The Best Medical Kit
When it comes to medical kits in your EDC, the best kit is one that you have put together yourself consisting of only what you believe you will need the most. Medical kits can be made small. Some are even small enough to fit inside a small pocket tin such as an Altoids container.
- Complete First Aid Kits are sold in almost every store. These kits are available from a full-size duffle bag stuffed with every goodie imaginable to a little kit that can fit in your bag or even your pocket. The Sawyer Pocket First Aid Kit is a small package that is only 5 inches square and 1 inch thick. This would fill an entire pocket if you decide to carry one. Most EDCs will consist of only a few specific medical items that take up very little space.
- It’s a good idea to consider a disinfectant in your EDC. Alcohol wipes and hand sanitizer can help you avoid getting a bad infection if you sustain an open wound. You may not have room for these items in your EDC, so remember places that you can likely find antiseptics. In an emergency situation, many types of liquor can be used as an antiseptic and almost every home and store has alcohol somewhere. First aid kits are also stored in most businesses and in the trunks of their cars.
- Bandages are extremely useful for small cuts and scrapes. Most times that you would want a bandage aren’t going to be life-threatening injuries. Big absorbent bandages are bulky and unlikely to be carried daily. Be prepared to utilize clothing and other items as bandages in the case of a bad wound. Bandages are also available with antibiotic pre-applied to help avoid infection. A small gauze roll may fit your EDC needs as well. The more active you are in low populated areas, the more you are at risk to needing more bandaging.
- QuickClot produces a clotting bandage for injuries. It is compact and a great life saving tool. Even the U.S. military issues these in their field medical kits. I would at least have one of these in my Get Home Bag, and my Bug-Out Bag.