First aid kits are must-haves for anyone who leads an active lifestyle. They can provide the necessary supplies to tackle medical emergencies, both minor and major. With all of the first aid kits out there, however, it is not always straightforward to know what to purchase.
A Word of Advice on Emergencies: Always Ask for Help
When emergencies happen (and they usually do), you should never try to handle things alone. When in doubt, call for help. Whether it’s calling first responders to provide aid, or hiring professionals that specialize in emergency cleanup, it’s important that you know you don’t have to tackle this alone (and in most cases, you shouldn’t).
Top First Aid Kits
Now, back to the first aid basics! This list of our top four first aid kits can give you a better idea of the options available to you and your family:
1. The Surviveware Small
The Surviveware Small is a compact first aid kit that contains high-quality supplies, including hospital-grade forceps, splinter probes, ace bandages, and trauma shears. Its sturdy case has a rugged look that can sustain damage, and it is easy to quickly find what you need because of the case’s organization.
Single-use items come in their own sealed packages, and multiuse ones come in resealable containers.
The Surviveware Small contains over 40 wound closure strips in a variety of sizes, as well as a large abdominal pad, gauze, and hypoallergenic tape. It also contains a tourniquet to treat certain types of snakebites and to help control blood loss.
Although the kit doesn’t come with first aid instructions, it does have a removable CPR pouch with a guide.
2. Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7
If you want the lightest and most compact first aid kit, this is a great option. It weighs just 5.8 ounces and comes in a fully watertight case that is sturdy enough to resist tearing.
Although it is a light first aid kit, it still contains items you can find in larger kits, like a full sheet of moleskin, sterile gauze, nitrile gloves, individually packaged medications, and much more. It doesn’t, however, contain trauma shears or a CPR mask because the kit’s focus is on compactness.
All of the medications have clear labels, and the ointments are all of high quality, making the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 an option that can provide care of wounds without taking up a lot of room in your pack.
3. TacMed Solutions
TacMed Solutions has come up with an innovative way to allow you to create your own kit, letting you add to your safety aid supplies as you go.
You have a wide selection of bags and pouches to choose from, including an assault medic bag that makes carrying first aid supplies easy. TacMed also has warm zone bags originally designed for triage situations that have modular interiors, making it easy to organize supplies as needed.
TacMed offers supplies for both major and minor injuries. Choose from various types and sizes of tourniquets, as well as bandages in many shapes and types. You can include trauma shears, combat medic reinforcement tape, splints, and even a soft PVC nasopharyngeal airway tube.
Whether you need professional-quality medical gear for your organization or for your solo adventures, TacMed has a solution for you. With the option to keep adding to your first aid kit along the way, TacMed Solutions makes it possible to be ready for any emergency.
4. MyMedic MyFAK
This kit is perfect for base camp use. This bulkier option features heavy-duty medical equipment like saline irrigation tubes, pressure bandages, and trauma shears, making it a good option if you don’t have to carry it along the trail. It is a kit well suited for people who have some medical training.
The MyFAK is one of the best quality kits, with a heavy-duty ballistic nylon case and pro-grade tools, including shears that can cut through a penny. The kit includes liquid skin, moleskin, an emergency blanket, and even a whistle. It also comes with a first aid guidebook, but the book is only available digitally.
Because the MyFAK is one of the most expensive first aid kits and one of the heaviest, however, it may not be for everyone. It is a great option to take on multi day trips or to keep in the back of your car in case of emergencies.
Find the Best Kit for Your Needs
These four first aid options are excellent, and each one offers different uses. Whether you prefer the lightest option out there, one that is dependably stocked, or one that allows for maximum customization, you can always find the kit that fits your needs.
