Recommended 1st Aid Kits

07V8

07V8

Member
Can anyone recommend an all-in-one 1st Aid Kit to keep in the back of my truck. I'm relocating and driving to Alaska from Chicago so I'm looking for something pretty comprehensive.

Preferably something that's on amazon.

Thanks!
 
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Having had some lengthy discussions with some family members who are doctors/nurses, I've come to the following conclusion. If your injury is life-threatening, the best you can do is carry a satellite based beacon to request immediate aid. Otherwise just drive yourself out of there.

I mean, I carry bandaids and painkillers, sunscreen, aloe, etc. If there's a serious wound there's no real difference between using a tshirt and duct tape vs a clean cloth bandage and medical tape, except that one costs a lot more.

That said, there are some nice 1st aid kit "builds" in this forum, so if you want to spend money you'll undoubtedly be able to. A nice case, stacks of varying sized bandages, quickclot, splints, nice trauma scissors, etc. You can spend over $500 very easily. If you have a real emergency though (pulmonary edema, myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.) none of that will do any good.
 
07V8 said:
Can anyone recommend an all-in-one 1st Aid Kit to keep in the back of my truck. I'm relocating and driving to Alaska from Chicago so I'm looking for something pretty comprehensive.

Preferably something that's on amazon.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I've always had good luck with products from Adventure Medical Kits, if you're looking for something "pre-made". Here are some good examples, all available on amazon at varying price points:

https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Me...837596&sr=8-4&keywords=adventure+medical+kits
https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Me...837596&sr=8-5&keywords=adventure+medical+kits
https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Me...837596&sr=8-8&keywords=adventure+medical+kits

This last one I have in several places because its more of a one and done kit for more serious trauma (has QuikClot etc).

https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Me...837596&sr=8-7&keywords=adventure+medical+kits

Hope this helps! Stay safe!!

Also here is a thread started by [MENTION=127037]NutZac[/MENTION] that gives great info if you wanted to build a custom kit. He houses his in a Pelican hard case. I also posted my soft-side kit on page 2 of that thread to show another option.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/234617-toyota-4runner-first-aid.html
 
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The best possible thing you could do is to take a NOLS Wilderness First Aid course. It will teach you so much about handling various situations until you can get to proper care.

I've been WFA certified for years now and each time I take the course, my instructors have mentioned that the REI kits are fairly comprehensive for a pr-built kit.

My kit started out as the pre-built kit and I have since modified it to my own needs/experience.
 
07V8 said:
Can anyone recommend an all-in-one 1st Aid Kit to keep in the back of my truck. I'm relocating and driving to Alaska from Chicago so I'm looking for something pretty comprehensive.

Preferably something that's on amazon.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hey man. That's quite the relocation!!

So, I've spent tons of time on the road in VERY remote places, including the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. Carrying a first aid kit can save someone's life. But knowing how to use it properly is just as important. Try and go for a first aid training course if you can. I've had to use my training several times...

As for a first aid kit, I would highly recommend going with a First Responder's kit. It's what I carry in my truck.

https://www.amazon.com/Dixie-First-...4475&sr=8-1&keywords=first+responder+kit&th=1
 
shoeless said:
The best possible thing you could do is to take a NOLS Wilderness First Aid course. It will teach you so much about handling various situations until you can get to proper care.



I've been WFA certified for years now and each time I take the course, my instructors have mentioned that the REI kits are fairly comprehensive for a pr-built kit.



My kit started out as the pre-built kit and I have since modified it to my own needs/experience.
Click to expand...



I'll completely concur with this. I've been a NOLS Wilderness Medicine instructor for 19 years, and a paramedic for 16. A first aid kit is only as good as the training behind it. Your best resource is education. A basic first aid kit and bleeding control kit can go a long way, but it's more important to know how to use what resources you have.
 
+1 on training. I don't know how I forgot to mention that(I'm a pharmacist and EMT, whoops)! It's sort of like the argument around expensive AR15s: you don't need a $2000 AR, you need a $500 AR and $1500 in training.
 
training is always key. an amazon kit is not going to be your best option. ideally, you should piece together a kit based on what you expect to encounter with quality products. not knowing your budget, I would look at places like NARescue and TacMed Solutions to find ideas for kits. NARescue also offers "adventure" kits that might fit your bill:

https://www.narescue.com/adventure-rescue-products

Going off something like what is in the IFAK in the category above, you can definitely piece together a kit from CVS for cheaper. But definitely get a couple tourniquets and splints to add to whatever kit you get.
 
I agree with those here who have stated it's better to piece together the kit you need. Not every situation requires the same elements, so it's best to kit it out for the situation you'll be finding yourself in.

Also take into consideration a couple of things:

1. Whatever you pack in your medical kit, be sure you know what is where and how to employ it.

2. It's also wise to get something like this to augment your kit:

https://www.amazon.com/ACEP-First-Aid-Manual-5th/dp/1465419500

It's got clear descriptions, complete with pictures, on various treatments.
 
backcountrymedic said:
I'll completely concur with this. I've been a NOLS Wilderness Medicine instructor for 19 years, and a paramedic for 16. A first aid kit is only as good as the training behind it. Your best resource is education. A basic first aid kit and bleeding control kit can go a long way, but it's more important to know how to use what resources you have.
Click to expand...

I will have to agree with the folks mentioning the training....Paramedic for nearly a decade and Critical Care Paramedic/TCCC. Training is the best thing you can have...

Obviously if time is an issue I get that, however grab a good wilderness first aid book and start reading.
Adventure Medical makes a great kit for those with not a lot of training, so does Amp-3. Dave is an ER Doc as well as a Navy Doc. Great guy.
Shop ? Amp-3, LLC
 
Adventure Medical Kits are pretty good, When I was taking my Wilderness First Responder course thats all we used for the week. I Keep the "fundamentals" kit in my truck right now, Its basically a hospital in a bag.
 
Was in the local CVS today and found refil kits on sale. Picked up a wound and burn refill kit and a sprain kit for about $4.00 each. Put these in the small kit I keep in the 4Runner.

CVS sells and empty kit and has a decent selection of refill kits to put in it. You can customize a number of ways.
 
I'm a WEMT and concur with the comments on training as well. That being said I have a nice small blue force gear ifak I filled myself for range days and another I have stocked in the truck for hiking which has extra duct tape, water purification tabs etc


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Another thing I’d recommend carrying is a Sam Splint.

We’ve had occasion to use one twice. The first was when my wife fell and broke her arm. We were 12 miles into the backcountry and it was late in the day, so we had to spend the night in the tent and hike out the next day. The splint did a great job immobilizing her arm. She’s tough – walked all the way out while holding her arm in the air. A couple years later, I slipped on a hike and broke my hand.

We also carry a Spot satellite messenger :help:. Fortunately, we've only needed to use that to send "We're OK" messages.
 
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