Recommendation? Looking for packable first aid kit

S

SuzukiGS750EZ

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Dec 30, 2008
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Hey guys. Looking for a packable first aid kit I can carry with me hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. any recommendations? I’ll be buying a separate trauma kit.
 
I've only ever been happy with one brand (and they are an Australian company so does you no good). But I mostly roll my own. What are you looking for as far as people/days?
Certainly, once you have a main bleeder kit, that's going to cover a lot, but I've packed some pretty extensive "boo-boo" kits based on duration and group size.

I usually take stuff for blisters and small cuts, wound cleaning and holding (steri-stips are great) Non-adherent dressings and the type of wide bandage tape that has a paper backing. There is also a film dressing that works really well, but you need to know what you are doing a bit. I really don't carry a lot for small wounds, my main concern is making sure I or my patient survives to evac, which here is basically a snakebite bandage (and really I know a lot of guys who carry that and a bandanna as their FAK)

As much as people talk about improvised splints, a SAM is very handy if you are the one injured. Improvising is cool, but when that means you are using up your actual gear for the wrong purpose, I wonder if it's always the best call.

A huge factor is the bag, and how it's stored. My current main first aid kits waste a lot of space in organizing pockets, but they are fine for the house, and car. My walking kit is basically a zippered clamshell with two pockets. Some people fall in between. One good method is basically a tool roll that then goes into a dry-bag. Easy if you do any sewing.

I'm sure some other guys will throw in brands and vendors, but that's a starting point anyway.
 
Like others I make my own. Think through what is needed, both common injuries to trauma.

Band-Aids (5-6)
NSAID (small travel size)
Super Glue (single use)
Duct Tape roll (small)
Absorbent pads (2)
Quick clot bandage (1)

Might add a commercial Tourniquet, Suture kit, NPA and or Tension pneumothorax catheter depending on where I travel, as well as poopie pills and antibiotics.

For a pouch I use an SO Tech med pouch (flat). https://www.optactical.com/soteviflifba.html
 
I’m 100% on the ”build your own” bus. If you’re not sure what to put in it, look up some commercially produced kits and cherry pick what you know How to use and order the items individually. I’ve seen guys get these super expensive kits with things like sutures (no lidocaine) when they don’t know how to throw a stitch. If you don’t know how to do a needle decompression and aren’t expecting penetrating chest trauma or spontaneous pneumothorax don’t spend $20 on the needle. You’ll spend less and have a kit that you can actually use.
 
I have a commercial kit I was given at work because the meds were expired. I don't think with the exception of the triangle bandage and wire split anything original is left. I keep this updated for home and to supply portable kits . I built my FAK kits , my primary portable kit is in a Condor EMT light rip away pouch on the front of my EDC bag. That I had Emergency room doctors look at .( I work at a hospital) They gave me a pack of Combat gauze and said I was good initially building a first aid kit can be expensive, but if you have a decent sized homekit that you keep stocked building small kits from that isn't bad. I have a couple kits an altoids tins sealed with electrical tape on bikes then I have a little bigger kit in a maxpedition mini pocket organizer that rides in a trunk bag that I can switch between 4 bicycles .
 
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