First Aid Kit Contents & Supplies Checklist

In an emergency situation you may have to act quickly, so it’s important to be familiar with your first aid kit and know what to use for different injuries. First aid kits are usually in a green box with a white cross and should be easy to find.

The contents of first aid kits in workplaces or public places should be guided by your first aid needs assessment. For more information about what should be in your workplace first aid kit, please read our Workplace first aid kit buying guide.

For your home or car, you can buy a first aid kit or put the items together yourself in a waterproof, clean container.

The following items are the basic contents of a first aid kit, with explanations of what to use when:

Sterile dressings

Wound dressings

Dressing pads attached to a roller bandage are the most useful bandage. They are easy to apply and so are ideal for an emergency.

Types of wound dressings include:

sterile wound dressing
sterile eye pad
sterile pad
fabric plasters
waterproof plasters.

Adhesive dressings or plasters

These are made from fabric or waterproof plastic and can be applied to small cuts and grazes. If you work with food, you’ll be required to use blue plasters. Gel plasters can be used to protect blisters.

Types of adhesive dressings or plasters include:

clear plasters
blue catering plasters
gel blister plasters.

Browse wound dressings

10cm x 12.5cm St John Ambulance No.1 Ambulance First Aid Dressing

15cm x 20cm St John Ambulance No.2 Ambulance First Aid Dressing

20cm x 28cm St John Ambulance No.3 Ambulance First Aid Dressing

20cm x 32cm St John Ambulance No.4 Ambulance First Aid Dressing

5cm x 5cm Small No.7 St John Ambulance First Aid Dressing

7.5cm x 10cm Medium No. 8 St John Ambulance First Aid Dressing

10cm x 12cm Large No. 9 St John Ambulance First Aid Dressing

No. 16 St John Ambulance Eye Pad Dressing

20cm x 10cm Zetuvit® E Dressing Pad

Box of 50 10cm x 10cm Relipad Xtreme Low-Adherent Dressing Pads

10cm x 10cm Low Adherent Absorbent Dressing Pad

Pack of 100 10cm x 20cm Melolin Cushioned Dressing Pad

Browse plasters and adhesive dressings

Bandages

Roller bandages

These are used to support injured joints, limit swelling, maintain pressure on wounds and secure dressings in place.

Types of roller bandages include:

conforming roller bandage
open-weave roller bandage
support roller bandage
self-adhesive bandage.

Triangular bandages

These are made of cloth and can be folded to make bandages or slings. If they are individually wrapped and sterile they can also be used as dressings for large wounds and burns.

Look for a folded triangular bandage.

Tubular bandages

Gauze tubular bandage is used to secure dressings on toes and fingers and is applied to the injury with a special applicator. Elasticated tubular bandages can be used to support injured joints such as the elbow or knee.

Look for a gauze tubular bandage and applicator.

Browse roller bandages

5cm x 4.5m St John Ambulance Crepe Bandage

10cm x 4.5m St John Ambulance Crepe Bandage

15cm x 4.5m St John Ambulance Crepe Bandage

Pack of 10 5cm x 4.5m St John Ambulance Crepe Bandage

Pack of 10 7.5cm x 4.5m St John Ambulance Crepe Bandage

10cm x 4.5m St John Ambulance Conforming Bandage

Pack of 10 15cm x 4.5m St John Ambulance Crepe Bandage

Browse triangular bandages

Browse tubular bandages

Protective items

Disposable gloves

If available, gloves should be worn whenever you dress wounds, handle bodily fluids or other waste materials. Latex-free gloves should be worn where possible as some people are allergic to latex.

Protection from infection

A plastic face shield or pocket mask can help protect you from cross infection with the casualty when giving rescue breaths.

Browse protective prods

Pack of 10 St John Ambulance Face Shields

St John Ambulance Revive-Aid Face Shield

Pair of St John Ambulance Nitrile Powder-Free Gloves

Pack of 100 Extra Long Cuff Nitrile Gloves

St John Ambulance Lifekey with Face Shield

St John Ambulance Face Shield Keyring

Additional items

Cleansing wipes: to clean the skin around the wound
Gauze pads: to use as padding, or as swabs to clean around the wounds
Adhesive tape: to hold dressings in place or to hold the loose end of bandages
Scissors: used to cut bandages or sticky tape or someone’s clothing if you need to get to a wound.
Pins and clips: to fasten loose ends of bandages
Aluminium blanket: used to help retain body heat in survival, emergency and first aid situations.