What is in a first aid kit for camping?

When people ask us what to take in a campervan, we always suggest a first aid kit. Naturally, the next question they ask is: what is in a first aid kit for camping?

Our travel experts have put together a list of the 25 items that every kit should include. We’ve tried to cover all the essentials from bandages and ointments to tweezers and thermal blankets. Use it as a checklist when compiling your own first aid kit for camping.

And don’t forget, every Camplify rental van comes with a first aid kit included. Hire a campervan, caravan or motorhome through Camplify and you won’t need to worry! That said, you may want to add some of the items below after checking what’s included with the owner.

What is in a first aid kit for camping?

1.Adhesive bandages

Pack adhesive bandages of various shapes and sizes in your camping first aid kit. These can be used for dressing small injuries such as cuts and scrapes that aren’t large enough to require a full-size bandage. They protect the wound from further injury, bacteria and dirt.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

2. Skin closure steri-strip bandages

Steri-strip bandages (also known as butterfly stitches) are a special kind of adhesive bandage used to close small and shallow cuts and slices. They can be used as an alternative to needle and thread stitches (which are better for larger wounds).

Buy online: A1 First Aid

3. Gauze pads or gauze roll

Gauze is made of cotton and is used to protect and cushion a wound. They absorb and wick blood and other fluids away from the wound. However, they can also be used to apply ointment or rub cleansing fluid on the injury.

Buy online: A1 First Aid

4. Cloth bandages

Cloth roller bandages can be used for various first aid purposes, including holding a wound dressing in place, applying pressure and supporting an injured limb or joint.

Buy online: A1 First Aid

5. Antiseptic creams or ointment

Antiseptic creams and ointments are used to soothe and heal wounds, cuts, grazes, burns, chapped skin, nappy rash, insect bites and more. They also serve to protect against infection.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

6. Sterile wipes

Sterile wipes are a great inclusion in a first aid kit for camping. They are handy in situations where you need to quickly and easily sanitise open wounds before applying bandages. Sterile wipes clean and remove bacteria from the wound. They can also be used to sterilise hard surfaces around the campsite.

Buy online: A1 First Aid

7. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicine

Painkillers are used to relieve any aches and pains that you might suffer whilst camping. Similarly, anti-inflammatories are used to relieve pain, control swelling and reduce inflammation in injuries such as sprains.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse (painkillers and anti-inflammatory)

8. Insect sting and anti-itch cream

Sting and anti-itch creams (also known as hydrocortisone topical ointment) are used to relieve redness, itching, swelling and other discomforts caused by insect bites, stings and other skin conditions.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

9. Tweezers

Include a set of tweezers in your first aid kit so that you can easily and hygienically remove splinters or ticks. It’s best to disinfect the tweezers before each use by heating the end of them with a lighter or match.

Buy online: A1 First Aid

10. Scissors

Scissors are useful if you need to cut bandages or remove dressings whilst camping. They reduce the risk of infection compared to using your bare hands.

Buy online: A1 First Aid

11. Multi-tool knife

Pack a multi-tool knife in your first aid kit for camping. It can come in handy if you need to cut cloth, tape or bandages when dressing a wound or creating a sling.

Buy online: Torpedo 7

12. Safety pins

Safety pins are used to hold together bandages and slings.

Buy online: A1 First Aid

13. Sunburn relief or aloe vera

Sunburn relief and aloe vera products can be used to relieve and soothe pain and itching if you suffer sunburn whilst camping. They may also support the healing of the skin.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

14. Anti-diarrhea medicine

Anti-diarrhea medicine treats runny stools by slowing the movement of the gut, reducing bowel motions and firming stools. This is also useful in slowing dehydration. However, it does not treat the cause of diarrhoea.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

15. Allergy antihistamines

Antihistamine medicines are used to treat and prevent allergies such as hay fever, hives and itching.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

16. Eye drops

Eye drops are essential in every first aid kit for camping. They are used to relieve or treat eye conditions such as dry eyes, allergies, infection, inflamed eyes or pressure.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

17. Moleskin strip

Moleskin strip is a cotton fabric that is soft on one side and sticky on the other. It is applied to the inside of your shoes to improve the fit and make them more comfortable. Plus, it can also be used to protect blisters from irritation.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

18. Hand sanitiser

Hand sanitiser is important when camping so that you can kill germs and infectious bacteria before eating or dressing a wound. It’s a great alternative to hand-washing when soap and water aren’t readily available.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

19. Sunscreen and chapstick

Sunscreen is important in protecting you against sunburn and skin cancer. Chapstick helps prevent chapped, dry and cracked lips which can be painful and make it difficult to eat and drink.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

20. Rehydration salt sachets

Pack rehydration salt sachets in your camping first aid kit. They are used to replace salts (electrolytes) and sugars (carbohydrates) in your body when you are dehydrated. Particularly important if you have diarrhoea or vomiting.

Buy online: Chemist Warehouse

21. Medical adhesive tape

Medical adhesive tape is useful when securing and supporting bandages and slings. Can be used as an alternative or in addition to safety pins.

Buy online: A1 First Aid

22. Splints

Splints are important for supporting fractured bones and preventing the fracture from protruding through the skin. This may also help relieve the pain of the fractured limb. Consider a mouldable SAM splint for large injuries such as a broken arm or leg as well as a solid splint for smaller injuries such as fractured fingers or toes.

Buy online: St Johns NZ

23. First aid manual

It’s handy to have a first aid manual on hand when camping. You can quickly refer to this when dealing with injuries.

Buy online: St Johns NZ

24. Emergency thermal blanket

Every first aid kit for camping should include an emergency thermal blanket. They trap heat and prevent your body temperature from dropping dramatically. If you ever get lost or stuck without your camping supplies, this may be a lifesaver on cold nights.

Buy online: St Johns NZ

25. Emergency prescription medication

If you take regular prescription medication such as an asthma puffer or EpiPen, be sure to include a spare in your first aid kit for camping.

Hire a van with a first aid kit included

Now that you know what is in a first aid kit for camping, you can explore the great outdoors with peace of mind! Don’t want to buy a whole heap of items when putting together a first aid kit for camping?

Hire a campervan, caravan or motorhome through Camplify and you won’t need to worry about putting together a first aid kit!

Camplify rental vans come with a first aid kit. Just send the owner a message before you take off to confirm what’s included in the kit and whether you need to buy anything else.

Ready to find the perfect van for your camping trip? Arrange motorhome, camper and caravan hire on the South Island. Alternatively, organise motorhome, camper and caravan hire on the North Island.

Why Camplify?

We are proud to be New Zealand’s fastest-growing private caravan, campervan and motorhome sharing community. When you hire a van through our platform, it comes with lots of advantages:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• Nationwide AA roadside assistance

• 24/7 customer support

• All members are verified

By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across New Zealand in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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