Evaluation of FAKs

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-first-aid-kit

We have been discussing First Aid kits a lot lately, and this seems like a good, objective evaluation of some of the kits available on the market.

I have been impressed with the work of Outdoor Gear Labs - objective and straightforward

If I hadn't already customized two first aid kits, I would be considering the Surviveware FAK. One of the first things I see when looking at first aid kits is how organized it is.

Jeanette Isabelle

Surviveware, the company, needs help in their marketing department. If you click on "About Us" and scroll down to "Why Trust Surviveware," just under that it says:

"Our products have been featured on NBC, FOX, and CBS."

My initial thought to that was "big freaking deal!" Are they serious? Is there anybody who would give a rodent's tail about how many networks that have featured their products?

Jeanette Isabelle

I bought the surviveware small , good kit for the money useing it to replace my old SAR personal one, now for hunting and fishing etc. YMMV

My criteria:
1. needs to be light and dustproof
2. clearly labeled on the outside
3. Organized for people other than me
4. include meds and gloves

One observation: Most kits underpack medications; I carry a full bottle of Ibuprofen in some of my kits. (Its one of the most used items.)

Agreed! With FAKs that have packs of meds I almost never use anything but the ibuprofen, sometimes the dyphenhydramine.

Trying to decide if a blood clotting agent is necessary; celox or similar ( or a sponge?)

Overthe decades, I have treated many bleeds with basically direct pressure, sometimes a pressure point. Clotting agents are probably useful when dealing with gunshot wounds or similar deep penetrating wound scenarios.

5f space and weight are not concerns, definitely include a clotting agent. Usually I had a weight/space consideration.

I would think that the deciding factors for carrying hemostatic gauze usually aren’t space and weight — you’ll likely be carrying some kind of gauze anyway. For me it’s cost. A good hemostatic gauze is one of the most expensive components of a single-person trauma aid kit, and unlike the other most expensive components (a CoTCCC recommended tourniquet and often the pouch the kit is carried in) they need to be replaced every few years.

Good point. What are the Red Cross guidelines for the use of clotting agents? I note that they are included in some of their kits.

With respect to the Red Cross, I follow the CoTCCC guidelines for traumatic injury. Their recommended devices and adjuncts (current, as far as I know) can be seen at https://books.allogy.com/web/tenant/8/books/f94aad5b-78f3-42be-b3de-8e8d63343866/. As far as I know the actual guidelines aren’t available for free on the Internet.