10 First Aid Kit Ad-on Items – Best Tweezers, Better Scissors…
A First Aid Kit comes in a wide variety of assortments from the most basic to well stocked EMT packs. One thing I’ve found is that some of these kits have pretty cheap “tools”. The tweezers in a First Aid Kit (for example) might be junk. Or the scissors / shears. Something to think about…
EVERYONE should have a first aid kit in their home. A second kit should be in your car. A third kit for your shop, garage. What about a mini First Aid Kit for your backpack, camping? Or one for travel? In your trailer, camper. Your GHB, BOB…
I have written a number of articles on First Aid Kits, and I decided to update this one which offers a few suggestions for ‘Ad-on’ items to an existing kit…
The Tweezers in a First Aid Kit
Some first aid kits don’t have tweezers. Even if yours does, consider replacing them with a quality pair that will actually get the job done.
What are tweezers used for in a first aid kit? The most common use for tweezers in one of these kits is for pulling out a splinter. So a tweezer that’s purpose-designed for this would be good!
What’s the best? I like having both a sharp pointed tweezer and a slanted one.
Set of 2 Precision Tweezers – Pointed & Slant
(view on amzn)
Skin Closure Strips (Steri Strips)
Does your First Aid Kit include Steri Strips? They’re good for closing long wounds. When several are applied across a long cut wound, they hold the skin together for healing. I wrote about them in the following article for your further interest. The size you need versus depth of cut, how to apply and remove.
[ Read: Steri Strips | Instructions When & How To Use To Close A Wound ]
Clotting Sponge for First Aid Kit
The QuikClot sponge or gauze uses ‘zeolite’, a common mineral, to help blood clot up to three times faster than blood on its own. It is safe and effective. Clotting beads are contained in a sterile, non-adherent mesh bag. The bag is easy to apply and easy to remove, and is U.S. military proven.
[ Read: How To Stop The Bleeding With QuikClot | 3 to 5 Times Faster ]
QuikClot Gauze 3 inch x 2 Foot
(view on amzn)
Better Scissors & EMT Shears
Many first aid kits come with scissors. The problem is that most of these scissors are cheap junk. Replacing them with a quality pair will save some potential grief if you need to use them during an emergency.
Slip-N-Snip – The Original Folding Safety Scissors
Premium Quality Fluoride Coated EMT and Trauma Shears
(view on amzn)
SAM Splint
The SAM Splint (Structural Aluminum Malleable) is built from a thin core of aluminum alloy, sandwiched between two layers of closed-cell foam. It is extremely pliable and bends into simple curves. It becomes extremely strong and supportive for any fractured or injured limb.
SAM Rolled Splint 36″, Orange/Blue
Tourniquet
Hemorrhaging is the leading cause of preventable death in tactical and non-tactical trauma situations. The tourniquet allows a more rapid means to control extremity bleeding. I include the following tourniquet (the most popular one) in my First Aid Kits.
Recon Medical BLK-1PAK-FBA Tourniquet
(view on amzn)
[ Read: Trauma Kit List – 5 Lifesaving Essential Contents Not To Forget ]
Stretch Wrap Breathable Tape / Gauze Bandage
This stuff is great… It’s a self-adhering stretch bandage. First apply a sterile gauze pad to the wound (which should already be in your First Aid Kit). Then wrap it with this unique stretch gauze bandage which will hold it in place quite nicely. I wrote about it awhile back when I (unfortunately) had to use it on myself…
[ Read: Stretch Wrap Self Adhering Bandage | A Must-have First Aid Supply ]
Self Adherent Cohesive Wrap Bandages (12 Pack Bundle)
(view on amzn)
Telfa (non-stick wound pads)
This stuff is great (again, I have experience in this department ;) ). Non-Adherent Dressing. Absorptive, but it doesn’t stick to the wound. It is typically held on to the wound with tape, and then wrapped with stretch gauze for further adherence and protection from the environment. Useful for particular kinds of wounds.
The following special coated non-stick gauze is is widely used in the medical profession for wounds where wound sticking would be a bigger issue (it has a ‘gooey’ texture). I too have used this (actually for Mrs.J for awhile while treating a particular wound). Great stuff. It’s called Xeroform.
Xeroform Petrolatum Gauze, Sterile, 2 x 2 Inch
Xeroform Petrolatum Gauze, Sterile, 4 x 4 Inch
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More Tape – Micropore
A latex-free paper tape that is gentle to the skin yet adheres well and leaves minimal adhesive residue upon removal. Highly breathable to maintain skin integrity. An economical, general purpose, breathable surgical tape.
3M Micropore Paper Tape, 1″ x 10yds
(view on amzn)
Neosporin First Aid Antibiotic Ointment
If you already have some, check the expiration date. Antibiotic ointment treatment is VERY IMPORTANT for most wounds!
Neosporin First Aid Antibiotic Ointment
[ Read: Ziploc Bag First Aid Kit ]