Minimalist First Aid Kit

by Catherine Sempill

As with any hobby, it’s easy to go all out on adventure gear, and that includes your first aid kit for hiking or cycling holidays. If you’re nervous, prone to accidents or heading somewhere very remote, a comprehensive first aid kit is a must. However, not every trip demands a hospital-level stash of supplies, and not everyone wants to carry so much on their person either.

The fact is, on many of the UK’s trails, you’ll be a phone call, short taxi ride or a walkable distance from a pharmacy or clinic, so you can get away with a slimmed-down first aid supply. Here’s how to gauge your first aid packing and a list of recommended items.

General First Aid Considerations for a Minimalist Approach

• Opt for items that serve multiple purposes.
• Consider your own weak spots and pack accordingly, e.g. if you’re prone to muscle aches (or your body is out of practice), prioritise anti-inflammatories.
• Remove medication from boxes and only pack as much as you’ll need.
• Risk-assess your route. What are the amenities like en route? Are there factors like the weather which might impact your health and safety? For example, the Cotswold Way is well connected, with cell service along most of it, unlike a remote walk like the Pennine Way where you may need more preparation.
• How nervous are you? If you’ll feel more relaxed knowing you have a full supply of first aid items in your daypack, pack them. The goal is enjoyment, not going minimalist just to prove a point!

An Example Packing List for a Minimalist First Aid Kit

If you’re wondering just how minimalist you can get, here’s a packing list for a true bare-minimum first aid kit. Obviously if you can carry more, please do so; this is an example of how to maximise usefulness. Be sure to only deploy these items in a way you are confident in using them.

• Medical alcohol 
  Can be used to disinfect hands and wounds
• Tampons
  Very compact and can be used in lieu of cotton balls, for nose-bleeds, and they can be pulled open to create a makeshift wound dressing in an emergency
• Duct tape
  AKA the outdoor’s biggest hack. Can be used to protect blisters, secure a wound dressing, stick a gash together until you reach a doctor for stitches (not a joke) and secure broken gear, from a tired shoe to a broken zip. Bonus is that you can wrap the duct tape around the medical alcohol or a pill container to save space.

Medication

If you’re trying to pack light, prioritise treatment for the most common ailments:

• Antihistamines for bites and stings
• Anti-inflammatories for muscle or joint pain
• Anti-diarrheal tablets
• Any prescription medication you’re on

Honourable Mentions

• Cash and a bank card
  You can get a lot done with a little money on you, from buying emergency water supplies on a hotter-than-expected day, to paying a taxi driver to whisk you to a clinic in a remote area. 
• A warm jacket
  It’s always advised to carry layers on a walk, even on a warm day. Provided you’re not in remote or treacherous terrain, that warm jacket can do the job of an emergency blanket in a pinch.

With these items in your daypack, you’ll be ready for the most common health issues on the trail without being weighed down by a hefty stash of first aid supplies. However, if you want a more comprehensive first aid kit for peace of mind, or your route requires extra precautions, you may find these articles helpful:

• Getting to know your walker’s first aid kit
• What to do in an emergency while walking