First Aid Kits

 To decide what is to go in your first aid kit you must ask yourself the following questions:

Who is this intended to treat?

  • How you treat yourself may be very different to how you treat colleagues or people in your care. As a rule medications should never be given to anyone but yourself.
  •  Are there many people in your care or do you work with small groups?



What am I likely to encounter?

  • The most common injuries are often the simplest – cuts, grazes, sprains and strains. Stock up on simple treatments; antiseptic wipes and small wound dressings.
  • In an office setting these injuries might be very slight although you are statistically more likely to encounter more chest pain and breathing difficulties.
  • In the outdoors the injuries can be more 'environmentally specific'; Walkers will invariably get blisters. Paddlers are likely to catch sunburn. Cavers are likely to encounter grit and foreign bodies in their eye and open wounds.
  • In industry you may be more at risk from poisons and chemical burns for example.



What is the environment I am in?

  • In hot environments you want to be prepared for heat stroke and dehydration.
  • In the cold you will need to prepare for hypothermia.
  • Abroad you may consider stomach upset to be the most likely ailment.
  • Will your kit need to be waterproof or crushproof?



A full detailed explanation of all of the items listed can be found here.



Example 1 - The First Aid at Work First Aid Kit

There is no statutory contents required but it is recommended that the minimum is included:

  • Advice / Guidance leaflet containing CPR instructions
  • 20 individually wrapped plasters
  • 2 sterile eye pads
  • 4 individually wrapped triangular bandages - preferably sterile
  • 6 Safety pins
  • 6 individually wrapped medium (approx 12cm x 12cm) unmedicated sterile wound dressings
  • 2 individually wrapped large (approx 18cm x 18cm) unmedicatied sterile wound dressings
  • 1 pair of disposable gloves


In addition to this any other items specific to your workplace should be included. Remember to keep medications in a separate (preferably locked) place.

Further First Aid at Work guidance can be found here


Example 2 - The Emergency Kit

Always kept close to hand, in the glove box, buoyancy aid, jacket pocket or rucksack lid

  • Duck Tape
  • Saline solution
  • LARGE wound dressing
  • Gloves
  • Cling film



Example 3 - The Personal Kit

We are frequently asked what should be in a personal First Aid Kit for outdoor activities. This recommended list was in consultation with a Mountain Rescue Team member, an Accident & Emergency trauma specialist, a Mountain Guide and a Level 5 Sea Kayak Coach. It is a versatile combination of small and light. Everything inside has been thought out and tested. It has been designed to cope with as much as possible using as little as possible.

But remember - practicality must dictate. It is unlikely that any first aid kit will be able to deal with every possible situation and even more unlikely that you would be able to carry such a first aid kit!

You are the most important item and your knowledge of what needs to be done not necessarily what bandage or splint would be best.

  • Accident & Casualty Cards
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Antihistamine creme
  • Aspirin
  • Cling film
  • Conforming bandage
  • Duck tape
  • Gloves
  • Glucose Tablets
  • Ibuprofen
  • Iodine dressings
  • Lancets
  • Light stick
  • Non-adherent dressing
  • Paracetamol
  • Plasters
  • Pen torch
  • Resus face shield
  • Saline solution
  • Shears
  • Steri-strips
  • Surgical blades
  • Tegaderm®
  • Transpore® tape
  • Triangular bandages
  • Tweezers
  • Waterproof pen
  • Wound dressing




Example 4 - Group First Aid Kit

If you are responsible for a group the Personal Kit would not be suitable given that it is designed for one and contains medication. With large groups you need to prepare for serious bleeds and bone / joint injuries. If you are employed in this role your employers are responsible for providing adequate first aid supplies.

The below list is not exotic; it is cheap and plentiful.

  • Accident / Casualty Cards
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Cling film
  • Conforming bandages
  • Gloves
  • Non adherent dressings
  • Plastic bags
  • Resuscitation face shield
  • SAM Splint
  • Shears
  • Steri strips
  • Transpore tape
  • Triangular bandages
  • Wound dressings




Waterproof Containers

For watersports, a waterproof container is essential. There are a few options. BDH containers are relatively cheap and can be made more water resistant by using a wide rubber seal that is available, however they are not waterproof and the small, transparent, ones do crack. The larger, black containers are much more durable.

Roll top bags are more expensive but much more waterproof and being soft they are easy to stow in bumbags or in kayak cockpits.

Pelicases and Otter Boxes are the gold standard. They are completely waterproof and very strong but they are much, much more expensive.

Useful extras:

Light sticks ● Lighter ● Plastic bags ● Super glue ● Water purification tablets