MEDICAL KITS & THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRST AID TRAINING

MEDICAL KITS & THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRST AID TRAINING

by Sibtain Azhar

When planning an overland expedition, it’s easy to get caught up in gear lists, vehicle mods, and recovery tools. But one of the most critical items you should never overlook is your overland medical kit. Unlike gear that protects your vehicle, a well-stocked and properly organized first aid kit for off-road travel protects what matters most—you and your team. 

At STARS Overland, we’ve years of off-grid travels and we are pleased to share how we build and organize our First Aid Medical kits, what we include, and why medical preparedness is essential for every overlander

WHY MEDICAL TRAINING MATTERS FOR OVERLANDERS 

Before building your kit, we strongly recommend completing First Aid Certification. For long-term or remote travel, a Advanced First Aid Certification course is ideal. Our team has trained with: 

  • Basic and Advanced First Aid 

  • Remote Medical 

  • First Person on Scene (FPoS) 

OUR APPROACH TO OVERLAND MEDICAL KITS 

We build our kits assuming rescue could take up to 48 hours in remote areas. That means packing for both minor injuries and serious trauma. Each vehicle carries: 

  • A Master Medical Kit for the team 

  • An Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) in every truck 

WHAT’S INSIDE OUR MASTER OVERLAND MEDICAL KIT 

Our Master First Aid Kit is divided into clearly labelled compartments so anyone—whether a teammate or a medical professional—can quickly find what they need. 

1. Cuts, Scrapes, Lacerations & Burns 

  • Irrigation syringe 

  • Moleskin 

  • Alcohol prep pads 

  • Band-aids & steri-strips 

  • Gauze & wound wash 

  • Neosporin 

2. Splinting, Strains & Sprains 

  • SAM splint 

  • Triangle bandages 

  • Athletic tape & duct tape 

  • Finger splint 

  • Gauze 

3. Medications 

  • Ibuprofen, Tylenol, baby aspirin 

  • Antihistamines & cortisone cream 

  • Imodium, laxatives, Pepto Bismol 

  • Regularly check expiration dates! 

4. Eyes, Teeth & Throat 

  • Toothache kit 

  • Pupil gauge 

  • Penlight 

5. Heart & Blood Pressure 

  • Stethoscope 

  • Manual & wrist BP monitors 

6. Airways, Staples & Scissors 

  • Airway kit 

  • Skin stapler 

  • Multiple metal scissors 

  • For use by trained professionals only 

7. Temperature Control 

  • Cold packs 

  • Oral rehydration salts 

  • Oral thermometer 

  • Body & hand warmers 

8. Heavy Trauma 

  • Stifneck collar 

  • Safety scalpel & surgical blades 

  • Syringes 

  • Rollable medical litter 

INDIVIDUAL FIRST AID KITS (IFAKS) FOR EACH VEHICLE 

Each truck in our convoy carries an IFAK, mounted in an easily accessible location (like the passenger headrest). These kits are smaller but packed with essentials for quick response. 

IFAK Contents: 

  • Gloves (multiple sets) 

  • CPR mask 

  • Chest seals & tourniquets 

  • Gauze & ACE bandages 

  • Triangle bandages & butterfly band-aids 

  • Quick-clot gauze & telfa paper 

  • Alcohol pads 

  • Ibuprofen & Benadryl 

  • Emergency blanket 

  • Trauma shears 

All items are stored in a rugged, zippered canvas pouch. 


RECOMMENDED PRE-MADE MEDICAL KITS 

If you prefer not to build your kit from scratch, we recommend checking out Amazon marketplace that offers many options for various budgets. Remember that some consumables have an expiry date and it is important to regularly thoroughly check your kit before you travel. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: BE PREPARED, STAY SAFE 

A well-stocked overland first aid kit is more than a checklist—it’s a lifeline. Whether you're traveling solo or in a convoy, medical preparedness should be a top priority. Invest in training, build your kit with care, and always be ready for the unexpected. 

SHARE YOUR JOURNEY 

Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, we’d love to hear your story! 

Tag your adventures with @STARSOverland to be featured on our social platforms (Instagram and YouTube). 

Until next time, stay curious, stay inspired! 

STARS Overland Tribe.

by Sibtain Azhar

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