Best First Aid Kit Reviews 2018

For a high-quality first aid kit, expect to pay between about $20 and $100. On the upper end are kits costing up to $500, or even more. Most of these kits are ideal for governments and large organizations that offer rescue and emergency help during huge disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, and accidents. There are also cheap first aid kits, but you should not trust them with your health and safety. We feel that their quality is not guaranteed and that’s why haven’t featured any in this review.

While there are several factors that affect the price of a first aid kit, the number and type of components seems to be the greatest determinant. For example, a kit packed with 300+ tools and medication costs more than a kit with 100 tools. Other factors include the quality of the tools, certification, and the brand.

First aid kits are available in different sizes and styles. This means there are kits designed for specific users, while others are multi-purpose. For example, the best fishing and boating first aid kit has a waterproof case. If you miss this feature, the kit won’t be useful in the long-run. The secret here is to identify your specific needs, then match them with a kit that has the right features.

Below are the important features to consider when buying a first aid kit:

• Number and type of tools, and if it contains medication.
• Approval and certification by the relevant authorities.
• The type and material of the case or bag.
• The size of the kit, both weight and measurements.
• Easy identification features.
• Brand and guarantee.
• Quality of the tools and supplies.

With these features in mind, let’s now go deeper and see how these features affect the design and performance of a first aid kit.

The type of a first aid kit determines the design and general construction. For instance, fishing and boating first aid kits are waterproof, and most of them have medications. Let’s look at the different types of first aid kits and their differences.

Home First Aid Kits:

These kits are designed for use at home and differ in size and type of components. The best one here should all have the necessary tools to treat cuts, burns, abrasions, stings, strains, splinters and sprains. There are also some that contain medication to alleviate some complaints like fever, cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion symptoms. Most of these kits have between 100 and 300 pieces.

All-purpose First Aid Kits:

These are the most popular and diverse first aid kits on the market. The best thing about this type is their versatility. You can use them anywhere in the office, car, or school, or when you are camping, sporting, hunting, etc. Their components vary depending on brand and price. You’ll find some for 50 people, with up to 250 pieces of equipment, and others for 10 people, containing up to 100 pieces. The must-have tools include bandages, cleaning and disinfecting products, medications, and equipment such as forceps and EMT shears.

The most popular first aid supplies include adhesive bandages, elastic bandages, sterile gauze, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic, scissors, tweezers, analgesic, saline solution, gloves, cotton, hand sanitizer, oral thermometer, tape, instant heat pack and popsicle sticks. Cleaning and disinfecting tools include antiseptic wipes and alcohol swabs. Popular medications include ibuprofen tablets, aspirin tablets, antihistamine, bite wipes, and diamode tablets.

Outdoor First Aid Kits:

The main difference between this type of first aid kit and the others is the case or bag. Most outdoor kits have a waterproof casing, making them ideal for wet conditions. There is no limit to how many tools they can have. While some are basic, there are some comprehensive kits equivalent to a remote medical station. The content also depends on the specific needs. For instance, a hiking first aid kit should contain medication like antibiotics, altitude medications and pain management prescriptions. Outdoor kits can further be divided into boating, hiking, fishing, canoeing, camping or hunting kits.

Group First Aid Kits:

These kits cut across all the other types of kits. The main distinguishing feature is that they’re large in size and contain pretty much everything. Group first aid kits are ideal for schools, business premises, rescue organizations, government agencies and police departments.

First Responders First Aid Kits:

This is a special type of first aid kit, sometimes also referred to as trauma bags. These kits have everything you’d need to keep a person alive until medical help arrives. Some tools you’ll find here include stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs. Another popular type of first aid kit is sports first aid kits, with tools to handle orthopedic injuries, like compression wraps and cold packs. There are also military first aid kits, with tools like clotting agents, scalpels, suture materials and wound dressings. In conclusion, there are endless types of first aid kits, depending on the targeted users.

While there are several factors that influence the performance of a first aid kit, including quality of the tools and supplies, the greatest of all is the user. That’s why we encourage you to learn basic first aid skills and CPR techniques online, or to enroll in a first aid class. It’s also encouraged to teach kids basic first aid skills at the appropriate age. For example, The American Red Cross has classes designed for children.

The performance of a kit also depends on the quality of the tools. That’s why it’s advisable to buy kits from reputable brands like Swiss Safe and First Aid Only among others. Low-quality kits come with low-quality supplies, and sometimes expired supplies. There are also kits with OSHA and ANSI approval, indicating they’ve met the guidelines set by the regulating authorities.

For ease of use, most kits have compartments allowing you to organize tools well for easy retrieval during an emergency. Other kits have see-through packs, making it easy to spot tools inside. Other features adding to ease of use are effortless opening and closing, and exterior pockets where you can put the most-used tools. Kits also have spacious bags and cases, allowing you to add more tools and supplies, depending on your requirements. For portability, cases and bags have straps for easy transportation and for hanging in a room. Other interesting features are glow-in-the-dark cases and reflective straps for easy identification.