Burning Man First Aid Kit Guide: Smart Playa Prep for Camp

Preparing a Burning Man First Aid Kit is one of the simplest ways to make camp life safer and less stressful. While the official Burning Man Survival Guide remains the best source for health and safety information, the camp leaders and members of Atomic Octopus wanted to share a few practical ideas. We gathered these tips from decades of Burning Man experience.

This article is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Instead, think of it as another installment in the Atomic Octopus Burning Man Pro Tips series. These are practical recommendations that have served the camp well over many years on the playa. Hopefully, they will give both first-time participants and veteran burners a few ideas. Additionally, they may help while assembling a first aid kit for camp.

Build Your Burning Man First Aid Kit Before You Pack

One lesson has repeated itself year after year. Finish your Burning Man First Aid Kit before the trucks are loaded.

It is surprisingly easy to remember tents, costumes and underwear, lights, and snacks while assuming someone else picked up the bandages. Instead, decide who is responsible well before departure. Depending on your camp, the supplies might be included in camp dues, divided among campmates, or purchased by one person and shared afterward. Any system works. The only important thing is that someone owns the task.

Once everything has been collected, pack the supplies in a dedicated storage bin. Clearly label it with a large red cross or another obvious symbol so anyone can find it quickly.

Make Your Burning Man First Aid Kit Easy to Find

After camp is built, place the first aid kit in a common area that every campmate can access. Keep it out of public spaces for security.

Just as importantly, make sure everyone knows exactly where it is.

Whenever new campmates arrive, point out the location during camp orientation. If several people know where the supplies are stored, someone can respond much faster when they are needed.

Good organization often solves problems before they become emergencies.

What to Pack in Your Burning Man First Aid Kit

Every camp has different needs. However, several supplies have earned permanent places in the Atomic Octopus first aid kit over the years.

Bring adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes because playa dust and daily activity often mean they need replacing more frequently than at home. Liquid bandages also work well for minor cuts and scrapes. Provided the wound is cleaned thoroughly before application, they are very effective.

Self-adhesive wrap, ACE bandages, adhesive medical tape, bandage scissors, antibiotic ointment, and antiseptic wipes are all useful additions. These basic supplies help treat many of the small injuries that can happen during setup, teardown, or everyday camp life.

An oral thermometer is another inexpensive item worth packing. If someone feels unusually warm or under the weather, having an actual temperature reading provides much more useful information than guessing. Choose a non-glass, non-mercury thermometer to support Leave No Trace principles.

Small Comforts That Can Make a Big Difference

Over the years, the camp has also added several items that regularly prove their worth.

Aloe vera gel is wonderful after too much sun.

Saline eye wash and saline nasal spray help rinse away the ever-present playa dust without relying on medicated products.

Digestive medications are also worth considering for any Burning Man first aid kit. Packing both an anti-diarrheal medication and a gentle laxative gives campmates options if digestive problems appear. The desert is not the place anyone wants to discover they packed the wrong solution.

Pain relievers are another camp favorite. In fact, one long-running Atomic Octopus joke says the crew builds two camps each year. First comes “Advil Camp” while everyone recovers from unloading trucks and raising shade structures. Only then does our front-of-house Atomic Octopus camp seem to appear.

Don’t Forget the Essentials

Every participant should pack their own prescription medications and personal hygiene supplies. Even so, keeping a small emergency backup of items like feminine hygiene products can be incredibly helpful if someone unexpectedly runs short.

Atomic Octopus also keeps several spare N95 masks in the first aid kit. Long before the pandemic, Trilo found they worked exceptionally well while woodworking and working with drywall. Because playa dust shares many characteristics with fine construction dust, they naturally became part of his standard gear. Today, they also provide a simple way to reduce exposure if someone appears to be developing a contagious illness.

Think About Electrolytes Before You Arrive

Electrolytes are an important part of staying hydrated on the playa. Atomic Octopus changed its approach after years of camping at Burning Man.

In years past, electrolyte tablets lived in the communal first aid kit. Over time, however, the camp leaders realized that many people weren’t treating electrolytes as part of their regular hydration strategy. Instead, they would wait until they already felt dehydrated or exhausted before reaching for something they should have been using regularly. Eventually, we stopped stocking communal electrolyte tablets altogether.

Every campmate should make electrolytes part of their own personal hydration plan before arriving in Black Rock City. Today there are countless options, including tablets, powders, drink mixes, ready-to-drink beverages, chews, and capsules. Everyone has their own preferences. Therefore, it makes more sense for each participant to choose the product they like and remember to use it consistently throughout the event.

That approach also reflects one of Burning Man’s core principles: Radical Self-reliance. When participants take responsibility for their own hydration and electrolyte needs, the camp can focus its first aid kit on treating unexpected situations. This is better than serving as everyone’s daily supply cabinet.

If you’d like to learn more about staying hydrated on the playa, be sure to read the Atomic Octopus Hydration at Burning Man guide. It takes a much deeper look at water, electrolytes, and recognizing the early signs of dehydration.

A Burning Man Pro Tip Worth Remembering

A well-prepared Burning Man First Aid Kit is another expression of Radical Self-reliance. Spending a little time organizing one before leaving home can save a great deal of stress once you’re on the playa.

This guide is just one part of the Atomic Octopus Burning Man Pro Tips series. Be sure to explore the camp’s other articles on hydration, footwear and foot care, underwear, generators, meal planning, playa preparation & tent camping, and of course our ultimate Leave No Trace guide. Together, they provide practical advice to help both new and experienced burners arrive ready for an amazing week in Black Rock City.