Every home and office needs to be equipped with a first aid kit in the event that minor injuries arise. These kits are necessary for any survival kit, allowing injured individuals to deal with any immediate problems that arise. During a natural disaster or other survival circumstances, it is fairly easy to end up dealing with cuts, bug bites, broken bones, and more, and the right first aid kit should be able to handle these issues. These kits also include basic medications for issues like inflammation and fevers. Given the height of the coronavirus and the demand in face masks and lung health supplements, it is never a bad option to have a well-equipped first aid medical kit on site no matter whether preventative or precautionary one needs to be.
Ultimately, an effective and comprehensive first aid kit can mean the difference between being prepared during an incident and being at-risk of greater injury. The kit that any consumer chooses needs to be well-stocked with materials that can handle a pressing emergency.
Top 10 Best First Aid Kits for Health Emergencies in 2023
Here are some of the top first aid kits that the market has to offer. This should not be understood as a comprehensive list; our team has found a good selection of what we feel to be the most helpful, packed medical-emergency designed first aid kits currently on the market.
Contents
Our team has ranked and explained the top first aid kits of 2023 for consumers who want to keep safe and prepared during all emergency situations.
SURVIVAL Work/Home First Aid Kit
The SURVIVAL Work/Home First Aid Kit is a highly organized set with everything that consumers may need in a disaster situation. Though the kit has recently been redesigned, the new version is a bit bigger with additional storage compartments. It offers a sterile saline solution, as well as a tourniquet and eye pads, to ensure that consumers are covered in any circumstance. They also offer a hemostatic bandages and tourniquets, offering the supplies that consumes may need in the event of a gunshot wound or stabbing.
While the kit isn’t quite small enough to fit in a glove compartment, the low price of $139.95 on Amazon is likely just a cherry on top of all of the benefits of this kit.
Surviveware First Aid Kit
The Surviveware First Aid Kit is rather small for the average kit, but it holds a lot of helpful products. With mesh pockets and other organizational features, consumers can easily tell from the carefully stitched labels were each item is. The kit hold much more than the minor supplies that consumers will need, like heavy duty sheers, compressive dressings, and triangular bandages, making it a helpful kit for anyone that wants to keep it in their car, truck, or RV.
While this kit holds a lot of products, consumers will not find many duplicates, which means that they will need to resupply the kit as it is depleted. It also doesn’t have some of the major medications that consumers may find that they need. The total cost of the Surviveware First Aid Kit is $139.95.
CURAPLEX Stop the Bleed Kit
The CURAPLEX Stop the Bleed Kit is not technically a complete first aid kit, it offers many supplies that the average survival-level first aid kit needs to include, like tourniquet and a hemostatic wound dressing with kaolin treatment. There’s been many research studies performed by the military that indicate that, with the stop of initial bleeding, many gunshot, shrapnel, and knife wounds are entirely survivable.
Bleeding kits, though they are not presently a staple of first aid kits, could potentially become as crucial as CPR for doctors and EMTs to save lives. The Stop the Bleed kit may not have everything that consumers need, but it can be included with the user’s survival guide as additional protection. It can be found on Amazon for $74.09.
EVERLIT 250 Piece Survival First Aid Kit
The first aid kit from EVERLIT is meant to target those who focus on a survivalist way of life. With the basics of any first aid kit, it also offers some survival kit essentials, like glow sticks, a firestarter, a folding knife, and a paracord. It also includes burn dressings and bandages.
Because of all of the materials it carries, the kit tends to be a little heavier, which consumers need to know if they plan to carry it around. The total cost of the EVERLIT kit on Amazon is $39.95.
Swiss Safe First Aid Kit
The Swiss Safe First Aid Kit has both basic first aid supplies and a few survival supplies, like compass, glow sticks, and a whistle. There’s also a mini-pack for the kit, which consumers can bring along with them in a backpack, just in case the user doesn’t want to bring everything. Though the kit offers essentials, consumers that want to bring more gear for more severe injuries may want to find a different kit.
The total cost of the Swiss Safe kit is $27.88, found on Amazon.
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight is focused on surviving outdoors with their first aid supplies, and it is small enough to throw in the glove compartment so it is can be available at all times. The watertight carrying case is the biggest feature of this kit, though it also comes with many medications that the other first aid kits don’t offer.
With after-bite wipes, loperamide, antihistamines, and other medications, the total cost of the Adventure medical kit starts at $27.82 on Amazon.
DeftGet First Aid Kit
The DeftGet First Aid Kit is highly portable and small, allowing consumers to keep it at the office, in their car, or in their backpack. Even though the size is small, it comes with a lot of helpful supplies that consumers will need. There’s also a few supplies that are not as frequently needed, like a low-intensity flashlight.
Consumers can purchase this waterproof kit from Amazon, where it is listed for $15.95.
Rapid Care First Aid Wall-Mountable First Aid Kit
The Rapid Care kit is ideal for consumers that want a first aid kit that they can keep in a single shelter or even in the basement until it becomes needed. With an array of simple supplies (bandages, antiseptics, etc.), and it meets the OSHA recommendations so it can provide all of the supplies that a workplace needs in the event of injury.
For as big as this kit is, it doesn’t have some of the survival-focused supplies, and there’s no medications that consumers often need in these circumstances. It is available on Amazon for $33.98.
MFASCO First Aid Kit
The MFASCO First Aid Kit is created for the purpose of helping in times of both trauma and disaster. It offers some of the more exclusive supplies, like a cuff for checking blood pressure and glucose gel. The kit is ideal for individuals who have gone through advanced training to treat first aid needs, giving them what they need to treat injuries that may arise during a natural disaster.
While this kit is helpful for individuals that know more than the Average Joe’s share of first aid training, anyone who isn’t well versed may not be able to use most of the products included. The total cost of the kit is $79.99 on Amazon.
Protect Life First Aid Kit
The Protect Life First Aid Kit is meant to be portable, and it is the ideal size to bring along in a car and to handle potentially moderate injuries. Even though the package is small, it has a durable carrying case and has many necessary first aid supplies. It doesn’t have survival-oriented gear, but consumers can easily refill any of the supplies that it uses.
Consumers can purchase this kit for $24.45 on Amazon.
Who Needs a First Aid Kit?
Realistically, everyone needs a first aid kit. Whether they are at home, at work, or just running errands, not having a kit means that consumers are unprepared in the case of emergency. Even if someone doesn’t think that they will be in a situation that requires certain survival gear anytime soon, it is still possible that an emergency can arise.
When it comes to healing, the ability to handle a medical need with haste can mean the difference between survivability and danger. There’s many kits on the market, and every person needs to be well-stocked at home with supplies that their family may need in a pinch, like water and extra food. Kits should also be mobile; users need to be able to take their kit with them on the road to account for potential danger.
Some people hesitate to purchase a kit, since they don’t have any prior training to treat anyone’s medical issues. However, supplies as simple as gauze or antiseptic spray can be used in many situations, even without official training of any kind.
How the List Was Ranked
All of the kits on this list had to start with having the necessary materials to handle issues that would need to be treated right away, like cuts, gashes, and abrasions that could potentially lead to infections. Some other issues that need to be treatable with the kits selected for this list were deep cuts, lacerations, burns, sprains, and even blunt trauma injuries.
One of the other priorities for choosing these kits includes the supplies needed for minor injuries that could either limit the injured party’s ability to remain mobile or could cause infections, like blisters, fevers, bug bites, and even sunburns. With these conditions in mind, the products were relatively simple to select and narrow down.
Despite the efficiency of the many first aid kits that are made for minor cuts and other injuries, this list isn’t about those products. Most of the kits that were kept off the list didn’t have enough of the supplies that are used for the treatment of more serious injuries and cuts, like tape, rolls, and large gauze pads. Other kits that were denied a place on the list were ones that were only focused on minor skin abrasions, as they didn’t include any supplies for inflammation or fevers. Including kits with personal protective supplies, like gloves and CPR masks, because they help protect whoever is treating the injured individual.
While there are first aid kits of all sizes on the list, the larger sets are made for stationary or home use, equipping the user with more supplies that they don’t have to replenish as frequently. However, the lighter kits allow consumers to get up and go when necessary. Plus, consumers will find extra perks with some of these kits as well, like a waterproof case or more generalized survival products.
Benefits of Keeping a First Aid Kit Available
Every person can benefit from a first aid kit, especially if they have a medical condition. Most of the commercially available kits on the market don’t have prescription-only supplies but having a whole kit already available can give consumers a simple place to keep their own medications as well. They can also store spare supplies (like Epi-Pens) in the kit, ensuring that they are prepared for any condition.
Personal protective equipment is essential for any kit. Even though most people probably think of the essentials as bandages, gauze, and antiseptic spray, materials like gloves can also be integral in cases where someone needs immediate medical attention. Users of a first aid kit can be exposed to bodily fluids, and these fluids can transmit illness or increase risk of disease for the user. A good pair of gloves, a face mask, or other forms of protection can be essential.
For anyone that wants to build upon their kit, a checklist is essential. Since first aid kits can sometimes be used unevenly, consumers need to replenish any supplies they use as soon as possible to remain just as prepared from circumstance to circumstance.
Frequently Asked Questions About First Aid Kits
Here are some of the answers to the questions asked most often about first aid kits.
What items should consumers expect to find in a first aid kit?
Any good first aid kit is going to have the necessary supplies for treating minor or moderate injuries, as well as acute conditions. Some of these issues can include fevers, cuts, burns, gouges, and sprains. Most of these issues can be stabilized at home, and first aid efforts can make a big difference. More of the complicated kits will have supplies for more severe circumstances, like splints, though the individuals will likely need additional medical attention still.
What are the red flags for an ineffective kit?
Ineffective kits will often be lacking in major components. Any kit that doesn't come with bandages, protective gear, and anti-bacterial spray generally does not meet our standards for an acceptable first aid kit. However, kits differ strongly in their size and included components. For example, smaller car first aid kits might not come with the supplies that larger kits for the home or office might have. Ultimately, the red flags for an ineffective kit are highly contextual and dependent. Users should look for the kit that best suits their needs and wants.
What situations can a first aid kit be helpful in?
A first aid kit can be used in a number of situations. First aid kits for the car should be taken on road trips to respond to injuries or illnesses while traveling. Home kits are often helpful when accidents happen to those working in the kitchen or the lawn. First aid kits made for use in the office are helpful in the widest variety of situations; some offices have kits equipped to help tie-off wounds or treat burns to prevent potential infection.
What's the difference between a first aid kit and a survival kit?
The difference between a first aid kit and a survival kit is relatively simple. First aid kits are meant to help users respond to specific accidents and prevent infection or spread of disease. These kits generally contain only components necessary to respond to injury or illness directly. On the other hand, survival kits typically contain a wide array of supplies to help users maintain their health and wellness while in the wilderness or stranded. Survival kits often contain first aid supplies, but they mainly come packed with supplies to keep users hydrated, heated, and comfortable while they attempt to survive until help arrives in a disaster scenario.
What's the price range for a good first aid kit?
First aid kits vary widely in price, especially because kits contain such a wide variety of items and amenities. Generally, quality first aid kits can fall anywhere in the price range of $20 to $100, although some outliers cost either more or less than these quotes.
Where should you store a first aid kit?
First aid kits should typically be stored in moderate temperatures, but it depends highly on what first aid kit is being used. Consumers should consult the manufacturer of their kit before making arrangements for storage.
Can first aid kits be stored in the car?
Yes. However, users should be sure that the first aid kit is meant to be stored in the car before doing so. Some first aid kits require a specific temperature range, and car temperatures can easily exceed or fail to meet these acceptable ranges during the summer or winter.
What are the standard supplies that any consumer should make sure to include in a first aid kit?
There are various sources that have made statements over what should be in a kit. The American Red Cross, for example, says at the following items should be in every kit – 2 absorbent compress dressings, 25 adhesive bandages in multiple sizes, an adhesive cloth tape, 5 antibiotic ointment packets, 5 antiseptic wipe packets, 2 packets of aspirin, an emergency blanket, a breathing barrier, an instant cold compress, two pairs of nonlatex gloves, hydrocortisone ointment, gauze (pads and a roll), a thermometer, triangular bandages, and tweezers. The Mayo Clinic has similar recommendations, adding butterfly bandages, aloe vera gel, safety pins, laxatives, an eye pad, super glue, a finger splint duct tape, eye wash solution, and antidiarrheal medication.
How big should a first aid kit be?
The size of the kit will depend on the circumstances that consumers want to prepare for. Consumers that want to be ready for minor issues can select smaller sets, while a more comprehensive kit is recommended for consumers trying to prepare for more serious (yet rare) circumstances.
How should a consumer go about making their own first aid kit?
The best strategy for creating an individual first aid kit involves going through a checklist of the essentials from a reputable organization on health, like the Mayo Clinic or the American Red Cross (as referenced above). Once a proper checklist has been created, users can then purchase and store the supplies.
What is the most important product in a good first aid kit?
In terms of their capacity to save lives, the most important part of any first aid kit will be the supplies that help to stop bleeding or dress wounds. Infection of open wounds can happen quickly, and properly dressing a wound to stop bleeding and prevent potential infection can be a literal life-saver. However, all of the supplies in most first aid kits are necessary; users creating their own kits shouldn't avoid any components.
Final Thoughts
Every survival situation is made substantially less stressful with a first aid kit on hand. Even simple plans like camping, cooking, or driving could result in disaster, especially if users don't properly prepare with a first aid kit ready. Whether in the home, car, office, or out-and-about, all consumers can benefit from the readiness, peace-of-mind, and safety provided by a quality set of first aid kits to help in the case of emergency.