First Aid Kit Bag

All of your medical supplies need to go somewhere, so you’ll need a first aid kit bag.

It might sound like a pretty simple piece of gear, but having the right bag can help you stay organized and can really make a big difference in an emergency.

We recommend something that’s water-resistant, easy to carry, and has lots of compartments so you can keep your gear organized at all times.

Medical Tools & Devices

These are some of the basic tools and devices that any medical kit should have:

• CPR pocket mask: Designed to be a barrier between your mouth and the patient’s during CPR.
• Irrigation syringe: Very helpful for cleaning out wounds, especially scrapes and lacerations.
• Nitrile gloves: Important for protecting yourself from any blood-borne diseases. Always have at least 3-4 pairs in your first aid kit.
• Thermometer: A no-touch forehead thermometer can tell you if someone has an infection and is running a fever. Don’t forget extra batteries!
• Toenail clippers: These might sound silly, but are great for preventing ingrown toenails and regular personal hygiene.
• Trauma shears: Perfect for quickly cutting clothing off of someone to treat them for trauma or to do CPR.
• Tweezers: Used to remove splinters, ticks, or anything else embedded in the body.

Trauma Supplies

These items are must-haves for dealing with any sort of major trauma, whether that’s a kitchen accident or a car crash.

Stopping a bleed can literally save someone’s life, so be sure to have these items in your first aid kit.

• Ace wrap: Used to wrap an ankle or a wrist after someone sprains it. Can also be used to help build a splint.
• Band-aids: Who doesn’t love band-aids? If you have kids, you’ll definitely want a nice stockpile of these. Get a variety of different shapes and sizes.
• Coban wrap: Coban wrap is a self-adhesive wrapping tape that’s great for keeping a bandage on or supporting a sprained ankle.
• Gauze pads (sterile): Sterile gauze pads are a must-have for stopping a bleed and keeping a wound clean for a long time.
• Medical tape: Medical tape is a life-saver when making splints or bandages. You’ll want at least one 1” and one 3/4” roll.
• Mole foam: Used to pad a blister to reduce pain when walking and to protect it from popping.
• Moleskin: Great for padding blistered hands and feet.
• Sam Splint: Can be used to make a lower arm splint or a cervical collar in an emergency.
• Second Skin: Useful for healing blistered skin and can be used on some minor burns.
• Triangle bandages: Makes a quick sling for a broken arm or dislocated shoulder. Also great for making splints.
• Quick-clot: Designed originally for military use, Quick-clot is a gauze that’s soaked in a clotting agent to help stop a bleed fast. It’s very expensive but is a game-changer if someone has been shot, stabbed, or in a car accident and has major trauma to an important part of the body.