As a prepper, it is essential to be prepared for any emergencies that may arise. One of the most critical components of your emergency preparedness plan is having a well-stocked prepper’s first aid kit.
In a post-apocalyptic world where medical help may not be readily available, having the necessary supplies can mean the difference between life and death. Here we look at some essential items that should be in your prepper’s first aid kit.
Ready Made First Aid Kit
Before building your own first aid kit, consider whether a ready made first aid kit has what you need. There are many pre-made first aid kits. Some of them are very basic, others are great. The MediTac Premium IFAK Kit is a great tactical first aid kit. This contains some serious kit, with everything that you will need. It also comes in a very substantial MOLLE system equipped bag.
Make Your Own Prepper’s First Aid Kit
The off-grid first aid kit described in this article includes items to be able to treat various injuries and illnesses. As with any equipment that you might use as part of your bug out kit, there is a compromise between having everything you could possibly ever need and the size and weight you are able to carry as part of your bug out bag. This first aid kit includes everything you need to deal with a wide variety of situations. The compromise to reduce weight is by not including large quantities of each item. In particular, the first aid kit limits the amount of items related to more serious but less likely injuries. The first aid kit may contain equipment to treat one very serious injury, but not multiple.
Use this list to make your own off-grid first aid kit, but feel free to customise it to deal with situations you think you might face. You might want to increase the amount of some items and decrease others.
Wound Care, Bandages and Dressings
Bandages and dressings are fundamental items in any first aid kit. They are vital for stopping bleeding, dressing wounds and keeping them clean. When choosing bandages, ensure that you have various sizes and types, something to secure them with, gauze pads, and rolled gauze. Gauze is used to cover the wound and keep it clean, while the bandage goes over that to hold the wound together. Sometimes, gauze bandages can do the job of both.
In a post-apocalyptic world, the first problem you’ll need to deal with after a major injury is stopping bleeding. Israeli bandages are specifically designed to stop bleeding fast, and can be applied with one hand. In fact, they’re standard issue to many militaries around the world for this reason. Any decent prepper’s first aid kit should include some.
A tourniquet is another way to rapidly stop bleeding from a major injury to an arm or leg. It’s a temporary solution, to prevent too much blood loss while you treat and dress the wound. Easy to apply, and quick to do their job, a tourniquet could be a life saver after a major injury.
Don’t forget, however, that your first aid kit needs to be able to treat minor injuries too! Add some plasters (or band aids) for treating and protecting small cuts.
- Israeli bandages
- Tourniquet
- Assorted bandages
- Elastic wrap bandages
- Sterile gauze pads
- Gauze roll
- Tape
- Safety pins
- Plasters or band aids
Antiseptic Solutions and Ointments
Infections can be deadly in a post-apocalyptic world where medical help may be limited. Therefore, it is crucial to have antiseptic solutions and ointments in your first aid kit. These can include items such as hydrogen peroxide, alcohol wipes, and antibiotic ointments.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a surface cleaner to kill germs as well as for cleaning wounds. Modern medical advice prefers cleaning wounds with soap and water instead of hydrogen peroxide. In a post-apocalyptic world, however, you may not always have immediate access to clean water. Hydrogen peroxide will kill bacteria in the wound, although it may also irritate the skin slightly.
Medications
In addition to basic medications such as pain relievers, antihistamines, and anti-diarrheal medications, it is essential to have other prescription medications that you or your family members may need. It is vital to keep a record of all medications, including dosage and expiry date.
- Pain relievers (paracetemol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
- Antihistamine tablets
- Anti-diarrheal medications
- Prescription medications (asthma inhalers, epi pens)
Medical Tools
Medical tools can be used in a variety of situations. Make sure to include items such as tweezers, scissors and a thermometer. If you plan to spend time in the countryside, particularly in areas with a lot of wildlife, include a tick removal tool so you can easily remove ticks.
Emergency Supplies
In addition to medical supplies, it is also important to have a few emergency supplies with your first aid kit. These can include items such as a flashlight, extra batteries, a whistle, a multi-tool, and a book about how to treat injuries and illnesses.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) can help prevent the spread of infections and diseases. Make sure to include items such as gloves and face masks in your first aid kit.
Miscellaneous Items
Finally, consider adding some miscellaneous items to your first aid kit. These can include items such as insect repellent, sunscreen and lip balm.
Building Your Prepper’s First Aid Kit
When putting together your first aid kit, it’s important to consider your specific needs and the environment you will be in. Base your kit on the list in this article, but make adjustments for your own needs.
Use a separate, water resistant carrying bag when you make your own off-grid first aid kit. This keeps all of the first aid kit items together, making it easier to find when you need it. A water resistant bag will also help protect the items inside your first aid kit from the elements. If you were to keep all the items of your first aid kit loose in your bug out bag you would struggle to find what you need quickly.
The WYNEX EDC MOLLE Pouch is great for an off-grid first aid kit. It’s also a perfect bag for a fire starting kit too. This pouch is a good size, water resistant, and fitted with the MOLLE System. That means you can attach it to the outside of a MOLLE equipped bug out bag or backpack for easy access.
Maintaining Your Prepper’s First Aid Kit
When storing your first aid kit, make sure it is easily accessible and in a waterproof container. Consider having multiple first aid kits in different locations, such as your home, car, and workplace.
A well-stocked first aid kit is an essential component of your emergency preparedness plan. By including these essential items in your prepper’s first aid kit, you can be prepared for a variety of emergencies and potentially life-threatening situations. Remember to regularly check and update your kit to ensure it is always ready to use in case of an emergency.
What do you have in your prepper’s first aid kit? Let us know in the comments section below. Also, check out our post on how to build a prepper’s dental kit!
The ukprepper.life family are UK preppers who love to be prepared for everything, from the minor day to day emergencies, all the way to major disasters and more. Between us we have many years of experience prepping, and we’d love to share our experiences with you.
I’d add an emergency dental kit, tools and fillings etc.
Thanks for your comment, an emergency dental kit is definitely important. We’ve actually listed everything for a prepper’s emergency dental kit separately.