One of the most important things you can take on a camping trip with your family in your new or used RV is a well-organized first aid kit. Accidents happen, and you don’t want to find yourself without access to basic first aid supplies when they do. Check out our RV tips below for first aid kit assembly, what to include, and how to pack it.
The Basics
You have options. You can buy a store-bought kit that comes with essentials, and add the supplements you want, or you can built your own kit. Whichever you choose, the basic first aid kit needs to have the following supplies:
- Bandages in several sizes and types (including latex-free and waterproof). A good rule of them is to estimate estimate 3 bandages per person, per day. Obviously we hope you won’t need that many, but having more than you need is better than not having enough!
- Antiseptic cleansing towelettes and/or solution
- Instant cold pack(s)
- Adhesive tape
- Scissors
- Gauze pads
- Thermometer
- Hand sanitizer
- Non-latex gloves
Meds and Ointments
Next: the over the counter meds and ointments for minor cuts, scrapes, bug bites, etc. We emphasize that these should be reserved for non-emergency purposes. For anything severe, seek medical treatment immediately. But for the minor stuff, pack the following:
- Tylenol and Motrin – and kid’s chewable or liquid versions, if needed
- Antihistamine pills and/or kid’s chewable/liquid version, if needed
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Antihistamine (Benadryl) cream
- Burn (Aloe vera) gel
- Calamine lotion
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Insect repellant
- Sunscreen
You’ll also want to pack any prescription medication anyone in the family is currently taking.
Other Stuff
This category isn’t specifically “first aid” in nature, but it’s definitely stuff you need in a pinch, and often when there are first aid items needed as well. So, include them in your first aid box:
- Knife and/or multitool
- Duct tape
- Matches
- Ponchos
- Flashlights in a variety of sizes with extra batteries
- Reflective emergency blankets
How to Pack Your Kit
I pack our family’s camping first aid kit in a 17-quart plastic storage tub, which fits easily in the pass-through exterior storage of an RV. But, you’ll also want a few of the essentials from each of the groups above. It all needs to fit in a quart-size food storage bag (gallon-size max) so that you can throw it in your backpack.
Easy hack: our family invested in single-use packets of ointments, creams, and OTC meds. Yes, there’s extra packaging waste – but it’s recyclable – and it beats packing along larger bottles or tubes that may burst in your backpack if they get squashed. Individual packets make for easy dispensing on the go, and take up very little space.
And speaking of space, whether you’re packing along a first aid kit in a storage tub or larger items, it’s important that your RV have the storage space you need for the items you have to bring along. Contact us today!
