If you’re setting off for a weekend in the woods, or road-tripping to a remote campsite, being prepared for injuries and unexpected medical issues is essential. This First Aid Cheat Sheet is your quick guide to handling common outdoor mishaps—and includes tailored packing lists for a Car Kit and a Backpack Kit.
Download The First Aid Cheat Sheet PDF!Cuts & Scrapes
What to Do: Clean with antiseptic wipes, apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a sterile bandage.
Watch For: Signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pus.
Bites & Stings
Insect Stings: Remove stinger, apply a cold compress, use antihistamines for swelling.
Snake Bites: Keep calm, minimize movement to slow venom spread and keep the bite area below heart level. immobilize the limb, and get medical help ASAP. Do not suck the venom.
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms: Dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea.
Treatment: Rest in shade, hydrate, use cool compresses.
Hypothermia
Symptoms: Shivering, confusion, slurred speech.
Treatment: Warm slowly with dry clothes and blankets, provide warm drinks if alert.
Sprains & Strains
What to Do: R.I.C.E — Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Use an elastic bandage and avoid putting weight on the injury.
Concussion
Symptoms: Headache, confusion, dizziness.
Treatment: Rest, monitor closely. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
Embedded Objects (splinters, thorns)
What to Do: Use tweezers to remove if possible, clean the wound, and cover.
Car First Aid Kit
Keep this in your vehicle for roadside emergencies and base camp support:
- First aid manual
- Large variety of bandages (gauze pads, trauma dressings, butterfly strips)
- Instant cold packs
- Splint
- Burn gel and burn dressings
- Emergency blanket (foil)
- Tweezers, scissors, safety pins
- Nitrile gloves
- Thermometer
- Saline wound wash
- Electrolytes
- Antiseptic wipes & hand sanitizer
- Pain relievers (ie. ibuprofen)
- Antihistamines (diphenhydramine)
- Anti-diarrheal (loperamide)
- Personal meds
- Duct tape
Day hikes backpack Kit
- Assorted band-aids
- Small gauze pads & tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Antibiotic ointment
- Tweezers & small scissors
- Emergency blanket
- Nitrile gloves (1–2 pairs)
- Pain relievers
- Antihistamine tablets
- Personal medication (small quantity)
- Tick remover or fine-tipped tweezers
Pro Tips for the Trail
Waterproof your kit: Use a dry bag or ziplock bags to protect supplies.
Customize: Adjust for your location, personal health needs, and group size.
Check & restock: After every trip, refill used items and check expiration dates.
Learn basic first aid: A first aid course goes a long way.
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