I was maybe 11 years old, out helping my grandpa in the barn. He was using his pocketknife to open a package and opened his finger in the process. Grandpa took out his wallet, pulled a Band-Aid from inside it, put the Band-Aid on, and went back to work. The lesson imparted: always have first-aid supplies handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Accidents happen. They are a fact of life. But an accident away from medical help has the potential for catastrophe. That is why having a medical kit as part of your EDC kit is a wise idea, especially if you carry a firearm<\/a>. But what is the best EDC<\/a> medical kit? To an extent, that depends on the situation and your level of comfort and training for treating yourself or others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, let us have a look at some kits ranging from the basic cuts-and-scrapes set to something an off-duty professional might have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Otherwise known as the \u201cboo-boo\u201d kit, the basic setup has band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and other small odds and ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three solid choices are the Thrive First-Aid Kit<\/a>, the Platoon First-Aid Kit<\/a> from Coleman\u2019s, and the Everlit Survival First-Aid Kit<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Thrive kit is a basic clamshell-type case with pouches on either side to hold supplies. It comes with an assortment of band-aids and wipes, plus a tweezer. This would be a great kit for taking the kids to the park or other low-risk activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The larger Everlit comes in a pouch similar to a military IFAK. It comes with a prodigious number of band-aids and wipes plus a decent flashlight, gauze pads, and some gimmick items like a paracord bracelet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coleman\u2019s Platoon First-Aid Kit is a little different than the previous two. In addition to the band-aids, it includes gauze pads, tape, cold compress, elastic bandages, and pain meds. This kit will handle most household or camping trip incidents easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an aside, if your kid is prone to cuts and scrapes while out exploring, then consider getting them the Backyard Adventure Bear First Aid Kit<\/a>. It comes in a little bear-shaped pouch with a carabiner and contains band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and hand sanitizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trauma kits are equipped to handle major hemorrhaging of blood or other life-threatening situations like a sucking chest wound. These kits will help you get the medical end of the situation under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Army issues these kits to soldiers as the IFAK (individual first-aid kit), and most of the recommendations given here also carry that label.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Touroam IFAK Trauma EDC Tactical<\/a>. This pouch combines the basic kit with a CAT tourniquet, pressure bandages, and a SAM splint. Thie Trauma EDC is a great kit for the hunting pack or the car and can cover most injuries short of a gunshot wound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A close second is the FalconTac Everyday Carry Trauma Kit<\/a>. Same ingredients as the Touram EDC but with fewer basic items like band-aids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you travel light, then the EDC Pocket Trauma Kit<\/a> by LT Creed or the Ankle EDC Medical Kit <\/a>by the Warrior Poet Society may be for you. The LT Creed kit is an elastic tourniquet, a QuickClot dressing, some antiseptic wipes, and a few bandages, all housed in a wallet-sized pouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Warrior Poet Society Ankle Kit is designed to be worn around your ankle like a holster and holds a trauma dressing, nasopharyngeal airway, shears, and a CAT tourniquet. There are two empty pockets on the kit for additional supplies should you feel the need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the premium kits with all the bells and whistles for patching up a human. Recommendations here are the MediTac Premium IFAK Kit and the BearFAK 3.0<\/a> from Refuge Medical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MediTac kit includes chest seals, a tourniquet, Israeli bandage (compression bandage), SAM splint, and a Trauma Pack by Adventure Medical ( a nice little setup by itself) that has QuickClot gauze, sterile dressings, and tape. A pretty solid trauma kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Refuge Medical went all-out on the BearFAK. It is a very complete kit that includes the same ingredients as the above kit, plus a nasal pharyngeal airway, eyecup and gauze, abdominal pad, and a survival blanket to help control shock. Refuge Medical also offers in-person medical response classes<\/a> to help you become proficient with your gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Basic Kits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trauma Kits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Best All-Around Kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For the Minimalist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
All The Trauma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Honorable Mention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n