7 BEST FIRST AID KITS

Playing Doctor: The 7 Best First Aid Kits
By M. W. Byrne, Hi Consumption, 9 October 2014.

Like fire extinguishers, first aid kits are not something you commonly think about until it is too late. You might have a few bandages stowed away in the trunk of your car or just a dirty rag you might use to staunch the flow off blood, but odds are you don’t have a really serious first aid kit ready to go. That’s a problem that needs to be remedied right now. Even if you’ve got a kit or two on hand, you still might want to consider upgrading or adding a backup so that when the jig is up and the bullets start flying, you’re ready to go.

Quality first aid kits should reflect the person. You’ll need standards like sutures, band-aids, and pain killers, but you might also consider adding in an insulin shot, a glow stick, or a CPR air bag or guard so that you don’t have to stick your mouth directly to the disgusting pie hole of a stranger. You first aid kits should be different whether they are in the car, the house, or your hiking backpack. Make sure you are prepared wherever you are with one of the 7 best first aid kits.

1. Complete First Aid Kit

Pro: Woven bandages
Con: Limited medication

Bare Essentials: Though the name says it is complete, the Complete First Aid Kit doesn’t have everything you could possibly need, but as far as covering all the important bases, it does a good job without hogging space. Put it in your garage, in your house, or in your car so that you always have the standards ready to go. It has plenty of bandages for everything from scrapes to serious gushers along with medical tape, a splint, cold packs, and even a foil blanket. It does go a little light on the pain pills and acetaminophen so don’t expect to cop a really good buzz. The bandages are made from a woven material that will absorb more fluid than standard but still won’t stem the tide which means adding a few clotting sponges isn’t a terrible idea. The inclusion of the Save-A-Tooth kit will help keep your pearly whites safe in case Ronda Rousey decides to slap you around because she’s had enough of your sass. [Purchase: US$39]

2. Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit

Pro: Excellent organization
Con: No scissors

Into the Wild: As expected, Coleman comes through with Expedition First Aid Kit, a comprehensive first aid kit that works for any camping excursion. At 205 pieces there’s plenty to go around for you and your family, or the harem of models you took out into the woods with you. The kit is compact and uses a durable outer case that can take a lickin’ without cracking, spilling, or even mussing up the organization. Everything is sorted effectively so that you can tell at a glance where all the parts are. There are bandages and antiseptic wipes a plenty, but trimming away clothing or cutting bandages down to size will require reaching for your pocket knife since there are no scissors to be had. Splinters and thorns are likewise not covered since there aren’t any tweezers either. If you get stuck, you’re out of luck. [Purchase: US$26]

3. AAA Warrior Road Kit

Pro: Jumper cables
Con: Minimal life saving equipment

Trunk Titan: The emphasis on the AAA Warrior Road Kit isn’t so much about saving lives than it is about helping you get out of a tough spot if you find yourself stuck in a ditch or broken down on the side of the road. It includes an aluminium flashlight, jumper cables, and an air compressor for helping to inflate an injured tire if need be. It’s a little on the large side but putting it alongside your jack and tire iron will feel completely natural. Medicine is in short supply as are bandages, but the point here is to handle a wounded vehicle rather than a person. You’ll want to supplement it with something a little more humane for when someone is broken or bleeding, but nothing is better when trying to revive a car. [Purchase: US$80]

4. Adventure Medical Kits UltraLight & Watertight .9

Pro: Double waterproofing
Con: Can be difficult to open

Light and Tight: When every ounce counts Adventure Medical knows how to make the most out of a small space without wearing you down. Any of their kits are quality, the UltraLight & Watertight .9 was our favourite just because it had everything you could want when an outdoor adventure goes terribly wrong. It tips the scales at only 10 ounces though is packed to the brim with everything you could need in a pinch. It has safety pins, plenty of gauze, and irrigation syringes that work well for amateurs so they can’t do more damage in a crisis. The repeated waterproofing keeps both bandages and medications dry even if dropped in a river or caught in a downpour. The light weight means that it will only work for one or two people, and you’ll need to yank everything out when you use it, but that is a small price to pay. [Purchase: US$28]

5. EDS 72-Hour Survival Kit

Pro: Includes food and water
Con: Expensive

Total Package: Ready to get your EMT merit badge? Then you’ll need the right bag for the job. While many times more costly than anything else on our list, the EDS 72-Hour Survival Kit is everything you need when the fan has been well and truly soiled. It has all the gear for 4 people to last for 3 full days right down to drinking water packets so you won’t end up with contaminated fluids. It has a tent, ponchos, light sticks, and even includes heavy-duty waste bags. The kit is meant more for basic survival than true first aid, but with plenty of bandages and antiseptic towlettes, you can cope with an injury as well as get through most disasters. Breaks and sprains can be wrapped up in a sling, just don’t expect any painkillers to help you pass the time. [Purchase: US$137]

6. Adventure Medical Marine 300

Pro: Clearly marked bags for different conditions
Con: Only works for small groups

Aye Aye: The high seas are no place for a crisis. The Marine 300 is another spectacular offering from Adventure Medical, this time geared toward helping you get back to shore in one piece. It comes loaded with seasickness medication and a guide for removing a fish hook safely. Aloe vera gel helps soothe away nasty sunburns while iodine drops allow you to purify water or clean and sterilize wounds. It isn’t made for more than a daily fishing trip so if you’re going to take a full crew out to hunt down the Flying Dutchman, you’ll need more gear. Different packets with clear information help ensure that you don’t waste equipment or need to dig too deep to find what you’re looking for. [Purchase: US$57]

7. Elite First Aid M3

Pro: Full trauma kit
Con: Requires some medical training to use properly

Trauma Time: Sometimes you need more than just a bandage for a boo-boo, which is where the Elite First Aid M3 comes in. It is loaded with a suture set, a haemostat, a tourniquet, and even hand soap when you need to play doctor in the least enjoyable way possible. It has plenty of pads and compression bandages to stop serious injuries from turning fatal. The first aid kit comes in a handy sling bag for quick access, but know that you’ll need serious training in order to use most of the equipment inside. Amateurs and those without standard training will quickly be in over their head so make sure you have the know-how to go along with the gear. [Purchase: US$54]

[Source: Hi Consumption. Edited. Some links added.]