5 First Aid Kits

It's important to have first aid supplies on hand so that you can take care of minor medical incidents without running to the pharmacy or being forced to do without if you happen to be stranded somewhere.  Here are five first aid kits you should have on hand:

• Daily carry first aid kit: a couple of band aids, an alcohol wipe, a packet of aspirin.  Include also a day's worth of prescription medicine and any other items that you may need on a regular basis (ie: glucose tabs if you are diabetic, Epipen, feminine hygiene items, etc).  These few items should always be with you and will take care of most minor medical problems--headache, cuts and scrapes, etc.
• Day hike first aid kit: four or five band aids, a couple of alcohol wipes, two packets of aspirin, antiseptic ointment, glucose tabs, rehydration salts, moleskin, Benadryl, needle, gauze pad, adhesive tape, and any other items you may need (prescription medication, Epipen, feminine hygiene items, etc).  I also include items specific to the area I am hiking such as a snake bite kit, chemical hand warmers for winter hikes, etc. 
• Car/RV/Boat first aid kit: a handful of bandaids, a handful of alcohol wipes, a bottle of aspirin, antiseptic ointment, glucose tabs, rehydration salts, Benadryl, gauze pads, adhesive tape, moleskin, ACE bandage, scissors, tweezers, tourniquet, antidiarrheal medication, cold pack, hot pack, needle and thread, and any other items you may need (prescription medication, Epipen, feminine hygiene items, etc).  This first aid kit will need to be more substantial since, if stranded, you could be many hours or even days away from medical assistance.
• Home first aid kit: a box of bandaids, a box of alcohol pads, a bottle of aspirin, antiseptic ointment, Benadryl, gauze pads, adhesive tape, ACE bandage, scissors, tweezers, antidiarrheal medication, thermometer, decongestant, and any other items you may need (prescription medication, Epipen, feminine hygiene items, etc).  This kit can be a bit less substantial that a kit you carry when away from home because you have the option of calling 911 for medical assistance in an emergency.
• Bug Out Bag first aid kit: a handful of bandaids, a handful of alcohol wipes, a bottle of aspirin, antiseptic ointment, glucose tabs, rehydration salts, Benadryl, gauze pads, adhesive tape, moleskin, ACE bandage, scissors, tweezers, tourniquet, antidiarrheal medication, cold pack, hot pack, needle and thread, QuickClot, water purification tablets, narcotic pain pills, suction syringe, and any other items you may need (prescription medication, Epipen, feminine hygiene items, etc).  This first aid kit will need to be the most comprehensive since if you are bugging out that means there has been a disaster which could mean medical assistance may be days away.

And 11 other considerations:

1. Keep a comprehensive set of first aid books on hand (don't rely on looking things up on the internet as it may be down).
2. Take as many first aid classes as possible (from the basics at the Red Cross to EMT school to a NOLS course).
3. Consider keeping other first aid equipment on hand if you have the necessity or skill to do so (an AED, a blood pressure cuff, a glucose meter, advanced first aid equipment, etc).
4. Get some hands-on first aid skills (by volunteering at your local Red Cross or as an EMT).
5. Keep up with the latest in emergency first aid by going online (I recommend Adventure Doc, WildMed, etc).
6. Consider growing your own pharmaceuticals along with your garden vegetables (info here).
7. Also know how to forage for pharmaceutical plants (blogs and websites abound on the topic).
8. Be sure to review your first aid kits at least once a quarter, get rid of expired items, and replace items that have been used.
9. A note on aspirin: I tend to always carry both aspirin and Tylenol since aspirin can be chewed by someone having a heart attack (give them the aspirin--not Tylenol as it doesn't work the same--and call 911 immediately) while they are waiting for help to arrive.
10. Here's a few other items to carry with you that could be useful in a medical emergency: mirror to signal for help, a packet knife, a space blanket, duct tape, and acidophilous. 
11. In a medical emergency, ALWAYS call 911 first and get them rolling before you attempt to help the victim.