If you are participating in a ruck march training or event (like a GORUCK event) you probably don’t need to pack an IFAK or trauma kit.
Why not? Because you are already going to have to pack the minimum required weight – so why add more to that?
Here’s the items we recommend you have in your GORUCK first aid kit – throw this in your rucksack before you go.
Waterproof storage – aLOKSAK
First of all – you need something to keep the first aid kit together.
A ziplock bag isn’t a terrible option – but it’s not industrial strength.
The aLOKSAK bag (Buy on Amazon) is a re-sealable, flexible storage bag.
It is super-tough and guaranteed air tight.
It will keep our sand, water, humidity and anything else.
If you are at a ruck event, total water immersion is a very real possibility. I wouldn’t chance it with a ziplock bag.
- Underwater Protection: Protect anything to the max with our leak-proof, airtight aLOKSAK Dry Bags. Whether you need storage in your kayak, cooler, on the beach, or in the water, aLOKSAK has your back.
- Resealable Bag: Flexible, resealable bag provides protection from environmental damage to your passport, phone, camera, batteries, key card, or more.
- Touch Screen Compatible: No matter if you have a smartphone or a cellphone, you can use your underwater phone bag on any occasion. Perfect for swimming, kayaking, beach, or marine activity.
- Universal Protector: Sealed against water, humidity, odor, and weather for travel, tools, documents, and more. Certified waterproof by SCUBA Schools International up to 60 meters or 200 feet.
- Lightweight Storage: These element-proof bags are easy to take with you anywhere. Measures 16x23.3in. inner, 16.2x24.7in. outer.
By the way, you can also use these to keep water and moisture in – for example your mouthwash bottles when you travel – isn’t it fun when those leak all over your luggage?
These are also great for keeping electronics safe and dry.
These are also available in aLOKSAK 6 – which is great or phones and other small electronics.
Keeping your phone stored away securely is a must for most GORUCK events -the cadre often doesn’t allow any device usage.
Alcohol Swabs
First Aid 101 says we need alcohol swabs. These are great for drying or disinfection.
These 70% isopropyl alcohol swabs are also great for easy clean-up.
- INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED MEDICAL ALCOHOL PADS: Our CURAD Alcohol Prep Pads are individually sealed in easy-to-open foil-lined packets. This keeps them sterile and saturated until you need to use them.
- ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL WIPES: We use a formulation of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol for our 2-ply pads. Effectively clean your skin and wipe away dirt and oil without use of soap and water.
- CONVENIENT FIRST AID: Simplify your first aid routine with our cleansing swabs. You can use them to treat little cuts and scrapes or to prepare your skin for bandaging, finger pricks, or injections. Perfect to clean your skin before finger pricks or insulin shots.
- KEEP YOUR SMALL ITEMS CLEAN: Our sterile alcohol prep pads are great for cleaning little things around your home or office. You can use them to wipe down small items like your phone, glasses, or earphones.
- PRACTICAL ESSENTIAL ITEM: Our alcohol swab pads easily tuck away without taking up much space. We recommend keeping several with you in your bag, desk, or car to use when needed.
This 400 pack is probably a life-time supply…
Hemorrhoid Wipes
You probably know already if you will need these… but they can be used for other purposes too.
The main ingredient in these is witch hazel, which is an herbal astringent.
It’s cooling and anti-inflammatory properties help with a variety of skin conditions including acne, eczema or psoriasis.
So, think of these as a general purpose first aid item in a convenient package.
- Four 48 count packs of Preparation H Hemorrhoid Wipes with Witch Hazel for gentle, everyday cleansing
- Hemorrhoid treatment delivers relief of irritation caused by external hemorrhoids while cleansing the affected area
- Medicated wipes formulated with soothing aloe and cleansing witch hazel
- Flushable wipes help temporarily relieve skin irritation associated with hemorrhoids
- Preparation H medicated wipes are biodegradable and septic safe
Blister Kit
What first aid emergency are you likely to encounter on a ruck march?
Blisters.
So pack a blister kit.
These are the essential items:
- 18g x 1.5″ Needle (or a safety pin)- for popping the blister – in case that isn’t clear.
- 6″ Rock Tape
- Alcohol Wipes
- Antibiotic Ointment
This product from Amazon has pretty much everything you need.
- 2 oval pad, 2" x 4"
- 2 2Nd skin, 1.5" x 2"
- 3 moleskin, 2" x 3"
- 2 safety pins
- 6 alcohol prep pads and 6 BZK antiseptic towelettes
The proper way to use this is as follows:
- Clean blister area with alcohol
- Pop the blister (using the needle)
- Clean the area with alcohol again
- Apply antibiotic ointment
- Cover with tape
Non Stick Gauze Pads
Gauze pads are a must have.
Non-stick – so they do notstick to the wound and they are easy to remove or reapply as needed.
- COMFORTABLE: Experience the comfort of Medpride's non adhesive bandage, designed to ease removal and minimize discomfort during dressing changes. Especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin or painful wounds, these non adhesive pads for wounds make the wound care experience less distressing and more comfortable.
- SAFE: Relish the added safety of individually wrapped sterile pads, which are designed as non stick wound dressing to maintain sterilization and reduce the risk of infection. These wound dressing pads provide an extra layer of protection, promoting safer wound care.
- ABSORBENT: Marvel at the high absorbency and versatility of these nonstick pad, ideal for managing stages II and III mildly exuding wounds. Their ability to effectively absorb exudate is crucial in promoting wound healing and preventing complications. These non stick gauze pads are not just versatile, but also highly efficient in managing different types of wounds.
- SIZES: Choose the perfect size for your needs from the available options 2'' x 3'', 3'' x 4'' and 3'' x 8''. These sterile gauze pads ensure the right size of dressing for your wound. Having the right size of sterile gauze for your wound is essential for effective wound management and healing.
- VERSATILE: Employ these bandages for wounds for a wide range of skin conditions, including cystic acne, blemishes, burns, ulcers with mild-exudate, smaller post-op wounds, blisters, cuts, dermatitis, and cracked skin. Their versatility makes them a valuable addition to your first aid kit, ensuring you're prepared for a wide range of wound care & dressings.
Antiseptic Wipes
For larger scale disinfecting these 5″ x 7″ antiseptic wipes will come in handier than the alcohol prep pads.
- FIRST AID: Our Benzalkonium Chloride Wipes are first aid wipes used to kill germs and protect against harmful bacteria where access to soap and water is limited. They are an essential part of every complete first aid kit for EMTs or clinics.
- PERFECTLY SIZED: The Dynarex BZK Towelettes are antiseptic wound wipes individually wrapped for easy storage. It can supply medical facilities, first responders, and first aid kits of public facilities.
- PREVENTS INFECTION: Our Antiseptic Towelettes are effective in cleansing wounds and help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Each BZK Antiseptic Towelette provides gentle antiseptic cleansing even without soap and water.
- PREMOISTENED: You may be in a car, gym, outdoors, or anywhere without easy access to soap and water. Our BZK Wipes are ideal premoistened travel antiseptic wipes, formulated not only for cleansing wounds but also to promote good hygiene practices.
- FRAGRANCE- AND ALCOHOL-FREE: Dynarex BZK Cleansing Wipes are alcohol-free, unscented antiseptic wipes. These antiseptic cleansing wipes are perfectly sized for numerous applications that gently sanitize hands and wounds, even on sensitive skin.
Duct Tape
You need something that will stay stuck during the duration of the event.
Good old duct tape will do the trick.
We don’t recommend Gorilla Tape – because that is not easy to un-do – it can damage whatever articles you’ve applied it to.
You don’t need a huge roll of duct tape either, so something like these mini-rolls is preferred.
- Made with heavy-duty, reinforced cotton mesh to provide high performance, strength and adhesion
- Excellent for crafting, fun and imaginative projects
- Works on a variety of surfaces, including wood, vinyl, plastic, leather, metal and laminate
- Tears easily by hand without curling and conforms to uneven surfaces
- Each roll is .75 inches x 180 inches; for a total of 1,080 inches per 6 pack
Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves are preferred over latex – since some people have allergies to that.
These are black, so they look cool.
- PROTECTIVE BARRIER: Designed to protect your hands from blood, chemicals, and other harmful things, these gloves are made from heavy-duty nitrile.
- LATEX- & POWDER-FREE: To accommodate everyone in your shop, we made this glove without latex or powder. People with sensitive skin or a latex allergy can get the protection they need and deserve!
- FLEXIBLE FIT: Made from an extra-strong, synthetic rubber, these gloves provide flexibility, elasticity, and comfort, making them a perfect addition to cleaning, cooking, or mechanic supplies.
- TEXTURED TIP: With textured fingertips and puncture-resistant construction, these disposable gloves are perfect for use in medical clinics, tattoo parlors, service kitchens, and more.
- BULK BOX: With our many options for bulk orders, you can choose from a box of 100 or 1,000 gloves. We offer many size options, including x-small, medium, large, and x-large.
Leukotape Strips
No products found.
Assorted band-aids
Band-aids – for obvious reasons.
Choose a random assortment so you have all your bases covered.
No products found.
Super Glue?
Did you know Super Glue was originally invented as a stitch free way to close wounds?
Yep – and it still works that way when you need it.
But, there are medical grade super glues and those that are not.
I’m not going to recommend you use krazy glue on your wounds – just use a band-aid or gauze and tape.
Meds
An assortment of the meds you normally might need out in the field , such as: Motrin, Naproxen, Tylenol, Zyrtec, etc.
The only non-standard addition – pack some electrolytes – those can come in handy in a high temperature ruck march.
When you’ve been sweating intensely simply hydrating with water isn’t enough.
You need to replace electrolytes too – and these tablets can be added to any drinking water you have.
- RECOVER FAST | ACHIEVE ELECTROLYTE BALANCE - Your body needs electrolytes for muscle function and energy. During exercise, your body eliminates electrolytes through sweat resulting in muscle cramps and fatigue. Our electrolyte salt pills help replenish and replace lost electrolytes with salt minerals to help your recover quickly and keep your body running at its peak performance level.
- INCREASE ENDURANCE | STAY HYDRATED DURING EXERCISE - Runners and athletes must stay properly hydrated to perform at their best. Our electrolyte salts formula has the essential minerals you need for rapid rehydration to maintain stamina and endurance during prolonged exercise.
- REDUCE LEG CRAMPS | FASTER MUSCLE RECOVERY - Take 1 electrolyte pill with water either before or during every 30-60 minutes of exercise. Taking electrolyte tablets prior to physical activity provides your body with electrolyte salt minerals (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Pink Himalayan Salt) to promote fluid and electrolyte balance. Taking the salt tablets after exercise keep your body hydrated and reduces post-workout soreness and leg cramps. Recommended as an electrolyte salt recovery aid.
- 100% NATURAL, SUGAR-FREE, ELECTROLYTE SUPPLEMENT - Unlike artificially flavored sport drinks, our electrolyte pills are sugar-free and have no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. Our Electrolyte Salts come in an easy-to-swallow capsule format; a convenient way to get the much needed electrolytes to support your lifestyle.
- INCREASE SALT INTAKE | SUPPORT FASTING & KETO DIET | MANAGE POTS SYMPTOMS - Not just for athletes, our salt tabs can also be used to maintain proper electrolyte levels by increasing your salt intake to support your intermittent or water fast, as a keto electrolyte supplement as part of ketogenic diet to maintain proper electrolyte balance during ketosis, and as an electrolyte boost to help reduce fatigue in people with POTS. While Polyfit Electrolyte Salts can help manage symptoms of POTS Syndrome, it is not a remedy, treatment or cure.
First Aid Kit Storage
There are a variety of MOLLE compatible first aid pouches you can use to store these items.
GORUCK first aid kit – In Summary
For a ruck training event you probably don’t need a full trauma kit – you are much more likely to encounter blisters and minor aches and pains.
We hope this article has provided useful info for your first ruck adventure.
Last update on 2025-05-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
