A Small Do It Yourself DIY First Aid Kit

ByKen J. Last Update
ziploc bag fist 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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