backcountry first aid kit list and essentials

Backcountry First Aid Kits: What to Pack—and How to Use It

When preparing to go into the wilderness, every responsible adventurer ensures they have prepared hiking first aid essentials to stay safe. In this guide, you’ll find out why you need a first aid kit when you go outdoors, as well as a handy backcountry first aid kit list. 

Why do you need a First Aid Kit? 

Regardless of what you’re doing out in the country, it’s likely you’re going to be well out of the way, which means help might well take a long time to find you. As such, you’ll need to stock up to deal with potential minor or serious injuries, and of course, the more extreme your activities you’ll be doing, the more kit you’ll need.  

Location and Activity

First Aid Kits and their size fluctuate depending on where you’re going (i.e., how far from civilization you’ll be) and what kind of thing you’ll be doing. Before you even go outside, you can assess potential risks by doing research: check what kind of terrain you’ll be in, what hazards are prevalent, and how close help is nearby. 


Once you have a grasp of potential risks, assess how the activity you’ll be doing might exacerbate the existing risk factors. For light hikers, day trippers, and overnight campers, a first aid kit will require much less compared to someone going rock climbing, spelunking, or participating in water sports. In these cases, consider how feasible it will be to carry vital first aid supplies along with the rest of your kit. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so don’t take unnecessary risks by leaving crucial kit at home, thinking you won’t need it. 

Hiking First-Aid Essentials

As implied, preparing and knowing how to use a first aid kit outdoors effectively will vary depending on the type of activity you’ll be doing. To counteract this, you can follow these simple rules to help you plan out the essentials:

  • Lifesaving equipment is compulsory.

  • Helpful, lightweight kit that isn’t absolutely necessary can be included

  • Non-essential, non-dual-purpose equipment can stay at home

By following this guidance, not only will you be able to pack the absolute essentials, but you’ll also be able to plan out a first aid kit that does the job, but won’t be too cumbersome. 

What to Pack in Your First Aid Kit Hiking Kit Essentials

These are the Basic, most important things you’ll need as part of any half-decent First Aid Kit. Ensure the equipment is of reliable quality, and that you’ve read through the listed First-Aid manual at least once. 

  • Adhesive Bandages

  • Allergy Medication

  • Antibacterial Ointment

  • Antisceptic Wipes

  • Blister Treatment

  • Closure Strips

  • CPR Mask

  • First Aid Manual

  • Gauze Pads

  • Gloves

  • Insect Repellant and Treatment

  • Pain Relief 

  • Prescription Medications

  • Medical Tape 

  • Tweezers

  • Multitool (Sterile trail Knives are a reliable alternative if you need to improvise)

For Cleaning Wounds and Splints

This is additional equipment, primarily to treat serious injuries when out hiking. If your trip is brief or relatively short, then it’s less necessary to take these with you.

  • Elastic wrap

  • Finger splints

  • First aid cleansing pads with a topical anaesthetic

  • Hydrogel-based pads

  • Liquid bandage

  • Rolled bandages

  • Rolled gauze

  • SAM splints

  • Sterile water source (water packs for hiking work for cleaning wounds) 

  • Triangular cravat bandage

Additional (Semi-Essential)

Non-essential equipment that is beneficial if you have the room. These may become essential depending on the conditions you’ll be hiking in. 

  • Antacid tablets

  • Aspirin

  • Diarrhea medication

  • EpiPen

  • Glucose or other sugar tablets

  • Lubricating eye drops

  • Oral rehydration salts

  • Sunburn relief gel or spray

  • Throat lozenges

In Summary…

First Aid Kits constitute an essential part of preparation for any hike, regardless of the distance or activities that you’ll be doing. In essence, every comprehensive kit starts with effective planning: assess the risks that will be present where you’ll be going, taking into account the environment and how long you’ll have to wait should anything happen. You should prepare a backcountry First Aid Kit list based on these factors, as well as how much additional weight the essentials will add to your kit. Finally, use the provided checklist, taking into account the importance of medication for chronic conditions if applicable to you.

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