination or attending an event where masking is required

Download and print this checklist to make your own travel first-aid kit.

travel first aid manual

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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7 Must-Know Tips | Travel First Aid Guide

Must-Know Travel First Aid Guide

We pack, but we forget. Yes, you may have that elegant and complete first aid kit for your next journey, but when the injury comes, you might not know how to use them. This is why you should read this Travel First Aid Guide.

It is also uncertain when to settle for first aid treatment and when to start evacuating or calling for medical help.

If you are traveling to the breathtaking Baths of Budapest , splendid Santorini , or amazing Abu Dhabi , we’ve got your backs. Here is a comprehensive travel first aid guide to prepare, cure, and assess whenever you face common travel injuries and illnesses.

Travel First Aid Tips

Travel safety isn’t only about planning your trip, it’s also how to prevent an accident while on a trip, check the below tips and make sure to use this guide and take notes when planing:

1. Scrapes and Cuts

When climbing steep mountains or walking through forest locations, you might get cuts or scrapes. When you prepare for them, you should include bandages, antibiotic drops, and gauze in your baggage. Avoiding cuts involve staying away from firewood, skipping food preparation, and packing pointed items in your bag with much attention. If you got a cut, wash with sharply pointed water (like filling a plastic bag and cutting edge to squeeze the water towards the reduction). Suppose, the wound is bleeding, clean it out and put gauze to absorb the bleed — secure gauze with a firmly packed bandage.

The most commonly reported allergic reactions are those caused by genetics. People have pre-existing allergies or sometimes bump off with a poisonous plant.

To alleviate and prevent such danger, you must bring enough medical itch relievers or antihistamine for the itchy sensation. You may also opt to bring a cleanser to wash off oils and dirt.

To prevent gaining allergies from poisonous plants, you must wear long sleeves and pants as you walk around bushes and shrubs.

Avoid sticking up with your clothes after travel and change immediately because poison allergens remain active even after hours of walking. To treat them, wash as soon as possible and avoid scratching because it can spread. Leave the journey once you feel a swelling heat in your rashes or when you can not endure the pain.

3. Flu Caused by Viruses

When preparing for the expected flu, it is crucial to bring cough drops, acetaminophen, or thermometer. To prevent getting viruses, You are suggested to wash hands frequently. When you have a cough, cover your mouth when sneezing as it prevents the spread.

For treatment, use the allotted dosage like what you do at home. Maximize resting time and maintain hydration. If you have a fever above 102 degrees F for more than 48 hours, a sore throat or headaches, you may opt to leave the trail. 

4. Toothache

Uncareful crewing and face falls cause our teeth to usually have bacterial infections. One first aid item you should put in your bag is dental wax. When eating, check if food has sharp parts to avoid scratching your gums and mouth walls.

If you bit your mouth due to a fall, treat it with gauze to stop bleeding. Flush blood with water as you leave it clean. Assess signs of infections such as gums swelling and get out immediately if needed.

Flush blood with water as you leave it clean. Assess signs of infections such as gums swelling and get out immediately if needed.

Usually, when preparing your first aid kit, you put bandages, gauze, and antibiotic ointments. Aside from wounds, these can also help treat burns. This type of injury usually happens when cooking or going near a campfire. To prevent getting burns, be extra careful when lighting up wood for a campfire, and organize food ingredients when preparing meals to avoid accidentally touching the heated pan.

As you treat burns, let cold water flow into the burned part for 10 minutes and apply antibiotics, ointments and finally wrap with gauze and bandage. If you got a severe burn or a severe infection, contact medical help directly and evacuate. It is painful to touch the burned area and even painful when you move.

6. Always Bring Water with You

Make sure to always have clean water handy. This is not just to hydrate yourself but also to clean up your body. It is also to clean up your eyes in case any foreign object goes into your eyes. Water is your holy grail when traveling, this is especially so when you are traveling with kids. Always bring spare your spare eyewear and eyecare with you when traveling.

7. Fractured or Dislocated Bones

Even though they were extra careful, there are times when accidents are inevitable. We commonly see forms of fracture in the wrist, ankle, or leg after a massive fall. Symptoms are similar to sprains and strains, but the internal effects are entirely different. In dislocations, you’ll feel pain and a limited sense of motion. This injury usually happens in your shoulder. Common causes of this injury are pushing a post or a tree as well as using arms as levers as you paddle.

When preparing your first aid kit, bring elastic bandages and immobilizing tools.

Avoid poles or sticks when trekking, be wary of the possible irregularities of the bone when you stretch out your arms in motion. To mitigate this, you can try the following steps (for legs):

  • Put a non-inflated sleeping pad or foam beneath the leg. Add clothes under the pin that serves as a pad and place a rolled clothing underneath the knee to immobilize the limb.
  • Using strips of cloth (like a handkerchief), tie the padding around the leg.
  • When there is an extra length on the string-like fabric for tying, wrap it around the ankle like a boot to immobilize parts below the leg. One thing to note is to try making the inclination of the ankle close to 90 degrees or right angle to minimize the movements of the feet. Loosen up ties if they hinder the blood circulation.

When facing breaks or any dislocations, evacuate immediately. It would be better if the victim can walk. However, if he/she can’t, other people must carry him/her. Call emergency if the bone tore through the skin or if there is no pulse and sensation in the injured part. Trying to push back the dislocated part would not solve it, always ask for professional assistance when dealing with severe cases like this.

About this Travel First Aid Guide

Although you would want to prioritize picture-perfect sceneries and breathtaking sites, bear in mind precautionary measures to prevent injuries.

Prevention is better than cure. Indeed there are instances that accidents happen. It is essential to have not just the first aid kit but also the proper knowledge of using them. What’s the point of bringing a shield when you don’t use it in battles?

By reading this Travel First Aid Guide you fully equipped yourself as you leap towards your next travel destination.

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Use this checklist to prepare for your next trip abroad. Make sure to bring items with you, since quality of items bought overseas cannot be guaranteed. Not all of these items may be relevant to you and your travel plans.

Pack for a Healthy Trip

Prescription medicines

  • Your prescriptions
  • Travelers’ diarrhea antibiotic
  • Medicines to prevent malaria

Medical supplies

  • Glasses and contacts
  • Medical alert bracelet or necklace
  • Diabetes testing supplies

Over-the-counter medicines

  • Diarrhea medicine (Imodium or Pepto-Bismol)
  • Antihistamine
  • Motion sickness medicine
  • Cough drops, cough suppressant, or expectorant
  • Decongestant
  • Pain and fever medicine (acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen)
  • Mild laxative
  • Mild sedative or sleep aid

Supplies to prevent illness or injury

  • Hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) or antibacterial hand wipes
  • Water purification tablets
  • Insect repellent (with an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin)
  • Sunscreen (with UVA and UVB protection, SPF 15 or higher)
  • Sunglasses and hat

First-aid kit

  • 1% hydrocortisone cream
  • Antibacterial or antifungal ointments
  • Digital thermometer
  • Oral rehydration salts
  • Antiseptic wound cleaner
  • Aloe gel for sunburns
  • Insect bite anti-itch gel or cream
  • Disposable gloves
  • Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
  • Copies of your passport and travel documents
  • Copies of all prescriptions (medications, glasses, or medical supplies)
  • Health insurance card and documents
  • Proof of yellow fever vaccination (if required for your trip)
  • Contact card with the street addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of: Family member or close contact in the United States
  • Health care provider(s) at home
  • Lodging at your destination
  • Hospitals or clinics (including emergency services) in your destination
  • US embassy or consulate in the destination country or countries

Additional Resources

  • Check the Transportation Security Administration website for updates on permitted and prohibited items, including medicines that you are allowed to carry onto an airplane.
  • Some items may not be allowed in other countries. It is a good idea to check the  Customs and Import Restrictions section of the U.S. Department of State Tips for Traveling Abroad.
  • Enroll in the Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get the latest safety updates and help in an emergency.

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How to Pack a Travel First Aid Kit

Written By: The Planet D

Travel Gear

Updated On: November 28, 2022

One of the biggest things that Dave and I always struggle with when getting ready for our travels is how to pack a travel first aid kit. We just never know what we are going to need, but at the same time, we hate carrying too much stuff. Then again, we really do need to be prepared for any situation – especially when going off the beaten path.

We have been in hospitals on 4 different continents. We’ve had severe blood infections in Africa, a sprained ankle in Ireland, a broken back in the Amazon , and dangerous illnesses in India. (I’ve suffered from 3 different types of parasites)

While we’re fans of packing light, we are also fans of being prepared. After years of honing our packing skills, we have created a list of things we always put in our first aid kit to be prepared but to also keep things simple and light weight.

Table of Contents

First Aid Kits for Travel

Travel will be very different for a few years after COVID-19. A first aid kit should now include an N95 surgical face mask and hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes , and disinfectant wipes. We use wipes to clean our armrest and table tray on airplanes and other transportation. Plus, these days, a digital thermometer to check for a fever is a good idea to be part of any first aid kit for travel. We are even carrying Rapid tests for COVID since here in Canada, we can pick them up for free.

Disclosure: This first aid checklist does not replace personal medical advice from a qualified doctor. We recommend going to a travel health clinic and talk to your doctor for professional information.

Most of the items listed are found in a basic first aid kit that you can buy in an outdoor store. You can start off by purchasing a pre-stocked travel first aid kit and then take it away and add what you need to it. That way you don’t need to buy every item in bulk. For a first aid kit for travel, you only need a travel size.

You can check out the best first aid kits to suit your needs here on Amazon now. You can then mix and match what you need just remember to keep it lightweight. You can just bring a few items rather than packing them in bulk.

First Aid Kit Checklist

To start off, here is a quick checklist of basic items we’ve added to our first aid kit bags.

Tweezers You’d be amazed at how many splinters we’ve gotten while traveling. And they can become infected too. Pack a good pair of Tweezers like these ones.

Gauze Pads I think that gauze pads are more important than band aids. Gauze and tape will take care of a cut of almost any size. We often carry band aids with us but end up having a cut that is too large. Gause with some tape does the trick

Surgical Tape It’s great to have gauze pads, but you need to tape it on with something. Plus, the surgical tape can also help tape up a sprained finger or be used for other minor injuries.

Allergy medication We keep Benadryl on hand for possible severe allergy reactions. And we use Claritin for regular environmental allergens.

Antihistamine cream Dave was swarmed by fire ants once and having this cream to treat the bits helped ease the pain.

Surgical Gloves When Dave was attacked by said fire ants in Honduras, I tried to brush them off his back, but they swarmed by hands. When another traveler whipped out his surgical gloves and brushed them off quickly, I have carried them ever since.

Scissors Small scissors are good for cutting gauze pads and moleskin and to use for a number of things when traveling. Get a small travel size pair to keep in your kit.

Looking for more help with packing for travel?

  • The Ultimate Travel Packing List (By Professional Travellers)
  • Packing for Europe – Tips That Will Make Your Travel Life Easier
  • Packing for Travel – 6 Tips to Make Your Trip a Breeze
  • The Best Travel Gear and Travel accessories

Insect Repellent Insect Repellent is our number one prevention for diseases that are transmitted through mosquitoes so have a good insect repellant. It is up in the air whether to go Deet free or not. A lot of professionals recommend high Deet content, we prefer more natural products in addition to covering up by wearing light weight long sleeve clothing.

Sunscreen Sunburns can be very serious when traveling. Too many people head to the beach and get severe burns from the tropical sun. We usually cover up and wear hats instead of smothering our bodies with sunscreen. Even when surfing or snorkeling, we wear long-sleeved board shirts and shorts.

Lip Balm A must in my books. Soothes sunburned lips and when trekking or climbing it soothes chapped and wind burned lips. Try to look for a chapstick that has SPF to protect your lips from the sun.

Gold Bond We always swear by Gold Bond powder, it relieves heat rashes and prickly heat. It’s perfect for adventure travel, long treks, and in hot and humid climates

Anti-diarrheal Imodium ( Loperamide ) has been a lifesaver for us in the past during long bus rides.

Elastic Bandage We have sprained ankles and wrists during our travels. You can carry an elastic bandage for knees or ankles and a Triangular Bandage is great to have on hand to put your arm in a sling. Make sure to have some safety pins to go along with it to hold it in place. You only need one of each. Self Adhesive bandages are a good idea to eliminate safety pins and can be used for virtually anything. Plus you don’t need scissors.

Ibuprofen, Decongestants Of course, we always have the usual pain and cold relief medications.  Acetaminophen and Ibuprophin also help reduce fevers should you get sick on the road.

Nexium or Zantac Indigestion and heartburn can occur a lot when traveling, Esomeprazole is great to have in your bag when traveling. Especially when eating a lot of exotic foot.

Eye Drops I suffer from Allergies and it is packaged in a small bottle so eye drops are an essential part of my first aid kit. So for us allergy eye drops are a good choice to reduce allergy symptoms. If you wear contact lenses, you may want to pack moisture drops – before getting Lasi k, my eyes were always dry while traveling.

Essential Oil Tiger Balm or p eppermint essential oil is great for relieving sore muscles and headaches and I use both when my nose is stuffy. Plus it masks odor on long buses or flights. I have sat beside some pretty stinky people.

Adventure Travel Items for First Aid

Not all of these items usually aren’t needed in a regular medical kit, but when traveling to remote destinations or developing countries, we have them on hand.

Rehydration Tablets When dehydration sets in it can be very dangerous. Water won’t do the trick fast enough so we always have rehydration Tablets in our kit to replenish electrolytes fast! We prefer the Nuun brand that we picked up at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Often times we take these tablets when we feel symptoms coming on and they have helped to prevent us from becoming full-blown sick.

Anti-nauseant tablets For Anti-nauseant we use Gravol and it works great. I tend to get motion sickness a lot. Especially on buses and winding roads. Gravol has been my friend on many occasions.

Syringe and Suture Kit We still carry a suture syringe kit to ensure sterile medical supplies and needles when going to remote places. The world is evolving quickly and chances are we won’t need it, but in developing countries and remote locations, we don’t want to take any chances. Note : We have never had to use our suture kit, but it gives us peace of mind in remote locations.

Moleskin Hikers will know Moleskin as a staple piece of adventure gear and hiking to protect your feet. Moleskin is great for treating blisters. It helps to protect against blisters when hiking. No matter how well worn your hiking boots are, blisters can develop, be ready for them with Moleskin. Make sure to have travel scissors on hand.

Cuts and Infections

Antiseptic Wipes For cleaning wounds when traveling, keep a small bottle of saline solution on hand (this will make sure you have clean water) I’ve had a serious infection in Africa when my small cut was infected by unclean water. The best way to clean a wound is with soap and water, so if you have an open cut, a saline solution will guarantee the water is clean. If you don’t have water on hand antiseptic wipes in your kit will be able to clean a wound immediately. Getting the bacteria out fast can prevent infection. You can use the alcohol wipes as double duty, to help keep things light. Saline solution can be bought where contact lenses are sold.

Fucidin Cream This is a prescribed antibiotic cream that treats cuts and scrapes. In a tropical climate, a small cut can lead to infections quickly. We’ve had cuts get infected all over the world and this is the cream all doctors used on our cuts after the infection set in. If we can’t get our hands on prescribed antibiotic cream like Fucidin,  Polysporin is the next best thing.

Tropical First Aid Tips

  • In the tropics, small cuts can become infected quickly and it is important to clean them as soon as they happen.
  • People don’t recommend peroxide or alcohol anymore, but if you don’t have a saline solution and the water is questionable in your destination it is important to use what is on hand to clean the wound immediately any way you can. I’ve had a cut turn into Celulitis within hours and nearly lost my leg to infection. (I’m not exaggerating). In Thailand, we had a motorcycle accident and Dave’s minor burn turned into an ugly mess where he was in the hospital the next day needing a very painful cleaning to get the dead skin removed because we didn’t clean his wound properly. Infections can spread quickly.
  • Then apply a topical antibiotic ointment like Fucidin Cream (Polysporin if you don’t have a prescription) to prevent infection.
  • And finally, keep the wound covered with bandages or band aids to prevent bacteria from getting in.

Prescription Medication

When it comes to prescription medication, we always get it filled before leaving home and keep copies of our prescriptions on hand. We make sure to keep our prescriptions in their original packaging for border crossings and immigration. Here is a list of medications that you may want to talk to a doctor about getting filled before leaving on your trip.

Disclosure: If traveling overseas, it is important to visit a doctor at a travel clinic to see what immunizations and medications we will need depending on your activities and your destination. These are prescriptions we have used in the past that were prescribed by a doctor before leaving Canada.

Malaria There are several Malaria medications you can use, but Malarone works well for us. Malaria is no joke and we personally know people who have had it. Malarone has the least side effects for us, but we have also used Doxycycline or Lariam. (the generic name is Mefloquine) We discuss everything with our doctor to see what is best for us.

Altitude Sickness Apo-Acetazolamide: We like to climb mountains and we always take altitude medication with us. The name brand we use is Diamox. It contains apo-acetazolamide which alleviates altitude symptoms and helps us feel better. But we make sure to follow the instructions exactly and we drink plenty of water to keep us hydrated.

  • Important Note : We pay close attention to how we are feeling when climbing. Prescribed medication can mask altitude sickness so we pay attention to our body and don’t overdo it. If we feel a sick stop and go down to a lower altitude. Read more: Top 10 Tips for Healthy Travel

Diarrhea Unfortunately, we seem to get bad cases of diarrhea when traveling a lot. We keep Ciprofloxacin in our first aid kit and it has saved our bacon many times in our travels when we can’t get to a hospital. Ciprofloxacin is a prescription medication that fights bacterial infections.

Cold Sores and Fever Blisters Acyclovir is a prescription medication for cold sores. Dave has a real problem with fever blisters or Cold Sores acting up in extreme heat. This stuff works wonders. The minute Dave feels a tingle on his lip, he pops 4 pills and the cold sore never comes up.

It is important for us to go to a travel clinic to discuss what vaccines we need for travel. In 2022, COVID vaccines are required to enter many countries, but there are other vaccines that have always been a staple of travel as well. We make sure to go to the travel clinic at least 6 months before our travels as some vaccines require several treatments and boosters. Talk to your doctor for more information. The Government of Canada has a good list of recommended vaccines for countries around the world.

A list of potential travel vaccines are

  • Hepatitis A & B
  • Yellow Fever
  • Japanese Encephalitis
  • Rabies – Rabies shots do not prevent rabies but slow the spread of the infection giving you time to get to the hospital

Water can be iffy in some parts of the world and we like to do our part to help the environment rather than always buying bottled water. Plus, if we are in the back country, we can’t always get to fresh water, so we purify it ourselves. These are the systems we keep in our kit to purify water when in doubt.

Water Purification Systems The main cause of a lot of illnesses when traveling is drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. It’s a good idea to have some sort of water purification system on hand. We carry a SteriPen and our own reusable water bottle. The Steripen purifies water with ultraviolet light in seconds. LifeStraw is another great purification system that we have used in the past.

Water Purification Tablets Water Purification Tablets are good in a pinch. We always buy tablets that do not contain iodine. Even when using a SteriPen and LifeStraw, we keep water purification tablets in our first aid kit as a backup. If we feel the water is really dirty we’ll add a tablet to be safe.

Pro Tip for travel – When it comes to liquids, we put large bottles of liquids into smaller bottles like Gotoobs to keep everything lightweight. We don’t carry a huge bottle of liquid with us, we just keep some in a small plastic bottle should an emergency arise. An insulated water bottle is great for all situations as well.

Planning on traveling and need a first aid kit checklist? Pin to Save to Pinterest for a quick reference

For backpacking, long-term travel, or treks, we do bring everything on this list. For shorter vacations or all-inclusive resorts, we scale it down.

If you want to get started on building your first aid kit, we suggest going to REI in the United States or Mountain Equipment Co-Op in Canada to pick up a basic kit, see what’s inside on this list and then go to the pharmacy and travel clinic to fill in the rest. Or you can purchase a travel first aid kit on Amazon right now.

Travel Insurance – We always travel with travel medical insurance. We have used it several times. Most notably when Dave broke two vertebrae in the Peruvian Amazon. Whenever we are sick beyond what we can treat with our basic medicine kit, we go to the hospital without fear of facing a large bill.

And there you have it. Our complete first aid kit for travel. What did we miss? Let us know in the comments.

  • Travel Safety Tips – How to Have a Safe and Healthy Vacation
  • How to Overcome Your Travel Fears and Anxiety
  • The Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist
  • The Best Travel Gear – Unique Ideas for Smart Packing
  • The Best Anti Theft Travel Bags and Accessories
  • Best Travel Snacks – Tip for Staying Healthy on a Flight
  • Top 10 Tips for Healthy Travel

Travel Planning Resources

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16 thoughts on “How to Pack a Travel First Aid Kit”

Thanks for sharing this emergency kit checklist! Just a quick question though, is there not any survival kits available for those with infants? That would be a very great addition to the variation of kits.

The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and electrolyte disturbances such as potassium deficiency or other salt imbalances.

make a blog about roadeavour travel kit

If you aren’t opposed to vaccinating, I’ve heard the dukoral vaccine was quite helpful in eliminating travelers diarrhea.

Diarrhea is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and electrolyte disturbances such as potassium deficiency or other salt imbalances. In 2009 diarrhea was estimated to have caused 1.1 million deaths in people aged 5 and over. ;`;”

All the best to you http://healthmedicinejournal.com dp Irena Mcglockton

Very extensive list. The only thing I would like to add is something for motion sickness. Not everybody will need this, but for me it’s indispensable. .-= Alyssa @ Femita´s last blog ..The Busy Woman’s Guide to First-aid Travel Kits =-.

Good call, I think Gravol works for motion sickness as well, but there might be something out there that is strictly for motion sickness. I will have to check out your list too! Great to have links to similar posts so that everyone can get info from all angles.

At this point, I’d assume you’re back from your trip. But just in case, I’ve been to Africa twice. You definitely need to bring some lip balm and diarrhea medicine. Those are two that I think i needed the most. And some good bandaids, too. .-= Warren´s last blog .. Iodine Supplements: The Four Best Kinds to Use =-.

Thanks for the additional advice Warren. We have definitely needed some good diarreha medication and lip balm is always in our pocket no matter where we go.

Thanks for the great first aid packing list- it gives us a few new things to add to our travel kit! While traveling, we often used Malarone (expensive, but worth it). We used Cipro only in the most extreme cases, which thankfully were rare, and used Doxycycline for less serious travel bugs. We also couldn’t live without our mosquito net; we used the 4-poster type with bungee cords attached at each end so that we could string it up anywhere…hotels LOVED us! 😉

Hi Jennifer. Excellent advice about the mosquito net. I think that I will have to get one. Doxycycline doesn’t agree with me at all. Luckily we have a health plan and out malarone is 80% covered or else I don’t know what I would do. I had a severe reaction in Vietnam a few years ago to Doxy and had to go to the clinic. Severe mouth and throat ulcers. I was in that 1% bracket. Didn’t take our malaria medication for the next 6 months while in SE Asia. Dave didn’t have a reaction, but he said if you aren’t taking it, I’m not either. (not because of chivalry, but because of laziness:)

And I thought I carried a pharmacy on shorter trips! You’ve done well. Better cover all major possibilities using drugs that you know work for you.

I wonder how some of these drugs would fare up in extreme temperatures.

We have actually had these medications in extreme heat and cold. In the Sudan, we reached temperatures of 50ºCelcius in the sun and everything was fine. The only problem we made was bringing Advil Liquid Caps and they completely melted together and became useless. Keep everything in Pill form and you will be fine. During the same trip we summitted Mount Kilimanjaro and reached temperatures of -30º below Zero. So I must say that these medications stand up well in extreme conditions. Great Question!

Great list! I’ve had cellulitis and it is not to be messed with- I am tyranical about disinfectant now.

I’m going to hold on to this list!

I feel for you. Cellulitis was one of the scariest and most painful experiences of my life. At first I didn’t realize how serious it was, but after 10 days of extreme pain I understood. If I really knew just how dangerous it was at the time, I would have come home rather than visiting different hospitals in Tanzania and Malawi and trying several different kinds of antibiotics. An antibiotic drip in a sanitized hospital would have been far safer than camping in the jungle and riding a dirty and bumpy truck. I am so lucky and like you I don’t take chances anymore!

Ooo – comprehensive and great list guys – def get the Cipro even if the doctor doesn’t give it to you…it saved my life in Laos…along with the re-hydration salts 🙂 Off to tweet this, very good! 🙂

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DIY Mini Travel First Aid Kit

DIY Mini Travel First Aid Kit

What is the best travel first aid kit? The one you make yourself! Outlined below are simple steps to make your own mini travel first aid kit. I also provide free printables for both a travel first aid kit checklist and labels for your kit at the bottom of this post.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

I love a good DIY project and they do not get much better than a DIY first aid kit. You might discover that you already have everything you need to make a mini first aid kit perfect for travel. In fact, I did not have to go out and buy a single item! Best of all, you will be able to tailor your first aid kit to your specific needs and wants.

mini first aid containers

What’s in a travel first aid kit?

So what should a travel first aid kit contain? Honestly, it is a bit subjective. But below are my 12 essentials for a travel first aid kit and the things I like to have on hand when I go on vacation:

  • Three (3) bandages
  • One (1) alcohol wipe
  • One (1) antibiotic ointment package
  • Six (6) pain relievers (specifically ibuprofen)
  • Two (2) allergy pills
  • Two (2) anti-diarrheal pills
  • Four (4) sleeping pills
  • One (1) antacid
  • One (1) cold/sinus pill
  • Two (2) cough drops
  • One (1) anti-itch ointment package

I have yet to use every one of these items on a trip, but I like knowing I have them just in case. They do not take up much room and are there for you in a pinch. I figure I can always buy more (and possibly better) medications while on the road if I need them. But I still feel better about packing just a few necessities. Take a look at your medicine cabinet. That should give you a good idea of what to put in your travel first aid kit.

Where to find travel-sized first aid items

travel first aid manual

Your other option is to buy full-size bottles of your preferred medications (assuming you do not already have them at home like I did) and just pack a few pills. If you do this, you will want to make sure you label your pills and possibly write down some basic instructions.

travel size medications

Where to buy a travel first aid kit

travel first aid manual

A container for your mini travel first aid kit

I like a small first aid kit (hence the word “mini” in the title). Be sure to scale to your comfort level, but I stay small because I rarely need more the 12 items listed above. I also like to pack light.

There are many options for the right container to put your mini travel first aid kit items into. Before you go out and buy something, take a look around your house. I was surprised at the number of things I could repurpose to use for a first-aid kit. Some were more practical than others, but all made viable options. Best of all, I had a plethora of sizes and shapes to choose from.

items for travel first aid kit in a plastic bag

Ideas for mini travel first aid kit containers:

  • Tin container. I had a mini tin in my craft supplies. It is flat and sturdy. I also found an Altoids tin and a Sucrets tin. Both are a good size and have a hinged lid.
  • Prescription pill bottle. My dad gave me a bunch of his empty prescription pill bottles to use for DIY projects. You want to make sure to scrub off the label, but then they are good to go. I have several sizes for different needs. Best of all, these are semi waterproof!
  • Plastic baggie. Easy and cheap. This is what R has used for years. There are plenty of sizes to choose from and if your bag rips or tears, you can easily replace it.
  • Zippered pouch. These have all sorts of intended uses: make up, coins, pencils, etc. But they make a great option for your mini travel first aid kit. You can find different sizes and really fun colors and patterns. I like that they lay flat.
  • Drawstring pouch. Perhaps you do not have various drawstring pouches just sitting around like I do (#craftproblems), but I find them so useful. For this exercise, I decorated my pouch with a red and gold cross symbol. It is adorable.
  • Plastic container. I found several plastic containers among my travel accessories. One was even made for pills! Reusable food containers are also an options, provided they are small enough.
  • Wrap your first aid items up in a bandana or piece of material. The bandana itself may even come in handy in a first-aid situation!
  • If you have the skills, why not make your own container for your mini travel first aid kit? You could sew, crochet or knit a small bag. I do not sew, but even I managed to create a cute pouch from some felt, embroidery thread and leather.

DIY first aid kit cloth bag

Get creative

There are so many possibilities for your mini travel first aid kit. Although I carry the same items on my trips, I sometimes change out the container I pack them in. With cheap DIY options available at your fingertips, I say why not!?!

What not to include in your mini travel first aid kit

I have not included items like medical tape and butterfly bandages. That is my personal preference and a good example of tailoring your mini travel first aid kit specifically to your needs. I have never used nor needed medical tape, so I will not be putting it into my kit. Perhaps you find all sorts of uses for it. Then I recommend you add it. Just remember that the more prepared you are, the more items you will have and the bigger your travel first aid kit will be. If you want to keep it mini, you will have to keep your items to a minimum.

Free DIY mini travel first aid kit printables

It is easy to forget something important while packing (been there, done that). In an effort to help you not forget key first aid items, I have put together a first aid kit checklist and provided it as a free printable. Of course, feel free to use it as a start and make it your own:  DIY Mini Travel First Aid Kit Checklist

DIY mini travel first aid kit checklist free printable

In addition, I have designed a couple of labels for your DIY mini travel first aid kit. This free printable has two different first aid kit labels in five different colors. The document mostly fits to Avery 5663 label template. I had to do a little trimming on some of them. You can also print to a regular piece of paper and glue, tape or mod podge to your heart’s content (that is the beauty of a DIY project):  DIY Mini Travel First Aid Kit Labels

free printable DIY mini travel first aid kit labels avery

What is the best first aid kit for international travel?The one you make yourself. We recommend you pack a few basic first aid items and medications. Your mini travel first aid kit does not have to be fancy. Simply throw a few things together, label them properly and hit the road. Tell us what you pack in your travel first aid kit!

Related posts you might like:

  • What to do if you get sick on vacation
  • DIY travel spice kit
  • DIY airplane facial kit

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Travel First Aid Kit: A Do It Yourself Guide

By: Author Katelyn Michaud

Posted on Last updated: November 25, 2021

Packing – either you love it or hate it. As a Type A person, I love creating lists and checking them twice, but I'm not too fond of it when it comes to packing.

I'm the person throwing random items in her backpack five minutes before she leaves for the airport.

Over the years, I've learned a thing or two about packing.

You never need as much as you think you do, and you probably don't need a down jacket in Costa Rica .

One item that always goes into my backpack first is a small first aid kit.

Always pack a travel first aid kit in your backpack

Perhaps it's because I'm a former ski patroller and outdoor lover, or maybe I'm just over-prepared.

Either way, I always recommend travelers bring a small first aid kit.

You might think I'm silly for telling you that you need a first aid kit, but after your first fall from the uneven cobblestone streets in Europe or your first Tomorrowland festival, you'll thank me later.

While you don't need a Costco-sized first aid kit or a surgical kit, there are a few essential items that every traveler should have in their travel first aid kit.

Prescription Medications

This is probably a no-brainer. If you take prescription medication, then this is number one on your packing list.

This is especially important for things like insulin or EpiPens, as those can save your life while on the road.

If you have diabetes or have a severe allergy, you should wear a medical alert bracelet or something that identifies your medical condition. It could save your life.

For example, I'm allergic to amoxicillin and thus can't be given an antibiotic in the penicillin family.

When I travel, I wear my RoadID , which has my name, emergency contact, allergies, and the fact that I'm an organ donor.

I started wearing it while training for triathlons, but I quickly realized RoadIDs are great for traveling too.

Over-the-Counter Medications

You don't need to bring bottles upon bottles of meds. It just doesn't make sense.

I'll buy travel-size containers of pain meds and put TUMS in little snack-size baggies.

For the most part, you can always buy over-the-counter medications in the country you're going so you don't need to take much.

You just need enough to tide you over for a few days if you get food poisoning at 2 a.m.

If you're traveling in a rural area for extended periods, I would suggest a bigger supply as some medications are hard to come by in rural villages.

Items to include:

  • Advil (Ibuprofen)
  • Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
  • TUMS or Pepto-Bismol (Antacid)
  • Anti-itch Cream
  • Motion Sickness Pills
  • Valerian Root or Melatonin Pills

Shopping for over-the-counter medication in foreign countries can be challenging if you don't know the active ingredient in each brand-name medication.

Chances are you're not going to see Pepto-Bismol in the middle of the Amazon jungle. Brazil probably has its own brand.

Below is a list of common US-brand named over-the-counter medications with their active ingredients:

  • Bayer (Aspirin)
  • Advil or Motrin (Ibuprofen)
  • Aleve (Naproxen)
  • Pepto-Bismol (Bismuth subsalicylate)
  • TUMS (Calcium carbonate)

Let's face it. We all fall and cut ourselves at some point in life. Trying to find someone with a Band-Aid in a foreign country can be difficult.

If you're adventurous and plan to do some trekking during your travels, you might want to consider taking more items, but the basics should suffice for most travelers.

  • Band-Aids of varying sizes
  • Antiseptic wipes or ointment
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Gauze pads (or Maxi pads)*
  • Medical tape*
  • Instant ice pack*

(*) Items recommended for adventure travelers

Other Bonus Items

Moleskin – If you're doing a lot of trekking or walking, moleskin can save your feet. Blisters are no fun!

Water purification tablets – Iodine or other forms of water purification tablets are helpful to have on hand, especially if you're trekking or traveling in very rural areas. If you're mostly sticking to cities, don't bother.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) – Cipro is commonly prescribed by travel doctors for severe diarrhea. This is something you can generally get in any country, but it's nice to have on hand if you need it at 3 a.m. Most doctors will prescribe this for you when you go in for travel vaccinations. I carry it just in case but have never needed it.

I had to use my travel first aid kit for the first time in Greece when a friend got whacked in the head by one of the cabin doors of our yacht.

You never know where you or someone could get injured. That's why it's also a good idea to get First Aid and CPR certification .

While it is always good to be prepared, it is also essential to know how to get help in any country you are visiting.

You can't just call 911 and get an ambulance.

Hopefully, you will never need it, but being prepared for the worst can save you or someone else's life.

And that is why my travel first aid kit is always the first item in my backpack.

travel first aid manual

Katelyn is a freelance writer, healthcare analyst, and solo budget traveler currently based in Portland, Maine (USA). Next winter she is embarking on her Great Escape around the world and landing in Australia for a working holiday visa. Outside of her professional life, Katelyn teaches spin and boot camp classes at several location gyms and is a competitive triathlete finishing Ironman Lake Placid in 2013. You can follow her adventures on Diaries of a Wandering Lobster.

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

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Friday 4th of March 2016

Hey Kately,

I posted a link at our Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/I-Love-the-Outdoors-176879582691607/

Thanks for putting together the information. I am in the middle of developing a first aid kit so would love to chat if you have time. Send me a message at [email protected] when you have time.

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The 6 Best First Aid Kits for Travel 2024

Stay prepared with compact, pre-made first aid kits fit for any adventure.

Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.

travel first aid manual

In This Article

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Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa

First aid kits are often one of the most overlooked travel accessories, even though they can make or break your vacation experience. In best-case scenarios, you won’t ever need it, but on the off-chance you do, it’ll quickly prove to be one of the most savvy additions to your packing list. First aid kits come in handy for help with everything from headaches and dehydration to cuts, scrapes, and bites, or even sprained appendages. 

For expert insight on what to look for in a travel first aid kit and why they are one of the most essential travel accessories, we spoke with Raelene Brooks, PhD, RN, Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Phoenix. Based on our research and experience and Brooks’ expert advice, we compared various top-selling travel first aid kits on the market, making sure to consider the overall size, number of items, variation of ailments covered, and variety of items included. The waterproofed Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .5 first aid kit is our favorite thanks to its wide array of wellness gear despite its compact size — but if you’re looking for something a little different, we’ve got plenty of great first aid kit picks below.

Best Overall

Adventure medical kit ultralight watertight .5.

It treats a wide variety of issues and comes in a lightweight, double-waterproof pouch.

The bag lacks any interior organization.

The Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight Watertight .5 is our go-to first aid kit for travel. We’ve traveled around the globe, staying in posh safari lodges and in backpacker hostels with this kit and it has never let us down. It comes with over 40 pieces of first aid to help tackle everything from splinters and blisters to minor cuts or scrapes to bug bites. We like that it also comes with two doses of various over-the-counter pain relievers, plus antihistamine, antibiotic ointment, and tools to remove ticks and fasten bandages. You’ll also get a good variety and number of bandages and wound dressings. We’ve found that it’s also easy to replace these items as needed while on the go. Fully stocked, the contents are enough to cover one person for about two days (with the same affliction).

Standout features are the durable double-waterproof bagging (which comes in clutch on rainy days, winter road trips , and water adventures and also in case of spills or heavy humidity), the minimal 3.6-ounce weight, and two exterior corner loops that make it easy to clip the kit onto your backpack for easy access. The bright yellow color makes it easy to find in a pinch, though we will say that the lack of interior organization may cause some people to fumble through the contents of the bag trying to find what they need (not ideal in an emergency situation). 

The Details: 5.5 x 11 x 1 inches | 43 pieces

Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go Kit

It covers bandage basics and leaves room for you to customize your kit.

The included items will likely help minor cuts or scrapes only.

If you’re just looking for the bare minimum of what you might need while out on a trip, the Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go kit is your best bet. This smaller-than-your-hand-sized kit contains 12 first aid items, mostly centered around minor scrapes and cuts. You’ll get sterilizing wipes, two sizes of bandages, and a couple of gauze pads — all tucked and stored nicely in a sturdy plastic case with a snap-tight closure. There’s no medicine or tools in the case, but there’s plenty of room left in the case to add your own custom extras to beef up the kit (which is what we’ve done in the past) such as over-the-counter pain pills, prescription medication, allergy pills, cotton swabs, tweezers, or other travel-sized first aid items. It’s still a great and convenient kit to just toss into your day bag or day tripper waist bag.

The Details: 3.8 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches | 12 pieces

Best Comprehensive

First aid only all-purpose essentials first aid kit.

It includes items that many other kits leave out, like a thermometer and gloves.

You may want to upgrade with your own OTC medicines.

This nearly 300-piece kit contains everything you’d need to use in an accident situation involving burns, cuts, or scrapes — down to the disposable gloves, scissors, and a thermometer. Like most kits, it’s heavily focused on bandages, and includes a variety of adhesive, fabric, and gauze bandages, as well as butterfly wound closure bandages, knuckle bandages, and fingertip bandages. You’ll also get key ointments and wipes to treat burns and stings, and fight germs. Additional tools include a tongue depressor (which also doubles as a finger splint), thermal blanket, cold pack, and tweezers. Impressively, all this and more fits inside a double-sided zippered case no larger than the usual toiletry bag. Although it’s packed with first aid accessories, we would like to see more medicine included.

The Details: 9.25 x 2.87 x 7 inches | 298 pieces

Best for International Travel

My medic ready mini first aid kit.

It comes with individually-packaged, ailment-specific mods that cover a wide range of first aid needs.

It’s a little bigger than we’d like.

When traveling to a foreign country, acquiring some first aid items may be more difficult due to a language barrier, overall access, or how the healthcare system works. The My Medic Ready Mini First Aid Kit is packed full of first aid accessories to cover everything from allergies to cuts to suspect water quality. The exterior is water-resistant and easy to wipe clean, while reinforced zippers also help keep water out. Inside, two mesh stash pockets are loaded with My Medic color-coded mods — individually packaged kits containing items to treat specific issues — so you can easily find what you need. Standout features include pieces for wound irrigation, a digital first aid and survival tips guide, a flashlight, hydration packets, water purification tablets, and a whistle. We’re also big fans of thoughtful items like hydrocortisone cream, friction frosting, and petroleum jelly. We appreciate that the kit is small enough to hold in one hand, but it can still feel like it’s taking up a fair amount of packing space.

The Details: 7.5 x 4 x 7.5 inches | 100 pieces

Best for Kids

Keepgoing first aid gokit.

It’s a TSA-approved first aid kit designed with kids’ needs in mind.

It doesn’t include any medicines.

Looking for a cheery take on a first aid kit? KeepGoing First Aid GoKit comes in multiple, cute kid-friendly patterns to help make the first aid experience a bit brighter. The kit comes with 130 pieces of first aid items ranging from bandages to moleskins and disposable thermometers — all with kid-friendly patterned packaging. Some of the standout features include tick removers, cotton-tipped applicators, trauma scissors, and 20 stickers to award brave kids. While this kit does come with a good assortment of creams (hydrocortisone, burn relief, lip balm, and antibiotic), it doesn’t have any medicine included, so you may want to add your own.

The Details: 6.75 x 5 x 2 inches | 130 pieces

Best for Dogs

Adventure medical kits me & my dog.

It’s a kit that can be used for both you and your dog!

For dogs, it mainly centers around the treatment of paw injuries.

You do everything with your dog, so why not share a first aid kit? We love this kit because you don’t have to pack two different kits; you and your dog can both be helped with the contents in this one kit. The Adventure Medical Kits Me and My Dog Kit has bandages, gauze dressings, antiseptic wipes, wound irrigation, and sterile gloves for cuts and other wounds. It also has two doses of aspirin and antihistamine each, a cold compress and wrap for sprains, and key first aid tools like trauma scissors, tick removal tweezers, a thermal emergency blanket, and a leash. One of the bandages doubles as a muzzle for scared pups, and if you’re unsure how to apply any of the items to your furry best friend, there’s also a pet first aid manual to help guide you. Since this is a simple zippered case, it could be worth adding some medications as advised by your vet as this kit mainly covers injuries from walking and not other hazards like foreign object ingestion or non-paw maladies.

The Details: 7.5 x 3.5 x 5.3 inches | 48 pieces

Tips for Buying a Travel First Aid Kit

Prioritize size and durability.

In a best-case scenario, you won’t ever have to use your travel first aid kit, so it will be traveling with you often. Give extra points to kits that are durable enough to survive multiple trips and that come in a size that can be packed in all different travel situations (think lightweight and compact).

Check how many people can be treated with the kit

Consider your travel group size when buying a travel first aid kit. Does one kit cover the entire family or just one or two people? Be sure to pack enough first aid to treat each person you’re responsible for.

Consider the conditions and risk of your trip

Different trips will dictate the exact items you’ll need in your first aid kit. Look for kits that can address specific dangers or injuries you may face on your trip, from sunburns to sprains and insect bites to serious cuts.

Carrying a first aid kit on your travels stocks you with essential life-saving items that can help provide temporary care during an emergency situation until help can arrive, Brooks says. She also adds that locating these items in a foreign country or when traveling can be difficult, making it best for travelers to have their own kits on hand.

According to Brooks, some of the most essential items a kit should include are medical tape, compression wound dressing, gauze, irrigation wound wash, antiseptic/antibiotic ointment, alcohol pads, cleaning/prep pads, and assorted sizes of blister strips and bandages. She also says it’s useful to have pills to treat motion sickness, allergies, and mild pain, plus cold packs, wound closure materials, a thermal blanket, hydration packets, and even a multi-purpose plastic bag that can be used as a splint, as gloves, or as a CPR shield.

Buy products that cover the essential must-have first aid kit items, and then add any specialty custom items for your specific travel situation, activities, or health concerns. For example, Brooks advises that anyone with asthma include an albuterol inhaler, while travelers with diabetes should include some candies or glucose for low blood sugar. Those with cardiac issues should pack nitroglycerin tablets or spray, along with aspirin.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure? 

For this list, Katherine Alex Beaven talked to a medical professional about essential items that should be in a travel first aid kit. Alex also considered kits based on her own 15 years of personal experience as a frequent, accident-prone traveler. While researching first aid kits for travel, we spoke with Raelene Brooks , PhD, RN, Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Phoenix .

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The 7 Best Travel First Aid Kits for Unexpected Emergencies [2023]

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Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

The 7 Best Travel First Aid Kits for Unexpected Emergencies [2023]

Things To Consider in a First Aid Kit

1. full travel first aid set with 300 pieces, 2. complete medical and survival kit for traveling, 3. small package first aid kit for short journeys, 4. mini kit with 27 medical essentials, 5. mini first aid pack with crush-resistant bag, 6. bandage and pain relief balm pack, 7. great for minor first aid interventions, final thoughts.

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Injuries happen without respect for time or location, and traveling without a first aid kit is asking for trouble.

That’s why it’s important to have a handy and compact first aid kit that includes a wound disinfection component, gauze pads, and adhesive tape to keep the gauze fixed. These elements can help you prevent wound infection if you end up getting a cut while on the move.

To be fully prepared, you need to ensure that your first aid kit is well-equipped, so let’s take a look at what you should look for.

First Aif Kit

Before buying a first aid travel kit, you should consider a few factors to help you make the right decision. Not every kit is suitable for all types of injuries, so you may have to prioritize.

You should also consider how well the first aid kit fits into your luggage or backpack and whether it has enough space for you to add personal medication .

Finally, the medical pieces included can vary greatly, as some kits mainly consist of gauze pads, while others are filled with items for more serious injuries. Here are some of the main features to consider before buying a first aid kit for traveling.

Compact Size

First Aid Kit Compact Size

Every usable travel first aid kit comes with a carrying bag, so consider whether the size of the bag fits into your luggage . It largely depends on the number of items included, as some kits come with 100 medical pieces and others with up to 300.

Bottom Line: To help you decide on your size needs, consider the number of people going on the trip and how long you will be away.

Medical Pieces

There are differences in the contents of each first aid kit, but some items are essential. When buying a first aid kit for traveling, make sure it comes with gauze pads, medical tape, bandages, antiseptics, gloves, trauma dressing, and scissors .

These are just some of the items you can use to disinfect and dress a wound to make sure it’s clean until you get back to your hotel or reach a hospital in the case of more serious wounds.

Number of Pieces

First Aid Kit Number of Pieces

If you are going on a trip for a day or 2, the chances are that basic first aid kits will suffice. However, if you are going on a longer trip, especially with your family or friends, you need to bring a well-equipped kit.

These often include up to 300 pieces in a set and will almost certainly be sufficient for any injury you might suffer. It’s always a good idea to bring a well-equipped kit on trips to faraway destinations — just in case.

First Aid Kit Labels

If you plan on bringing personal medication in combination with all the medical pieces in a first aid kit, you should put labels on every medication . By doing so, you will prevent confusion if you need to use a certain item in case of an emergency.

Bottom Line: Wherever you’re headed, a first aid kit is part of any list of essentials for camping , hiking , or the beach .

The 7 Best Travel First Aid Kits

Covering a range of sizes for different lengths of trips, this list includes some of the best medical sets you can use for first aid.

BEST OVERALL: First Aid Only 298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Emergency Kit

First Aid Only All-Purpose Essentials Soft-Sided First Aid Kit

This set is a complete yet compact travel solution with dimensions suitable for travel at a 9.2-inch length and 7-inch height. The First Aid Only complete first aid kit comes with 300 pieces and only weighs a pound while catering to all sorts of emergencies and smaller injuries .

Because of its size, it’s even a great solution for short trips. It comes with a hygienic medical preservation bag where all the items are stored. The bag also keeps the items inside organized and labeled, so you can easily find whatever you might need.

It fits into a backpack or a travel bag, and some of the most important pieces include adhesive bandages of all sizes, antibiotic ointment, butterfly wound closures, applicators, and gauze pads.

What We Like:

  • A compact and complete medical set

What We Don’t Like:

  • Doesn’t leave much room for personal medication

UPGRADE PICK: EVERLIT 250 Pieces Survival First Aid Kit

EVERLIT 250 Pieces Survival First Aid Kit

If you are looking for a complete survival set for tackling nature, rather than just a medical first aid kit, the Everlit survival kit is a perfect option. It comes with 250 pieces of medical supplies, including some useful survival kit additions.

It has all the medical essentials like alcohol prep pads, adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads, safety pins, cotton tips , and cotton balls . You can also find a CPR mask, metal tweezers, scissors, PVC gloves, and other equipment.

As for the survival supplies, there’s a tactical EMT molle bag, disposable poncho, fire starter , tactical flashlight, and a glow stick, in case you plan on spending some time in nature.

  • The survival essentials
  • The bag might be a bit bulky

Mini First Aid Kit

Mini First Aid Kit 110 Pieces Small First Aid Kit

Those in pursuit of a small and compact first aid kit will be surprised at how many essentials can fit into this small package. The mini first aid kit from General Medi has 110 pieces, including some surprising additions like an emergency foil blanket, a CPR respirator, and scissors .

As for the run-of-the-mill medical supplies it contains, there are adhesive plasters, sterile gauze pads, cleaning swabs, a conforming bandage, and a triangular bandage. You can also find alcohol prep pads and antiseptic towelettes among the contents.

The small package made of waterproof nylon with a zip opening ensures that your medical supplies are safe and compact enough for carrying anywhere.

  • Small and compact
  • No room in the bag for personal medication

Coleman All Purpose Mini First Aid Kit - 27 Pieces

Coleman All Purpose Mini First Aid Kit

A unique option for those who want only the essentials is the Coleman All Purpose mini first aid kit. This solution comes in a small pack of 0.88 x 3.88 inches, so it can easily fit into any backpack pocket or travel bag storage space.

Despite its tiny size, it provides all the essentials. The kit comes with 27 items, including 2 butterfly bandages, large safety pins, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, and 1 razor blade.

This set provides all the basics you might need in case of a small injury, and the embedded cross logo makes it easier to find it in your baggage.

  • Its small size
  • Limited supplies

Mini First Aid Kit, 100 Pieces

THRIAID Mini First Aid Kit 100 Pieces Water-Resistant Hard Shell

If you want a sturdy container for your medical supplies, you can benefit from using the Thriaid mini first aid pack. It comes with a hard-shell carrying bag that’s crush-resistant and water-resistant , so you can feel at ease knowing all your medical essentials are safe.

This pack comes with more than 100 medical necessities for first aid, all inside of a useful bag that can be repurposed. In case of injuries, you can rely on internationally-certified products for wound disinfection and tending.

The contents include disposal gloves, scissors, an antiseptic towelette, different sizes of bandages and gauze pads, and adhesive plasters.

  • The crush-resistant shell
  • Zipper bag should be sensitively handled

Hot Tip: You may need to check any luggage that contains scissors that are longer than 4 inches from the pivot point. See more details in our guide to the items you can and cannot bring through TSA security .

Welly Excursion Kit

Welly First Aid Travel Kit Bravery Balm Kit

Welly’s Bravery Balm travel kit includes just enough items for 1 person to use to tend to cuts and abrasions while traveling. The set includes 1 small tin box that’s 4 inches long and 1.7 inches wide, and everything fits right into it.

The pack includes 13 essentials such as Bravery Balm triple antibiotic and pain relief ointment . The Welly set also includes 12 flexible fabric bandages of standard sizes.

  • Perfect for solo travel
  • Lacks some medical equipment like scissors and gloves

Johnson & Johnson First First Aid Kit Travel Size

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit Travel Size Pack

If you’re looking for a small first aid kit that’s great for minor interventions, this Johnson & Johnson kit likely has just what you need. It’s small enough for traveling and comes in 3 identical small medical packs.

While this set might not be enough for treating major wounds, you can treat small injuries perfectly well. The set comes with 12 pieces in each pack and includes hand cleansing wipes, gauze pads, band-aids, and adhesive plasters . These sets fit into any travel bag for easy portability, even on short trips.

  • A carrying bag isn’t included

Your choice of first aid kit all comes down to the type of travel you are planning in terms of the length of your trip and the number of people that will use the kit.

All of the listed options are great for minor interventions, while sets like the First Aid Only 300-piece pack serve as a more comprehensive solution. The size of a kit is also a factor to consider, as you will need one that fits easily into your luggage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you look for in a first aid kit.

The most important medical supplies you should have at your disposal while traveling includes gauze pads, bandages, antiseptics, and antibiotic ointment. You might also need medical tape and tweezers. Keep in mind that a first aid kit is only meant to treat minor injuries.

How many items should be in a first aid box?

It depends on your needs, including the length of your trip and the number of people in your group, but they range from 12 pieces to over 300 pieces. You should always opt for a compact kit that still has as many supplies as you need.

Do first aid sets include CPR essentials?

Some better-equipped first aid kits include CPR masks along with regular medical essentials but most mini travel first aid kits do not.

What’s the best first aid travel kit size?

If you are like most travelers, chances are you don’t have much room to spare in your luggage. So look for a compact solution, some of which can fit more than 100 pieces in a bag or case no longer than 10 inches.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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First Aid Kits on Airline Flights

First aid kits on airline flights are adequate to respond to most in-flight emergencies. However, if you want to take a travel first aid kit with you to your destination, you may want to keep it in checked baggage or you must remove banned first aid items from your kit. Here is a list of approved first aid items that travelers can carry on airline flights.

Most first aid items are relatively soft and not very dangerous to the average flight crew. Those items are still welcome in carry-on baggage for domestic airline flights in the United States. Flights overseas have, in most cases, banned all except essential items from carry-on bags. The approved first aid items for domestic airline flights include:

  • Bandage scissors (blades less than four inches)
  • Roller gauze
  • Triangular bandages
  • Elastic bandages
  • Adhesive bandages
  • Pain relievers
  • Barrier devices for CPR

Allowed in Limited Quantities

Heightened security on airline flights has led to restrictions on all liquids and gels. Solid items are still available, such as stick antiperspirants or lip balms. Here are restricted items commonly found in a first aid kit:

  • Hand cleaner
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Insect bite swabs

None of these liquids or gels can be in a container larger than 3 fl oz (100 ml) and all liquids and gels must fit into a single quart-sized resealable baggie.

Allowed With Permission From Security Personnel

Some first aid items must be approved for carry-on by security personnel prior to boarding domestic airline flights. These first aid items are usually essential supplies for specific medical conditions. It is important to declare these first aid and medical items while proceeding through airport security. These items will be allowed on domestic airline flights after inspection:

  • Glucose gels or liquids including juice for diabetic passengers (cannot be more than 5oz or 148ml)
  • Diabetic supplies including syringes, lancets, glucometers, pumps, etc.
  • Epinephrine auto-injector
  • Other medication and pumps such as Flolan for primary pulmonary hypertension
  • Nitroglycerin spray
  • 4oz or less of essential non-prescription gel or liquid medications (eye care, saline, sterile lubricant, etc.)
  • Liquid prescription medication if the label matches the name of the passenger

Talk to Security

Airport security will have to make decisions every day regarding medical supplies. If you have an essential need such as wound care items on a long flight, for example, speak to security about it. Safety on airline flights is important for all of us, but security officers will try to be reasonable regarding passengers' medical needs.

U.S. Transportation Security Administration. What can I bring?

U.S. Transportation Security Administration. Liquid rule.

By Rod Brouhard, EMT-P Rod Brouhard is an emergency medical technician paramedic (EMT-P), journalist, educator, and advocate for emergency medical service providers and patients.

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What To Put In A Travel First Aid Kit

Published: September 19, 2023

Modified: December 27, 2023

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what-to-put-in-a-travel-first-aid-kit

Introduction

Traveling can be an exciting and enriching experience, but it’s always important to prioritize your safety and well-being, especially when venturing into unfamiliar territories. One essential item that should be on every traveler’s packing list is a well-stocked travel first aid kit. Whether you’re exploring remote destinations, embarking on adventurous activities, or simply dealing with common travel ailments, having a travel first aid kit on hand can provide peace of mind and immediate assistance when needed.

A well-prepared travel first aid kit is not only a smart precaution, but it can also save you from unnecessary stress and inconvenience. While it’s easy to assume that you won’t encounter any health issues while traveling, accidents, illnesses, and minor injuries can happen when you least expect them. By having a travel first aid kit, you can address minor injuries and ailments promptly, preventing them from escalating into more serious conditions.

When assembling your travel first aid kit, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your destination and activities. While there are some universal essentials that every travel first aid kit should contain, additional items may be necessary based on your personal circumstances. In this article, we will guide you through the essentials to include in your travel first aid kit, from medications and treatments to bandages and dressings, tools and instruments, personal safety and protection items, and miscellaneous items.

Remember, a properly stocked travel first aid kit should not only include a comprehensive range of supplies but also be compact and easily portable. It’s important to ensure that all items are well organized and easily accessible, so you can quickly locate what you need, especially in moments of urgency.

Essentials for a Travel First Aid Kit

When it comes to assembling a travel first aid kit, there are certain essentials that should never be overlooked. These items will help you handle common travel ailments and minor injuries.

1. Antiseptic Wipes or Solution: These are essential for cleaning wounds and preventing infection. Look for individually wrapped wipes or a small bottle of antiseptic solution.

2. Adhesive Bandages: Also known as band-aids, these are useful for covering minor cuts, blisters, or abrasions. Make sure to include a variety of sizes to cater to different wounds.

3. Sterile Gauze Pads: These are necessary for dressing larger wounds or applying pressure to stop bleeding. Include a few sterile gauze pads of different sizes.

4. Medical Tape: Use medical tape to secure bandages or gauze in place. Opt for a hypoallergenic tape that won’t irritate the skin.

5. Tweezers: A pair of sterilized tweezers is handy for removing splinters or foreign objects from the skin.

6. Scissors: Include a small pair of scissors for cutting tape, gauze, or clothing if needed.

7. Pain Relievers: Pack a small supply of over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate headaches, muscle pain, or fever.

8. Antihistamines: These are useful in managing allergic reactions, insect bites, or mild allergic symptoms. Consult with a healthcare professional to determine the right antihistamine for your needs.

9. Zinc Oxide Cream: This cream can provide relief for minor skin irritations, including rashes, sunburns, or insect bites.

10. Oral Rehydration Salts: These are essential for replenishing electrolytes and staying hydrated in case of diarrhea, vomiting, or dehydration.

Remember to regularly check the expiration dates of the items in your first aid kit and replenish any used or expired supplies. Additionally, consider packing any prescription medications that you may need during your travel period, along with copies of your prescriptions.

With these essential items in your travel first aid kit, you’ll be well-prepared to handle common travel mishaps and ensure your health and well-being during your journey.

Medications and Treatments

In addition to the basic essentials, it’s important to include medications and treatments in your travel first aid kit to address specific health concerns or pre-existing conditions. While it’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before traveling, here are some common medications and treatments to consider packing:

1. Prescription Medications: If you have any prescription medications, be sure to include an ample supply for the duration of your trip. Keep them in their original labeled containers to avoid any confusion or issues with customs.

2. Painkillers: Alongside over-the-counter pain relievers, you may want to include stronger painkillers or anti-inflammatories, especially if you have chronic pain conditions or are prone to migraines.

3. Allergy Medications: If you have known allergies, be sure to pack antihistamines or an epinephrine auto-injector for severe allergies. Also, consider any specific allergy medications, such as nasal sprays or eye drops, that you may need.

4. Motion Sickness Medication: If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider including some motion sickness medication in your first aid kit, especially if you’ll be traveling by car, boat, or plane.

5. Diarrhea Medication: Traveler’s diarrhea is a common ailment, so pack some over-the-counter medication to relieve symptoms and bring oral rehydration salts to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes.

6. Antacids: To address indigestion or heartburn, include some antacid tablets or liquid in your first aid kit.

7. Topical Creams and Ointments: In case of minor skin irritations, cuts, or burns, pack some antibiotic ointments, hydrocortisone cream for itching, and aloe vera gel for sunburn relief.

8. Eye Drops: If you wear contact lenses or suffer from dry eyes, include lubricating eye drops in your first aid kit.

Remember to check the expiration dates of all medications and replace them accordingly. It’s also a good idea to carry a small medical information card with your allergies, medical conditions, and emergency contact details, just in case.

Keep in mind that certain medications may have restrictions or require additional documentation when traveling internationally. Research the specific regulations of your destination country and consult with your healthcare provider or travel clinic prior to your trip.

By including medications and treatments in your travel first aid kit, you can better address any unforeseen health issues that may arise during your travels.

Bandages and Dressings

Bandages and dressings are essential components of any travel first aid kit. They are designed to protect wounds, provide support, and promote healing. Here are some bandages and dressings to include in your travel first aid kit:

1. Adhesive Bandages: These are commonly known as band-aids and are used to cover small cuts, blisters, or abrasions. Opt for different sizes to cater to various wound sizes.

2. Sterile Gauze Pads and Rolls: These are used to dress larger wounds or as a primary layer before applying bandages. Include a variety of sizes to suit different wound types.

3. Self-Adhesive Elastic Bandages: Also known as cohesive bandages or self-adhesive wraps, these stretchy bandages are useful for providing support to sprains, strains, or joint injuries.

4. Sterile Eye Pads and Eye Dressings: If you’re engaging in activities that pose a risk to the eyes, such as water sports or dusty environments, it’s wise to include sterile eye pads and dressings in your kit.

5. Non-Stick Wound Dressings: These dressings are designed with a non-adherent surface to prevent them from sticking to wounds and causing further pain or damage. They are ideal for burns, larger abrasions, or surgical wounds.

6. Sterile Disposable Gloves: It’s important to include a pair of disposable gloves to protect yourself and maintain proper hygiene when dressing wounds or performing any first aid procedures.

7. Butterfly Closures: These adhesive strips are useful for holding the edges of a deep cut close together, promoting proper healing and reducing the risk of scarring.

8. Medical Tapes: Include a roll of medical tape to secure bandages or dressings in place. Look for a hypoallergenic tape that won’t cause irritation or skin damage.

Remember to regularly check the expiration dates of bandages and dressings and replace them as needed. It’s also a good idea to include a small pair of clean scissors in your kit to help cut dressings or tapes to the desired size.

By having a variety of bandages and dressings in your travel first aid kit, you’ll be prepared to address different types of wounds and injuries that may occur during your journey.

Tools and Instruments

When assembling a travel first aid kit, it’s important to include a variety of tools and instruments that can assist you in administering first aid or addressing minor medical issues. Here are some essential tools and instruments to include in your kit:

1. Thermometer: A digital thermometer is essential for monitoring body temperature and detecting fever, which can be a symptom of various illnesses.

2. Disposable Syringes and Needles: These are useful for administering medication or for specific medical conditions that require injection.

3. Splinter Tweezers: A pair of fine-pointed tweezers is handy for removing splinters, thorns, or any other foreign objects embedded in the skin.

4. Safety Pins: Safety pins can be used for securing bandages or makeshift slings in case of a sprain or strain.

5. Instant Cold Packs: These disposable cold packs provide instant relief for minor sprains, strains, or bruises by reducing swelling and pain.

6. Small Magnifying Glass: A magnifying glass can be useful for examining small wounds or foreign objects that may be hard to see with the naked eye.

7. CPR Breathing Mask: Include a pocket-sized CPR breathing mask with a one-way valve to ensure proper protection during emergency resuscitation.

8. Medical Scissors: A small pair of medical scissors is essential for cutting tapes, clothing, or other materials when providing first aid.

9. Hand Sanitizer: Cleanliness is crucial when administering first aid. Include a small bottle of hand sanitizer to disinfect your hands before and after administering any treatment.

10. Disposable Instant Blood Lancets: These can be used for obtaining blood samples in emergency situations or for specific medical conditions.

Remember to consider the specific needs and activities of your trip when packing tools and instruments. For example, if you’ll be engaging in outdoor activities, including a compact multi-tool with a knife can be useful in a variety of situations.

By including these essential tools and instruments in your travel first aid kit, you’ll be equipped to handle minor medical issues and administer appropriate first aid when needed.

Personal Safety and Protection Items

When traveling, it’s important to prioritize your personal safety and protection. Including the following items in your travel first aid kit will help ensure that you’re prepared to handle any potential risks or emergencies:

1. Hand Sanitizer: Germs can be easily spread while traveling. Carry a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer to maintain good hand hygiene, especially when soap and water are not readily available.

2. Insect Repellent: Depending on your destination, insects can pose a threat in the form of bites or disease transmission. Include an insect repellent with at least 20% DEET to protect against mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests.

3. Sunscreen: Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by packing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF. Apply it generously and reapply throughout the day, especially if you’ll be spending long periods outdoors.

4. Hat and Sunglasses: Shield your face and eyes from the sun by bringing a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

5. Travel Flashlight: A small pocket-sized flashlight can come in handy during emergencies or if you find yourself in areas with poor lighting.

6. Travel Whistle: In case of emergencies, carry a lightweight whistle that can be used to alert others or attract attention.

7. Inflatable Travel Pillow: A comfortable travel pillow can help prevent neck strain during long journeys and provide much-needed rest while on the move.

8. Waterproof and Floatable Phone Case: Protect your phone from water damage and have peace of mind if you’re engaging in water activities or facing inclement weather.

9. Personal Medications and Medical Alert Bracelet: If you have any specific medical conditions or allergies, make sure to carry your medications and wear a medical alert bracelet to alert others in case of an emergency.

10. Emergency Contact Card: Include a card with emergency contact information, including phone numbers of family members, healthcare providers, and your embassy or consulate.

It’s important to research and understand any specific safety concerns or precautions related to your travel destination. For example, if you’re going to an area known for natural disasters or political unrest, consider including additional safety items such as a whistle, face mask, or emergency blanket.

By including these personal safety and protection items in your travel first aid kit, you’ll be better prepared to handle unforeseen situations and ensure a safe and secure trip.

Miscellaneous Items

In addition to the essentials, there are certain miscellaneous items that can be useful to include in your travel first aid kit. These items can come in handy in various situations and add an extra layer of preparedness. Here are some miscellaneous items to consider:

1. Disposable Face Masks: In today’s world, having a few disposable face masks can be invaluable for protecting yourself and others from respiratory illnesses or in crowded environments.

2. Handheld Mirror: A small handheld mirror can be useful for examining hard-to-see areas of the body, such as the back or scalp, when checking for rashes, irritation, or insect bites.

3. Ziplock Bags: These versatile bags can be used for storing used or soiled items, keeping medications dry, or organizing small items within your first aid kit.

4. Emergency Poncho: A lightweight and compact emergency poncho can protect you from unexpected rain showers or provide a makeshift shelter if needed.

5. Safety Pins: Safety pins can be used for quick fixes, securing clothing, or even improvising in emergency situations if other fasteners break or become lost.

6. Earplugs: When traveling in noisy environments or during long flights, earplugs can help provide a more peaceful and restful experience.

7. Water Purification Tablets: If you’re traveling to areas with questionable water sources, including water purification tablets can help ensure access to safe drinking water.

8. Multi-Purpose Tool: A compact multi-purpose tool such as a Swiss Army knife can be handy for various tasks, from cutting ropes to opening packages.

9. Notepad and Pen: Having a small notepad and pen can help in recording important information, such as emergency contact numbers, directions, or any symptoms you may experience.

10. Portable Charger: Keep a portable charger or power bank in your kit to ensure you always have a way to charge your phone, especially in emergencies or when traveling in areas with limited access to power outlets.

Remember, the inclusion of miscellaneous items in your travel first aid kit should be based on your specific travel plans, destination, and personal preferences. Think about the activities you’ll be doing, the climate you’ll be in, and any potential challenges you may encounter along the way.

By including these miscellaneous items in your travel first aid kit, you’ll be better equipped to handle unexpected situations and make your journey safer and more comfortable.

A well-stocked travel first aid kit is an essential companion for any traveler. It ensures that you have the necessary supplies to address minor injuries, common ailments, and potential emergencies during your journey. By assembling a comprehensive and compact kit, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are prepared to handle unforeseen health issues.

In this article, we have outlined the essential items to include in your travel first aid kit, from medications and treatments to bandages and dressings, tools and instruments, personal safety and protection items, and miscellaneous items. Remember to customize your kit based on your specific needs, destination, and activities. Regularly check the expiration dates of items and replenish as necessary.

It’s also important to consult with a healthcare professional before traveling to address any specific health concerns or conditions. They can provide guidance on prescription medications, necessary vaccinations, and additional items to include in your first aid kit.

Lastly, being prepared goes beyond just having a travel first aid kit. It’s important to familiarize yourself with basic first aid techniques, know the emergency contact numbers of your destination, and have a general understanding of local healthcare resources.

Remember, your travel first aid kit is not only a collection of supplies but also a symbol of your commitment to your well-being and safety while exploring the world. So, pack your kit and embark on your adventures with confidence, knowing that you are ready to tackle any health challenge that comes your way.

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Tour Scoop

10 Essentials for Your Travel First Aid Kit

These are the 10 key items to include in your travel first aid kit..

Beth Luberecki

Personal Item 101: The 10 Things I Always Pack

“Be prepared” is a well-known motto for a reason. Whether you’re traveling near or far, it’s a good idea to pack a first aid kit. Because even the small stuff can make a big difference when you’re traveling. Case in point: you don’t want a blister to interrupt an amazing hike or a headache to disrupt a visit to a world-famous museum.

Travel Emergency First Aid Kit Essentials

Here are my top 10 recommendations for things to pack in your travel first aid kit so you’ll be ready for the most common minor injuries and ailments that come with vacation adventures.

1. Bandages

Hand with adhesive plaster that covering a slight injury, close-up

Skinned knees, paper cuts, shaving nicks, minor cuts, blisters—there are countless reasons why you might need a bandage during your travels. So make sure to have some on hand in a variety of sizes for different purposes and locations of cuts.

Having bandages made from different materials is also a smart idea. Look for some that are made of flexible fabric and others that are waterproof so you’re ready for different scenarios. 

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You can’t go wrong with bandages from  Band-Aid ,  Curad ,  Welly ,  Nexcare , and  Tru-Colour . Also, do you know about hydrocolloid blister bandages ? They are padded, have a special substance that helps blisters heal more quickly, and have extra adhesion to protect skin as it heals. They’ve become a must-have for my travel first aid kit.

2. Hand Sanitizer/Wipes

It’s important to clean your hands before dealing with a cut or scrape, and if you’re on the move, access to soap and water might not be readily available. That’s why some type of hand-cleaning product is important when you create your travel first aid kit.

You’ll get the best results with hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol. But in a pinch, any kind of hand-cleaning gel, spray, or wipe is better than nothing. Individually packaged wipes take up the least amount of room in your kit, but a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer will also work, and can double as a way to clean your hands on the go.

For hand wipes, I like the options from  Purell ,  Handzies ,  Wet Ones , and  ALO . For hand sanitizer,  Bath & Body Works ,  Germ-X ,  EO ,  Purell , and  Everyone  are all good choices.

3. Antiseptic spray and antibiotic cream

Having this dynamic duo in your emergency first aid kits helps keep small cuts from turning into bigger problems. And they’re easy to find in travel-friendly sizes that are easy to tuck into a travel first-aid kit or a day pack.

Cleaning a cut then applying antibiotic ointment or cream can help prevent infection. Find a cream that also relieves pain and/or itching and you’ll take care of even more issues at once.

Trusty brands for these kinds of products include  Neosporin ,  Band-Aid ,  Bactine , Betadine , and  CareAll .

4.   Pain relievers

close up of pills

A throbbing headache or sore back can really ruin a day of sightseeing. Having pain relievers on hand helps you react quickly when problems arise—and get back to enjoying your vacation.

Consider your medical history, pre-existing health issues, and personal preferences when choosing which kinds of pain relievers to include in your emergency first aid kit. A small pill case can hold a few options and help separate the different medicines.

Tylenol ,  Advil ,  Aleve , and  Excedrin  are big names in pain relief (but generic versions often work just as well).

5. Allergy medicine

You might already know that you’re allergic to ragweed or pet dander. But you never know when something you eat, sniff, or touch might send your immune system haywire.

Having allergy medicine in your travel emergency first aid kit helps you prepare for the unexpected. There are lots of different pill options, including chewable tablets that don’t even require water, and formulations made for adults and just for kids.

Brands like  Benadryl ,  Zyrtec ,  Claritin , and  Allegra  are well-known allergy fighters, and generic options exist as well. They all work a little differently, so it’s a good idea to know ahead of time which meds tend to work best for you.

6. Motion-sickness medication

If a long bus ride or rough day at sea starts making you feel queasy, having motion sickness medication at the ready can be a lifesaver. It’s also a good idea to take ahead of time if you know you’re prone to this kind of thing, so you can stay on top of your travel health.

Medications are available in non- or less-drowsy formulas and in chewable pills for maximum ease on the go. Motion-sickness patches or bands and ginger gum or chews are also helpful alternative options to add to your emergency first aid kit. And if you know you’re prone to motion sickness and are going to be in a situation on a trip that might exacerbate the issue, you can also talk to your doctor about prescription remedies.

I like the pill options from  Dramamine ,  Bonine , and have also had some luck with wearing  Sea-Band  acupressure wristbands for dealing with minor motion sickness while traveling. If your motion sickness tends toward severe, there are also prescription medications like Scopolamine .

7. Thermometer

A fever can be associated with lots of different illnesses, and it’s good to have a temperature baseline to figure out next steps for treatment. 

The thermometer you have at home might already be small enough to easily travel with, but you’ll want to consider whether you need some kind of case to protect it. Thermometer strips are another easy, on-the-go alternative that take up almost no room (and you don’t have to worry about breaking them).

iHealth , and NexTemp  offer good options for traveling.

8. Tweezers

Tweezers are must-haves for removing splinters and bee stingers. You can buy tweezers specifically labeled for first aid, but really any stainless-steel ones with slim tips should do the trick. Just make sure to disinfect them before and after use for maximum safety.

Options from  Fox Medical Equipment ,  Tweezerman , and  Zizzili Basics  are good choices for your emergency first aid kit.

9. Medications for Stomach Troubles

Don’t let nausea, indigestion, an upset stomach, or worse put a damper on your trip. Prepare for the worst by including some medications that tackle stomach issues in your emergency first aid kit.

Antacids help with heartburn or indigestion, while medications like Pepto Bismol help treat nausea, upset stomach, and the dreaded d-word. Include some different options and hope you don’t need them.

Turn to brands like  Pepto Bismol ,  Nexium ,  Kaopectate ,  Imodium , Nauzene , Emetrol , and  Tums  for dealing with stomach woes.

10. Gauze and Wrap

gauze partially unrolled on a table

Some injuries might need more than just a bandage, so have some gauze and wrap in your kit too. Gauze doesn’t take up much room, and if you opt for self-adhesive wrap, you don’t need to also pack tape. Gauze pads (rather than rolled gauze) help keep bigger cuts clean and germ-free. And keeping a bandage wrap in your kit comes in handy for travel woes like sore knees and ankles.

I like brands such as  Ever Ready ,  Band-Aid ,  Med Pride , and  Curad  for these first-aid necessities.

More Things You Might Need

Once you’ve got the basics, you can customize by destination and activities. Treatments for insect bites and travel-sized cold packs for sore muscles or inflammation are among the things you might consider adding to your travel first aid kit.

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Home » Gear » How to Choose the Best Backpacking and Travel First Aid Kits

How to Choose the Best Backpacking and Travel First Aid Kits

If there’s one piece of advice we’d give to all travelers, it’s plan for the best, prepare for the worst.

Travel – whether backpacking through rugged backcountry or lounging at a beach resort – is unpredictable. Accidents can happen anywhere, any time, and preparedness is the best way to prevent a mishap from becoming something much more serious or downright dangerous.

Whatever you do, don’t consider a travel first aid kit as a  nice-to-have  packing list item. Especially if you’re an adventurous traveler that partakes in high-risk activities, or you’re traveling to a remote, third-world, or under-served area – a travel medical kit stocked with essentials is a  must-have.

Having a first aid kit on hand doesn’t need to mean hauling a lot of extra weight, but you need to carefully consider where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, and how large your travel party is when making your final decision.

To help you choose the right travel medicine kit to keep you and your travel buddy safe during any type of venture, we’ve compiled this list of best travel first aid kits…

Let’s get to it…

Quick Answer: These are the Best Travel First Aid Kits of 2024

#1 – overall best travel first aid kit, #2 – best travel first aid kit for long-term travel, #3 – best travel first aid kit for active weekends, #4 – best travel first aid kit for absolute minimalists, #5 – best backpacking first aid kit, #6 – best first aid kit for day hiking, #7 – best first aid kit for day hiking #2, #8 – best dog first aid kit for travel, honorable mention for the pros:, how to choose the best backpacking and travel first aid kit, faq about the best travel first aid kit, final thoughts.

  • Overall Best Travel First Aid Kit – Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel First Aid Kit
  • Best Travel First Aid Lit for Long-term Travel – Adventure Medical Kits World Travel First Aid Medical Supply Kit
  • Best Travel First Aid Kit for Active Weekends – HART Outdoor Weekend First Aid Kit
  • Best Travel First Aid Kit for Absolute Minimalists – Mini First Aid Kit
  • Best Backpacking First Aid Kit – My Medic The Solo First Aid Kit
  • Best First Aid Kit for Day Hiking – Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Day Tripper Lite Medical Kit
  • Best First Aid Kit for Day Hiking #2 – HART Outdoor Weekend First Aid Kit
  • Best Dog First Aid Kit for Travel – Adventure Medical Kits ADS Me And My Dog First Aid Kit

travel first aid manual

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Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel First Aid Kit

Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel

AMK Smart Travel First Aid Kit is our pick for overall best travel first aid kit

  • Best Use: Travel/Backpacking
  • Number of days (kit is good for): multiple days
  • Weight: 1 lb. 1 oz.
  • People: 1 – 2

A decent first aid kit should form part of your adventure packing list so here’s a rundown of the different options available.

When it comes to a travel first aid kit that has it all, this Adventure Medical kit doesn’t disappoint. The contents are neatly organized into clearly labeled compartments that help you quickly identify what you need by treatment type – medical information, medications, and wound care.

It makes for the best backpacking first aid kit because it has everything you need to treat blisters, plus pain or fever medication, all types of bandages, antibiotic ointments, and antiseptic.

A useful item that’s included is a rehydration mix that can be a real lifesaver on an intense, hot day outdoors. The travel emergency kit also includes a disposable thermometer and forceps to remove splinters or ticks.

Another huge plus is its packability and portability. The three compartments fold into a carrying case with a hook that lets you easily hang it anywhere. It’s not the lightest option, but it’s compact and well-equipped for trips lasting over multiple days. For a travel medical kit fit for solo or couple travel, the Smart Travel First Aid Kit is the best.

  • Ultra organized and clearly labeled for quick access to needed supplies
  • Includes a variety of treatments for sickness, pain, and injuries/wounds
  • With book included, will feel heavy for ultralight travel needs

Adventure Medical Kits World Travel First Aid Medical Supply Kit

Adventure Medical Kits World Travel

Meet the best travel first aid kit for long term travel: AMK World Travel First Aid Kit

  • Best Use: Travel
  • Weight: 1 lb. 9 oz.
  • People: 1 – 4

For travelers with plans for a lengthy trip overseas – especially to third-world or remote areas with limited access to medical aid – this world travel first aid is the best back-up you could have. There’s even a visual communication tool you can use when language is a barrier to getting the medical care you need.

It’s not uncommon while traveling for an extended period to encounter bad roads that are sometimes impossible to drive, to have bad cell phone reception, or simply be unable to communicate.

So it’s important to feel safe knowing you have access to a variety of first aid items should an emergency occur. You’ll enjoy peace of mind with all the emergency supplies this travel medical kit contains for injuries, wounds, bleeding, and other issues that need immediate care.

 If you get adventurous with foreign food and your stomach doesn’t agree with your bravery, there are several OTC medication options to help you out. There’s also extra space to add custom items to complete your stockpile. The amount and array of options in this travel emergency kit for extended trips can’t be beaten.

  • Wide array of contents is helpful for adventure and remote travel
  • Has a Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness & Travel book with medical tips and advanced patient care info
  • Must be packed into luggage due to its size and weight

HART Outdoor Weekend First Aid Kit

HART Outdoor Weekend

Our top pick for the best travel first aid kit for active weekends is HART Outdoor Weekend First Aid Kit

  • Best Use: Hiking
  • Number of days (kit is good for): 2-3
  • Weight: 9.5 oz.
  • People: 1-2

If a compact, well-rounded travel medical kit that fits easily into your backpack is what you need, then this little guy is perfect. It packs a surprisingly large amount of your essentials to cover you for common outdoor afflictions and other small emergencies. The large pockets have some room to spare to add custom items that suit your needs.

The transparent pockets are clearly labeled, and there’s even a supply list printed on the back that makes it easy to keep track of its contents and what needs restocking.

Including adhesive bandages, OTC medications for common ailments, gauze, and wound-care products, the Hart Outdoor travel first aid kit is the ideal addition to your weekend packing list and worth every inch of space.

  • Clam-shell design for packability and easy access to contents
  • Includes a small manual with basic first-aid how-to’s
  • Doesn’t include tweezers for splinter removal, so must be added

Mini First Aid Kit

travel first aid manual

The best travel first aid kit for absolute minimalists on our list is this Mini First Aid Kit

  • Number of days (kit is good for): 1-2
  • Weight: 3.5 oz.

This is your travel medicine kit solution if space is really, really tight, and you’re just looking to have the most necessary first aid supplies readily available. You can keep this tiny case onhand everywhere you go – whether it’s your backpack or your everyday tote bag. If you get a minor cut or wound, the included bandages and antiseptic wipes will do in a pinch.

If you’re in search of the best backpacking first aid kit for a destination that isn’t terribly high-risk, you can rest assured that this Mini First Aid Kit won’t be an issue to pack away easily.

But, if you happen to encounter an emergency, the kit includes a mini rescue howler whistle to signal for help. Again, this is a very minimalistic kit, so it’s a convenient choice if you’re sure you won’t need more advanced treatment and are safely within reach of medical care in case of an emergency.

  • Includes essential items for minor wound care
  • Small enough to fit anywhere
  • Doesn’t have space to add other items
  • Doesn’t include OTC medications or medical tools except for 1 splinter picker and 3 safety pins

My Medic The Solo First Aid Kit

My Medic The Solo

This My Medic The Solo is one of the best backpacking first aid kits around.

  • Best Use: Backpacking
  • Number of days (kit is good for): 1-4
  • Weight: 8 oz.
  • People: 1.5

Adventurous backpacking trips come with a handful of potential hazards – from minor blisters and stomach bugs to fractures and sprains. You’ll find the first aid essentials needed to treat common injuries, as well as trauma-care items for more serious events, like fractures or bleeding.

The contents of this travel first aid kit complete the gamut of immediate care while on the go, making the Ultralight Medical Kit the best backpacking first aid kit out there. 

Whether your backpacking ventures involve hiking and zip lining or white water rafting and snorkeling, your first aid essentials will stay safe and dry in the kit’s double-layer waterproof casing.

If you’re unsure about the conditions and elements you’ll face while on your travels, rest assured that this travel medical kit can withstand it all. And it won’t slow you down – weighing less than 8 oz, you’ll be prepared for anything while traveling light.

  • Designed for multi-sport travelers
  • Has 2-stage waterproofing features to endure all the elements
  • Doesn’t include separate compartments for organization by need

travel first aid manual

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Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Day Tripper Lite Medical Kit

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Day

Our top pick for the best travel first aid kit for day hiking is AMK Day Tripper Lite Medical Kit

  • Number of days (kit is good for): 1
  • Weight: 3.2 oz.

This travel first aid kit is perfect for day-trippers who love to spend a lot of time outdoors. It has everything a hiker would need to treat minor cuts or wounds while hitting the trail. It contains all your basic first-aid essentials while being small and lightweight enough to pack away easily in your daypack. 

This travel-size first aid kit is organized into injury-specific pockets for quick access to what you need. It includes hiking-friendly items like gauze, moleskin for blisters, bandages, antiseptic wipes, and some OTC medications for common ailments.

It’s conveniently designed to fold in half and zip up to keep everything from falling out. Despite its compact size, it still has space inside to add your own items.

  • Organized by injury type, with zippered pockets for easy portability
  • Includes items for wound/blister care and OTC medications for common ailments

Our pick for best first aid kit for day hiking #2 is HART Outdoor Weekend First Aid Kit

  • Number of days (kit is good for): 2

If your hiking first aid needs require a level up from the basic essentials to cover a day trip, you’ll want to take a look at the HART Outdoor Weekend kit. This more robust yet compact travel first aid kit comes fully equipped with dirt and sweat-resistant bandages, gauze, wound cleansers, topical relief creams, OTC medications, and more.

The clear, labeled pockets make the contents easy to find, and the kit’s roomy pockets have space to add your own custom items. You’ll have everything you need at your fingertips when you include this handy travel first aid kit in your hiking arsenal.

  • Contents are organized into labeled pockets
  • Supply list printed on the back for easy identification of contents

Adventure Medical Kits ADS Me And My Dog First Aid Kit

Adventure Medical Kits ADS Me And My Dog

The best dog first aid kit for travel is Adventure Medical Kits ADS Me And My Dog First Aid Kit

  • Number of days (kit is good for): 1-3
  • Weight: 1 lb 8 oz.
  • People: 1 + dog

When it comes to first aid preparedness, it’s important to consider all your loved ones – including your four-legged travel buddy. This handy travel first aid kit has everything you need to treat and provide immediate medical care to both your human and canine companions.

Useful canine-specific items include a triangular bandage to muzzle your dog for safe first aid administration, self-adhering bandages that don’t stick to fur, a splinter/tick remover that can be used on both humans and pets, a 5-inch nylon leash, and more. Venture off with more peace of mind knowing that all outdoor adventurers are covered.

  • Includes dog-friendly medications and wound treatment items
  • Manual includes information for pet first aid
  • A bit heavy for lightweight travel

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Guide Medical Kit

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Guide

  • Best Use: Mountaineering
  • Number of days (kit is good for): 14
  • Weight: 2 lbs. 2.4 oz.

For those who need a more robust, all-inclusive travel first aid kit, we’ve included this larger-sized medical kit on the list. This is good for trip leaders going to say, K2 Base Camp, or for any type of group adventure travel.

This travel medical kit includes enough to administer first aid care to several people over the course of multiple days. It includes more advanced tools like hospital-quality EMT shears, a digital thermometer, and a CPR face shield.

A kit map organized into injury-specific pockets is printed on the back of the case that identifies where to find the contents you need at any given time. For large-group first aid care, the Mountain Series Guide medical kit is the best all-inclusive compact travel emergency kit for guides.

  • Includes everything a professional guide needs for any type of emergency out in the wilderness
  • The organized layout makes what you need easy to find by treatment type
  • Has extra space to add items, but not very much without the bag getting too tight

travel first aid manual

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel

  • > Includes a disposable thermometer and forceps
  • > Packability and portability

Adventure Medical Kits World Travel

  • > Visual communication tool
  • > Extra space to add custom items

HART Outdoor Weekend

  • > Large pockets
  • > Supply list printed on the back

travel first aid manual

  • > Tiny tin case
  • > Includes a mini rescue howler whistle

My Medic The Solo

  • > Complete the gamut of immediate care
  • > Double-layer waterproof casing

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Day

  • > Small and lightweight
  • > Designed to fold in half and zip up
  • > More robust yet compact travel first aid kit
  • > Clear, labeled pockets

Adventure Medical Kits ADS Me And My Dog

  • > Both for human and canine companions
  • > Include a triangular bandage

Trip Length 

Most travel first aid kits have a rating about how many days worth of supplies they can contain. Make sure you’re choosing a medical kit in line with the actual length of your trip. You need to stay safe and prepared the entire time, but don’t want to slow yourself down with medical-supply overkill.

girl at rush lake backpacking in pakistan

If you’re going on a rugged ten-day hiking trip, opting for a small kit made for one or two days – while lightweight and compact – leaves you at risk for lack of supplies in cases of emergency. Whereas packing a large travel medical kit in your backpack for a day hike means hauling around unnecessary extra weight.

Number of People in Your Group 

This is also an important factor to consider. Do you travel alone, with your partner, or with a bigger group? You want to make sure your kit contains enough of the essentials to cover everyone. If you’re in a big group and everyone gets a stomach bug simultaneously, having enough medication to treat every traveler is key.

walking in australia

If you’re a solo traveler, a compact and lightweight kit will likely suffice. If you travel alone to remote, rugged terrain areas, you may want to consider a travel first aid kit with room to add extra items that may not be included in the smaller kits. Always think about how you can be prepared to stay safe as a solo traveler if medical aid isn’t in proximity.

Adding Stuff to Your First Aid Kit 

Adding more items to your travel first aid kit may be necessary for solo and non-solo travelers alike. Depending on where you’re hiking or traveling, making custom additions to the kit’s supply is highly recommended. In times of Covid, masks and hand sanitizer are the obvious choice. 

what to pack for a hike

If you’re traveling to third-world countries or for long periods of time in a foreign country, it’s a good idea to have a general stomach bug antibiotic, like Ciprioflaxin, included in your kit. For intense hiking or activity in hot, humid areas, consider having electrolytes on hand. There are other medications you can customize, such as motion sickness pills.

Weight 

It’s also important to honestly ask yourself how much weight you’re willing to carry. Medical pills and small items may seem low-weight enough, but every ounce can add up quickly. This is especially true for backpackers, as every bit of weight means a heavier load to haul around on your back.

osprey aether 70

Either way, carefully consider your needs vs. weight limits. Definitely don’t sacrifice an important item that is essential in keeping you safe in cases of emergency just to save a few ounces, but do your best to determine how much you can handle.

Waterproof or Not 

If you are traveling to a rainy place – for example, Thailand during monsoon season – having a waterproof first aid kit is not a bad idea. Bandages and medications are enclosed in paper wrapping, and getting them wet can ruin them for use.

If you have a waterproof backpack that your travel first aid kit will be stored in, then having a waterproof case may not be necessary. If you’re unsure, consider getting a waterproof kit, just in case.

grayl geopress forest

If any part of your travel involves water activities – rafting, boating, etc. – then a watertight first aid kit is advised. Especially if you’re using a water-based vessel to explore remote areas, you’ll want to have a dry supply of first aid items readily onhand.

Medical Safety 

Ensure you understand exactly what is inside your kit when you buy it, and know how to use it. If there are many things you don’t need or know how to use, then maybe the contents are too advanced for your own personal needs. Reading the manual if you’re unfamiliar with some of the contents is a good start.

travel first aid kit

Whatever you do, do not use a medication without knowing exactly what it is and its intended use. Do your research or basic first aid training beforehand, or opt for a basic kit with items you are familiar with and knowledgeable about.

While some medications can be used to treat similar symptoms, be sure you know the names, and be knowledgeable about every item you’ll be taking with you for medical purposes.

Travel Insurance

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Ok, you can’t pack travel insurance in your backpack, but you can take out a cheap policy to insure yourself against theft, flight cancellations, accidents, etc. In the end, having insurance is just as important as packing a good travel first aid kit.

I admit I traveled for many years without having travel insurance. Because of it, I paid the price a few times in foreign hospitals and was handed a hefty bill to go with my injuries!

We use either World Nomads or SafetyWing . You’ll be happy you did if the time comes to use it.

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What should I have in my travel first aid kit?

The following essentials are in a travel first-aid kit: 1. Bandages and Antiseptic Wipes 2. Gauze pads and Medical Tape 3. Your own medication, pain killers and antibiotic ointments

Can you bring first aid kits on a plane?

Yes, you can, but you’ll have to leave scissors, sharp objects and liquids at home or put them in your suitcase instead.

What is the best travel first aid kit for long adventures?

If you know you’ll be travelling for a long time, opt for the Adventure Medical Kits World Travel First Aid Medical Supply Kit . It’s got everything you might need during your trip.

How do you choose the right travel first aid kit?

Think about these things: 1. How long is your trip and how many people are coming with you? 2. Can you stock up your kit during your travels? 3. What kind of injuries could occur during your travels?

travel first aid manual

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There you have it, our prudent, adventure-loving travelers! This is all you need to know about the best travel first aid kits and best backpacking first aid kits available to suit your needs – and what you need to know to find the right travel medical kit for you.

There are several factors to consider when making a choice, but you’ll be happy you took the time to do your research should the moment arise when you need to use your first aid supplies. 

travel first aid kit review

For a go-to, well-rounded travel first aid kit that serves most basic needs, we again recommend the Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel First Aid Kit as your best option. Unless your needs are extremely specialized, you can count on this kit to have what you need and to have the extra space to add a few items of your own.

We hope you found this travel first aid kit shopping guide useful. Remember, not everyone has the travel style – but accidents can happen any time and anywhere, so it’s crucial to be prepared.

travel first aid manual

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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ACEP First Aid Manual 5th Edition: The Step-by-Step Guide for Everyone

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ACEP First Aid Manual 5th Edition: The Step-by-Step Guide for Everyone Paperback – Illustrated, September 1, 2014

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  • Print length 288 pages
  • Language English
  • Publisher DK
  • Publication date September 1, 2014
  • Dimensions 5.88 x 0.72 x 8.31 inches
  • ISBN-10 1465419500
  • ISBN-13 978-1465419507
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  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ DK; 5th edition (September 1, 2014)
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The best free first aid manuals

by John Furst · Published September 21, 2014 · Updated June 18, 2020

Free first aid manual

Learning first aid doesn’t have to be expensive. Lots of organizations provide free first aid manuals and booklets which you can request or download to your computer. Here’s our list of the best free first aid manuals and booklets available! 

St John Ambulance (UK)

St John Ambulance is a large provider of first aid training and event medical cover in the United Kingdom. They publish a free first aid guide which UK residents can request to be sent to their home.

Simply fill out a form on the St John Ambulance website and they will send you your free first aid manual!

British Red Cross (UK)

Similar to St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross publish a free first aid manual for UK residents. Fill out this form to get your free manual posted to you.

Triple One Care (International download)

Triple One Care is a first aid training and services company based in New Zealand. They publish a free downloadable first aid manual    on their website. The content is aimed at New Zealand residents however most of the content is generic first aid information.

American Red Cross (International download)

The American Red Cross publishes a simple first aid booklet on their website. Called Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Ready Reference  the booklet contains simple step by step instructions for a number of common medical emergencies and first aid situations.

First Aid Pocket Guide

Although not free, The Complete First Aid Pocket Guide is a new first aid pocket guide covering common emergency situations. Written by our team, the pocket guide is a comprehensive manual to keep at home or when out and about. 

The Complete First Aid Pocket Guide: Step-by-Step Treatment for All of Your Medical Emergencies Including • Heart Attack • Stroke • Food Poisoning ... • Shock • Anaphylaxis • Minor Wounds • Burns (Paperback)

The Complete First Aid Pocket Guide: Step-by-Step Treatment for All of Your Medical Emergencies Including • Heart Attack • Stroke • Food Poisoning … • Shock • Anaphylaxis • Minor Wounds • Burns (Paperback)

Add to this list.

Please leave a comment if you want to add a free first aid manual to this list.

If you want to carry around a first aid guide with you, we’d also recommend having a look at a free first aid app for your smartphone.

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JOHN FURST is an experienced emergency medical technician and qualified first aid and CPR instructor. John is passionate about first aid and believes everyone should have the skills and confidence to take action in an emergency situation.

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  1. 15 Travel First Aid Kit Essentials You Need

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  2. Emergency First Aid Pocket Guide

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  3. First Aid Manual 11th Edition

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  4. First Aid Manual 11th Edition by DK, Paperback, 9780241446300

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  5. Living Ready Pocket Manual: First Aid Medical Emergency Knowledge in

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  6. First Aid Manual

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VIDEO

  1. 13 February 2024

COMMENTS

  1. 25 Items to Put in Your Travel First Aid Kit

    Basic first-aid items. No travel emergency kit is complete without these basics: Antibacterial wipes: Wipes that kill germs can be helpful for cleaning tools and hands. Hand sanitizer: "Before ...

  2. Traveler's First-Aid Kit

    Bandage closures, such as butterfly bandages, to tape edges of minor cuts together. Triangular bandage to wrap injuries and make an arm sling. Elastic wraps to wrap wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries. Gauze in rolls, as well as 2-inch and 4-inch pads to dress larger cuts and scrapes. Adhesive tape to keep gauze in place.

  3. DIY: Travel Medicine Kit Checklist That Fits in a Carry On

    One thing about first aid packing that is such a pain is the common recommendation to bring all prescription medications in their original containers, particularly for international travel. On the one hand, that is the safest in case you were to be detained or questioned, but on the other, it adds a lot of bulk to packing that otherwise could ...

  4. How to Pack a Travel First Aid Kit (Updated 2024)

    7. Antiseptic wipes. For some reason this tends to be the one thing most people overlook when thinking of first aid, but antiseptic wipes are an absolute essential in any good pack. No one wants a cut or wound to get infected, and antiseptic wipes are perfect for cleaning it before applying a dressing.

  5. 15 Tips on how to assemble a perfect travel first-aid kit

    1. Identify your needs in travel first-aid kit. Each kit is different. A first step is figuring out what you expect of yours. Here are some ideas: It has what's needed to respond to illness and injuries given the destination, season, activities, and health needs of those who depend on the kit. It contains enough supplies to deal with minor ...

  6. Travel Size First-Aid Kit: What to Pack & Downloadable Checklist

    Pack a natural balm like GREEN GOO First Aid, which can relieve symptoms for dry skin, insect bites, scrapes, rashes, chafing, cuts, sunburns, blisters, and poison ivy. Include various-sized ...

  7. 7 Must-Know Tips

    Here is a comprehensive travel first aid guide to prepare, cure, and assess whenever you face common travel injuries and illnesses. Travel First Aid Tips. Travel safety isn't only about planning your trip, it's also how to prevent an accident while on a trip, check the below tips and make sure to use this guide and take notes when planing: 1.

  8. Traveler's First Aid Kit

    Basic Kit Contents. Consider keeping a traveler's first aid kit in your car. The contents of the kit can be tailored for other kinds of trips, such as air travel. Depending on the kind of trip, you may want to reduce or vary the contents (e.g., bring sunscreen and sunburn ointment when you go to the beach, bring insect spray for a camping trip).

  9. Pack Smart

    Supplies to prevent illness or injury. Hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) or antibacterial hand wipes. Water purification tablets. Insect repellent (with an active ingredient like DEET or picaridin) Sunscreen (with UVA and UVB protection, SPF 15 or higher) Sunglasses and hat. Condoms.

  10. How to Pack a Travel First Aid Kit

    A first aid kit should now include an N95 surgical face mask and hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes, and disinfectant wipes. We use wipes to clean our armrest and table tray on airplanes and other transportation. Plus, these days, a digital thermometer to check for a fever is a good idea to be part of any first aid kit for travel.

  11. DIY Mini Travel First Aid Kit

    Honestly, it is a bit subjective. But below are my 12 essentials for a travel first aid kit and the things I like to have on hand when I go on vacation: Three (3) bandages. One (1) alcohol wipe. One (1) antibiotic ointment package. Six (6) pain relievers (specifically ibuprofen) Two (2) allergy pills. Two (2) anti-diarrheal pills.

  12. How to Pack a FULL Travel First Aid Kit (2024 Guide)

    1. Go for tablets, gels, and creams over liquids, so you do not have to deal with airline liquid restrictions or explosions in your bag! 2. Make sure liquids are under 3.5 oz if you travel by plane. 3. Pack your supplies in a heavy-duty waterproof container to protect them from the elements. 4.

  13. Travel First Aid Kit: A Do It Yourself Guide

    One item that always goes into my backpack first is a small first aid kit. Perhaps it's because I'm a former ski patroller and outdoor lover, or maybe I'm just over-prepared. Either way, I always recommend travelers bring a small first aid kit. You might think I'm silly for telling you that you need a first aid kit, but after your first fall ...

  14. The Best First Aid Kits for Travel of 2024

    Best Overall: Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight Watertight .5 at Amazon ($17) Jump to Review. Best Basic: Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go Kit at Amazon ($2) Jump to Review. Best Comprehensive ...

  15. The 7 Best Travel First Aid Kits for Unexpected Emergencies

    Covering a range of sizes for different lengths of trips, this list includes some of the best medical sets you can use for first aid. 1. Full Travel First Aid Set With 300 Pieces. DISCOUNT: 20%. 74,082 Reviews. BEST OVERALL: First Aid Only 298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Emergency Kit.

  16. What First Aid Items Can Go on Airline Flights?

    First aid kits on airline flights are adequate to respond to most in-flight emergencies. However, if you want to take a travel first aid kit with you to your destination, you may want to keep it in checked baggage or you must remove banned first aid items from your kit. Here is a list of approved first aid items that travelers can carry on airline flights.

  17. What To Put in a Travel First Aid Kit

    By having a travel first aid kit, you can address minor injuries and ailments promptly, preventing them from escalating into more serious conditions. ... In this article, we will guide you through the essentials to include in your travel first aid kit, from medications and treatments to bandages and dressings, tools and instruments, personal ...

  18. 10 Essentials for Your Travel First Aid Kit

    Trusty brands for these kinds of products include Neosporin , Band-Aid , Bactine, Betadine, and CareAll. 4. Pain relievers. When you're packing your travel first aid kit, consider which medications you're likely to need (Photo: Envato/Sandsun) A throbbing headache or sore back can really ruin a day of sightseeing.

  19. How to Choose the Best Backpacking and Travel First Aid Kits

    Quick Answer: These are the Best Travel First Aid Kits of 2024. #1 - Overall Best Travel First Aid Kit. #2 - Best Travel First Aid Kit for Long-term Travel. #3 - Best Travel First Aid Kit for Active Weekends. #4 - Best Travel First Aid Kit for Absolute Minimalists. #5 - Best Backpacking First Aid Kit.

  20. First Aid Guidelines

    First Aid Guidelines. The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross jointly co-authored and released the 2020 Focused Update for First Aid. We have partnered to develop guidelines for first aid since 2005.

  21. ACEP First Aid Manual 5th Edition: The Step-by-Step Guide for Everyone

    A possible life-saving reference to keep around the house or in the car, DK's First Aid Manual looks at more than 100 different conditions, from splinters and sprained ankles to strokes and unconsciousness, and shows exactly what to do with step-by-step photographic sequences. Every condition is clearly explained, outlining causes, symptoms, and signs, and action plans.

  22. The best free first aid manuals

    Although not free, The Complete First Aid Pocket Guide is a new first aid pocket guide covering common emergency situations. Written by our team, the pocket guide is a comprehensive manual to keep at home or when out and about. The Complete First Aid Pocket Guide: Step-by-Step Treatment for All of Your Medical Emergencies Including • Heart ...

  23. First Aid, CPR & AED Participant's Manual

    First Aid/CPR/AED Participant's Manual. Details. Item ID 754100. Be ready and prepared to care for an injured or ill person using first aid, CPR and AED skills. More Details. $12.95. Add to cart options. Product Actions.