Use an Old Wallet to Build a Pocket First Aid Kit

Your wallet doesn’t just have to carry cash and IDs—it can carry confidence. By repurposing an old wallet, you can build a slim, discreet Pocket First Aid Kit that slides right into your everyday carry.

Unlike bulky trauma pouches, a wallet-sized EDC First Aid Kit is designed for the small but common injuries you’re most likely to encounter every day: cuts, blisters, headaches, splinters, and stings. It’s not meant to replace a full IFAK or med bag—it’s meant to be always on you.

🩹 Why Carry a Pocket First Aid Kit?

• Everyday Injuries Are Common – Cuts, scrapes, blisters, and splinters happen far more often than trauma.

• Discreet & Portable – An old wallet fits in your pocket without drawing attention.

• Always With You – Unlike a pouch or trauma kit, a wallet is something you’re already carrying.

For most people, a Pocket First Aid Kit is the most practical entry point into EDC medical gear.

Choosing the Right Wallet

The wallet itself is the backbone of your kit. It needs to be slim enough to stay pocket-friendly, but sturdy enough to handle being stuffed with small medical gear. A bi-fold or tri-fold wallet gives you more pockets for organization, but it can bulk up fast. Minimalist wallets keep things flatter and lighter but require you to be strategic about storage, using resealable pouches or flat-pack tools. Leather wallets are durable and long-lasting but less forgiving if you overfill them, while nylon or tactical wallets stretch and often include zippered compartments to keep gear secure.

Bi-Fold or Tri-Fold Wallets

•  Lots of slots and compartments for organizing bandages, wipes, and meds

•  Easy to dedicate sections for different supplies

•  Bulks up quickly once you add more than a few items

•  Can feel heavy in a pocket if overstuffed

Minimalist Wallets

•  Ultra-flat and pocket-friendly — easy to carry every day

• Often includes an expandable band for additional storage on the outside of the wallet. 

•  Pairs well with resealable bags or flat-pack tools like Grim’s First Aid Cards
  

•  Limited storage means you must be selective about what goes inside

•  Small items can slip out if not bagged or secured

Leather Wallets

•  Durable and long-lasting, resistant to daily wear

•  Looks discreet and doubles as your normal carry

•  Stiffer, less forgiving if you overfill

• Can stretch or deform if stuffed with bulky gear

Nylon or Tactical Wallets (Velcro/Zippered)

•  Flexible and stretch-friendly, allows more overpacking

•  Zipper or Velcro keeps small supplies from slipping out

•  Often include hidden compartments for extra storage

•  Bulkier and less sleek — may not blend in as an everyday wallet

•  Can wear out faster than leather

If you want to add more function, wrap a wide ranger band or Bandit organizer around the outside — this gives you extra holding space for gloves, flat tools, or folded gauze while keeping the kit tightly compressed. For the most discreet setup, choose a wallet you’d actually carry every day, then tailor the contents to fit. A wallet first aid kit only works if it’s with you, so balance durability, organization, and comfort to make sure it stays part of your everyday carry.

👉 Tip: Consider a wallet with a closure (like Velcro or a zipper) if you tend to overpack — it keeps small items from slipping out.

⚡ Core Elements of an EDC First Aid Kit (Wallet Format)

1. Wound Care

When space is this tight, wound care has to be simple and flat. A few adhesive bandages trimmed down to size can slide into a card sleeve, while a strip of medical tape wrapped around an old credit card doubles as both tape and an emergency bandage if layered over gauze. For more serious cuts, butterfly closures fold flat and are perfect for closing small wounds without bulky supplies. If you want a pro-level option, slip in a sterile gauze pad folded in half — it takes little space and turns your wallet into a true pocket first aid kit.

DIY Options: Adhesive bandages trimmed to fit, tape squares wrapped around a card.
Recommended Gear: Sterile gauze folded flat, butterfly closures for cuts.

2. Medications

Wallet first aid kits are all about small doses, not big bottles. Pain relievers, allergy tablets, or anti-diarrheal meds can be stored inside heat-sealed drinking straws, trimmed short and melted at both ends. These take up almost no room and can be slipped behind a card slot. For a cleaner option, daily-dose pill packs or blister packs can be cut into singles and taped flat to a card. Just make sure everything is labeled clearly, so you don’t confuse them in a hurry.

DIY Options: Pain relievers, allergy meds, or stomach relief tablets sealed in straws.
Recommended Gear: Daily-dose pill packs cut down to small squares.

3. Cleaning & Antiseptic

Even the best bandages don’t help if the wound isn’t clean. A couple of individually wrapped alcohol pads or iodine swabs fold almost as flat as paper and tuck neatly into a wallet pocket. Trimmed-down packets save space, but don’t skimp — these wipes are often the difference between a quick recovery and a nasty infection. If you want to add extra security, include a tiny straw capsule of antibiotic ointment.

DIY Options: Alcohol pad packets trimmed down.
Recommended Gear: Compact antiseptic wipes or iodine swabs.

4. Tools

Tiny tools make a wallet kit more than just a stash of bandages. A safety pin weighs nothing and can be used for splinters, emergency clothing repair, or even securing a bandage. Micro scissors or a flat folding blade handle cutting tasks. For an all-in-one upgrade, Grim’s Dog Tag First Aid Tool packs tweezers, a mini blade, and other flat medical add-ons into a dog tag–sized format that fits perfectly in a wallet sleeve. These tools make the kit functional, not just a backup.

DIY Options: Safety pin for splinters, micro scissors.
Recommended Gear: Grim Dog Tag First Aid Tool (tweezers, mini blade, flat medical add-ons).

5. Extras

• Small antiseptic wipes

• Hydration/electrolyte tablet

• Emergency allergy pill (if applicable)

🧰 How to Pack a Wallet Pocket First Aid Kit

1. Card Slots – Store bandages, blister pads, and flat medication packets.

2. Cash Slot – Keep alcohol wipes, small gauze, or folded moleskin.

3. Hidden Pockets – Slide in tweezers, safety pins, or tape squares.

4. Waterproofing – Use small baggies or foil packets for moisture-sensitive supplies.

5. Closure – If it’s stuffed, use a ranger band or elastic strap to keep the wallet tight.

This setup keeps your EDC First Aid Kit slim enough for everyday carry without sacrificing utility.

Grim Tip Cards: Pocket-Sized First Aid Knowledge

When it comes to first aid, the right tool is only half the battle — the other half is knowing how to use it. That’s where Grim Tip Cards shine. Each waterproof, credit-card-sized guide is packed with quick, practical first aid information that you can reference on the spot. Slip one into your wallet first aid kit and you’ve just added a pocket medic to your EDC.

Different Size Options for First Aid Kits

First aid kits don’t need to be bulky to be effective. You can scale them to fit your carry style, from a mounted pouch on your pack to a slim wallet kit that disappears in your pocket. Here are some common formats and why they work:

• Large First Aid Kit– A full-sized setup with dressings, bandages, meds, and tools. Perfect for bugout bags, hiking packs, or keeping in your truck. ↗
• Altoids Tin First Aid Kit – A classic DIY survival hack. Compact and sturdy, these tins hold bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and even a pair of tweezers. ↗
• Small First Aid Kit – Palm-sized pouches that carry bleeding control, basic meds, and wound care. A solid balance between capability and portability. ↗
• Wallet First Aid Kit – Flatpack gear like Grim Survival Cards combined with resealable sleeves for meds or bandages. Slim enough to vanish into your everyday carry. ↗

🏕 Ready to Build your Own Wallet First Aid Kit

A Pocket First Aid Kit is one of the easiest, most practical upgrades you can make to your everyday carry. By turning an old wallet into a flat medical kit, you’ll always have supplies for the small but disruptive injuries that happen most often. For bigger emergencies, you’ll still want a pouch-sized IFAK—but for day-to-day readiness, a wallet-based EDC First Aid Kit is the perfect always-with-you solution.

FAQ

Q: What can I realistically fit in a wallet first aid kit?
A: Wallet first aid kits focus on flat, compact supplies like adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, small doses of medication, and flat-pack tools (like tweezers or scissors). You won’t have room for everything, but you’ll always have the basics for cuts, scrapes, and minor issues.

Q: How do I keep supplies from falling out of my wallet kit?
A: Use resealable mini bags, card sleeves, or tape to secure small items like hooks, tweezers, or pills. Adding a ranger band or elastic wallet band around the outside helps keep everything compressed and prevents spillage.

Q: Are Grim Tip Cards really useful in a first aid wallet kit?
A: Absolutely. When stress kicks in, it’s easy to forget steps. A waterproof Tip Card can walk you through wound cleaning, bleeding control, or CPR in seconds — turning your kit from a pile of gear into an actual lifesaving tool.

Q: Can a wallet first aid kit replace a full pouch first aid kit?
A: No. A wallet kit is meant for everyday carry and minor emergencies. It’s not a replacement for a larger pouch or IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit), which should cover serious trauma. Think of the wallet kit as your first line of defense.

Q: How do I keep medications safe in such a small kit?
A: Seal single doses in drinking straws with melted ends or use small blister packs cut down to size. Always label them clearly so you don’t confuse meds in an emergency.

Q: How often should I check or restock a wallet first aid kit?
A: Every 2–3 months, or sooner if you use it. Adhesive bandages lose their stick, wipes can dry out, and medications expire. A quick check ensures everything is ready when you need it.

About Grim Workshop

Grim Workshop designs survival tools with one simple goal — to keep you prepared without adding bulk. For nearly a decade, we’ve been creating innovative everyday carry (EDC) gear like Survival Cards, Micro Tools, Dog Tag Tools, and Tip Cards, all built to slip into your wallet, keychain, pack, or even an Altoids tin. Each tool is made in the USA from durable stainless steel and engineered to be reusable, compact, and practical.

We believe preparedness should fit into everyday life. That’s why our tools are flat, discreet, and ready to work when you need them. From fire starting to fishing, first aid to field repairs, Grim gear turns pockets and pouches into complete survival kits.