TIP: A cell phone camera can stand in for a camera when looking for injuries (or ticks.)

If you are in cactus country, a comb in your FAK is a great tool for removing Cholla cactus balls.


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You probably have either a signal mirror or a compass with a mirror, or both. This comes under the heading of "gear items that are useful in first aid" - improvised splinting materials and the like.

As others have noted, having a premade/commercial trauma dressing that is bandage and dressing in one can be a big help in self-aid. My preferred dressings are the Tactical Medical Solutions OLES Bandage or if I need a more compact and lighter dressing I like the H&H Mini Compression Bandage.

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This is very helpful in more ways than you can imagine. Even more useful than a mirror sometimes. One time I had a problem in my toe (under the toenail) and at the same time, I was suffering from a problem in my hip (not to mention a big belly). It wasn't easy to bend and see the toe problem clearly. So, I took a few close up pictures with the cell phone camera and examined them before putting some ointment.

A camera is also very good for "preventive measures" that will help you NOT to need first aid in the first place. One day I was looking for some items and thought they might be on top of a cupboard. Due to my health problems (knee, hip ..etc. ) I avoid using tall ladders. So I used a short ladder to almost reach the top of the cupboard and photographed the blind area instead of climbing higher to see with my own eyes.

This is not exactly "first aid", it is "accident prevention" which is also important.

Depending on your health and other circumstances, I think "aid" is a very wide subject. I am planning a home building project within a few months (depending on the pandemic situation). And although my knee and hip are better nowadays but I plan on using a cane while I am in the building site. It is true that I can walk without it, but with all the debris and scattered stuff on the ground, it is wise to have a "third leg" to add to stability and prevent possible falls.

I also plan on carrying a "survival necklace" containing a flashlight and whistle. If something happens, I can call for help.

A hiking staff, cane, or whatever you care to call it, is a highly useful item, especially on uneven terrain. Recovering from a recent hip replacement, I find one even more useful.

I have used a staff for about the last three decades when hiking. They are really useful when fording a stream or poking through brush in snake country. An old room handles is just about as effective as the swanky hiking staffs, which can cost nearly $200 in some stores.