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Top 5 Best Emergency Supply Kits to Keep You Prepared

Our Top Picks from the Emergency Supplies Category

Written By: Mike Price, OT   Category: Product Reviews   Updated: 3/12/2020

#1: Bleeding Control Kit with Audio Instructions

Bleeding Control Kit with Audio Instructions

Special Features:

  • Arms regular civilians with the knowledge and supplies required to help.
  • Audio instructions provide step-by-step guidance through injury treatment.
  • Color-coding and instructional illustrations provide further clarity for easy use.
  • Compact box and individual packaging make injury treatment quick and easy.
  • Differentiates between levels of bleeding to allow users to easily select the right pack.

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#3: Eagle Life Support Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK)

Eagle Life Support Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK)

Special Features:

  • Designed as a solution to personal or buddy first aid in the field.
  • Addresses blast, penetrative, and other traumatic injuries for effective aid.
  • Versatile design is convenient and compact for storage on your belt or vest.
  • Quick pull tab and removable inner panel enable easy one-handed access.
  • Available in several models to accommodate a range of user needs.

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Product ModelBrandView Best Price
#1: Bleeding Control Kit with Audio InstructionsNorth American RescueView Price
#1: Bleeding Control Kit with Audio InstructionsNorth American RescueView Price
#3: Eagle Life Support Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK)North American RescueView Price
#3: Eagle Life Support Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK)North American RescueView Price
#3: Eagle Life Support Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK)North American RescueView Price

What is an Emergency Supply Kit?

Being prepared for an emergency can mean anything from the ability to prevent a heart attack, to survive a blizzard, or simply to administer proper first aid.

Because of this, emergency preparedness kits vary quite a bit in their contents and intended purpose. In general, however, they are designed to meet the needs of the facility or location they will be used in, helping to keep inhabitants prepared in case of a variety of emergency situations.

Emergency preparedness kits are a vital resource in schools, hospitals, on the job, and in the home. However, they are more sophisticated and customized than a typical first aid kit containing bandages, tourniquets, and tape.

For example, an emergency preparedness kit for the home might include several days of supplies to be used in the event of a natural disaster, with the focus on remaining germ-free and healthy. A kit like this could contain shampoo, sanitary wipes, and antibacterial soap, among other items.

At the other extreme, an emergency survival kit might be designed to assist someone stranded in the woods during the winter, containing a light stick, mylar blanket, high-calorie food bars, and canned water.

Roadside emergency kits, defibrillators to restart someone’s heart, emergency medical kits, and kits used by outdoor rescue teams all fall into this category offering a wide range of supplies that help people stay safe, healthy, and alive until help arrives.

RehabMart is proud to offer emergency supply kits from vendors including Nexis Preparedness Systems, Philips Healthcare, and North American Rescue.

Why Choose an Emergency Supply Kit?

Although most of us don’t choose to think about it, being prepared for an emergency can save us from injury or illness, or quite possibly save our lives or the lives of our family or friends.

For larger health care facilities, businesses, and schools, emergency preparedness is an absolute necessity in order to care for both employees and patrons.

Hospitals and nursing homes that are responsible for the lives of their patients must be prepared for a range of unexpected occurrences, from the spread of germs to a natural disaster that compromises their ability to care for their patients.

Schools, of course, hold children’s lives in their hands, and must have the necessary equipment needed to address injuries, allergic reactions, and, unfortunately, attacks both from the inside and the outside.

Businesses owe it to their employees and customers to have the ability to tend to any and all sorts of health and safety issues. In fact, they are required to do so by law. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), part of the U.S. Department of Labor, has health and safety guidelines that employers must follow, and an emergency preparedness kit is one major part of compliance.

What kinds of kits are there?

While there is significant overlap between emergency preparedness kits in terms of their contents, there are three distinct circumstances in which they are used: in the home or with the family, in a public setting, and by those who are on duty during emergencies.

Emergency kits for families are supplied with items to help family members stay together, stay dry and warm, and have enough sustenance until help arrives.

Kits for workplaces, schools, and healthcare facilities are often geared more toward protecting people from pathogens, treating injuries, controlling bleeding, stopping heart attacks, and having a source of light and/or warmth.

And, while the first two categories are most often housed in a backpack, an emergency kit for field personnel who rescue others are usually contained in hard cases, since they are much more likely to be dropped, thrown, or exposed to the elements.

All of the types of emergency kits described here are far more than just first aid kits. Your typical first aid kit is meant only to treat minor or perhaps more serious physical injury. An emergency preparedness kit is much more specialized.

Each kit is equipped with a specific setting, trauma, and/or level of severity in mind. There are almost as many emergency preparedness kits as there are types of emergency situations.

Influenza or Pandemic Kits

These kits help protect individuals or groups in the event of a flu outbreak or more severe disease pandemic. They contain items such as masks, biohazard bags, medical gloves, and respirators.

Emergency Trauma Kits

These kits are used by EMTs or other life-saving professionals. They contain ways to dispose of bloody items without being exposed to bloodborne pathogens, and may also include various types of wound dressings and bandages as well as blankets, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, and ice packs.

Roadside Emergency Kits

Drivers who are stuck in a snowstorm or who have been in an accident need ways to protect themselves from the elements and to alert others of their presence. Roadside emergency kits contain items such as food bars and water, candles and matches, duct tape, and hand warmers. These kits are likely to include a light source, as well as some form of rain gear, in addition to jumper cables and basic tools.

Family Preparedness Kits

In these kits, you will find the items a family might need to survive a hurricane, flood, or other natural disaster. Food, water, light sources, blankets, and ponchos are included. Often a whistle is part of this kit, to allow family members to find each other in the dark.

Tactical Operator Response Kits

Those people who rescue others for a living have special tools and requirements in order to do their job effectively. These TORK kits must include not only gear and tools to ensure their survival during disasters, but equipment to help and protect others who are injured or in danger.