First-Aid Kit
A compact but capable first-aid setup for real emergencies — trauma supplies, wound care, meds, and the tools you actually need. No filler, no 200-piece kits padded out with alcohol wipes. Build from the base kit up based on what you're actually preparing for.
Featured Picks
ANSI A 25-Person Plastic First Aid Kit
Workplace-grade compliance kit. Covers the basics for a household, garage, or small crew without gaps.
CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet)
The tourniquet actually used by military and EMS. One-handed application, windlass lock. Non-negotiable add-on for any real kit.
110-Piece First Aid Kit
Cheapest legitimate starting point. Fine as-is for minor stuff, best used as the base you build trauma gear on top of.
Complete Kits
Trauma & Bleeding Control
Wound Care & Dressings
Meds, Tools & PPE
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a regular first aid kit and a survival first aid kit?
A standard first aid kit is built for minor household injuries — cuts, scrapes, headaches. A survival first aid kit adds trauma-focused gear on top of that: a tourniquet, trauma dressings, and supplies meant to handle serious bleeding or injury when a hospital isn't 20 minutes away. It's the difference between treating a paper cut and stabilizing someone until help arrives.
Do I really need a tourniquet in my kit?
If you're building anything beyond a basic household kit, yes. Uncontrolled bleeding is one of the few injuries where minutes matter and a tourniquet is the single most effective tool for stopping it. A CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet) is the standard most EMS and military units carry — it's inexpensive insurance for a low-probability, high-consequence event.
What is an IFAK and how is it different from a first aid kit?
IFAK stands for Individual First Aid Kit — a small, trauma-specific loadout meant to treat one person's life-threatening injury (tourniquet, trauma dressing, chest seal). A full first aid kit is broader and covers everyday injuries for multiple people. Most solid survival setups have both: a base kit for daily use, plus an IFAK for serious trauma.
How often should I check or restock my first aid kit?
Check it twice a year at minimum — ointments, medications, and adhesive bandages degrade over time, and adhesives dry out faster in hot storage like a vehicle or shed. Tourniquets and gauze last longer but should still be inspected for damaged packaging or UV exposure.
Is a pre-made kit good enough, or should I build my own?
A pre-made kit is a fine base — it covers the basics without you having to think about it. But most stock kits are padded with low-value items (extra alcohol wipes, cheap bandages) instead of the things that matter in a real emergency. Start with a base kit, then add a tourniquet, trauma dressing, and gloves on top of it.
What should I prioritize on a tight budget?
In order: a basic kit for everyday cuts and burns, a tourniquet, gauze/trauma dressing, and gloves. Skip the 200-piece novelty kits — they're mostly filler. A $30 base kit plus a $37 tourniquet covers more real scenarios than a bloated $80 kit with no trauma gear.