The world can be a rough place. You constantly get banged up, cut, scratched and bruised. Now, imagine you’ve bugged out and have no access to pharmacies, doctor’s offices or hospitals.
Superficial injuries can become much worse when you don’t have the necessary materials to treat your bodily injuries or ailments. The simple truth is you need a kit ready to grab at a moment’s notice when it’s time for you to get out of the area fast.
Luckily for you, there are a lot of great choices for first-aid kits on the market today. Always be sure to review the contents carefully so you have the proper quantity of supplies on hand for you and your family members to last for several weeks.
It’s best to buy several kits of different sizes and store them in various locations for quick access and convenience, including your 72hour bag, your automobile, a bug-out location, if needed, and of course, your home.
MSRP: $195
Key Features: More than 250 items, multi-person emergency use
Description: The 50 Person Trauma Kit is your go-to bag when an emergency or disaster strikes in your neighborhood, school or office building. Fully stocked with more than 250 first-aid essentials, this bag is equipped to handle multiple injuries. The included heavy-duty duffle bag holds bandages, gauze pads, gloves, ice packs, emergency blankets and hundreds of more items to handle a massive number of injuries wherever large groups of people gather. Easily storable until needed.
Manufacturer’s Comments: “This 50 Person Trauma Kit is designed to meet the emergency medical needs at your school or workplace. Packed in a sturdy duffel bag, it contains the necessary first-aid supplies and tools to respond to serious injuries and is a necessary part of any emergency preparedness plan.” —Mina Arnao, Customer Service Representative
MSRP: $14.95
Key Features: Child-friendly themes, packed with first-aid essentials
Description: Ease the minds of young ones with this kid-friendly firstaid kit equipped with more than a hundred useful items to get your child cleaned-up, bandaged and back into action. The Medibag has two likeable character themes to choose from that will help any child to get through life’s tough times smiling.
Manufacturer’s Comments: “me4kidz offers a kid-friendly approach to first aid. Our products are made with children in mind but useful for the entire family experience. The plastic we use is recycled to support a green Earth. Most of everything we manufacture is done right here in the U.S. to support jobs in our country. We employ the disabled community and are a very integral part of their rehabilitation so that me4kidz can be a small part of the change we want to see in the world. We have been endorsed by Top 50 docs, celebrities, and our products are tested and multiple-award winning.” —Richelle Nassos, Representative, ME4KIDZ
MSRP: $14.99
Key Features: Crush-resistant tin, emergency essentials
Description: The Coleman Personal Survival First Aid Tin contains a vast array of the most necessary first-aid items you will need throughout your day. Whether camping, hiking or spending your day fishing, this kit will patch you up and let you get back to what you enjoy doing most. Five styles of bandages, antiseptic wipes, sting-relief wipes antibiotic ointment, a razor, waterproof matches and the always-needed safety pin round out the contents of this essential first-aid kit.
Vendor’s Comments: “Our unique, reusable brushed-metal first aid tins are filled with the most commonly used first-aid components, making them handy items to keep in your car, throw in your child’s sports bag or add to your camping gear.” —Molly Fies, Marketing Manager, Wisconsin Pharmacal Company
MSRP: $70
Key Features: Travel kit, hospital-quality items, diverse medications
Description: The World Traveler is the perfect companion when traveling to remote locations where needed medical attention may be hours or even days away. The kit comes equipped with a visual communication tool so medical aid is available in any language no matter where you are in the world. Its hospital-quality tools, including precision forceps and bandage scissors, set the standard for quality when out “in the field.” Bandage materials, blister and burn treatments, wound care, medical instruments and a vast selection of medications are just some of the contents of this indispensable travel first aid kit.
Manufacturer’s Comments: “The World Travel Kit is a must-have for those struck by wanderlust. This kit has what you need to overcome major and minor travel emergencies and keep moving. Fully stocked with the tools and medications you need to treat wounds, ailments and even language barriers, this kit has you covered.” —Katie Sowyrda, Marketing Representative, Adventure Medical Kits
MSRP: $7.99
Key Features: One-person first aid, lightweight, waterproof carrying bag
Description: Compact yet perfectly stocked for one person’s first-aid needs, the Pocket Medic is ideal for both men and women alike. Hikers, campers, fisherman, skiers and backpackers can all utilize the Pocket Medic’s diverse contents when the need arises. It contains bandages for cuts and scrapes, antibiotic ointments to prevent infection, sting-relief pads for bothersome insects and Motrin to ease your aches and pains. Comes packed in a waterproof, zip-locked carrying bag and weighs only 2 ounces to help keep your pack weight low.
Vendor’s Comments: “Don’t let the size of this compact first-aid kit fool you! The Pocket Medic 1st is perfect for women’s purses, desk kit at work, overnight backpack trips, campers, day hikers, fishermen, cross-country skiers, glove-box kit, etc. Comes packed in a waterproof, zip-locked carrying bag with 19 items. Makes a nice ‘thank you’ gift!” —Aaron Curley, Marketing Manager, Nitro-pak
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in the April 2014 print issue of American Survival Guide.