| Product Model | Brand | View Best Price |
| #1: General Purpose OSHA First Aid Kit by Medline | Medline | View Price |
| #1: General Purpose OSHA First Aid Kit by Medline | Medline | View Price |
| #3: M-FAK Portable Mini First Aid Kit | North American Rescue | View Price |
| #4: Coach's Team First Aid Kit | Milliken Medical | View Price |
| #4: Coach's Team First Aid Kit | Milliken Medical | View Price |
In case of emergencies, it pays to always be prepared. While, of course, it’s impossible to be prepared for every potential disaster that may come about, first aid kits are a great solution to make sure you’re as prepared as you can be. A first aid kit is a useful collection of tools and equipment that provides you with everything you need to take care of minor injuries, while also helping you buy precious time in the case of more serious incidents.
These kits can either be custom-assembled by individually purchasing each item you need for your kit, or by purchasing a pre-made kit that comes complete with an array of items, products, and tools. It is important that first aid kits are always stocked, organized, and constantly available for use, and it is suggested that you have one in multiple frequently-used locations, such as in your car, workplace, and home.
While a first aid kit can be immensely helpful in day to day life, their usefulness is significantly reduced if the user doesn’t know how to properly use the objects included in the kit. Because of this, it’s important that if you’re serious about emergency preparedness and your ability to help in the case of an injury or accident, you consider seeking out a first aid course or even certification.
While most first aid kits serve approximately the same purpose, there are notable differences that can make a particular first aid kit the perfect fit for whatever environment it’s needed in. For example, a first aid kit being kept on a farm would be different than one in a home in the suburbs, but the two would serve the same purpose, which would be to assist in the case of a medical emergency.
Determining what type of kit you need mostly depends on the number of people it will serve, and what types of injuries are most likely to occur in that environment. If a small, simple kit is placed in a large facility, it creates the risk of not having enough supplies in the case of a larger emergency, while having a larger or more complex kit in for personal use could lead to large amounts of supplies expiring without ever being used.
Despite size or who may be using it, all first aid kits should, at the very minimum, feature these basic supplies:
First aid kits are mostly organized into two categories: Class A and Class B. Class A first aid kits feature a basic variety of products meant for common injuries, such as cuts, abrasions, and small burns. Due to their simple nature, Class A kits are best for low populated, low risk places, such as offices, classrooms, and homes. Class B kits provide a more broadened range of products and a greater number of products in order to treat more serious injuries. They are best suited for highly populated, high risk facilities.
First Aid Kits not only come with a variety of products, they also come in a variety of containers. Self-contained kits are typically categorized as Type I - IV.
Outside of Class A and B first aid kits, there are a variety of other kits designed to be used in more specific circumstances.
For example, Burn Relief Kits feature the necessary supplies to treat burns. When properly used, these kits can assist in not only reducing pain, but minimizing scarring. These kits most often include an ointment to sterilize the area, gauze to cover the burn, and gel to help with healing.
Emergency Kits contain the equipment to handle the most basic injuries and illnesses, as well as basic gear to help in a survival, search and rescue, or disaster event. In addition to the aforementioned medical supplies, the kits also feature supplies such as whistles, food and water, multiple flashlights, and additional blankets. These kits generally come in large duffel bags that are specifically colored for heightened visibility.
First Aid Travel Kits come in a small container size perfect for being placed in a vehicle or luggage, or worn on your person. These kits feature less supplies due to being designed for being compact and portable. They come in a variety of containers, such as plastic or metal cases that can be placed inside cars, or small, zippered cases meant for being placed in a vehicle’s glove box or in a suitcase.
