Gear Guide

First Aid Kits: What to Look For and What to Skip

A good first aid kit for emergency use isn't the most comprehensive kit available — it's the one that covers what your household is actually likely to need and that you know how to use. Here's how to evaluate one.

Most households need two kits: a larger home kit for extended use, and a smaller kit for a go-bag. They have different priorities — the home kit can include more; the go-bag kit needs to be light and focused.

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What to Look For

  • Coverage of the most common emergencies: cuts, scrapes, burns, blisters, sprains, allergic reactions, and common pain/fever
  • Quality wound care components — not cheap bandages that fall off at first use
  • Clear labeling so you can find what you need quickly under stress
  • Durability of the container — a soft pouch is fine; a hard case protects contents better in a go-bag
  • Room to customize — most households need to add prescription medications and household-specific items to any kit
  • A first aid reference card or guide included

What to Avoid

  • Kits padded with items of marginal value (most people never use tourniquets — but if you add one, take a class on how to use it)
  • Kits where everything is sealed in plastic that takes minutes to open under stress
  • Very small "pocket kits" that are more symbol than substance
  • Pre-made kits with no room to customize for your household

Related Guides

First Aid Basics
Building a Practical First Aid Kit
Checklist
First Aid Kit Checklist
72-Hour Kit
72-Hour Emergency Kit Guide