A Realistic First Aid Kit for Disaster where a large number of people are injured must be different from the ordinary type of first aid kit. It must have bigger-sized materials and more of them. Your kit should be compact, well stocked, kept up to date, and easy to reach quickly.

No “store-bought” First Aid kit is likely to have what you need, since they're intended for minor quick-fix or temporary situations. Most of the people you help will probably still have to wait 24 hours or more to get more advanced professional care, so you want them to be as safe and as comfortable as possible.

We examined dozens of commercial First Aid kits and found that NONE of them would be useful for a disaster. We found many so-called “Survival Supplies" Kits which actually contained mostly water, candy bars, band-aids, and aspirin. Advertising and fancy packaging of this type are common, and although they are not illegal, they can be very misleading. Personal survival supplies like water and food are important, but they are not for First Aid, and should be kept separate from your medical supplies.

You can buy First Aid Kits on the internet and pay a lot of money and still not get much that's actually useful in a large emergency where the problems are bigger than Band-Aids. For that reason, it’s usually better to put together your own kit if possible. Some supplies, like slings and roller bandages, you can even make yourself. (see First Aid Supplies - How To Improvise With Common Materials)

Realistic Recommendations - Supplies for your First Aid Kit

Below is a list of basic essentials to help you get started on building your First Aid Kit for Disaster. First, get a sturdy nylon or canvas bag that’s big enough, water-resistant, and has lots of easy-to-get-at pockets. Choose a bright color. Then stock it with First Aid supplies and materials you can really use. Store things in clear plastic zip-lock bags to keep them clean and dry, and so you can quickly find what you're looking for.

• The Disaster First Aid Handbook
• Triage Tags or Tapes / marking pens
• Latex or vinyl gloves, 20 to 30 pairs
• Cloth advesive tapes 1” and 2” wide (2or 3 rolls)
• Plastic advesive tapes 1” and 2” wide (2or 3 rolls)
• Large & Medium sterile gauze pads 4x4 and 8x10
• Extra-Large band-aids 2”x4” or larger
• Box of sanitary napkins or adult diapers (These make good
absorbent dressings or pressure dressings)
• Large packages (100 non-sterile 4"x4”gauze) (2 or 3 pkgs)
• Roller bandages Kling /Kerlix, or make your own 12-25)
• Triangle “cravat” slings, or make your own (several)
• Tongue depressors and/or cotton swabs
• Lots of extra-large safety pins
• Mild disinfectant (“Green Soap” or Betadine scrub)
• Hydrogen Peroxide (to use, dilute with water 50/50)
• Antibiotic ointment (Polysporin, Bacitracin)
• Sterile water or sterile Normal Saline

• Large waterproof Magic Markers
• First Report & Second Report forms (in the book)
• Small tablet or clipboard and pens
• Plastic baggies and heavy garbage bags
• Plastic sheeting ground cover 12x25 ft roll
• Mylar “space blankets” (6-12 or more)
• Clothesline-type rope or sash-cord
• “Duck” Tape (good for everything)
• Blunt-ended or “EMT” scissors 2 or 3 pairs
• Kitchen rubber gloves for general mess
• Pocket knife or folding lock-blade knife
• Consider a clean plastic spray or squirt bottle
• Keep 2 weeks supply of needed prescription
medications* you or your family usually take. If Diabetic
include medicine & snack foods for them.
• Tylenol or aspirin for FEVER**
• Anti-Diarrhea medicine***
• Clean water

*Change / rotate medications monthly to keep them fresh.
**Remember: that aspirin, Advil, Nuprin, Motrin etc. can increase bleeding, and over-dosing Tylenol is harmful to the liver.
***If possible seek medical advice before using any unprescribed medications.
See also: HOW TO IMPROVISE FIRST AID SUPPLIES (in the book)