I remember a trip to the New Forest when my youngest was about five. He was running full tilt towards the play area, tripped over a tent peg, and went flying. It was a classic, dramatic tumble that produced a lot of tears and a very bloody knee. Five minutes later, after a sit down, a cuddle, an antiseptic wipe and a dinosaur plaster from our first aid kit, he was back on the swings as if nothing had happened. The dinosaur plaster was the real hero, of course.
That little episode reminded me that a good first aid kit is probably the most important piece of gear you can own. You hope you will never need it, but when you do, it is an absolute godsend. It is not about preparing for major disasters, it is about being able to quickly and calmly deal with the small, everyday mishaps that are a normal part of an active outdoor life.
Common Campsite Mishaps to Be Ready For
Cuts & Scrapes
The most common injury. From tripping over guy lines to slipping on wet grass. Be ready with antiseptic wipes, plasters, and sterile dressings.
Minor Burns
From splashing boiling water, a hot stove, or a campfire spark. Having a proper burn gel or burn dressing is essential.
Bites & Stings
Wasps, midges, and horseflies are a part of UK camping. Pack antihistamine cream, sting relief spray, and tweezers.
Ticks
These are common in grassy and wooded areas. A proper tick remover tool is the only safe way to deal with them.
Quick Jump to My Recommendations
My Detailed First Aid Kit Reviews
Best for Families
Lifesystems Explorer First Aid Kit
This is the kit I recommend to any family starting out. Lifesystems make brilliant, well thought out kits and the Explorer is the perfect size for keeping in the car for a week of camping. It is logically organised into different sections, so you can find what you need quickly. It contains all the essentials, from a huge range of plasters and dressings to burn gel and importantly, a proper tick remover. It is a comprehensive and high quality kit that gives you real peace of mind.
My Verdict
A fantastic, comprehensive, and well organised kit. It is the perfect base for any family camper to build upon with your own items.
Best for Hikers
Lifesystems Trek First Aid Kit
If you are heading out for a day hike from the campsite, you do not want to carry a big family kit. The Trek kit is my choice for personal use. It is tiny and weighs next to nothing, but still packs in the essentials for dealing with minor cuts and blisters on the trail. It is the perfect size to live in the bottom of a backpack so you never forget it. It is not comprehensive, but it is not meant to be. It is for patching yourself up to get back to your main kit at the tent.
My Verdict
The perfect little kit for solo hikers or to give to each family member to keep in their own bag. Small, light, and effective.
Best on a Budget
Safety First Aid Group Kit
If you are on a tight budget, this kit offers an incredible number of items for a very low price. It is packed with 94 pieces, including a huge array of plasters, wipes, and dressings. The quality of the individual components is more basic than the premium Lifesystems kits, but it covers all the bases for a family trip. It is a brilliant and affordable starting point that allows you to be prepared without spending a lot of money.
My Verdict
An unbeatable price for such a large number of supplies. It is a fantastic choice for budget conscious families who want a well stocked kit.
Best Waterproof KitOverBoard Waterproof First Aid Kit
A standard first aid kit is no good if all the contents get soaked. If your camping trips involve kayaking, paddleboarding, or just being near the water, a fully waterproof kit is a brilliant idea. This one from OverBoard comes in a proper roll top dry bag, guaranteeing the contents will stay bone dry no matter what. The kit inside is a solid, general purpose one, but it is the waterproof bag that you are really paying for here. It is a great bit of extra security for any water based adventure.
My Verdict
For anyone who spends their camping trips on or near the water, this is essential. It provides total peace of mind that your safety gear will be dry when you need it.
Best Specialist Burns KitWater-Jel Burns Kit
Minor burns are a common campsite injury, from splashing kettle water to touching a hot stove. While general kits contain a burn sachet, this specialist kit is a brilliant addition to your main family kit. It contains several sizes of Water-Jel dressings, which are soaked in a cooling gel. They are far more effective than just running a burn under cold water, providing instant and lasting relief while protecting the injury. I keep one of these inside my main first aid bag at all times.
My Verdict
An excellent and affordable addition to your main kit. For dealing with the most common type of painful campsite injury, it is fantastic.
Best for Your DogCanine First Aid Kit
If you camp with your four legged friend, it is only right they have their own first aid kit too. This kit is specifically designed for dogs, containing items like cohesive bandages that do not stick to fur, a tick remover, and antiseptic wipes that are safe for pets. Dogs are just as likely to get a cut paw or a thorn stuck in their foot as we are to get a scraped knee. Having a dedicated kit for them is a responsible part of being a dog owning camper.
My Verdict
An essential for any dog owner who loves the outdoors. A well thought out and comprehensive kit to keep your best friend safe on your adventures.
Buyer's Guide: What I Look For
Comprehensive Contents
A good starting kit should cover the basics well. Look for a good variety of plasters and dressings, antiseptic wipes, sterile gloves, and safety pins. A huge number of items is not always a sign of quality. I would rather have 50 high quality, useful items than 150 tiny, useless plasters.
Good Organisation
In a minor emergency, you do not want to be rummaging through a jumbled bag. I always look for kits that are logically organised into labelled pockets or sections. It makes finding what you need so much quicker and less stressful.
Supplement, Do not Just Rely
Remember that no pre-made kit can contain medication. It is essential that you supplement your kit with your own personal medications, as well as general painkillers for adults and children. A good kit is a starting point, not the finished article.
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About the Author
Adam Brooks
For the last ten years, I have been enthusiastically getting rained on in fields from the Cornish coast to the Lake District. My passion for finding gear that actually works was born from one too many easy pitch tents that required an engineering degree and a marriage counsellor to assemble. I created Top Listed Products to provide honest, straightforward reviews for fellow UK campers, so you can spend less time worrying about your kit and more time enjoying that well earned bacon butty.