The Complete Guide to First-Aid Kits

In an emergency, access to medical care may be limited. A well-stocked first-aid kit is essential for treating minor injuries and preventing them from becoming major problems.

A large home first-aid kit

Option 1: The Family First-Aid Kit

A comprehensive kit designed to stay in your home. It should contain a wide range of supplies to treat everything from minor cuts and scrapes to sprains and burns.

Key Items: Assorted bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, medical tape, pain relievers, burn cream.

Best For: Treating common household injuries during a shelter-in-place event.

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A compact first-aid kit for a backpack

Option 2: The Compact Go-Bag Kit

A smaller, lightweight kit designed for portability. This is what you should have in your vehicle and your emergency go-bag. It focuses on the essentials for immediate care on the move.

Key Items: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment, pain relievers, small roll of gauze.

Best For: Your car, hiking pack, or evacuation bag.

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An advanced trauma kit with a tourniquet

Option 3: Advanced Trauma Kit (IFAK)

An Individual First-Aid Kit (IFAK) contains supplies to treat life-threatening bleeding. While it requires training to use properly, having one can be life-saving in a severe emergency when help is delayed.

Key Items: Tourniquet, compressed gauze, chest seal, emergency bandage.

Best For: Those with training who want to be prepared for more serious injuries.

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