ziploc bag fist aid kit

A Small Do It Yourself DIY First Aid Kit

It’s easy to make a small diy first aid kit. There are plenty of practical scenarios for having a small first aid kit with you.

While it’s certainly sensible to have a decent size well-equipped first aid kit at home, lets talk about putting together a simple small diy first aid kit for other places or purposes. Why? Because you might not need a fully equipped professional First Aid Kit for every single use-case scenario.

A minimalist (Ziploc bag) first aid kit. It works well for me. I can just slide it into a small space in any of my packs. Even if the pack is full, there’s a way to get it in there… Actually, I just leave these Ziploc bag first aid kits in the various bags so they’re always there.

One such bag is the Versipack. Mrs.J and I each have one. They are practical for many varying uses. One of which is for a day-hike, wherever that may be.

(Here’s an example of what I mean by ‘Versipack’)
(view on amzn)

And this is the particular one that we use:

Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack

Or maybe you put together a diy first aid kit for your purse? Or to keep in a compartment on your 4-wheeler ATV? Your boat? Vehicle? Your range bag? Fishing, hunting, camping, hiking…you get the idea. There are plenty of uses.

And, depending on the use-case, you might tailor it to some extent (especially the range bag, for example).

Why do I do keep a First Aid Kit in a Ziploc bag? One reason is there’s no extra bulk or weight when using a Ziploc bag. And there is the advantage of being able to see right into the Ziploc and what’s inside. Another big reason? It’s waterproof.

What Items To Keep in a Small DIY First Aid Kit

Good question! It seems that I’m changing it around from time to time. Admittedly the problem that I have is that there’s always a good reason to add more items. However, then it gets too big! There’s really no right or wrong first aid kit, so do what works for you.

I might tailor it depending on what I’m going to be doing and where I may be going (with the associated risks thereof). However I do keep the basics in there for starters.

  • Various size ordinary band-aids for ordinary cuts
  • Absorbent compress dressings
  • Butterfly closure bandages
  • Triangular bandage
  • QuikClot clotting sponge or clotting gauze
  • Antiseptic wipe packets
  • Small tube of antibiotic ointment (e.g. Neosporin)
  • Various size sterile bandages (2×2, 3×3, etc..)
  • Gauze wrap / Self adhesive bandage wrap
  • Packet of Ibuprofen tablets
  • ACE bandage for sprain (I may keep this separately)
  • Tweezers (for those nasty slivers)

Additional suggestions:

More input:

  • Take a First Aid course
  • Know CPR
  • Allergy medications
  • Antacids
  • Chap-stick
  • Sutures, syringes and lidocaine to stitch cuts
  • Benadryl
  • Imodium
  • Dramamine
  • Eye wash, eye drops
  • Rehydration pack
  • Blister band aids
  • Burn gel
  • Burn bandages (non stick)

Like I said, your small diy first aid kit could get bigger and bigger… Where to stop? What to include? It all depends. What are your thoughts?


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11 Comments

  1. Thanks for the reminder,,, ikeep an IFAK in my bag that i carry, use it for anything requiring first aid,,, keep forgetting to replace the celox powder for stopping bleeding, wish they made smaller gauze packs, dont always need a 2’ piece, wondering if you know if it keeps if you cut off a piece them wrap it up in a small zip lock?

  2. What i really need to do is refresh my emergency pack, make sure its got stuff i would need to get home, yesterday the traffic was snarled, if it was a permanent thing i would be on foot, better to have supplies, just needed a couple nudges, thanks

  3. i bought 3 of the Minuteman Tier 1 IFAK – Individual First Aid Kits from John Rourke at 1776 PatriotUSA and was very happy with them. 37 bucks was worth the price if the bag by itself W/O the contents that came with it.
    i have added a few things to them but we keep them as our boo boo bags. we keep one in each truck and i carry one with me on a belt when i’m in the woods, it’s not to large to carry. they will get us home until we can do better.
    they are expensive but i’m thinking about getting one of the FIRST AID KIT STOMP PLUS GRAB N GO kits from
    Dr Joe and Amy Alton at Doom and Bloom.- how much is your life worth?
    Calirefugee i would very much appreciate yours and others input on that kit before i make a purchase.
    thanks in advance.

  4. Ken,
    a good pic of sampson. does that kit have something for dog bites : )

  5. I have found the skin staple kits to be quite handy. Easier to use than a suture kit, especially if you are doing it yourself.

  6. Ken
    Along with aspirin, with an eye towards a heart attack, I also carry a bottle of (liquid) cayenne. With the directions; place 3-4 drops under the tongue, written on the bottle’s label.
    The aspirin and cayenne are in their own separate zip-loc bag.

  7. Afterbite. If you get stung especially more than once you know how painful that can be. Afterbite works fast and takes little space.
    Zinc lotion. You might have to get a doctor or maybe ask a pharmacy for this. It’s used for burns and most fungal infection such as after a burn. You can buy burn gel over the counter but it contains very little Zinc.
    Bleedstop. For cuts and laceration.

  8. Sealed bottle of unpasteurized honey for wound care. Doubles as food – taste enhancer. But I’ve seen some pretty nasty skin wounds healed with honey. Medical grade (Manuka ?) is very pricey, but in a grid down situation with no medicines, you are way ahead. Especially when it is your family.

    1. Very good for many uses, it actually does help overall health in small regular quantities as well,

    2. small packages of honey can be had for free at many fast food restaurants, but you have to ask for em. they keep them behind the counter.

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