Now there are a million different first aid/medic kits out there that you can buy prepackaged, however I have found that 98% of these fall into one of these 3 categories.
- They Have more than you need or your skill set/experience knows how to use
- They are basic kiddie fell on the sidewalk boo boo junk
- They have a decent set up but are way overpriced for what is contained in them
Now I will say up front I am not a certified EMT or a Field medic from the military, however I have been trained in combat first aid and basic triage on the battlefield, while this is not up to the same level by any measure I do know what most of you have the ability to do and what you will need. You can always buy more if you want an advanced medic bag and learn as you go, that’s your prerogative.
Here is a list of some basic stuff you should buy.
First off you will want a bag to put all this stuff in, now you could buy some very high speed bag specifically made for EMT’s and Medics, but you can easily make do with a cheap tactical/shoot bag like the Allen & Company Tactical Bag which retails for around $30. I would recommend packing the more necessary first aid items, that being ones that are needed for immediate lifesaving needs like gauze, pressure bandages, israeli bandages or tourniquets. If you need band-aids they are not a immediate lifesaving implements you can stick them inside.
Here are some necessary items for a good first aid kit.
- (25+) Band-Aid (Variety of sizes
- (15+) Butterfly Bandages (They hold the cuts together to allow it to heal)
- (3+ each) Sterile Gauze Pads (2″-4″)
- (4+ rolls) Medical Adhesive Tape
- (5+) Absorbent Cotton Roll
- (6+) Sterile Roller bandages, 2″ and 3″
- (1 Box -100) Cotton-tipped swabs
- (2) Thermometer
- (2) Anti-Itch Cream/Lotion
- (3) Triple Anti-Biotic Cream
- (250+) Ibprofen
- (250+) Acetaminophen
- (250+) Aspirin
- (100+) Anti-Diarrheal (Loperamide)
- (100+) Anti-Histamine (Diphenhydramine)
- (2 Bottles) Eye Drops
- (1-2 bottles) Saline Solution
- (3-4) Chemical ice packs
- (50-100 wipes) Iodine wipes
- (1 Bottle) Rubbing Alcohol
- (2-3) Israeli Bandage
- (1-2) Tourniquet (Ratchet strap type is my favorite)
- (3-4 pouches) Hemostatic Agents (these are chemicals that react upon touching a bleeding wound and if the bleeding is not arterial it can cauterize the wound)
- (4-5) Triangle Bandage- can be used to hold gauze or a broken arm
- (3+) Water Jel Burn Dressing
- Safety Pins - have 3+ large pins and multiple small ones
- (1-2)Medical Scissors
- (3+) Ace Bandage
- Epi-Pen – If you have an allergy by all means have a spare in your medic bag for yourself or others
- (50+) Nitrile Gloves
If you want a more advanced bag here are some things you may want, but please learn how to use them first
- (1-2) Asherman Chest Seal-Used for sucking chest wounds
- (1-2 packs) Oropharyngeal Airway-Used for opening an airway
- IV Starter Kit (However it is impossible for some reason to get a IV bag without a prescription, if you know a EMT, etc see if you can get one)
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