Skip main navigation

Contents of a basic first aid kit

What should be in a first aid kit?
A green plastic box containing a basic first aid kit
© Photosforclass.com
What should a basic first aid kit contain?

Obviously not all accidents and emergencies happen in an environment where there is a first aid kit to hand. But some do! Therefore it’s important to be as prepared as possible. The contents of a first aid kit will vary slightly depending on the particular setting but in general there are some important components which every first aid kit is likely to contain. NHS Choices website (a reliable source of medical information) recommends that a basic first aid kit should probably contain the following:

  • plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes
  • small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
  • at least two sterile eye dressings
  • triangular bandages
  • crêpe rolled bandages
  • safety pins
  • disposable sterile gloves
  • tweezers
  • scissors
  • alcohol-free cleansing wipes
  • sticky tape
  • thermometer (preferably digital)
  • skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula
  • cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
  • antiseptic cream
  • painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen
  • cough medicine
  • antihistamine tablets
  • distilled water for cleaning wounds
  • eye wash and eye bath
  • first aid manual

Information copied from NHS Choices

Can you think of anything else that you might need?

© University of Glasgow, 2017
This article is from the free online

Basic First Aid: How to Be an Everyday Hero

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now