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Best First Aid Kits for Bug Out Bags (Top 10)

Find the best first aid kit for your bug out bag. We compare trauma kits, compact options, and what to add for wilderness and emergency medical needs.

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Best First Aid Kits for Bug Out Bags (Top 10)

In an emergency, even minor injuries can become serious without proper treatment. A well-stocked first aid kit is essential gear for your bug out bag—it handles everything from blisters and cuts to more serious trauma.

Here are our top picks for BOB first aid kits.

Quick Picks

RankProductBest ForItemsWeightPrice Range
1Surviveware LargeOverall200+2.5 lbs$$
2Adventure Medical Kits UltralightBackpacking957.8 oz$$
3MyMedic MyFAKTrauma-Ready120+1.5 lbs$$$
4Surviveware SmallCompact1001 lb$
5Adventure Medical Mountain SeriesWilderness140+1.8 lbs$$$

What Makes a Good BOB First Aid Kit?

Your first aid kit should handle three categories of problems:

Minor issues:

  • Blisters
  • Small cuts and scrapes
  • Splinters
  • Headaches/pain
  • Allergic reactions

Moderate injuries:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Larger wounds needing closure
  • Burns
  • Infections

Serious trauma:

  • Heavy bleeding
  • Fractures
  • Puncture wounds
  • Shock

Warning

A first aid kit is only as good as your knowledge. Take a wilderness first aid course or at minimum, watch tutorials on how to use every item in your kit. Practice before you need it.

Detailed Reviews

1. Surviveware Large First Aid Kit — Best Overall

Top Pick

Surviveware Large First Aid Kit

Comprehensive 200-piece kit with MOLLE attachment. Great for families.

What We Like

  • 200 pieces
  • Labeled compartments
  • MOLLE compatible
  • Includes trauma supplies
  • Waterproof inner pouches

Considerations

  • Larger/heavier
  • Some fillers included
  • May need customization

ℹ️ Check current contents - may vary by batch

Check Price on Amazon

The Surviveware Large provides comprehensive coverage without going overboard. It’s organized, well-stocked, and has room to add your own supplies.

Why it wins:

  • 200+ pieces covering most scenarios
  • MOLLE-compatible for pack attachment
  • Labeled compartments for fast access
  • Room to add personal medications
  • Good quality components (not all cheap supplies)

Considerations:

  • Larger and heavier than minimalist options
  • May have items you don’t need
  • Some prefer building custom kits

Best for: Primary BOB first aid, family preparedness

2. Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight .7 — Best Lightweight

Ultralight Pick

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight .7

Well-organized ultralight first aid kit designed for 1-2 people.

Get Home BagDay HikesUltralight

Pros

  • Organized pouches
  • DryFlex bags waterproof
  • Lightweight (5.6 oz)

Cons

  • May need to supplement
  • Basic supplies only

ℹ️ Multiple sizes available - .7 is for 1-2 people

Check Price on Amazon

For weight-conscious builds, AMK’s Ultralight series delivers essential coverage at backpacking weights.

Why we like it:

  • Only 7.8 oz
  • Waterproof DryFlex bag
  • Covers 1-4 people for 1-4 days
  • Good wound care selection
  • Compact enough for get home bags

Considerations:

  • Limited supplies (designed for short trips)
  • No trauma supplies (tourniquet, etc.)
  • May need supplementing for extended use

Best for: Ultralight BOBs, get home bags, day-bag supplement

3. MyMedic MyFAK — Best Trauma-Ready

MyMedic kits are designed with real trauma in mind. The MyFAK bridges the gap between basic first aid and professional trauma kits.

Why we like it:

  • Includes CAT tourniquet
  • Chest seal included
  • Israeli bandage
  • Organized by injury type
  • MOLLE compatible

Considerations:

  • Higher price point
  • Requires training to use trauma items
  • Heavier than basic kits

Best for: Those with medical training, serious preparedness focus

4. Surviveware Small First Aid Kit — Best Compact

The smaller version of our top pick—same organization and quality in a more packable size.

Why we like it:

  • 100 pieces in compact package
  • Same quality as large version
  • MOLLE compatible
  • Good for get home bags
  • Affordable

Considerations:

  • Limited supplies for extended scenarios
  • No trauma items
  • May need supplementing

Best for: Get home bags, car kits, compact BOBs

5. Adventure Medical Mountain Series — Best Wilderness

Designed specifically for backcountry scenarios where help is hours or days away.

Why we like it:

  • Comprehensive wound management
  • Splinting materials included
  • Detailed first aid guide included
  • Organized by injury type
  • Hospital-quality supplies

Considerations:

  • Premium price
  • Larger packed size
  • May be overkill for urban scenarios

Best for: Wilderness BOBs, rural preparedness, extended scenarios

Essential Items to Add

Most pre-made kits need supplementing. Add these based on your needs:

High priority additions:

  • Personal medications (prescription and OTC)
  • Tourniquet (CAT or SOFTT-W)
  • QuikClot or other hemostatic agent
  • Israeli bandage or similar compression bandage
  • Medical tape (multiple uses)

Consider adding:

  • SAM splint
  • Chest seal (if trained)
  • Emergency blanket
  • Tweezers (quality ones)
  • Moleskin for blisters

Personal items:

  • EpiPen if allergic
  • Inhaler if asthmatic
  • Any daily medications
  • Glasses/contacts backup

Pro Tip

Vacuum-seal medications and rotate them annually. Heat, moisture, and age reduce medication effectiveness. Mark expiration dates clearly.

Building vs. Buying

ApproachProsConsBest For
Pre-made kitConvenient, organized, covers basicsGeneric, may include unneeded itemsMost people, starting point
Custom buildTailored to your needs, quality controlTime-consuming, easy to forget itemsExperienced users, specific needs
HybridBest of both—start with kit, customizeStill requires knowledge to modifyRecommended approach

Our recommendation: Buy a quality pre-made kit as your foundation, then add personal medications, upgrade key items, and remove things you won’t use.

First Aid Training

A kit without knowledge is just a bag of supplies. Consider:

Free resources:

  • Red Cross first aid app
  • YouTube tutorials (watch before you need them)
  • FEMA emergency preparedness courses

Paid training:

  • Wilderness First Aid (WFA) — 16 hours, highly recommended
  • Wilderness First Responder (WFR) — 70-80 hours, comprehensive
  • Stop the Bleed — Free courses focused on hemorrhage control

First Aid Training for Preppers: Where to Start

Our Recommendations

For Most Bug Out Bags

Surviveware Large — Comprehensive coverage, good organization, room to customize. Add a tourniquet and personal meds.

For Ultralight/Get Home Bags

Adventure Medical Ultralight .7 — Covers basics at minimal weight. Supplement with a tourniquet and any personal medications.

For Serious Preparedness

MyMedic MyFAK — Trauma-ready with quality components. Worth the investment if you have or will get training.

Our Top Picks

Product Best For Key Features Price
Surviveware Large First Aid Kit
Comprehensive 200-piece kit with MOLLE attachment. Great for families.
Bug Out Bag Families
  • 200 pieces
  • Labeled compartments
Check Price
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight .7
Well-organized ultralight first aid kit designed for 1-2 people.
Get Home Bag Day Hikes
  • Organized pouches
  • DryFlex bags waterproof
Check Price

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a tourniquet in my first aid kit?
Yes. Tourniquets save lives in severe bleeding situations. A CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet) is the gold standard. They're simple to use with basic training—watch a video and practice.
How often should I check/rotate my first aid kit?
Check every 6 months. Replace expired medications, replenish used items, and inspect for moisture damage. Rotate medications annually even if not expired.
What's the most important first aid skill to learn?
Bleeding control. Most preventable deaths from trauma involve hemorrhage. Learn to apply direct pressure, pack wounds, and use a tourniquet. The 'Stop the Bleed' program offers free courses.
Should I include prescription medications?
Yes, if you or family members depend on them. Include a 7+ day supply, rotated regularly. Work with your doctor to get emergency supplies if needed.
Are cheap first aid kits worth buying?
Sometimes as a starting point, but cheap kits often have low-quality supplies—thin bandages, dull scissors, weak tape. You'll want to upgrade key items. Budget kits from Surviveware or similar are better than no-name imports.

Related:

first-aid medical bug-out-bag gear-review
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ZT1 Prep Team

Practical preparedness for real life

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