Which item is commonly included in a wilderness first aid kit?

• A. A compass and map
• B. A spare change of clothes
• C. A radio
• D. Basic wound care items (sterile dressings, gauze, bandages, tape, adhesive)

Answer: (D)

Wilderness first aid kit contents should prioritize wound management. In backcountry settings, injuries happen and quick, proper wound care helps control bleeding, reduce infection risk, and protect the wound until evacuation or professional care is available. Basic wound care items—sterile dressings, gauze, bandages, tape, and adhesive—provide the core tools to clean, cover, and secure wounds, making them the most commonly included components in a standard kit. Other items like a compass and map, extra clothes, or a radio have important roles for navigation, warmth, or communication, but they don’t perform the hands-on wound care that these supplies do, which is why the wound care set is typically the staple in wilderness first aid kits.