Welcome!
Welcome to week #11 in the “72 Hour Kit Ideas: A week by week approach” series.
This series is all about making it simple and do-able to get a 72 hour kit put together for you and your family.
Creating such a kit can be overwhelming and financially difficult to do all at once. But through this series, I’ve broken it down for you into 26 small steps! You can see all the steps here. Just take one small baby step each week and in 6 months you will have a well stocked, personalized kit!
You can even go through the series a few times over a year or two adding just the most basic supplies the first six months and then a few more “extra” supplies each time you cycle through it again.
Want even more help?
This series is also available as an e-book. Purchasing the e-book gives you a few additional benefits over just reading the free series:
- Additional details and tips
- The ability to print the entire book!
- Pictures of my own kit showing just how I pack each week.
Download “Your Own 72 Hour Kit Plan” E-Book Now!
*Some links in this post are affiliate links meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may get a small commission if you make a purchase. Some links (those to Thrive Life) actually provide you with a discounted price. Thanks for your support in this way!
Last Week:
I hope all of you were able to add some bandages to your kit last week.
Week #11: First Aid
Now that you have supplies to keep your family sanitary and supplies to clean their wounds if necessary, you will need items to care for other injuries as well.
This is an area of your kit where it can be easy to get carried away. The list below is very comprehensive. Prioritize what is most important and add more expensive things when you are able. There may be some things you never add, such as the snake bite kit if you don’t live near snakes!
If you are just starting your 72 hour kit, add just the most important first aid supplies to your 72 hour pack. If you already have a kit, add just a few additional things not in your kit yet.
Suggestions:
I’ve found that the least expensive way to build your first aid supplies is by buying one or more pre-made first aid kits. I have looked into purchasing things separately or in a pre-made kit many times, and it is always less expensive to order the pre-made kit. Check Walmart, Galls.com, and Amazon.
Once you have a basic kit, consider adding to it. If your basic kit does not include some of the following items, decide how important they are to your family. Prioritize things and add what you can separately a little at a time.
There is only one item I believe you should absolutely have in your kit and that is a good first aid book. Here are a few other ideas:
- Butterfly bandages
- Various sized “band-aid type” boxed bandages: from 1 in x .25 in up to 4 in x 2 in, circular, square.
- Various size gauze dressings and adhesive tape
- Large wound dressing (feminine need supplies are great for this).
- Triangular bandages (I just use a cloth diaper…also good for other uses).
- Quik Clot (this is incredible for stopping severe bleeding, but be careful. It is extremely hard to remove from the skin. Only use it in a true, severe bleeding emergency when you don’t have access to an emergency room).
- Sting Relief Gel / Cream.
- Antibiotic Ointment
- Finger Splints
- Soft Splints
- Moleskin.
- Tweezers
- Iodine Tablets (very important if you live near a nuclear power plant).
- Scissors (I got a simple pair at the dollar store)
- Cold Pack
- Suture Kit
- Snake Bite Kit and / or Poison extractor.
- Exam Gloves (blue nitrile would be best in case you need to help someone with
a latex allergy). - Burn Relief Gel or Dressing (or both). The one I’ve linked to is amazing…..seriously a miracle worker!
- Disposable Thermometers
- Dust Masks.
- Poison ivy treatment.
- Sunburn ointment
- A pen light to check pupils.
- Super Glue (can help hold wounds together and keep them clean)
What we have done in our family:
We have most of what is listed above. We do not yet have a soft splint or a pen light. I’m using the antiseptic towelettes and alcohol pads that came with my first aid kit. I’ve separated them out into the 4 packs we have. I have Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, and soap that I found in the travel section at Target in each kit. I purchased boxes of distilled water and latex gloves separately. We have gloves in each adult kit and water in all four kits.
Many have asked why I have additional water here in my kit. My answer is that I simply like to have it separated out in my mind: some water is for drinking; other is for cleaning wounds if needed. I like packaging it with my first aid supplies so that it would be easily accessible were I to need it quickly. Most of our drinking water is at the very bottom of our packs while this water sits with our first aid supplies right at the top.
How About You?
Leave me a comment and tell me what you will be adding to your kit. Why? Do you know how to clean a wound?
Skip to:
| Week #10: Sanitation | Week #13: Other First Aid | Week #1: Packaging Your Kit | Series Into: Survival Kit Series, A Week by Week Approach |
Becky is a wildlife enthusiast and pet and livestock care expert with a diploma in canine nutrition. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare, Becky lends her expertise to Simple Family Preparedness through insightful info about pets, livestock, bee keeping, and the practicalities of homesteading.
The prepackaged kits are always cheaper but often don’t leave room for other items you want to add. I re-purpose the original container and repack my own so I can add things like duct tape, sun screen, OTC remedies, etc.
Our bags include two small kits and an additional variety of bandages, mostly from left overs collected over the years.
I would strongly caution the use of QuickClot and other such products — some are made from ground shellfish which can lead to a life-threatening situation if someone is allergic. QuickClot also produces an exothermic reaction which can burn surrounding tissues (perhaps to cauterize the wound). Finally, once QC hardens, it is extremely difficult to remove the granules from the wound.
This is a good example of how important it is to know how and when to use anything in our BOB.
More info here:
https://thesurvivalmom.com/2012/03/15/the-case-against-quikclot/
https://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=139859 (read the responses to the initial post)
I love your site. I’m trying to get my family more self reliant, and not knowing where to start…this is a great start. Thanks so much…I always have kept a pretty good supply of assorted 1st aid items around the house. So I am planning on transferring some of it to our bags (and add to it every time I purchase more) My fav go-to item has got to be coconut oil…great for cuts and scraps and burns, as well as a fantastic supplement and for dry skin and lips (and many many more uses). So that’s my add!
Just started using easentail oils. Hadn’t heard about lavendar for that use. I think ill research it and add that this week. I’ve been meaning to get some anyway.
I just recently purchased some steri strips to add to our medical kit. I have also found some rolls of terry cloth that is used for body wrapping that I thought would be good for many purposes. I also got a three pack of super glue from the dollar store to use to help close wounds that aren’t too deep. I also put capsules that I filled with cayenne pepper to use to stop bleeding and it is also good if someone is going into shock or having a heart attack (you give them 1 tsp to 1 cup of water and have them drink it). I also switched out my old pain relievers with newer ones to make sure they are not expired.
Hope this isn’t a double comment….apologies if it is. I am a wicked button clicker.
Does quick clot require a bandage to keep it applied? Just curious.
On a side note; Just ordered some Thrive quinoa and I’m super excited to try it 🙂
No, not a double comment (at least I don’t think)!
The quick clot does not require a bandage.
And enjoy your Quinoa!
Thanks for the “QuikClot” information! It will be especially important in our kit.
thanks again for all you do.
I now find myself with twice the amount of supplies I need since my husband is now in a VA nursing home. I had thought of dividing up the stuff but diced that I am sure they have plenty of supplies there and there really is no place to store it in his small shared room.
I would love to have this first aid kit as all I have is a small one to which I have added several items. I have added the medical supplies that I need for my colostomy and for a skin condition I have that reoccurs.
I love this series, Misty, and each time you repeat it I seem to pick up on something else that I need to add.
Congrats Rachel!!!!
I recently stabbed my hand while working on my water line and left a deep gash (which I would normally have had stitched but didn’t have time to sit for 5 hours in an ER) and which was bleeding profusely. Since I have been adding essential oils to my list of items, I tried the lavender and the bleeding and pain stopped immediately which surprised me–though I had heard it would do just that. I then cut a 4×4 into 4ths and placed one of the little pieces on the gash and used vet wrap to hold it on my hand (they make it for people too–it is called self adhering elastic bandage). After a day I used coconut oil with Frankincense EO on the wound and covered it so it would heal from the inside out. Within about 7 days I could leave it uncovered and by day 10 you couldn’t even see a scar. So, I added Lavender Essential Oil along with some 4×4’s and more vet wrap, Frankincense, Peppermint EO (headaches–GREAT) and Lemon EO.
Wow! Great story! I’m learning more about more about oils.
I have started on a first aide kit–several boxes of different sizes of latex free bandages (I am allergic to latex and when a person ages, latex bandages can cause skin tears); several different rolls of different sizes of gauze, I never thought about diapers/sheets. I have alcohol wipes, sanitizer, q-tips. Just thought of something else I need to add, tweezers.
I have various sizes of bandages in our kit, plus gauze dressing & first aid tape. I like the idea of the t-shirt & the diapers, so I’ll probably add those, and
when budget permits, some Quik Clot. And I need to add some butterflies. I just got some free samples of panty liners in the mail, so I think I’ll put those in, too! I use an old re-purposed caboodle to store most of my first aid, but there’s a small amount in each 72 hr. kit, as well.
We discovered Quik Clot when my hubby was on blood thinners and we were worried about him having a bloody nose that wouldn’t stop. Fortunately, we haven’t had to use it yet, but it’s nice to have it on hand should the need arise. I’m going to have to work on the extra bandages, though; we’ve got lots of smalls, so thanks for the reminder!
Be careful with it! There are some drawbacks and it should only be used when there is no other option (it is VERY difficult to remove)
I have about 100 random sized bandages and butterflies, plus (5) cloth diapers packed in our main kit. This week, I’ll be adding adhesive tape, gauze, and several Quik Clots. Thank you!
Quick question: what do you think about Dermabond? A few of my friends are in physical therapy fields, and swear by it. Thank you!
I actually don’t know much about it Erin! I guess I’ve got something to learn about!
For my kit, I basically raided my medicine cabinet. I took about 30 band-aids of different sizes, 2 butterfly bandages, and a couple packs of gauze. We also have a spare tee-shirt, feminine products, and duct tape in our kit, which could all be used for larger wounds. In the future, I would love to get quickclot, but budgets are budgets, and it does not fit in ours right now 🙂
I’m a little behind the times in discovering this marvelous blog, but I did want to comment and add that a good idea to add to your list above is elastic bandages like ACE wraps, or self-adhesive type like vet wrap. It’s multipurpose, you can use it for things aside from first aid, and if you, for whatever reason, need to keep moving, but need to ice something, you can ace wrap an ice pack on and keep moving around (I do this with ankle sprains, or topical allergic reactions that ice would help). It’s among my top items for an emergency kit (and since I’m accident prone, I always have one with me).
thanks for this blog! I am thoroughly enjoying reading through.
Thanks for the tip Jess! I will add it to the list.
And sorry my response was so delayed. I was in Costa Rica for a week and I’m just now getting caught up!
We have already purchased a pre-made first aid kit, but it does not contain quick clot. We’ll be adding that plus additional bandages of various types this week!
Sounds great Stefanie!
great timing finding this blog! I have just started refilling my first aid kit. I keep a good one in my car that has been invaluable on camping trips with my family! but I never thought about cloth diapers, like the flat kind? I only have AIO and prefolds that I use for my little one, but having some flats to put in a kit would be super smart! I will defiantly be getting started on the rest of the survival kit. This past week my town(Duluth, MN) had severe flooding, Something we have never really had in this area before, and it was a real eye opener, fortunately my home was not damaged, but homes only a block or two away in either directions had quite a bit of damage, and a lot of roads were damaged to the point you would not be able to get out by car, so having a carry-able kit would be important. I am so glad I found your website, I will going back and catching up on the previous weeks as soon as I have time!
Welcome Kate! I’m so glad to have you here and glad you’ve found it helpful. I’m also glad your home was spared flooding. Keep commenting! I’m sure you will have lots of great things to add!
I Try to add new bandages/bandaids of assorted sizes at the beginning of each school year when I do my back to school shopping. My kids and their friends usually will go through an array during the year
And “array” or more! Bandages really seem to disappear fast around our house!
Will definitely be looking for a pre-made FAK to use as a base – the trick is finding one that is both small and comprehensive. Glad to be able to call upon my Scout training in getting my kits together.
Scout training is great!
Last week our area was evacuated due to a wildfire. After a couple of quite stressful days, it became very clear that we aren’t as prepared as we thought we might be. I am glad to have found this site that will help us be more prepared, but not have to have the expense of doing it all at once! As far as bandages, I have a bunch of cloth diapers that we use for burp cloths that we can spare a few of. We also have some twin sheets from our single days still that will work perfectly! I love the idea of having some bigger things that have multi functions! I need to get some butterfly bandages this week as well as look into the Quik Clot. Thanks!
Natalie, I’m so sorry to hear about the evacuation! It can be so scary! I’m glad you’ve found the site helpful!
Misty, I just found your site via Pinterest! You are amazing! My main priority this week it to gather/copy all of the important documents we need. Also, I’ll be reviewing our kits themselves, and making a list of what needs to be done. It’ll be a doozy, I’m sure. 8 kids, and slacking on the kits for a loooong time will make for a lot of work, but so worth it. We can see a huge fire burning in CO not too far from us. It’s a good reminder!
Welcome Tiffany! 8 kids does sound like a doozy! I’m glad you are enjoy the site and have found it helpful.
And sorry for the late response. I’m on vacation and a bit behind! (-:
i would like to get 2 or 3 first aid kits…one for the house, car and one for my kit. then i plan on making mini first aid kits for all our bags so we have something just incase.
Yes, having multiples is great. I keep our largest one in our kit as a grab and go and another pretty decent one in the car and smaller ones in the house.
And sorry for the late response. I’m on vacation and a bit behind! (-:
We pick bandaids up every time we see them on sale, but we really need some butterfly bandages. Im pretty sure we dont have any of those. We do like to keep liquid bandaid and single use tubes of superglue on hand for first aid needs as well.
I always seem to be short on butterfly bandages too, which is odd b/c I rarely use them! Maybe just because they are so small???
And sorry for the late response. I’m on vacation and a bit behind! (-:
With 3 small boys I have first aid supplies all over the place! At a mini-kit in each car, one in my diaper bag and one in my purse at all times. We bought a medium sized and a small one for our 72 hour kits. My next plan, is to get a nice tackle box to load up with all the basic supplies and medicines. I hate fumbling with boxes and pouches while people are bleeding on me, so I thought a tackle box I could open with one hand would be great. Plus it would be easy to throw in the car when we go on road trips or if we needed to evacuate. And with it easily excessable (and frequently used) the items like medications would be regularly rotated and watched for expiration.
Sounds like a good plan Tiffany!
And sorry for the late response. I’m on vacation and a bit behind! (-:
I have a stock of first aid supplies in the house and a kit in the car, plus an extra box of band-aids in one of the cubbies in the front of the car because we go through them. I also carry a mini kit in my purse. What I don’t have are triangle bandages or splints, so that is something to work on.
You sound pretty well prepared Leigh!
And sorry for the late response. I’m on vacation and a bit behind! (-: