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 or garage. What about a mini First Aid Kit for your backpack, camping? Or one for travel? In your trailer, camper. Your GetHomeBage, BugOutBag…

I have written several 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 do the job.

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.

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Set of 2 Precision Tweezers – Pointed & Slant
(view on Amazon)

Skin Closure Strips (Steri Strips)

Does your First Aid Kit include Steri Strips? They’re suitable for closing long wounds. When several are applied across a long cut wound, they help hold the skin together during the healing process. I wrote about them in the following article for your further interest. The size you need versus the depth of cut, and how to apply and remove it.

[ Read: Steri Strips | Instructions When & How To Use To Close A Wound ]

Clotting Sponge for First Aid Kit

The QuikClot sponge or gauze utilizes ‘zeolite’, a common mineral, to help blood clot up to three times faster than it would 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 Amazon)

Better Scissors & EMT Shears

Many first aid kits come with scissors. The problem is that most of these scissors are of poor quality. 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
(view on Amazon)

Premium Quality Fluoride Coated EMT and Trauma Shears

 
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 highly pliable and bends into simple curves. It becomes firm and supportive for any fractured or injured limb.

SAM Rolled Splint 36″, Orange/Blue
(view on Amazon)

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 Amazon)

[ 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 a while 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 Amazon)

Telfa (non-stick wound pads)

This stuff is great (again, I have experience in this area). Non-Adherent Dressing. Absorptive, but it doesn’t stick to the wound. It is typically held in place with tape and then wrapped with stretch gauze for further adherence and protection from the environment. Useful for particular kinds of wounds.

Sterile Non-Adherent Pads
(view on Amazon)

The following special coated non-stick gauze 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 a while while treating a particular wound). Great stuff. It’s called Xeroform.

Xeroform Petrolatum Gauze, Sterile, 2 x 2 Inch
(view on Amazon)

Xeroform Petrolatum Gauze, Sterile, 4 x 4 Inch

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 Amazon)

 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
(view on Amazon)

[ Read: Ziploc Bag First Aid Kit ]