Must-Haves for Your RV First Aid Kit

It is important to have a first aid kit prepared for every RV trip. Whether there is an incident while on the road, or at a travel destination, it is important to have the necessary supplies. Pre-packaged kits can be purchased at most sporting goods stores, pharmacies, and camping stores. You can also choose to put together your own personalized kit. This consists of purchasing everything separately to fit your family’s needs perfectly. Keep reading to discover all of the items you are going to need for your first aid kit within your RV. 

If you are putting together your own personalized first aid kit, you are first going to want to find the box/bag/carrier in which everything will be stored. Think about the amount of each item that you will purchase at once. This choice will affect the size of the container you choose for the kit. Something else to think about is the versatility and use of the container. For some families, this kit might stay in the RV at all times, and transporting it will never come into play. For these families, a box or storage container of any kind or size will work perfectly. Other families will prefer to bring this kit along on all adventures away from the vehicle. This is a smart idea for hikers, bikers, etc. who would benefit from carrying the kit along with them. In these cases, a portable bag or case with straps is ideal. When thinking of the container to purchase, these are just a few aspects to think about. There are endless possibilities for the type and size of a first aid kit – it’s all dependent on your family and lifestyle. 

The most important part of a first aid kit is what is inside. These supplies can depend on your family and your lifestyle, but there are many materials that every kit should contain. There are a few different categories of items that should be included: cleaning/antiseptics, medical products, and tools. 

The first list of items is the cleaning supplies. These items are going to prevent infections and keep all injured areas fresh and clean. It is important that the person that needs first aid and the person that is assisting are both cleaned up. Here are some supplies and what they will help with:

1. Antiseptic wipes – These wipes can be used to clean off dirty surfaces, wounds, and so much more. They will kill germs and keep areas sanitized to prevent infections.
2. Hand sanitizer – It will provide a lot of the same services as antiseptic wipes. Hand sanitizer will keep hands and other surfaces clean. This comes in handy when treating wounds, eating, and more!
3. Cotton swabs – These can be used for cleaning off areas as well. Along with cleaning, cotton swabs can also be used to stop blood or cover an open wound.
4. Rubber/latex gloves – When working with any bodily injuries, it is important to wear gloves to protect both the hurt person and the person treating the injury. Gloves protect from infections and keep the area clean.
5. Purified water – Along with cleaning, the water can be used for multiple purposes. It can clean surfaces, but one of the main reasons to bring along the water is to drink it if there is a chance of being stranded or lost. Water should always be something that is stored in a first aid kit. 

The next category is the common medical supplies. This will include medications, ointments, and more.

1. Bandages – It is very important to include band-aids and bandages of multiple shapes and sizes. They are always important supplies to bring along in a first aid kit.
2. Gauze – Along with band-aids, gauze is another basic first-aid item. 
3. Hydrocortisone cream – This topical cream is used in many different instances: swelling, irritation, and itching of the skin. All of these symptoms can take place while out on the road.
4. Pain relief medicine (Ibuprofen, Advil, Tylenol, etc.) – It is important to look into which type of these medications will work best for your family. These medications are all slightly different – just do a little research and maybe pack multiple forms. 
5. Antibiotic ointment – This ointment is used to treat small cuts, wounds, etc. These are all very common occurrences while traveling and camping. It is used to keep the area from becoming infected.
6. Aloe Vera – There are many advantages to using Aloe Vera. The most popular uses of RV traveling and camping would be treating burns and soothing sunburns. 
7. Calamine lotion – This lotion is very similar to hydrocortisone cream. It will help with irritation and itching. It is most commonly used for treating poison ivy encounters and similar instances. 

There are tools and other resources that are important to include. Here is a list of items that aren’t necessarily medical supplies, but should still be stored within your first aid kit:

1. Tweezers – These will come in handy for everything from slivers to ticks, and more. You never know what you might need them for.
2. Scissors – This is another item that will have many uses. Scissors are an important tool to pack among your first aid supplies. 
3. Flashlight – This is sure to come in handy once the sun goes down. A flashlight is going to help you with everything from navigating through trees at night to assisting with an RV repair. 
4. Pocket knife – This is a very versatile tool. A pocket knife is an easy item to pack along and is sure to come in handy at some point. 
5. CPR mask – This is a life-saving tool that should be included in every first aid kit. Hopefully, you will never have to use an item like this, but it should always be something to prepare for. Along with the mask, you should also be well-versed in how to perform CPR in the case of an emergency. 
6. Thermometer – This is an important tool to have on any trip. A thermometer is going to help detect fevers and illnesses.

There are a few other items that don’t necessarily fit into a category but are great products to include in a first aid kit. The first object is insect repellent. Especially in the wilderness, pesky bugs can be a huge issue. The next miscellaneous item is sunscreen. Protecting your skin from the sun is vital, especially when you plan to be outside for long periods of time. The last item is an ice pack. The most common type of ice pack for a first aid kit is an instant cold pack. All you have to do is give it a good shake and apply some pressure, and it will start cooling within seconds. Then you will have a cold pack in no time – ready to apply to any injury. 

Once you gather all your supplies, all you have to do is sort them all into your chosen container. Your family might not need every single item listed above. It is up to you to decide what will be necessary. Do keep in mind that some items might not seem important, but can come in handy every once in a while. Once your kit is all packed up, find a place to store it within your RV. This spot can be out in the open so that it is easy for everyone to access. You can also hide it away in a compartment so that it isn’t in the way. It doesn’t matter where you decide to put it, as long as you remember to bring it along on every RV trip. This first aid kit is sure to assist you and your family while you are out on RV adventures!