Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Lisa Vargas
Walking around in a post-apocalyptic world is going to expose you and your family to more dangers than you’ve ever been faced with in your lives.
At any moment someone could get injured by stepping on a nail, to getting a splinter from cutting wood that becomes infected, to getting a serious laceration from a knife, or from a simple blister forming on your foot from walking.
No matter how big or small the injury, you must have a basic first aid kit to treat any type of wound, preferably each person should have an IFAK. With that said, one of the hardest parts is trying to determine what the best survival first aid kits are that are on the market today.
If you start doing your research, there are an endless supply and all of them are slightly different. It can seem a little overwhelming to determine the best first aid kit to choose.
So today, I wanted to go over some of the basics on what you should have in your first aid kits and then I will go through the top 10 survival first aid kits that we have chosen out of the hundreds out there.
So let’s get started!
First Aid Kit Basics
As mentioned above, you need to start with the basics and then work your way up from there. Once you get the more important first aid items covered, then you can move on to more advanced items for your kit. Below is a list of the basic necessities you will want in your first aid kits.
- Bandaids (various sizes)
- Aspirin/Pain Relievers
- Safety pins
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Sterile Gauze Pads
- Eye dressings
- Nitrile gloves
- Ace Bandages (for wrapping sprains)
- Pepto Bismol tablets
- Thermometer
- Antiseptic cream
- Distilled water for cleaning wounds
- Eye wash for cleaning debris
- Anti-itch cream (Calamine lotion)
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Alcohol-free wipes
- Adhesive Tape
- Benadryl tablets for allergies
- 1 emergency blanket
- Roller bandages
- 1 breathing barrier
- Cold compression pack
- Soar throat, cold medicine
- Anesthetic Spray (Bactine)
- Nonadhesive pads (Telfa)
- Povodine Iodine (for cleaning wounds)
Tips For Choosing The Best Medical Survival Kits
Let’s face it. Most of us aren’t walking around with advanced medical training certifications and we certainly wouldn’t know exactly what to do if someone broke a leg or started bleeding profusely from a major artery. One of the biggest issues that people face when deciding on the best survival medical kit is the experience that they initially have when buying the best survival medical kit.
Most of us have no first aid experience, so it can make it a little intimidating when looking for medical kits to purchase. If you don’t have EMT training for example, you probably should take caution in buying an advanced trauma first aid kit because you wouldn’t know how to use it anyways. Therefore, let’s take a look at some things to consider when you are choosing medical kits for you and your family.
- Make sure the basics are included – this may seem obvious but some of the first aid kits on the market aren’t worth much as they wouldn’t provide enough care for an entire family, let alone one person.
- Make sure to read details carefully – Make sure to do proper research on each item that is contained in the kit and make sure you understand how to use each of the items if an emergency should arise.
- Make sure your first aid kit waterproof – One of the worst things you can have happen is for your first aid supplies to get wet do to rain. If you can find a first aid kit that is waterproof, that adds an extra layer of protection to keeping items safe. You will find that many of the first aid kids come in more flexible, canvas bags, which is completely fine as well, just make sure you probably cover the kit so water can’t get in.
- Check sizes and quantities of each item in the first aid kit – It’s important to understand how much of one item is included in the kit then compare that to the number of people in your family or group. Also, things like gauze pads can come in various sizes, but always note that the bigger sizes like 4″x 4″ are best, since you can cut them into smaller pieces.
- Know your plan and make sure the bag is light and portable but still holds everything you need – This can be somewhat of a tough thing to gauge because you want to choose a first aid kit that has everything that you need. You also need to have a bug out plan because if you plan on jumping into a bug out vehicle and driving to a remote location outside of town, your emergency survival kit needs to be small and portable enough to travel with you in your bug out vehicle (no larger than a small duffel bag). But, if your plan is to “hoof it” out on the open road, it needs to be light enough to fit in your bug out bag.
- Consider the ages of your family members – Depending on the ages of your family members, you might need to have different items in your first aid kit. For example, do you have any toddlers or children under 7 years old? You will need to make sure your survival kit includes items suited for their needs, or you can possibly even purchase a separate one for children.
Top 10 Survival first Aid Kits
1. Surviveware Small First Aid Kit for Backpacking
- Fantastic for backpacking!
- Light weight and portable
- This is an FDA approved medical kit
- Its inner contents are waterproof
- Comes with MOLLE compatible straps
We wanted to start out with this great little first aid kit for backpacking since you might find yourself hoofing it for awhile across town in a shtf situation foraging for food or water, for example. If you need something light and durable, this is a nice kit. It has all of the basics that you would need to cover minor medical emergencies, plus its inner contents are waterproof.
2. Sportsman Series Grizzly First Aid Kit
- More advanced kit filled with trauma items
- Ideal for a group of 1-14 people
- Designed for wound closures, to stop bleeding, and to help with sprains and fractures
This medical trauma kit is part of the Sportsman Series from Adventure Medical Kits. It has just about everything you could need and is designed for off-roaders, hunters, and fisherman. When you dive deeper into this item on Amazon you will notice that it has items such as wound closure strips, a C-splint, and a QuikClot Sport 25g, and other items used to stop bleeding and stabilize fractures. This is a perfect kit for someone with an introductory level of experience in trauma first aid.
3. M17 First Aid Kit By Renegade Survival
- Contains 320 items of emergency trauma gear
- This medical kit is popular among combat trained medics
- Since bag is not waterproof, you may want to get freezer bags to enclose items inside to keep water out.
This military-style, rugged M17 survival kit is designed for camping, home use, and hiking. If you want tactical gear for trauma, this kit is one of the more comprehensive ones on the market and it comes with a convenient back strap so that you can wear it as a backpack. Although you won’t find the contents of the bag on Amazon, I did some research and found them for you. These contents are from Off Grid Warehouse, which is a seller on Amazon and might have changed since this article was written so please double check. Below you can find the list of items contained in this first aid kit.
- Cervical collar (1)
- Multitrauma dressing 12″x30″ (2)
- Elastic bandage 6″ (3)
- Bandage strips 1×3 (100)
- Universal/Sam splints (2)
- BleedStop bandage (4)
- Blood clotting spray (1)
- Abdominal pads 5″x9″ (10)
- Sterile Gauze 2″x2″ (10)
- Skin and eye wash (2)
- Calamine lotion 6oz. (1)
- Blood pressure kit (1)
- Stethoscope (1)
- Emergency Blanket (2)
- Triangular bandages (3)
- Bandage gauze 4.5″x 4 yds. (2)
- Sterile Gauze 4″x4″ (5)
- Eye pads (5)
- Triple antibiotic packages (20)
- Ammonia Towelettes (20)
- Scalpel blades (6)
- EMT shears (2)
- Air ways (4)
- Lip treatment (2)
- Stainless steel tweezers (1)
- Penlight (1)
- Hemostats (4)
- Stainless steel probe (1)
- Scalpel handle #3 (1)
- Instant ice packs (3)
- Suture set (5)
- Alcohol wipes (20)
- Iodine wipes (100)
- Burn aid packages (5)
- CPR mask (2)
- Antiseptic wipes (26)
- First Aid book (1)
- Elastic bandage 2″ (6)
- Tape 1″ (3)
- Bandage strips 2″x4″ (20)
- Instant Glucose (1)
- Knuckle bandages (20)
- Butterfly strip (20)
- Pair nitrile gloves (5)
- Tongue depressor (5)
- Burn spray (1) 4″
- Trauma dressing (2)
- 6″ Trauma dressing (2)
- QuikClot 25g (3)
- Safety pins (6)
- Hand sanitizer (1)
- After bite wipes (9)
- Pain reliever/Aspirin (40
4. Survival Work/Home First Aid Kit (USA Model)
- The emergency kit bag is water resistant and very durable
- Survival kit is FDA approved
- Manufacturer offers a money-back guarantee
This Survival Emergency Solutions first aid kit is the new 2019 version of the former model. The new version contains a new combat tourniquet and a tactical trauma treatment (T3) band. This emergency survival kit only weights about 3.52 pounds and is considered an in-home kit. Although a little heavier than other smaller, more portable, it’s an extensive medical kit to have with you at all times. If you are going to take it with you somewhere the new 2019 version comes with a MOLLE system and shoulder straps to make it a little easier to carry.
5. Surviveware Large First Aid Kit & Added Mini Kit
- Highly durable bag made from 600D polyester
- Over 200 medical kit items included
- FDA approved
- Water resistant bag
Surviveware’s first aid kit is perfect for any survival situation. It’s a rugged, waterproof bag that comes with over 200 medical items that are all approved by the FDA. This kit also comes with a MOLLE system so you can strap it onto your truck, jeep, or take it with you in a variety of different situations. With a 4.9-star rating, this medical kit has one of the highest ratings on Amazon. You can’t go wrong with this versatile, highly-proven first aid kit.
6. Lightning X Stocked EMS/EMT Trauma & Bleeding First Aid Responder Medical Backpack + Kit
- Kit has a limited lifetime warranty
- Measures 13″(L) x 9″(W) x 18″(H)
- Advanced trauma kit
- Popular among EMTs, paramedics, and first-responders
Lighting X makes a great trauma medical kit and this one is stocked full of all of the essentials that you will need. The bag contains four main compartments for organization and convenience. This is a great kit for strapping on your back if your forced out on the road to forage for food and supplies in a grid down situation. There’s a nice MOLLE system straps so you can hang extra gear from this pack. There is also a nice water hydration feature that allows you to drink from tubes from the pack. A very comprehensive and well-stocked kit for every situation.
7. My Medic MyFak First Aid Kit
- Water resistant bag designed for trauma
- Fold-out detachable mesh pockets
- OSHA & ANSI approved trauma kit
- Weight= 2.46 pounds
- Dimensions: 4 in. x 6.75 in. x 7.75 in.
- Rip-away panel provides easy access to contents
This trauma kit is a very rugged and durable bag that has everything you will need. You can take it with you in your bug out vehicle or stash it at home. It was designed to be adaptable, functional, and indestructible under any circumstances. This pack also comes with a portable carrying case so that you can take pieces of it with you. Another great choice for camping, off-roading, or to stash at your bug out location.
8. Stomp Medical Kit Fully Stocked First Aid Backpack
- Dimensions: 19″ x 14″ x 10″
- Zipper and velcro compartments for easy access
- Military issued trauma pack
- Good for large families or groups
- Heavy duty material and rugged durability
For those of you looking for an elite medical kit, this is the one for you. With over 300 items, this fully stocked first aid kit can be conveniently carried as a backpack with several storage pockets for organization and quick access. This bag is used among professional medics and army personnel. A fantastic bag that has a foam back for support, MOLLE strapping system, and room for a water bladder.
9. Rescue Guard First Aid Kit Hurricane Disaster or Earthquake Emergency Survival Bug Out Bag Supplies for Families
- Contains supplies for 4 people for 72 hours
- Meals Ready To Eat (MREs) included
- Dimensions: 13.5 x 10.3 x 5.6 inches
- Great for keeping in your car or stashing around the house
This medical first aid kit is designed with the basics in mind. A nice little kit that serves well in hurricane disasters, earthquake emergencies, or a bug out situation. It’s intended to be used as a 72 hour disaster emergency supply bag, but can be used for essentially anything in the shorter term. You are welcome to add other personal items to this emergency kit to make it a more complete kit for you and your family. This kit is a comprehensive kit that includes food as well as a flashlight and a few other things not included in a true medical only kit.
10. Be Smart Get Prepared 250Piece First Aid Kit, Exceeds OSHA Ansi Standards for 50 People
- 250 piece comprehensive kit
- Designed for camping, schools, home use, and hunting
- Dimensions: 8in x 10in x 3in
- Allows for easy to store wall mounting
The last first aid kit on our list is one that is an affordable and lightweight hard-casde kit designed for a group of 50 people. If you find yourself in a large group, this little first aid kit can come in handy and has all of the essentials that you need to take care of minor injuries, cuts, and illnesses.
First Aid Kit Tips
There’s a few other thoughts that I want to make sure to include as we round out this post on the best survival first aid kits.
- Make sure to maintain your medical kit – If you are using your kit often, make sure you are replenishing it with enough supplies to always have a full kit. The worst thing you could do is run out of a certain item when you absolutely need it.
- Check expiration dates on all medication – Since 1979 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enacted a law that required that pharmaceutical companies put expiration dates on all prescription and over-the-counter drugs. But the real question that you are probably wondering about is, “will your medication become toxic or harmful if taken after the expiration date?” According to Harvard Health Publishing, medical doctors state that your over-the-counter medications can last many years past the expiration dates. But they do caution that the expiration dates confirm that the drugs will be 100% effective up until the expiration date on the bottle. So if you are concerned about effectiveness, you will want to rotate your bottles accordingly.
- Pay attention to the active ingredients – Make sure you are aware of the active ingredients that are in each item of the first aid kit. If you are taking a prescription medication, make sure the item you are about to use in the first aid kit doesn’t cause a rash or something similar when used together.
- Don’t forget about your pets– Yes, I realize this might be a little off -topic of choosing a medical kit for your human family, but you can stuff a few medical items into your chosen human medical kit for your pets. If you find you and your family in a situation where the grid goes down for quite some time, make sure your medical kit contains some items for your pets as well. Or, you can simply purchase a first aid kit for your pet, just like you would for your family.
Gaining First Aid Training
After everything is said and done, what good is having a first aid kit if you don’t know how to use it. We should all strive to at least have basic CPR training and then from there you can further your training to include more advanced skills. There are some fantastic schools that teach exclusively wilderness survival first aid for people finding themselves outdoors a lot of the time such as hiking, camping, and extreme sports.
For example the NOLS Wilderness Medicine courses are fantastic for learning wilderness survival first aid. They have courses all over the United States that range in length from 2 to 30 days and teach you to recognize illness, treat injuries, and preventative medicine. There is also another school called the Wilderness Medical Associates International that you can receive a tremendous amount of survival first aid training. Any type of first aid or medical training is better than no training at all. Hopefully you will never have to use it, but it could save someone’s life, or even your own, someday.
Also, one more thing worth mentioning. Don’t forget that you can always pick up a good old-fashioned survival first aid training like Bushcraft First Aid: A Field Guide To Wilderness Emergency Care. Reading a good first aid book can help immensely in improving your skills quickly.
In Summary
There is vast array of survival first aid kits on the market, and which one you choose will come down to your specific skill level, bug out plan, number of people in your group, and several other factors. Hopefully this review and buying guide has helped you understand the survival medical kit market a little better and make it easier for you to choose the best survival first aid kit for you and your family.