What Items Should Never Go in a First Aid Kit

So, I’m gonna be controversial and disagree with a previous response—at least in part. While the advice on the necessity of a specialized first aid kit for specific activities is sound, there are some items that may not be as commonly needed as many people think. A basic first aid kit is fine for keeping in the car or for taking with you on walks in well-known, well-used, and easily accessible public areas. However, for different situations, you should tailor your first aid kit based on the specific activity and environment. Let’s explore what items should not be in a first aid kit.

Basic First Aid Kits

A basic first aid kit for the car or for outdoor activities in familiar environments can be quite adequate. Generally, most people will find that a simple kit with bandages, plasters, and some pain relief is sufficient. However, the need for specialized items differs based on the activity and environment you are in. Websites and resources specific to the activity you wish to undertake can provide valuable guidance. Whether it's climbing, bouldering, watersports, mountaineering, hill walking, or orienteering, these sites offer detailed information on what you should carry.

Specialized First Aid Kits

For most situations, a specialized first aid kit is not necessary. The CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet), for example, is designed for combat situations and is not used widely in civilian settings. It is designed for specific injuries that do not occur frequently outside of these environments. Similarly, trauma kits are typically only necessary for activities involving the use of axes, knives, or other sharp tools. Drugs should also be carried sparingly—only the specific medications you need and some over-the-counter pain relief like Acetaminophen/Paracetamol. These should be kept separate from your first aid kit to avoid confusion.

Personal Experience

Since I started driving, I have carried a basic first aid kit in my car, and over 10 years, I have only ever needed the bandages and plasters. As a volunteer responder for the ambulance service, I always had my first aid kit in my car, but I never came across a serious road traffic incident (RTI) where emergency medical services (EMS) were not present. In my 5 years of bushcraft, wood carving, and wild camping, I have never seen someone do significant injury with an axe or knife. However, if you are working with such tools, it is recommended to have a trauma kit nearby.

More specialized first aid kits are often needed in extreme environments or during high-risk activities, but these situations are unlikely. It is better to have a tailored first aid kit and use what you have when necessary, rather than risk being unprepared. Always assess the situation and use common sense when deciding what to carry. Tailor your first aid kit to your activities, purchase only the items that you need, and if you find yourself as the first person on scene of an injury or accident, use what you have and let the professionals take over when they arrive.