There may come a time when you need a first aid kit, medical kit, or survival medical kit, as it is also known. Regardless of the name, the main thing to keep in mind is that you should keep one handy at all times. In case of emergency, a medical kit that includes all the necessary elements can make all the difference. Being able to treat a wound on time is crucial for survival. It is important to know what you should have in your kit and of course, how to use it. In this guide, we have you covered as we will tell you how you can prepare your own first aid kit to deal with emergencies. We will discuss the essential elements that the ultimate medical kit has to include, as well as the important of developing your own survival skills.
How to prepare your own emergency survival kit
There are some aspects that need to be considered when building an emergency survival kit. The first thing you need to think about is what supplies you need to include. One point to get started is getting medical supplies, of course, but getting the basic elements is not enough. It is important to be prepared for any medical emergency. After considering the supplies that you need, the next step is to choose the best medical bag, which is where you will store all of them. It doesn’t matter if you use a bag, a box or another container, what is important is that all the supplies are stored properly and neatly. One thing you need to ask yourself is where will you store the medical kit and if you are bringing it with you on the go, you need to consider factors like the weather and portability. Although at first it seems like the container is not the most important aspect of your survival kit, the truth is that it has a significant impact on the usability and convenience of your kit. Below, you will find a list of the best medical bags available.
Unigear 600D Dry Bag Sack
If you are going to be in a rainy, wet environment (for instance if you are going kayaking or will practice any aquatic sports), this bag is the best choice, due to the fact that it is waterproof.
Compact Tactical MOLLE Rip-Away EMT Medical First Aid Pouch
This MOLLE compatible bag suits tactical and emergency situations and it has astrong focus on convenience. It is an anti-abrasion bag made out of polyester and it features a tri-fold design with a rip away Velcro panel. It comes with a wide handle to increase portability. In addition, this compact bag comes with a pair of EMT shears.
MedPac 3800 Medical bag
This is a bag specifically designed to be a medical kit. It will help you to keep all your supplies accessible and well-organized. The MedPac 3800 comes with 5 dividers that can be adjusted and that make things easier when it comes to organizing larger supplies and equipment. The bag is water-resistant and it features an adjustable buckle-assembly that keeps the lid upright. Although it is more expensive than other options, it is worth considering if you want an advanced medical kit.
TravTac Stage II Small Sling bag
This military medic backpack is a highly functional container for a survival medical kit. Thanks to the multiple pockets and high durability of this bag, it is a solution that is worth considering. It is portable to bring it with you on the go and it can be used to store all the medical supplies that you need. It is possible to wear it as a backpack and also across the chest or as a hand carry bag. It is MOLLE compatible.
Family Emergency Kit storage box
You will find a wide variety of medical boxes available that are made to last and that can also help you to keep all your supplies organized. The Family Emergency Kit storage box features an organizing divider tray that allows you to separate medical supplies as needed. All and all, this convenient family emergency kit made of plastic is convenient and durable.
22″ Military Duffel travel bag
Although this bag was not specifically designed as a medical kit bag, its convenient price and resistant design make it a good solution for this purpose. In the end, what really matters is that the bag you go for is a tactical one.
What do you need to have in your medical kit?
Now it’s time to go through the list of basic supplies that you need to keep in your medical kit. The contents of your kit should be able to cover different ailments. You need something to deal with headaches, minor injuries and everything else. You can get most of these supplies in a pharmacy over the counter. Just include all the medicines that you can get to treat common issues.
Below you will find a list of the medicines that you should consider getting:
- Acetaminophen
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Sudafed or a similar medicament
- Anti-histamine
- Immodium/Loperamide
- Bismuth tabs
- Throat lozenges
- Oral rehydration
- Cranberry extract
- Stool softener and/or laxative
- Dramamine
Medical creams – These allow you to keep wounds clean and avoid infection, they also reduce inflammation, prevent fungus growth and more. The options to consider are>
Anti-Bacterial soap to clean the wound
Miconazole/ Anti-fungal
Antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin
Hydrocortisone
Prescription medicines should also be part of an advanced medical kit. However, it is important to understand how they have to be administered. If you have access to these supplies and you are likely to need them, you need to be prepared and include them in your kit. Here are some of the most common options that you may need to use:
Amoxicillin 500mg: Used to treat infections or stomach ulcers
Bactrim d.s. 160/800mg – Used to treat bacterial infections
Epinephrine 1mg – Used to treat severe allergic reactions. Keep in mind that generally, it can only be administered by someone with a certification.
Ciprofloxacin 500mg – Used to treat infections
Azithromycin 500mg – Used to treat typical mycobacterial infections and bacterial infections of the heart valve.
Flagyl 500/400mg – For bacterial infections
Fluconazole 100mg – Used to prevent and treat some fungal infections
If someone in your family has difficulties breathing, asthma Inhalers (Albuterol) are another basic prescription item to consider.
Essential medical tools
Medical Tweezers – While you may think at first that it is possible to simply get standard tweezers, the truth is that you need to upgrade to tactical tweezers that can be used to remove splinters and small foreign objects without issues.
Thermometer – It is also advisable to look for an infrared thermometer. This is particularly helpful if you have small kids as it makes things easier when you need to measure the temperature.
Q-Tips – This is a simple but crucial part of your kit and it is advisable to get anti-bacterial q-tips to keep things clean.
Large trauma shears – High quality EMT shears have fluoride coating that offers a non-stick surface for any emergency cutting. They should have sharp edges, milled serrations for cutting even through tough material.
Surgical grade toenail clippers – Surgical nail clippers are capable of handling even thick toenails in case of fungus, psoriasis or more. The stainless steel design of these devices allows them to prevent rusting and corrosion.
Scalpel with Blades – A sharp scalpel and blade would be enough for basic medical emergencies, but for something more advanced, get a suture kit.
Stethoscope – Although stethoscopes can be expensive, it is possible to get cheap ones for just a few dollars.
Supplies to treat wounds and trauma
Wounds can be a complicated and although in most cases, it is better to see a doctor or go to a hospital. However, it is always important to be prepared to treat the wound as best as you can, particularly if it is difficult to get professional help. Here is what you should have in your kit to treat these injuries. Make sure that you have a high number of the items that you may use the most, such as band-aids and alcohol wipes.
Molefoam
Medical tape
Blister Treatments
Band-Aids (multiple sizes)
Iodine
Moleskin
Irrigation Syringe
2nd skin
Nitrile gloves
Alcohol wipes
Sterile gauze pads
Alcohol wipes
Ace Bandages
Tegaderm
Triangle bandages
Steri-strip or butterfly closures
Sam-splint moldable foam splint
Israeli bandage
Tourniquet
Suture kit
Additional items
As part of your survival kit, it is also a good idea to include items like sunblock, iodine tablets to purify water, bug repellent, waterproof matches and even basic toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and a razor. It is also a good idea to include vitamins.
How to pack and store your Medical kit
It is important to keep your medical kit packed and organized accordingly. Time is crucial when you are treating a medical emergency. You need to store everything in a way that you can easily access it whenever it is needed. You can organize the kit by category, for instance: prescription, over the counter and trauma. Keep in mind that trauma and prescription items are probably needed more urgently so they should be stored so that you can access them easily. You can separate the supplies in compartments, using the compartments that are in your container.
As an alternative, you can use other options like stuff sacks, tupperware or zip lock bags. Stuff sacks are available in a variety of colors and sizes so you can divide your items in color categories. The majority are made from water-resistant material, light and they are made to last. Tupperware is another option, if you have space and don’t mind about the extra weight. It is also possible to get zip lock bags, which can be marked and labelled using a marker. Another advantage of zip lock bags is that they can help you to avoid spills so they are a good choice for liquids. Last, but not least, consider using pill bottles to store medicines.
Make sure that you keep your survival kit up to date
Once you have your survival medical kit, it is important to ensure that it is regularly updated and that you get new supplies whenever needed. Make sure that you keep an eye on the expiry date of the medicines and that you check if there are any spills or leaks. Replace items as needed, keep a list of them so that you can easily go through it and know exactly what is missing or what has to be replaced. It is important to pay special attention to all the elements of your kit and be very organized with it. You can come up with your own system, what really matters is that you know what you have in your kit, what is needed and everything else.
First Aid kits
If you don’t have much time or simply feel that is more practical to get a kit that already comes with all the basics, there are different options available in the market. We have prepared a list of the best options available. They come with useful items and medicines, but you can also add new ones as needed.
SURVIVAL Work/Home First Aid kit
This kit comes with elements that are already organized and labelled accordingly. You can easily find what you need and the bag is water resistant and it lasts for a long time. It also features belt loops and reflective piping that helps you to find the kit, even in poor light conditions.
Small first aid kit for hiking, backpacking, camping and more
This strong kit is strong and it is available for an affordable price. It includes all the items needed to treat injuries, even when you are outdoors. It features MOLLE compatible straps and the bag is water-resistant.
Lightning X Extra Large Medic First Responder EMT Trauma Bag
This complete EMT Trauma bag is one of the best solution to have a survival kit, without having to prepare everything yourself. It is a bit too advanced if you only want a basic kit, but if you want the ultimate survival kit, this is what you need.
MFASCO – First Aid Kit
Strong, comprehensive and one of the best options for first response, this kit by MFASCO is another advanced solution for emergencies. It has a bight, reflective bag with multiple compartments. Apart from including the essentials, this kit comes with basic blood pressure cuff, as well as stethoscope, eye wash, multi-trauma blood stop dressing and triangle band-aids, just to name a few.
Adventure Medical Kits’ Trauma Pack With QuickcClot
For convenience, take a look at this small pack that comes in a waterproof contained. It includes QuickClot, trauma pad, triangle bandages and other must-have elements. If you love the outdoors and usually practice sports, this adventure kit is a great choice. It is designed to control bleeding quickly. It is long-lasting, waterproof and it can be easily re-used.
The importance of survival first aid skills
Having the best survival first aid kit is not enough, you need to know how to use it. Not everyone can have medical experience, but if you can, we recommend taking a first aid course, or any other training that will help you to respond to medical emergencies accordingly. There are also medical survival guides that explain in detail what you need to do to treat an emergency, in case it is not possible to get professional assistance. Although getting prepared for a medical emergency is not easy or cheap, it is crucial as it could help you to save lives.