How to Pack a Travel First Aid Kit

Whether you're a hard core nature man or a business lady on the road, sooner or later a first aid kit is going to come in handy. Be sure to include several basic items in your kit and some items specific to your own needs. Compiling a kit is not as difficult as you think and often more comprehensive than buying a ready-made pack.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small zipper pouch or plastic container
• First aid supplies

1. Decide what you'll need and for how many people. A kit packed by a new mom will be different that a kit for a single man living in the wild. Determine your needs before you shop for supplies.

2. A basic kit for a weekend traveler in the U.S. should include:
   - Small and large bandages
   - Pain reliever (such as Tylenol or Advil)
   - Non-latex gloves
   - Triple-antibiotic ointment
   - Roll of gauze
   - Alcohol or sting free antiseptic wipes

3. Include these other items in a more extensive kit:
   - Gauze pads
   - First aid tape
   - Tweezers
   - Small scissors
   - Burn cream

4. 

   If you have pets traveling with you, do not forget to bring a guide to animal first aid and leashes. Otherwise, pet supplies are similar to the standard first aid kit.

5. Pick up a guide to basic first aid, or take a first aid course to be fully prepared on how to use your kit. Your travel kit is useless if you don't know how to administer first aid.

Resources

• American Red Cross