First aid kit recommendations
Posted by intercoastalNC@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 53 comments
I’d like to invest in a couple of first aid kits. I’d like a smaller one for the backpack/truck/boat and a larger more comprehensive one for the house that would be good for up to six people. I’ve checked out Mymedic, Jumpmedic, Tacmed, and possibly others but not sure what’s the best bang for the buck or which one has better/different supplies that the others don’t. I figure around $100 for the smaller and up to $500 for the larger, but can go higher if there would be a great benefit in doing so, or by supplementing with “add ons” Thanks!
Unlucky-Contract9336@reddit
Jumpmedic.com based out of Chicago. I’m a nurse and purchased one of these kits for myself. Best kit I’ve found on the market. It was designed by a Paramedic and has everything you need. They also let you customize kits.
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
Let me preface by saying that I spent more than years in EMS and fire. This is based on my own experience.
First, it's going to be a lot cheaper to build your own kit than it will to purchase a premade kit. Especially if you're planning on having more than one. Most of the supplies are a lot cheaper in bulk.
Second, don't bother buying the fancy first aid boxes or bags. You can get tackle boxes/bags (often made by the same company) a lot cheaper at Walmart. Just be sure to CLEARLY LABEL the bag you use in a PERMANENT WAY that your family and those most likely to be with you (coworkers, fishing buddies, etc) will recognize it as a FIRST AID kit. Red is a good color (unless all your other bags are red)...as is orange...if you can get it, but under most circumstances is unimportant as long as it's recognized.
What's your level of training? If you have basic first aid, stick with that level of equipment and supplies. Get more training, then level up.
Also, mind the space you have. It won't do you any good to have a huge first aid kit if the ol'lady...or you...have to take it out of your car to make room for groceries (yes, I've had this fight).
First, focus on equipment. For most of this, you don't need the most expensive available. A $7 pair of trauma shears will still cut through a penny...or a pair of jeans...or a leather jacket.
Here's the list...one for each kit:
The above-mentioned trauma shears. They're designed to cut through heavy material.
Bandage scissors. These are designed to cut through thin stuff like gauze. Trauma shears won't do the trick with that.
Kelly forceps/hemostat. Just one pair, they're very handy.
Tweezers. Preferably with a sharp, pointed tip.
A penlight. Skip the disposable type and get a cheap-but-decent one reloadable with AAAs.
A flashlight or headlamp. A penlight is great for close up and checking pupils. Not so much for working in the dark.
A sharp knife. Again, it doesn't have to be expensive. One might consider a smaller multi-tool or even a folding box cutter with replaceable blades.
A pen and notebook. You never know when you need to jot down information.
Now to the supplies:
An assortment of bandaids. These will be the most used in your pack.
Trauma/ABD pads. Large and absorbent. They're nice, but take up some space. You might want to leave these out of the smaller kits.
4x4 gauze pads. Keep several Skip the 2x2s...you can fold a 4x4 if needed. Make sure you get bulk packs of INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED pads. They do occasionally sell it stacked and wrapped in one wrapper.
Rolled gauze...often referred to as Kling. Three-or four-inch width (or both). Anything narrower is a waste in my opinion.
Medical tape. Just pay a bit more for Transpore. It tears easily and sticks well. All the other types suck in various ways compared.
ACE bandages. Again, 3- to 4-inch width, skip anything narrower. This stuff will be an absolute WORKHORSE. Use it for sprains, to secure splints, or as part of a pressure dressing (several 4x4s against the wound, a role of Kling...keep it rolled up... directly on top, then wrap snug with the ACE.).
If there's space in your large kit, consider a SAM splint. They're awesome. Get two. You're gonna want to unwrap one and play with it. They're a pain to flatten and roll back up. If needed to make it fit, you can unroll it and fold it.
The clotting powder might also be worthwhile, but I've never personally used it.
Now's the time for me to speak sacrilege in some circles.
I wouldn't worry with those fancy tourniquets, especially if you don't have space. I have one in my big kit. They're tacti-cool. I'm sure they work wonderfully in the very rare occasion that you need one. But never in my 15+ years on the ambulance or firetruck (full time plus) did I find myself where a tourniquet was needed. And they can be fashioned out of your belt...
Cravats/combat dressings are another thing that I see little real use for. I use ACE bandages in any place that I'd use either. Except making a sling for an arm. I'd just use my T-shirt if I needed one. I mean, if you have some space to fill, go for it. That's about how you'd use them.
Good luck with your kits!
ian17901@reddit
Tourniquets are essential. Occlusion of a severe bleed on an extremity with a ratcheting medical tourniquet is easy. They are re-usable and you can train with them, belts do not work well, and neither do windlass tourniquets, buy and RMT or three, train with them and you’ll be glad you did should you ever need one.
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
Again...in FIFTEEN+ YEARS WORKING FULLTIME+ ON AN AMBULANCE AND FIRETRUCK...not a SINGLE CALL in which a tourniquet would have been useful.
The ONE INCIDENT that I was involved in AFTER THE FACT that a tourniquet was needed, a fellow EMT that was off duty and was a close bystander. He used his BELT. That belt remained in place until the initial surgery in the trauma center.
Fancy gear will never replace training and experience.
ian17901@reddit
You’re missing the point, you in fact did need a tourniquet, and the ones I spoke about you can train with. I’ve never worked in a fancy ambulance, hospital, or combat zone and I’ve used tourniquets twice. Once due to a hunting accident and another due to a car accident. Both times a tourniquet that was easy to use that I had practice with applying saved these people’s lives undoubtedly from arterial bleeding. Just because you’ve been lucky doesn’t mean you’re right. If they’re easy to train with and don’t cost much, there’s no reason not to carry one.
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
I did not need a tourniquet. My involvement in that situation was I'm during the aftermath. Secondary. Just close enough to the situation to know what happened.
This is the part where I'll just pretend to take your word for the rest of your statement. You do you.
Again, to anyone who actually has any training and experience, it's an unnecessary inclusion. But you do you.
ian17901@reddit
Pretty bold speaking for anyone who has any type of experience, who would largely disagree with everything you said, but you also do you.
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
For 98 percent of people, it's LARP crap. For someone who's actually trained on how to properly use it, it will collect dust, and you'll get the same effect our of something that's multi-use.
ian17901@reddit
Yawn. Ok.
Odd_Afternoon1758@reddit
Just my $0.02: your first aid kits are only as good as your training. If you don't know how to properly respond to a medical situation then all the bandages and tourniquets aren't worth anything. Do a first aid or wilderness first aid class, then you'll be able to build your own kit based on what you've learned and what you can now appropriately apply.
HudyD@reddit
That $0.02 is gold. I’ve been down the same rabbit hole of buying gear first, then realizing training should’ve come first
intercoastalNC@reddit (OP)
I have basic First Aid and CPR already and years ago had some general training when I was a volunteer firefighter. There are a couple of RNs in our immediate neighborhood that I would tap into their expertise and let them drive if warranted. I’d like to have some of the supplies covered.
Odd_Afternoon1758@reddit
I've been trained wilderness first aid for years through NOLS. Great for outdoors excursions, also great for general prepping. You might check out their webpage of first aid kit suggested elements.
terrierhead@reddit
Thank you for this! I taught CPR and first aid for years and there are things on this list I hadn’t considered.
Sea_Entry6354@reddit
This. You only need the stuff that you know how to use.
ArghNooo@reddit
Agreed. When first assembling my list for FAKs I had all kinds of crazy nonsense. A day later I reviewed the list and realized * I lack training for half of it * The space required for them vastly outweighed the remote chance they'd be needed in the moment I moved all those items to a "to learn" list.
I was actually a little horrified at myself for even considering some stuff. Without proper knowledge I'm almost guaranteed to do more harm than good.
StayStrappedBackpack@reddit
Rescue essential’s hunter safety kit. Amazon, just under $60. Then add onto it as you build your skills.
Alcarain@reddit
From mt experience hiking, athletic wrap is a LIFESAVER in so many situations. Always have a few rolls in every kit.
remotecareeducation@reddit
first and foremost, get some extra training under your belt. There are a ton of resources you can use. One I found was a course called Off-Grid Medical Training: A Practical Guide that was great. Once you know what you know, then you can build a kit that is made for what you need. But the basics I would suggest, sam splint, a few ace bandages, sterile gauze, a few turnicates, sutures and butterfly tape, a scalpel with extra blades and other basic tools (you can get a suture kit that has what you will need for cheap), a sharpie (yes, really!), chest seal, broad spectrum antibiotics, gloves, prep wipes (etoh or betadine), etc. The list that Unique-shock listed is pretty comprehensive and if you can get all of it...AND know how to use it all, you will be set.
TheKiltedPondGuy@reddit
I build my own kits depending on use. For example I won’t put a tourniquet in my caving kit because the likelihood of me needing it down there is basically negligible but I have one in my hunting pack kit. Could it still be useful caving? Of course it would but the space it takes up is better used for a few more gauzes and bandages which are more likely to be needed and can also work for packing wounds. Apply that for everything and don’t forget to include some basic medication in all your kits. Paracetamol, loperamide, benadryl, chewable aspirin and so on.
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
I'm personally not a fan of meds of any kind in a first aid kit. I think they should be in the medicine cabinet (at home), packed in your Dopp bag, carry-on, purse, etc individually for each trip, and maybe a small bottle/pack of your most common in the console of your car.
This way they are easy to get to when you need them...so you actually use them...and they get rotated out. In a first aid kit, they're easy to forget. They expire and go to waste...and they aren't there when you need them.
TheKiltedPondGuy@reddit
Regularly rotating them out should go without saying. That goes for everything else in the kit. Everything except the trauma shears and the tourniquet has an expiration date every 3-4 years. I actually don’t have any medication in my hunting kit but I have all that I listed plus some more in the caving kit.
There’s no help anywhere nearby when you’re a few hundred meters underground. It’s just a pill or two of each to last you 12 hours at most and to handle stuff like diarrhea, fever, dehydration, allergies and chest pains. Everything is there to buy time until you can either get out or help can get to you.
Some medications can also last for pretty much forever. Activated carbon is probably the best example. Just throw a tab in every kit. Food poisoning can kill you faster than a broken leg if you’re out of water and electrolytes.
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
Even in your underground example, it seems like both your basic, as-needed meds and your daily meds would be better placed in a location that wouldn't require you to rifle through your first aid kit...I'm thinking a jacket pocket or a pocket on your bag.
OP was discussing kits to be located in his house, vehicles and boats. These are places that the kit will be put and forgotten about until needed. Most people aren't going to check them regularly.
Expiration dates on basic supplies (gauze, ACE bandages, etc) are bunk. Unless it gets wet/damp, it's fine. Sterility is really a moot issue in real-world first aid. The hospital is going to clean the wound and give the proper antibiotics.
flying_wrenches@reddit
The biggest issue with prebuilt kits is either
A: low quality gear. Bottom of the barrel brand stuff. (Exception for high end brands like NAR, or rescue essentials, but they’re hundreds for tiny kits). Or B: you get stuff that is beyond your scope of practice. The most common I’ve seen is airway stuff or NCDs. 99% of the people who have one don’t know how to use it.
Your best bet is one of the 3, 1: build your own kit: might be more expensive or you might end up with 100 antiseptic wipes because you can only buy the box of 100.
2: suck it up and sell a kidney for a NAR bag. NAR is really stupid though as they require a NPN number for anything they deem a “prescription” item.. which includes everything from actual needles to silly stuff like hemostats
Or 3: buy one of those lower quality kits and supplement it/replace stuff with the high quality name brand stuff where it counts.
For example, CAT TQs, littmans, bandaid brand bandaids or tegaderm.
Best of luck!
Longjumping-Army-172@reddit
I 100% agree with you. I have yet to see a well-assembled ready-made kit that wasn't way too expensive. They tend to have too much crap you'll never really need and not enough of the stuff that you'll actually use. The bags tend to be cool looking, but cheaply made, and the equipment was generally sub-par.
It's far better to put together a kit based on your own training/experience and likely needs. You can generally buy the consumables in bulk (keep some back for restocking), get better quality equipment and a generic (but better made) tackle bag or soft-side cooler. You get a better (for you) kit at a considerably better price.
FlashyImprovement5@reddit
Build them yourself and get a nice fishing tackle box to keep everything inside.
You should always know how to use everything in your kit.
Take a STOP THE BLEED course and others that are free or cheap.
Take a CPR course as well.
SunLillyFairy@reddit
👆Just want to 2nd that a tackle box (or tool box, or any 2-3 level tray type boxes) work great for first aid. So do the ones you can hang (or put on the ground) and roll open. With both you can see what you have, open/access quickly, and your items don't get buried/hidden.
East_Research_9688@reddit
Not sure if you're close to one but Bass Pro shop has some really nice first aid/ trauma kits
Curri@reddit
Your prepackaged FAKs at Target/Walmart work fine. If anything extra, I'd recommend a tourniquet.
TransportationNo5560@reddit
I had an incident with my husband, and I came away with the understanding that many FAK are not arranged well. I wound up dumping everything to treat his injury and then repacked it so that the things most often used were more readily accessible and less frequently used items were in a different section. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself to what's in the kit and arrange it in order of use. I also added gauze pads. There are never enough.
Traditional_Neat_387@reddit
See a lot of people don’t like practicing with there gear but anyone regardless of kit quality or source should know where everything is blindfolded, because if your loved one is bleeding to death you may not have time to go through 8 pockets to find your tourniquet
TransportationNo5560@reddit
That was my concern when I read about the Costco option, along with cross contamination from bleeding, etc.
I'm a retired Peri Op nurse, and I wanted things in a specific order. The kit I purchased had no real thought to order of use or what goes with what.
Traditional_Neat_387@reddit
If you wanted to build a kit I could gladly chat with you on here (messages) I could help you find a bag that best suits your needs as well as any pre hospital care items you should keep a eye out for
TransportationNo5560@reddit
Thank you, but it's finished. I made a list as I was rearranging it and moved it to a larger bag.
terrierhead@reddit
I bought one from Costco that is like a three ring notebook with “pages” filled with items, then added to it. I wish they still sold it.
Sea_Entry6354@reddit
A tourniquet is the one thing I stay away from. Had some training with it but I do not feel confident to know when to use it. If you use it wrong or if you use it when it is not necessary, you can cause a lot of damage.
Iwentthatway@reddit
There’s basically no downside to a tourniquet. It has to be on a very long time to do permanent damage. You just wind the windlass until the bleeding stops.
The only thing you need to know is that it’s going to hurt. Don’t stop regardless of the pain until the bleeding stops
There’s also no better way to control bleeding on a limb in the field. I
Traditional_Neat_387@reddit
For grid up this is mostly correct yes with the exception of if the location is near a joint then go higher, BUT for grid down if you don’t have the stuff or the know how of how to stop an arterial bleed (ie clamping and suturing a artery) a TQ is trash
snailbrarian@reddit
Take a Stop the Bleed class. They're often free and will go over when to use a TQ and how.
There's really no substitute for a tourniquet in their specific use case, and you can bleed out in seconds.
A tourniquet can be on for 2 -16 hrs safely, and the goal of a TQ is always to have it released by medical professionals who have the capacity to address whatever severe arterial bleed caused you to apply a TQ in the first place.
Sea_Entry6354@reddit
Thanks, I saw those mentioned before but ignored them since I am not located in the US. But they also offer a 25 minute online course.
Traditional_Neat_387@reddit
(Paramedic student and worked in the medical field before here ) Okay firstly OP what kinda of kit are you looking for exactly? Like we talking here? Are we talking a car or crash kit/ a general basic camping and hiking?/a kit for the range?/a walking ambulance?, also is this for a long term SHTF or do you want grid up tools or remote use? Now from you post it seems you don’t have any medical training or trauma experience which is fine not gonna knock you for it but honestly since you said you can go up to 500$ I’d highly recommend taking a cpr class at least, I’d actually recommend minimum getting a Red Cross BLS class and Red Cross FAST class minimum. You’d be surprised the life saving mistakes you can make. Don’t trust these flashy trauma classes that give off 100% military style vibes, I have heard flat out wrong info in some of those classes. by taking these basic classes you’ll have a better understanding of medical care in a emergency Either grid up or down, I’d be happy to give you or anyone else some pointers on finding trustworthy non scam courses, as well as answer question on building a kit yourself but that kits gonna be darn near useless without proper training on how to use it as intended and the highest extent of potential success. But to answer your question simply, MyMedic would be best bet
Sidetracker@reddit
There are "first aid" kits, and then there are "trauma" kits. Two entirely different things. First aid kits are often called "boo boo" kits because they are for less serious injuries. Trauma kits require more serious training to use. "Stop the Bleed" classes are the first step into the more serious training.
NaTuralCynik@reddit
Take a local trauma first aid class. The information is priceless.
Myspys_35@reddit
Build out your own supplies instead of buying a premade kit - especially at the prices you are mentioning it doesnt make sense. You will notice that most premade kits market themselves by number of items - and how do you think they increase that number in the cheapest way possible? Lots of basic band aids that are useless in an actual first aid situation
marybane@reddit
I’d say check what your specific needs are (e.g EpiPens or Narcan depending on where you live), what generic first aid kits have (tourniquets, lots of gauze, chest seals etc) build your kit from scratch and buy those things from a good / trusted brand. Most importantly, training > gear
Dismal-Bobcat-7757@reddit
I build my own.
LukaEntropySurvival@reddit
Big fan of My Medic kits. They're super compact, but jam packed with quality gear. Also, they have tourniquet kits.
KMizzle98@reddit
Gauze and gauze and more tape
PuddleOfStix@reddit
I've heard good things about the Survivalware kit, I think it was called. But I would recommend building your own if you have medical training
Unique-Sock3366@reddit
I just helped a young colleague (we’re nurses) with her kit a few days ago and still have my list.
Comfortable Bag Alcohol pads Nitrile gloves KN95 masks Pocket valve mask Eye protection Gauze rolls Gauze squares ABD pads Kerlix Medical Tape Tourniquet (CAT) x2 Israeli bandages x2 Splints Suture Dermabond or Super Glue Steristrips, butterfly bandages, stitchless wound closure kit Ace bandages
Bandage shears Kelly forceps Pick ups Scalpel Tweezers/Alligator Sharpie Marker
First aid quick reference Stop The Bleed course Basic Life Support course Wilderness First Aid Training Course (Red Cross)
Iodine or Water purification tablets Emergency water pouches/Lifestraw Mountain House/MREs/Lifeboat rations
Sterile water (for irrigation) Betadine spray/splash Neosporin ointment Tylenol Motrin Aspirin AZO pain relief Jase Case or Duration Health Medical Kit 1 week’s to 3 months’ supply of all prescription medications Benadryl Imodium Zyrtec/Claritin Pepto Bismol Narcan and EpiPen Good daily multivitamin
For Pet Bags: Collapsing bowls for food and water Emergency first aid guide OTC medication conversion guide (many human meds will work well in smaller doses) Extra food and water Emergency collar, harness, leash, and MUZZLE Gauze Kerlix One to three months supply of prescription medication (don’t forget flea and tick medicine!)
For Bug Out Bags/INCH Bag:
Passport/Driver’s License/Birth Certificate/Marriage License Thumb drive with copies of your documents. Waterproof bag for documents. Cash in smaller denominations
Socks Underwear Two shirts One pants Camping towel
Emergency blankets Hand warmers Sleeping bags
Bic lighters Waterproof matches
Kelly Kettle Tin mess kits Backpacking food Water/Aquatabs/Lifestraws Dr. Bronner’s /Camping soap Dude wipes Toothpaste and brushes Hand sanitizer Comb Hair ties Dog bags
One or two man tent
Rifle with ammo Pistol with ammo 550 cord Good knife Leatherman multi tool P-38 or 51 can openers Sillcock keys Spade Duct tape Foraging guide (local) Deck of cards Set of 6 dice Small notebook and pencil Solar charged radio Solar charged flashlight
Fishing hooks and line
AlmazonKitchen (YouTube for awesome outdoor cooking tips)
I included additional lists for pets, camping essentials, and complementary bags.
BolognaNbeanz@reddit
Refuge Medical makes the best kits on the market imo
DocRichDaElder@reddit
For Pre-fab kits, one learned, and gone with, NAR. North American Rescue has great, quality kits..
I do have a few of those other cheap ones for boo boos. But for major stuff, NAR is the way to go.
LaxBro1516@reddit
https://www.mountainmanmedical.com/trauma-medicine-training/
^free stop the bleed course. Their kits are also solid.