CHOOSE THE RIGHT FIRST-AID KIT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT

STORY BY WENDY WILSON

MyMedic

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MANUFACTURERS

You never know when you’ll need a first-aid kit. And that’s why they’re so important to keep around. Whether you’re injured in an automobile accident, break a bone while hiking or helping someone with an accidental gunshot wound, having a stocked first-aid kit will help you manage the medical emergency until help arrives.

A basic first-aid kit comes stocked with supplies used to treat injuries such as cuts and scrapes, burns, eye irritations and sprains and strains. Oftentimes, it also comes with items to help with things such as sunburn, poison ivy and insect stings. For minor injuries like these, the kit should include adhesive bandages, antiseptics like alcohol pads, antibiotic ointment, burn sprays or gels, eye wash, gauze pads and rolls, first-aid tape, cold packs, elastic compression rolls and splinting materials, medications like antihistamines and pain relievers, hand sanitizer and protective gloves.

In addition to basic kits, specialized first-aid kits like these have become readily available, too.

• Trauma kits treat serious burns and bleeding injuries like deep cuts, gunshot wounds, crushed limbs and broken bones. These kits include pressure bandages, tourniquets, blood-stopping bandages, chest seal and sterile saline.

• Car and motorcycle kits include basic first-aid items, as well as a safety light, emergency blanket and distress flag to help you wave down first-responders.

• Marine and boating kits often come in waterproof cases and come stocked with things you’d need on the water like sunscreen, sunburn gel, lip gel and drinking water.

• Outdoor kits focus on all needs outdoors, and many include items like insect sting relievers, snake bite kits, splints and wraps for sprains, and blister relief pads, as well as emergency items, like a compass, emergency whistle, firer starter rod and paracord.

• Compact personal first-aid kits contain everything you need in a tiny, lightweight package.

• Pet kits focus on our four-legged friends, because they often need first aid, too!

In our buyer’s guide on the following pages, you’ll find a range of basic and specialty first-aid kits. Consider adding one to your car, boat, backpack and range bag—just in case!

REVIEW 1

DOOM & BLOOM GUNSHOT WOUND KIT, A GRAB-AND-GO TRAUMA KIT PACKS

This Doom & Bloom kit contains the essentials for emergency treatment of gunshot wounds. It includes easy-to-follow instructions accompanied by color images.

In the woods, at the range or in your car, this kit makes sense either on its own or part of a larger, more general first-aid kit.