Emergency Medical Supplies: What to Keep in Your First Aid Kit and Beyond
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Quick answer: start with the American Red Cross list for a family of four: absorbent compress dressings, assorted adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads and roller bandages, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment and antiseptic wipe packets, triangular bandages, nonlatex gloves, an instant cold compress, a breathing barrier, an emergency blanket, a thermometer, tweezers and a first aid guide. Add the prescription medicines and personal items your health provider recommends, and take a first aid class. This is general information, not medical advice.
In an emergency you may not be able to reach a doctor or pharmacy for days. A well-stocked first aid kit, a supply of medicines and some training can make a real difference for minor injuries and for stabilizing a serious one until help arrives. This guide follows the American Red Cross kit list and Ready.gov guidance and then covers what to add for longer disruptions. Always call 911 for life-threatening emergencies, and talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medications and medical decisions. Nothing here replaces professional care.
The basic kit: Red Cross checklist
The American Red Cross recommends that a first aid kit for a family of four include:
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
- 25 adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets (about 1 gram each)
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- 1 emergency blanket
- 1 breathing barrier with a one-way valve
- 1 instant cold compress
- 2 pairs of nonlatex gloves (large)
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (about 1 gram each)
- 1 roller bandage 3 inches wide and 1 roller bandage 4 inches wide
- 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches) and 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
- An oral thermometer (non-mercury, non-glass)
- 2 triangular bandages
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Emergency first aid instructions
The Red Cross also advises including any personal items and medications your health care provider suggests and emergency phone numbers, checking the kit regularly and replacing used or expired items. Keep a kit in your home and in your car. Aspirin is not right for everyone, so ask your provider before using it, and never give aspirin to children or teens for fever or illness.
Group your supplies by purpose
General supplies
Include a flashlight and extra batteries, hand sanitizer, soap, a small notebook and pen, a waterproof container for documents and a list of family medical conditions, allergies and medications. Add a first aid manual or a printed quick reference.
Wound and bleeding care
Pressure is the first response to heavy bleeding. Stock sterile gauze, absorbent dressings, roller bandages and tape, and consider a manufactured tourniquet if you have learned how to use it. The American Heart Association first aid guidelines table of Red Cross kit contents includes a tourniquet and 4 x 4 inch sterile pads for bleeding control. A hands-on class, such as a Stop the Bleed course, is more valuable than the item itself.
Burns
For minor burns, first aid guidance generally calls for cooling the burn with cool running water, not ice, and covering it loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing. Keep sterile non-stick pads and burn dressings in your kit. Seek medical care for large, deep or facial burns and for burns in children and older adults.
Sprains, strains and fractures
Include elastic bandages, a moldable splint and triangular bandages for slings, plus instant cold packs. Immobilize and seek medical care for a suspected fracture.
Eye, skin and dental
Saline eye wash, eye pads, sterile cotton swabs, tweezers for splinters, hydrocortisone cream and a dental first aid kit, with temporary dental filling material from a pharmacy, can handle minor problems until you can see a professional.
Fever, pain and stomach problems
Keep a thermometer and over-the-counter products your family already uses, such as pain relievers, antihistamines, anti-diarrheal medicine and antacids. Ready.gov lists non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids and laxatives among additional emergency supplies. Check labels for dosing and age limits, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
Rehydration
Diarrhea and vomiting can cause dangerous dehydration, especially in children and older adults. Oral rehydration salts or a commercial oral rehydration solution can help, and the CDC advises seeking medical care if dehydration is severe or symptoms are prolonged. Clean water is part of any medical kit.
Prescriptions and medical devices
Many people rely on a prescription medicine every day, and an emergency can make refills difficult, which is why Ready.gov urges you to plan ahead. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and vitamins. Ask your provider and pharmacist about keeping an extra supply, how to store medications safely and what to do if refrigerated medicines lose power. Ready.gov and the CDC advise talking to your provider about a plan for powered medical devices. Keep a written list of your medications, doses and prescribers.
A word on antibiotics and "survival" medications
Earlier versions of this article suggested stockpiling antibiotics and other prescription drugs. We do not recommend that. Antibiotics only work for certain infections, taking the wrong one or the wrong dose can be dangerous and misuse contributes to resistance. Prescription medicines should only be used as directed by a clinician. If you are concerned about access during a disaster, talk to your provider about your options. Do not self-treat serious illness, and do not trade or sell prescription drugs.
Special situations
- Babies and children: pediatric thermometer, appropriate-dose medicines, diapers, rash cream, and formula. Ask your pediatrician about dosing and what to keep.
- Pregnancy: talk to your provider about a plan, and have contact numbers. In a labor emergency, call 911.
- Older adults: extra medications, spare batteries for hearing aids, glasses and a list of conditions.
- Chronic conditions: diabetes supplies, inhalers and other devices, with a plan for refrigeration and power.
- Pets: ask your veterinarian what to keep.
Learn the skills
Supplies are only helpful if you know how to use them. The Red Cross offers first aid, CPR and AED classes, and many communities offer Stop the Bleed training. Practice with your kit, and make sure family members know where it is.
Maintain your kit
- Check it twice a year for expired medicines and dried-out or damaged items.
- Replace anything you use right away.
- Keep it in a cool, dry place where you can find it, and keep a smaller kit in your car and one for work or travel.
- Store medications according to their labels and away from children.
- Keep a printed list of emergency numbers, allergies and medications inside the kit.
We previously included a long list of advanced items, such as sutures, IV fluids and delivery kits. These require specialized training and often a prescription, so they are beyond a general emergency kit. If you have medical training, follow your own protocols. For everyone else, a well-chosen basic kit and good training are the best investments. See also our survival medical supplies list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be in a basic first aid kit?
The Red Cross list includes absorbent dressings, adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads, roller bandages, tape, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, triangular bandages, gloves, a cold compress, a breathing barrier, an emergency blanket, a thermometer, tweezers and instructions.
Should I stockpile antibiotics?
No. Antibiotics should only be taken as prescribed. Talk to your provider about your needs instead.
How often should I check my kit?
At least twice a year. Replace expired or used items.
Should I take a first aid class?
Yes. The Red Cross and other organizations offer first aid, CPR and bleeding control courses, which matter as much as the supplies.
Is this medical advice?
No. It is general information. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your personal needs.
Bottom line
Build a first aid kit around the Red Cross list, add the personal medications and items your provider recommends, learn how to use it and check it regularly. This guide is general information and not medical advice.
