Most caravan trips never need more than a bandaid and some antiseptic. But when something more serious happens — a burn, a cut that needs proper dressing, an allergic reaction — the nearest help can be a long way off. A first aid kit that's actually stocked, and knowledge to go with it, matters more the further you get from town.
The core kit
- Assorted adhesive dressings and sterile gauze, in a genuine range of sizes
- Crepe and conforming bandages, including at least one snake bite compression bandage
- Antiseptic wipes or solution, and saline for wound cleaning
- Tweezers, scissors, and disposable gloves
- A thermometer
- Pain relief and antihistamines — check expiry dates each trip, don't assume last year's are still good
- A burns dressing kit — genuinely common in a caravan with gas cooking and hot water
- A first aid manual or reference card — don't rely on remembering everything under pressure
Personal medications and conditions
Carry enough of any prescription medication for the trip plus a real buffer for delays, in original packaging with the script if possible. If anyone travelling has a known allergy, asthma, diabetes or heart condition, make sure everyone in the vehicle knows what to do and where the relevant medication or device (EpiPen, inhaler, insulin) is kept — not just the person who needs it.
What changes for remote travel
The further you are from help, the more your kit needs to bridge time, not just treat the immediate injury. Consider adding: a SAM splint for suspected fractures, extra snake bite bandages (a full limb needs a lot of bandage), a space blanket for shock, and genuinely more of everything — remote trips run out of supplies from ordinary use, not just emergencies.
Know before you go
A first aid kit is only as good as the person using it. A remote-area or wilderness first aid course (St John Ambulance and Red Cross both run them) is worth doing before extended remote travel — snake bite management, burns, and basic trauma response are genuinely different skills to a standard workplace first aid course.
Quick checklist
- Kit checked and restocked before every extended trip, not just once a year
- Medication expiry dates checked
- Everyone travelling knows where the kit is and what's in it, not just one person
- Personal medical conditions and medications known to all adults in the vehicle
- Remote-area first aid training considered for extended or genuinely remote travel
FAQ
Do I need a snake bite kit even if I'm not planning to go bushwalking?
Yes — snakes are encountered around campsites and caravan parks too, not just on hiking trails. A compression bandage is cheap, light, and worth carrying regardless of your planned activities.
How often should I check my kit?
Before every extended trip at minimum — check expiry dates and restock anything used or out of date.
Sources
Reviewed 22 September 2026. This is general information, not medical advice — seek guidance from a qualified first aid provider for your specific circumstances, and always call Triple Zero (000) in a genuine emergency where you have signal.