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What: Various sizes from tiny to large wound coverage. Fabric ones breathe better, waterproof ones stay on longer.
Qty: 50-100 assorted
Source: Dollar Tree (25ct/$1.25), Costco (300ct bulk), Walmart, any pharmacy. Generic works fine.
DIY: Cut clean cloth strips, secure with medical tape. Super glue on small cuts (not deep wounds) works as liquid bandage. Honey on wound then cover with cloth - natural antibacterial.
Check adhesion yearly - adhesive degrades in heat/humidity.
What: 4x4 inch and 2x2 inch squares for wound cleaning, packing, drainage absorption.
Qty: 20-50 of each size
Source: Medical supply stores cheapest bulk. Walmart/Target have smaller packs. Amazon has 200ct boxes.
DIY: Clean cotton t-shirt cut into squares, boiled for 10 min, stored in sealed bag. Not sterile but clean. Paper towels for non-wound cleanup.
Keep in original sterile packaging until use. Once opened, use within 24h or re-sterilize.
What: Paper tape (gentle on skin), cloth tape (stronger hold), waterproof tape (wet conditions).
Qty: 3-5 rolls assorted
Source: Any pharmacy. Paper tape: $3-4/roll. Cloth: $4-5. Waterproof: $5-7.
DIY: Duct tape works but irritates skin on prolonged contact. Cloth strips + safety pins. Self-adherent wrap (coban) needs no tape.
What: 2-inch (wrists, ankles), 3-inch (knees, elbows), 4-6 inch (thighs, torso). With and without velcro.
Qty: 2 of each major size
Source: Pharmacy $5-8 each. Amazon 12-pack $25. Look for ones with metal clips OR self-adhering.
DIY: Cut old t-shirts into long strips, roll tightly. Not elastic but provides compression. Elastic from old waistbands sewn into strips.
Learn proper wrapping: firm but not tight. You should fit 2 fingers under wrap. Too tight = circulation damage.
What: 40x40x56 inch cloth triangle. Used for arm slings, splint securing, head/shoulder wrapping, tourniquet padding.
Qty: 2-4
Source: Medical supply $2-3 each. First aid kit refills. Military surplus often has these.
DIY: Cut bedsheet diagonally into 40+ inch triangle. Any sturdy cloth works. Practice folding into sling before you need it.
Learn 3-4 uses: arm sling, collarbone support, splint tie, head wound pressure. YouTube "triangular bandage uses."
What: Alcohol wipes (individual packets), iodine wipes, antiseptic spray (Bactine), hydrogen peroxide.
Qty: 50+ wipes, 1-2 sprays
Source: Dollar Tree has 100ct wipe boxes. Pharmacy for sprays. Betadine (iodine) for serious wound prep.
DIY: Vodka/whiskey (40%+ alcohol) as emergency antiseptic. Salt water (1tsp/cup clean water) for wound cleaning. Honey applied to wounds - proven antimicrobial. Diluted bleach (1:100) for surface disinfection only, not wounds.
Don't use peroxide repeatedly - damages healing tissue. One initial clean is fine. Iodine allergy exists - ask before using.
What: Neosporin (triple antibiotic), Bacitracin (single), generic equivalents. Individual packets or tube.
Qty: 10+ packets or 1oz tube
Source: Generic at any pharmacy $3-5. Individual packets stay sterile longer. Costco has twin packs.
DIY: Honey (especially Manuka) applied to wound, covered. Raw honey has natural hydrogen peroxide. Sugar paste on deep wounds draws out infection (historical treatment). Keep wound clean and covered - body does most healing.
Some people develop Neosporin allergy after repeated use. Bacitracin alone less allergenic. If wound reddens more after application, stop using.
What: Pointed tip (splinter removal), flat tip (general). Stainless steel for durability and sterilization.
Qty: 1 pointed, 1 flat
Source: Pharmacy $3-8. Beauty supply has fine-tip options. Swiss Army knives often include tweezers.
DIY: Two credit cards/coins pressed together as pinchers. Needle + steady hands for splinters. Small vice grips in a pinch.
Sterilize before use: alcohol wipe or hold in flame (let cool before touching skin). Keep tip alignment good - bent tweezers are useless.
What: Bandage scissors (angled, blunt tip to not cut skin), trauma shears (cut clothing, seatbelts, boots).
Qty: 1 trauma shears, 1 bandage scissors
Source: Medical supply $3-5 bandage, $8-15 trauma shears. EMT shears on Amazon multi-packs. Military surplus.
DIY: Sharp regular scissors for cutting bandages. Box cutter/utility knife for clothing (careful). Multi-tool scissors work for light tasks.
Trauma shears are worth having - cut through jeans, leather, wire. Test on old clothing. Oil pivot occasionally.
What: Powder-free nitrile exam gloves. More durable than latex, hypoallergenic. Sizes S/M/L/XL.
Qty: 20+ pairs (one box)
Source: Harbor Freight cheap 5-packs. Costco boxes of 100. Harbor Freight often has coupons. Any pharmacy.
DIY: Clean hands with antiseptic, wash thoroughly. Plastic bags on hands with rubber bands at wrist. Nothing substitutes properly - avoid blood contact if possible.
Check for tears before use. Remove by pulling inside-out (contaminated side in). Double-glove for high-risk situations. Replace yearly - nitrile degrades.
What: One-way valve mask (pocket mask) or keychain barrier. Prevents disease transmission during rescue breaths.
Qty: 1-2
Source: Red Cross store, Amazon $5-15 for pocket mask, $3-5 for keychain barrier. CPR training often sells these.
DIY: Hands-only CPR (compressions only) is effective for most adult cardiac arrests. No barrier needed. For drowning/drug overdose where breaths matter: cloth barrier helps. Training is more important than equipment.
Take a CPR class. Technique matters more than tools. Keychain barriers fit in pocket - always have it. Pocket masks give better seal.
What: Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) or SOF Tactical Tourniquet. Windlass style. For life-threatening limb bleeding only.
Qty: 2 minimum (one may fail, some wounds need two)
Source: North American Rescue (official CAT), Chinook Medical, REI, Amazon (BEWARE FAKES - only buy from authorized dealers). Real CAT gen 7 is ~$30. SOFT-T ~$35.
DIY: 2+ inch wide cloth/belt + stick/windlass. Wrap high on limb, tie knot, insert stick, twist until bleeding stops, secure stick. Narrow material causes tissue damage. Wide is critical.
FAKE TOURNIQUETS KILL. If it's $8 on Amazon, it's fake. Buy from North American Rescue or authorized medical suppliers. Practice one-handed application on yourself. Note time applied. DO NOT loosen - medical personnel decide that.
What: QuikClot Combat Gauze, Celox Gauze. Impregnated with kaolin or chitosan to accelerate clotting. Pack into deep wounds.
Qty: 1-2 packages
Source: Medical supply stores, North American Rescue, Chinook Medical. $25-40 per package. Requires no prescription but some sellers restrict.
DIY: Nothing matches hemostatic agents. Direct pressure with regular gauze is still effective. Pack wound tightly, hold pressure 10+ min. Sugar or honey in wound can help (historical methods).
Watch expiration - effectiveness decreases over time. QuikClot (kaolin) works via contact activation. Celox (chitosan) works independent of clotting factors - better for anticoagulated patients. Training recommended.
What: Occlusive dressing with one-way valve. For sucking chest wounds (open pneumothorax). Allows air out, not in.
Qty: 2 (entry and exit wounds)
Source: North American Rescue (HyFin), SAM Medical (SAM Chest Seal), medical suppliers. $15-25 per pair.
DIY: Plastic bag or credit card taped on THREE sides only (leave one side open for air escape). Vented commercial seals are better. Improvised can make tension pneumothorax worse if done wrong.
For penetrating chest trauma: apply seal, cover entire wound, ensure adhesion (wipe blood first if possible). Monitor for tension pneumothorax (trachea shift, decreased breath sounds) - may need needle decompression. This is advanced - get training.
What: Chemical cold packs (squeeze to activate). For sprains, swelling, burns, heat illness.
Qty: 3-5
Source: Dollar Tree $1.25 each. Pharmacy $3-4. Costco bulk packs. Sports medicine stores.
DIY: Frozen peas/corn in towel (molds to body). Ice cubes in plastic bag. Frozen wet sponge. Snow in winter. Cold water immersion. For field use: wet cloth in wind evaporative cools. Chemical cold packs work anywhere, any temp.
Don't apply directly to skin - wrap in cloth. 20 min on, 20 min off. Check for frostbite if prolonged use. Can rupture if over-squeezed - don't use on broken skin if pack is damaged.
What: Mylar reflective blanket. Retains 90% body heat. Waterproof. Tiny packed size.
Qty: 2-4
Source: Dollar Tree $1.25. Amazon 10-pack $8. Outdoor stores $3-5 each. Military surplus.
DIY: Nothing matches mylar for weight/warmth ratio. Newspaper layers. Plastic trash bags (worn as poncho). Wool blankets (heavier but reusable). Layers of any dry clothing.
Reflective side goes TOWARD body. Can also use as signaling mirror, rain catch, ground cover. Very fragile - tears easily. One-time use mostly. Keep 2-4 in every kit.
What: LED flashlight, preferably with red light mode (preserves night vision, less startling). Headlamp is better for hands-free.
Qty: 1 flashlight + 1 headlamp
Source: Harbor Freight (cheap), Fenix/Streamlight (quality), hardware stores, Amazon. Headlamps: Petzl, Black Diamond, or cheaper generics.
DIY: Phone flashlight works but drains battery. Candles + mirror reflect. Chemical light sticks (glow sticks) for marker lights. Any light source - even screen light helps.
Check batteries every 6 months. Store batteries OUTSIDE light if storing long-term. Red light mode useful for pupil checks without destroying night vision. Headlamp leaves both hands free.
What: Clips on finger, measures oxygen saturation (SpO2) and pulse. Normal is 95-100%. Below 92% is concerning.
Qty: 1
Source: Pharmacy $20-40. Amazon $15-30. Medical supply stores. Zacurate and Wellue are reputable brands.
DIY: No substitute for measurement. Signs of low oxygen: blue lips/nail beds, confusion, shortness of breath, rapid breathing. Count respiratory rate - normal 12-20/min. Over 24 or under 8 is concerning.
Cold fingers, nail polish, movement can give false readings. Warm hands, sit still, try different finger. Readings under 90% need medical attention. Useful for COVID, altitude sickness, respiratory conditions.
What: Digital oral/forehead thermometer. Forehead/infrared is faster but less accurate. Oral is more reliable.
Qty: 1 digital oral + 1 forehead backup
Source: Any pharmacy $10-25. Braun forehead thermometers reliable. Generic digital oral thermometers $8-12.
DIY: Hand on forehead compared to your own (rough estimate). Back of hand to chest/abdomen. Old mercury thermometers still work if you have them (don't break - toxic). Watch for shivering (fever rising) vs flushed/sweaty (fever peaked).
Normal oral temp is 97-99F. Over 100.4F is fever. Over 103F is high fever. Over 105F is emergency. Rectal is most accurate but invasive. Forehead often reads 0.5-1F lower than actual.
Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Benadryl, Aspirin, Loperamide - detailed in separate guide.
Source: Create your own. Use medical ID on phone. Print and laminate.
DIY: Index card with critical info in waterproof bag. Medical alert bracelet for serious conditions. ICE contacts in phone.
Home (main kit), car (travel kit), work (office kit), bug-out bag (grab-and-go). Each location has different constraints.
Home kit = comprehensive. Car kit = trauma focused. Work kit = basic. Bug-out = essential + lightweight.
Check every 6 months. Rotate medications before expiration. Replace used items immediately. Store in cool, dry location. Vacuum seal for longevity.
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