First Aid Kit Levels: What to Carry at Home, in Your Car, and in the Field

One first aid kit doesn’t fit all situations. What you need at home differs from your car kit, which differs from a backcountry medical kit. Here’s how to build the right kit for each scenario.

Level 1: Home Kit

Your home kit is the most comprehensive because weight and space don’t matter.

• Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes
• Sterile gauze pads and rolls
• Medical tape
• Antibiotic ointment
• Burn cream
• OTC pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Antihistamines
• Thermometer
• Tweezers and scissors
• Cold packs
• Elastic bandages
• Eye wash solution
• Prescription medications (with current dates)

Level 2: Vehicle Kit

Everything from Level 1 in a more compact format, plus:

• Emergency blanket
• Triangle bandage/sling
• SAM splint
• Tourniquet
• Chest seal
• Hemostatic gauze

Vehicle kits should be stored in an accessible location, not buried in the trunk under luggage.

Level 3: Field/Tactical IFAK

An Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) focuses on life-threatening injuries you might encounter in the field. MOLLE-compatible pouches attach to your pack or belt for quick access.

Core IFAK contents:

• Tourniquet (CAT or SOF-T style)
• Compressed gauze
• Chest seal (vented)
• Emergency trauma dressing
• Nasopharyngeal airway
• Nitrile gloves
• Permanent marker (to write tourniquet time)

Training Matters More Than Gear

A first aid kit is only as good as the person using it. Take a Stop the Bleed course (free, 2 hours) and a wilderness first aid course if you spend time outdoors. Practice skills regularly — emergencies don’t give you time to read instructions.