Build Your Own Ranch Truck First-Aid Kit

Making a kit tailored to your ranching lifestyle is simple, and it can help you be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Emergencies on the ranch don’t always happen close to where help is available. Having a well-stocked first-aid kit in your truck or UTV can make all the difference in managing injuries quickly and effectively.

Start with the Basics

The foundation of any first-aid kit should align with guidelines from the American Red Cross or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Many pre-made kits available online or in stores come stocked with essentials such as:

Bandages of various sizes
Sterile gauze pads and medical tape
Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment
Scissors and tweezers
Medical gloves, such as nitrile powder-free gloves
CPR (resuscitation) mask
Instant cold packs
Hand sanitizer

These kits are a great starting point and often come in compact, organized cases. However, they may need a few upgrades to handle the unique challenges of ranch work.

Add Ranch-Specific Items

Ranchers face risks that go beyond the typical scrape or cut. Here are two must-have additions to your kit:

Burn treatments: Accidents involving welding, hot machinery or UTVs are common on the ranch. Burn gels and dressings, such as Water-Jel, not only soothe burns but can also be used to treat insect bites and fire-ant bites/stings.
Eyewash solution: A sterile eyewash solution is invaluable for flushing debris from your eyes after working in dusty or windy conditions. It can also double as a wound irrigation tool for cleaning cuts before bandaging them.

Consider a Trauma Kit

For those managing large properties or working in remote areas, a trauma kit can be a critical addition. Response times for EMS may be delayed, so being prepared to handle serious injuries is essential. A good trauma kit should include:

CAT tourniquets: One-handed, self-applied tourniquets for stopping bleeding, (named CAT for combat applied tourniquet).
Large trauma bandages
Additional supplies to manage life-threatening injuries until help arrives

Storage and Maintenance

Where you store your first-aid kit is just as important as what’s in it. The best spot is somewhere easily accessible, like under the back seat or under the dashboard. Out of sight often means out of mind, so make sure it’s in a location where you’ll see and remember it.

Regular maintenance is key. Inspect your kit often, especially to check items like sterile water that could freeze in winter.

Be Ready When It Counts

Emergencies can strike when you least expect them. Having a comprehensive first-aid kit in your ranch truck means you’re prepared to handle injuries until help arrives. Take the time to assemble a kit that fits your needs, remember to check it regularly, and be sure everyone on the ranch knows where to find the kit in their truck or UTV.

Maddy Bezner

Maddy Bezner, Sr. Content Writer

Maddy Bezner is a senior content writer for Noble Research Institute. She grew up in the Texas panhandle as the fifth generation of her family’s farming and cattle feeding business before earning her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from Texas A&M University. Maddy’s experience spans marketing and communications within the agricultural commodity and food and beverage industries.