DIY: All Natural First Aid Kit

You never know when or where the next minor injury will occur, but with a well-stocked first aid kit, you can be ready to address cuts, scrapes, and bug bites immediately.

Pre-packaged first aid kits are available at local drugstores and can suffice if you realize mid-way through a week-long road trip that you've forgotten to pack one.

However, creating your own homemade first aid kit is preferable because it allows you to know exactly what's inside and to stock up on items you frequently use.

The main disadvantage of relying on a store-bought first aid kit is complacency. You purchase it, assume it contains everything you need, and never take the time to familiarize yourself with its contents.

This false sense of security could disappoint you when, for instance, your child has a reaction to an unknown bug bite, and you discover that the drugstore first aid kit you bought contains only bandages, antiseptic wipes, and tweezers—with no itch relief cream included.

The advantage of assembling your own first aid kit is the ability to handpick what goes into it.

If you’re visiting the BubbForest Health Blog, you can also replace many over-the-counter items with your favorite all-natural products.

Checklist: All Natural First Aid Kit

• Include your medications, a list of emergency contacts, and contact information for your primary healthcare provider.
• Regularly check your kit, especially before any trips.
• Always include a flashlight with spare batteries in your kit and check these items each time you review the kit’s contents.
• Inspect expiration dates and replace any items that are past their prime.

The following is a general checklist of basic items every first aid kit should contain.

These are the essentials you should always have on hand in your car or at your desk at work, particularly if your employer does not provide one.

Moreover, certain specific situations and locations might require additional items.

For instance, you might want to tailor a first aid kit specifically for camping, hiking, or boating.

In such cases, use this list of 15 key items as a starting point and add other products as necessary.

15 Key Items for a DIY All Natural First Aid Kit

1 4 gauze rolls

2 5-10 gauze pads

3 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)

4 1 roll of sports tape (10 yards x 1 inch)

5 Tea tree antiseptic ointment

6 Small bottle of aspirin

7 1 one-ounce tube of anti-itch cream

8 1 emergency space blanket

9 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)

10 2 pairs of non-latex gloves

11 Small pair of scissors

12 Thermometer

13 2 reusable elastic bandages (2-4 inches wide)

14 2 triangular bandages

15 Tweezers

Keeping a first aid kit in your car, at your desk, or in your home ensures you are prepared for minor emergencies that require immediate attention.