I don't like pre-assembled kits. For starters, they usually include a lot of stuff you'll not likely need and too little of the stuff you'll mostly need (like painkillers). I would rather start with an empty box or bag and hand-pick what goes in it.

So let's see your lists of essential first-aid items in the wilderness.

This is what I carry backpacking:

1 2" Ace bandage
3 large safety pins
1 roll 2" gauze
4 Pepto-Bismol tablets
10 Ibuprofen tablets
6 Benadryl caplets
duct tape rolled around a pencil stub
"Backcountry First Aid" by Buck Tilton
2 pr. nitrile gloves
2 3"x3" pads
moleskin
6 band-aids
1 1% hydrocortisone cream packet (1g)
2 triple antibiotic cream packets (1g)
1 burn gel w/lidocaine packet (3.5g)
2 antiseptic towelettes
6 Micro-Pur water purification tablets

OPSak waterproof bag

total weight 7.2 oz.

I've also had wilderness first aid training which emphasized improvising splints, bandaging, traction, etc. using backpacking gear. Other gear already carried is not included here (i.e. scissors and tweezers on SAK).

There are a lot of first-aid kits on this forum.

This is a link to another forum that has made a 'standard'-list for FAK's:

http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23901

Your FAK should include items that are appropriate for your level of training. If you have no training, your FAK is a bandaid and the Book of Common Prayer.

Hikermor--well said..that made more sense that some of the
first aid stuff i've read..i see lists of gear that only a
Dr would know how to use..unless you have had lots--LOTS of
training and first hand experence i would not want you trying
to sew me up or use hemostats to dig something out of me..
i think a lot of first aid kit lists are sort of "security
blanket" stuff---

I bring stuff for cuts and abrasions as well as a deeper cut. Always pack an Ace bandage and a bandanna. I bring along aspirin, naproxin, hydrocodone, and Imodium in the way of pills and keep my water purification tablets in my kit too. Also have a set of fine tweezers for splinters. Oh yes, and a couple chemical handwarmers for no real reason other than comfort. My first aid training consists of the very occasional Red Cross basics class that I'm overdue in taking again. It's enough until I needed something more.

Roll your own, without a doubt. Accumulate "surplus" (e.g. if you purchase a box of items but pack less than that quantity) and use it to keep consumables topped off.

The package matters greatly - it should survive immersion and extended rain. At the very least, a ziplock type of container. I prefer dry bags by OR or Sea-to-Summit as the outer package. Some folks use an appropriately sized Otter box or Pelican case... for me, those are dandy for applications other than carry (car, canoe, bike, etc.).

Some of the AMK, Atwater Carey, Phil & Jan Carey (Campmor), etc. kits are a good start - toss some items and add others. But drop the final kit or kit+ into a dry bag of some sort.

One thing I feel is often overlooked is hydration aid. After bandaids, the MOST frequently used item in all my FAKs these days is Hydralyte (formerly Gookinaid). I carry 2 1 liter packages; some trips involving a larger groups/longer duration I add more packages to the larger group aid bag. I stick to the original "un-flavor" for this use. Seems to be simplest for me to buy from REI when it's on sale.

HTH,

Tom