There's more than one way to build a first aid kit. Some specialty items are designed for use in tactical situations and others are focused more on sports injuries. Here are the most commonly requested first aid kits.
First Aid Kit Contents
(c) Marion Boddy-Evans
Let's start with a basic list of first aid kit contents. For the do-it-yourself first aider, these are the essential supplies for a personal first aid kit. This list of first aid kit contents is perfect to mix and match for your car, home or RV.
Sports First Aid Kits
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Sports first aid kits focus on orthopedic injuries. Filled with cold packs and compression wraps, sports first aid kits come in big packs for the whole team or small, individually sized kits.
Many of the big sports first aid kits are priced with the idea that a team or a league is footing the bill. Smaller kits are more reasonable, since parents or coaches will usually cover the cost of these out of their own pockets.
Office First Aid Kits
(c) Rod Brouhard
Office first aid kits assume two things: the victims are all adults and the first aid kit will actually be used. Most office first aid kits have drugs -- not seen with first aid kits aimed at kids. Office first aid kits are also designed to be easily restocked after each use. Some kits have modular designs that require replacement parts to be purchased from the manufacturer, so be sure to ask before buying.
First Responder Kits
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First responder is a catch-all term that refers to almost any level of emergency medical response. There is no real definition of what makes a first responder kit, but some items certainly fit the category: belt packs with emergency shears and flashlights; large bags with multiple compartments, including blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes; just about any prepackaged kit from the American Red Cross (the Red Cross loves to call everybody a "first responder").
Military First Aid Kits
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Tactical and military first aid kits are designed to be easily deployed in very stressful situations. Many military first aid kits have clotting agents and tourniquets to help with severe bleeding.
Tourniquets are essential tools for a military first aid kit. These kits also usually contain combination wound dressings designed to be applied quickly to severe wounds and stay in place without help.
In many military first aid kits, suture material and scalpels are included. It's not typical for a first aid kit to include either of these tools, but in tactical situations it's important to be prepared for just about anything.
Camping First Aid Kits
Camping first aid kits vary widely depending on how deep into the wilderness you're planning to go.
