The best first aid kit of 2017, decided by customer reviews, ratings and popularity, has been around the top for several years in a row – which is adding to it’s credibility.
Whenever anyone says ‘best’ or in this case,’best first aid kit’, it is entirely subjective. This particular kit while not designed for professional EMS, is apparently designed and priced for typical use by the average Joe – while providing more value than other similar kits.
The Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit easily ranks as (one of) the number one first aid kit choices available to you (4.5 of 5 stars at Amazon.com).
The manufacturer, Coleman, is world class in their brand recognition and quality. One can feel assured that they stand behind their products.
Here’s a list of contents:
Clean & Treat
15 Antiseptic Towelettes.
5 Antibiotic Ointment Packets.
5 Sting Relief Wipes.
Protect
40 1″ x 3″ Bandages, latex-free.
50 3/8″ x 1 1/2″ Bandages, latex-free.
24 7/8″ Spot Bandages, latex-free.
5 Fingertip Bandages, latex-free.
5 Knuckle Bandages, latex-free.
Wound Treatment
30 Butterfly Closure Bandages.
1 1/2″ x 2.5 yards Adhesive Tape.
10 Gauze Pads.
Other First Aid
1 Tweezer.
4 Finger Splints.
5 Safety Pins.
1 Razor Blade.
2 Nitrile Exam Gloves.
1 Cold Pack.
1 Durable Semi Hard Case.
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10 First Aid Kit Ad-on Items
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While this is a-lot of first aid supplies for $22 (as of this post), and the kit is designed to include what they consider the best for that price point, if you augment the kit with a few additional items it will be even more complete.
Things like Quality scissors and tweezers like the SlipNSnip brand folding scissors, and the number one rated professional quality tweezers (use for slivers, etc.).
I would also add something to stop traumatic bleeding, a subject which I wrote about in the article, “How To Stop The Bleeding With QuikClot“. I hope I never have to use it, but I’ve added this bandage to my first aid kits.
Add a small kit for a tooth problem, such as Save-A-Tooth.
Burn cream ointment and/or Burn Dressing is a valuable addition to one’s first aid kit.
Other Attributes:
Good Assortment, 205 pieces – There are still some items I would add, but on a price vs. assortment scale this product gets a solid 9.5 and has all the right tools for basic emergencies. This kit has plenty enough general first aid preparedness for the family or even larger groups.
Durable – All contents are fitted in a semi-hard case.
EZ Find System – Keeps the contents organized and allows room for customization so you can be sure you have what you need in an emergency.
There are LOTS of ready-made first aid kits out there and many of them are great. I’ve simply chosen this one in general for its price-point, adequate basic items, and apparent customer satisfaction. The word ‘best’ is subjective and there’s no doubt that in this category there are MANY that may be considered the best…
Don’t just buy a first aid kit and stow it away in a closet. Take the time to look over the contents and understand what each is for, and how you would use it. Then put it away…
A first aid kit is often overlooked as an essential preparedness item. We don’t think about it – until we actually need it. In my opinion everyone should have one at home, and in their vehicle at all times.
If you have advice on extras to add to a kit like this, add a comment with your opinion…
Note that Coleman also has an excellent variety of mini first aid kits (in a tin) which are great for throwing in a backpack, etc…
Coleman Personal Survival First Aid Kit 74-Piece, Metal Tinplate
A SAM Splint is another excellent add-on to anyone’s first aid kit.
SAM Rolled Splint 36″, Orange/Blue
Often at work with our Red Cross first Aid kits in the metal box lacked what most of us workers needed. It has much of what you see in this article, but it wouldn’t hurt if manufacturers included antibiotic cream and pain reliever pills. I carry them with me.
Antibiotic creams (and pain reliever pills) technically have an expiration date (which simply generally means the potency is becoming less effective). That said, kit manufacturers are likely hesitant to include items like that which will start the clock running (so to speak) from date of manufacture.
I always add antibiotic cream/ointment to a kit and then replace it once each year. I also add other items, some of which are mentioned above. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ so tailoring one’s own first aid kit is a good idea…
..not to mention that some of the creams can be used as a fire extender if they are petroleum based. double duty.
To Stardust:
Within the first agency I worked for, it became my job to inventory and update the first aid kits and check the fire extinguishers. supplies were replaced as used as quickly as possible. Pain reliever pills is an entirely individual matter and I remember how fast a big bottle of motrin 200 mg tabs disappeared within 1 week from my locker at work. I no longer keep a bottle at work and now carry it on me in my pack.
Since I came from an ambulance background, the not-so-glamorous job of restocking fell to me. It gave me a chance to steal coffee from the Nurses Break room and try to flirt with the Nursing Students. (back in the day)
DH always carries an Israeli Compression Bandage when he is using a chain saw. It is sealed in an airtight package. I suggest that the You Tube video on how to apply it be watched. If an artery is severed there is no time for reading instructions.
Agreed!
How To Use The Israeli Bandage
A basic first aid class taught at the local Red Cross (or fire station or college campus) is relatively cheap and well worth the investment. It’s a far sight different applying techniques read from a book and using them on a person. Even more so when there really is an injury. Ken, I might suggest an article field dressings and field tourniquets? What someone might think is a good tourniquet may actually be quite harmful (I had some city boys when I was in the army that couldn’t figure out why paracord wouldn’t make a good tourniquet).
I keep a small magnifier in my supplies. Helpful for seeing those small splinters.
First Aid Kit, don’t leave home without it.
In this world, you just never know whet that Asteroid is going to hit.
BTW, a kit is worthless if you don’t know basic First Aid, get yarself learn-ed-ed-ed. When your patching someone up who is leaking is the wrong time to be reading a book/manual.
NRP
That’s a good little kit. I’m not one for prepared kits but I might consider it.
I would add a good tourniquet to that pack. I have a couple of them in my EDC, truck and BOB/GHB. They can be a life saver. Just learn how to use them. Several out there to choose from.
Adapt and Overcome.
I’ve carried this shell as my EDC first aid it for many years… I say “Shell” as everything in a first aid kit is a “consumable” and need to be replaced on a regular basis (and as time goes on you see what you use on a regular basis) and as you replace, you see what you need most. but it is a GREAT size to build you EDC first aid kit from (and there are many variants… Just remember, everything INSIDE is a consumable and can be upgraded/replaced)
I’ve added alternative instrumentation EMT/Scissors Shears (or something similar) to each of my kits and tailored meds/bandages to my needs (eye wash, for example, is lacking in most kits in my opinion)
I do use single dose packs of meds (vice 100 count bottles) in my kits but as I have a kit in every vehicle (plus my and my wife’s EDC, and can spread the purchase out to several neighbors) a 50 or 100 count of ibuprofen or aspirin is not prohibitively expensive (I generally put in a new order of 1 box of 50-100 count for each med once a year..) not as cheap as bigger bottles but easier to rotate stock!
As with any other consumable, rotate your stock… Just found a pack of 10 year old band-aids (needed for war wound fighting with fire wood!) and about 1 in 3 had enough “stick” to cover the damaged nail… ROTATE ALL supplies!
RS