The Best First Aid For Your Car & Caravan [2016 Guide]

When you’re travelling thousands of kilometres from home, being prepared for medical emergencies isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Whether you’re dealing with a cut finger while setting up camp or something more serious hours from the nearest hospital, having the right first aid supplies can make all the difference.

A basic first aid kit from the chemist won’t cut it for extended travel. You need specialised kits designed for different situations you’ll encounter on the Big Lap: snake encounters, remote hiking, roadside emergencies, and even pet injuries. The key is choosing the right combination of kits for your travel style.

Comprehensive Family Kits

For Big Lappers who want everything in one package, comprehensive family kits provide the broadest coverage. These are your base station kits that stay at camp and handle everything from minor cuts to serious trauma.

Survival’s Family Bundle combines their most popular kits: a comprehensive base kit, snake bite kit, and handy grab-and-go kit. It’s designed specifically for families doing extended caravan travel around Australia, with supplies for multiple people and various emergency scenarios.

The bundle approach makes sense because you’ll need different kits for different situations. Your base camp kit handles serious injuries at the caravan, while smaller kits go with you on day trips and adventures.

Snake Bite Emergency Kits

Snake encounters are a real risk when caravanning through Australia. You need more than just a bandage—proper snake bite treatment requires specific supplies and knowledge.

The Wildtrak kit includes the critical components for Australian snake bite treatment: wide compression bandages, marking pen for tracking swelling, and detailed instructions. The portable size means it can go everywhere—hiking, fishing, or just setting up camp in snake country.

Snake bite kits should be part of every Big Lapper’s safety gear, especially if you’re travelling through northern Australia, the Flinders Ranges, or anywhere you’ll be camping in bushland. The compact size means there’s no excuse not to carry one.

Hiking & Adventure Kits

When you’re exploring national parks, hiking trails, or heading off the beaten track, you need first aid that’s portable but comprehensive enough to handle serious injuries until you can get back to your base camp.

This bundle combines a lightweight hiking kit with snake bite protection—perfect for day trips from your caravan. It includes trauma supplies, medications, and tools in a compact package that won’t weigh you down on longer walks.

The Handy kit is your compromise between weight and coverage. It handles common hiking injuries—cuts, sprains, bites, and stings—without the bulk of a full trauma kit. Perfect for day hikes, beach walks, or exploring small towns.

Vehicle & Roadside Kits

Roadside emergencies and vehicle breakdowns create their own first aid challenges. You need supplies that can handle injuries from changing tyres, dealing with hot engines, and accidents that might happen on remote highways.

The 4WD Bundle is built for remote area travel where you might be hours from help. It includes trauma supplies for serious injuries, burn treatment for engine-related accidents, and medications for extended periods away from medical care.

This kit recognises that 4WD adventures often involve higher risk activities: winching, rock driving, river crossings, and camping in areas where evacuation might take days. The supplies reflect these realities.

Pet First Aid Kits

Your pets face their own risks on the Big Lap: snake bites, cuts from sharp rocks, heat stress, and encounters with other wildlife. Regular human first aid doesn’t cover their specific needs.

Pet first aid is different from human first aid. This kit includes supplies sized for animals: paw bandages, emergency muzzles to prevent bites during treatment, and medications safe for pets. The instruction guides cover common pet emergencies you’ll encounter while travelling.

Specialty & CPR Kits

Some emergencies require specialised equipment. CPR situations, severe allergic reactions, and cardiac events need specific supplies that aren’t included in general first aid kits.

The Mini CPR kit provides the protection you need to safely perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The one-way valve and face shield protect against disease transmission while allowing effective ventilation during cardiac arrest.

CPR training is more valuable than any equipment, but having the right protective gear means you can act without hesitation if someone needs resuscitation. The kit is small enough to keep in every vehicle and caravan.

Building Your Own Kit

If you prefer to customise your first aid supplies or want to upgrade an existing kit, focus on these Australian-specific additions that address the unique challenges of caravan travel.

Essential Australian Additions:

• FastAid EVO Snake Bite Bandage ~$12 – Compression bandage with pressure indicators for correct snake bite treatment
• FastAid Emergency Thermal Blanket ~$8 – Compact thermal protection for shock and hypothermia
• QuikClot bleeding control gauze for serious cuts and lacerations
• Waterproof tape that sticks in humid conditions
• Anti-histamines for allergic reactions to Australian wildlife
• Burn gel for camp stove and exhaust pipe burns

Storage Considerations:

Organise your kit in clear, waterproof containers. Use different coloured bags or containers for different categories: trauma supplies, medications, burns, and snake bites. Label everything clearly so anyone can find what they need quickly.

Keep medications cool and dry. Many prescription drugs lose effectiveness in extreme heat, so store them in insulated containers or the caravan fridge if necessary.