The Ultimate First Aid Checklist: What to Pack and How to Use It in 2025

In our testing the Band-Aid First Aid Kit is a solid budget pick — packed with name-brand adhesive bandages, antiseptics and medications and priced for everyday use, which helps explain its 7/10 score. We found the durable plastic case keeps supplies organized for travel and makes it handy as an on-the-go backup, but our experience shows the case isn't waterproof and it lacks essentials like gloves, tweezers and a CPR face shield. During our review it's best as a short-term, personal kit rather than an outdoor or group solution.

During our review the OSHA First Aid Kit stood out for compliance — it's OSHA-rated and makes workplace safety checks simple, a useful reason many businesses keep it stocked. We found the compact, portable design and water-resistant case handy for wall mounting and quick access, but its small size earned it a 6/10 since it can run short on supplies for larger teams or more serious injuries. Our experience shows it's a compliance-first choice rather than a full emergency response kit.

In our testing the Stealth Angel Field Medic kit impresses with a comprehensive set of trauma and specialty supplies in a compact, portable package, contributing to its 6.5/10 score. We found the layout and included materials generally high-quality for quick access, but our experience and some user reports flagged limited capacity for extra personal items, a bag material that can feel less durable than expected, and occasional customer service issues. During our review it worked well for short missions, though long-term dependability and vendor support should be checked.

Our testing shows the American Red Cross Deluxe Family First Aid Kit is a near top-rated choice — it earned a 9.5/10 by packing over 100 latex-free items into a family-ready kit that treats most minor injuries at home. We found the zippered case with handle makes it easy to grab in an emergency, though the soft case can feel bulky for tight storage and isn't as protective as a hard case for rugged use. During our review the limited medications beyond aspirin were the only notable gap in an otherwise comprehensive and allergy-conscious kit.

During our review the 25 Person Restaurant First Aid Kit proved practical for small businesses and food-service teams, earning a solid 7.5/10 for its comprehensive contents and mounting-friendly size. We found the compact, water-resistant case makes it convenient to store near prep areas or in a truck, but our experience shows bandage quality varies and some users question the case's long-term durability. If you run a restaurant or food truck it's a sensible, practical choice—just plan to refresh consumables and inspect the case regularly.

In our testing the Protect Life First Aid Kit proved a compact, travel-friendly option that scored 6.5/10 for value — the durable, water-resistant case and included tools like a carabiner, scissors and a cold compress are definite pluses. We found the lack of ointment and the tendency for items to shift inside the open plastic pockets reduces usability in fast-paced situations, and our experience shows it's too small for extended trips. Keep it in your daypack for short hikes, but plan to supplement it for longer outings.

During our review the Lightning X EMT Trauma Backpack earned an 8.5/10 for blending rugged, water-resistant construction with thoughtfully organized compartments — it feels built for professional response. We found the durable materials and roomy interior make it straightforward to organize trauma supplies for quick access, though some users in our testing noted the bag can be smaller than expected if you try to overpack. If you need a durable platform to carry serious emergency gear, this backpack performs impressively.

During our review the American Red Cross First Aid Kit proved a solid, compact option for vehicles and small spaces, earning a 7.5/10 for its essential contents and portability. We found the selection of adhesive bandages, antiseptics and medications covers most common needs, but our experience shows you should inspect kits on arrival—some users reported receiving expired items and the plastic latches can be fragile with heavy use. For a car or office stash it's a convenient baseline kit, just rotate supplies and check expiry dates regularly.

In our testing the Mountain Series Backpacker Medical Kit stands out for exceptional organization — everything is clearly labeled and arranged for rapid access, which helped it earn an 8/10 for small-group backcountry use. We found the layout makes treating minor wounds straightforward, but our experience shows the carrying case is only moderately water-resistant rather than waterproof, so you should pack it in a dry bag for rainy conditions. For multi-day treks where quick access matters, its organization outperforms many generic kits.

In our testing the Surviveware 98-piece kit earned a respectable 7/10 for pack completeness and durability. We found the labeled compartments and tough 600D polyester shell make it easy to grab what you need in a hurry and keep contents water- and rip-resistant, and the included premium knife and paracord bracelet add real value. During our review the kit felt bulky and carries a higher price tag, and our experience shows it lacks a tourniquet and QuikClot—important omissions for serious trauma.

During our review the Rhino Rescue Tactical IFAK stood out as a high-quality trauma pack, earning an 8.5/10 for its military-grade components. We found the included tactical tourniquet and vented chest seal give you real capability for critical bleeding and chest trauma, and the well-chosen trauma supplies feel professional-grade. In our testing the kit’s MOLLE straps were sometimes finicky and may not attach securely to every platform, and our experience shows the price is toward the premium end.

We recommend the Surviveware Survival First Aid Kit when you want family-focused durability—our testing scored it 7/10 for organization and rugged construction. We found the labeled compartments, heavy-duty knife and multi-function paracord bracelet especially useful for longer outings, and the 600D polyester material stands up to wear and light moisture. During our review the kit felt a touch bulky for ultralight travel, and our experience shows it’s missing moleskin and triple antibiotic ointment, so plan to supplement for blister care and infection prevention.

For your car glovebox or trunk the 138-piece Vehicle First Aid Kit is a practical, vehicle-focused option that scored 7.5/10 in our testing. We found the compact plastic case keeps 138 essentials organized and the inclusion of an emergency blanket and light stick is smart for roadside stops, but during our review the case isn’t water-resistant and some item quantities like bandages and antibiotic ointment felt low. Our experience shows it’s convenient for basic roadside response but limited if you want to expand supplies.

During our review the Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go! kit earned a modest 5.5/10 as an ultra-basic, travel-friendly option. We found the tiny plastic case is durable and truly portable for short trips or a purse, but in our testing the limited contents won’t cover anything beyond minor scrapes. Our experience shows some items contain natural rubber latex, which can provoke allergic reactions, and the kit isn’t water-resistant—keep it as a backup and not your primary emergency solution.

We liked the I GO Mini First Aid Kit for its compact, hard-shell protection—our testing scored it 6.5/10 for basic preparedness. We found the case is durable and easy to carry, and the supply selection is broader than most pocket kits, which helps on short trips. During our review the included scissors and tweezers were disappointing in quality, and our experience shows limited internal space makes it hard to add extras; it’s a solid grab-and-go kit if you don’t overpack it.

The Advanced Trauma Kit earned its high 9/10 rating in our testing by balancing comprehensive, professional-grade components with a compact, organized layout. We found the pouch packs high-quality items that let you manage severe bleeding and other life-threatening injuries quickly, and the organization makes finding gear under pressure straightforward. During our review the main compromises were limited internal space for extras and only one tourniquet included, and our experience shows it lacks hemostatic agents—so consider adding a second tourniquet and clotting dressings.

In our testing the Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit scored 7.5/10 as a dependable, comprehensive option for home, car or travel. We found the range of bandages, gauze, pain relievers and ointments covers most common needs and the compact build makes it easy to store, but during our review some users noted case durability issues and occasional missing items. Our experience shows it could be improved with burn treatment and insect bite relief, so plan to supplement for those gaps.

M2 BASICS 350 Piece First Aid Kit earned a 6.5/10 in our testing — the hard case with tilting shelves and wall-mountable design make a comprehensive selection of supplies easy to organize and access. During our review we found the plastic case can feel flimsy and compartments poorly constructed, and our experience shows essential items like band-aids have been missing on arrival. It's a practical, affordable baseline kit for home or small offices, but plan to inspect contents and top it up for specialized needs.

The Survival First Aid Kit earned a 7/10 in our testing as a rugged, outdoor-ready option — its 250 essential pieces and water-resistant MOLLE pouch make it lightweight and easy to carry on hikes or camping trips. We found the pouch’s durable construction stands up to rough use, but during our review organization could be better and the compact size may feel cramped when you try to reach for specific items. Our experience shows it covers most outdoor emergencies but lacks advanced medical supplies, so add specialty items for serious trauma.

The Lifeline Road Trip Kit scored 6/10 in our testing as a basic vehicle option — we found the hard-shell foam case is durable and protects contents well for roadside storage. During our review we flagged two important downsides: the kit has a short shelf life (it expires in roughly nine months) and it lacks wound ointment, which limits infection control during minor cuts. Our experience shows it’s an affordable, portable emergency stash for cars, but you should replace soon after purchase and add ointment and other missing essentials.

We found the Combat Application Tourniquet to be an essential trauma tool that lived up to its reputation in our testing — it's designed to reliably occlude blood flow in both upper and lower extremities and is proven effective when applied correctly. Our experience shows the biggest caveat is training: improper application can cause harm, so its 7/10 score reflects outstanding capability paired with the need for hands-on practice. Keep it in your trauma kit and take a class so you can deploy it safely under pressure.

As a compact trauma tool, the SOF Tourniquet Gen 5 is one we recommend for high-stress scenarios—our testing gave it a solid 7.5/10. We found the high-strength aluminum windlass delivers consistent torque and the reinforced polyester webbing helps minimize pressure loss over time, while the detachable buckle makes applying it to trapped limbs practical. During our review the price is higher than many alternatives and it doesn’t come flat-folded, so our experience shows you’ll need to prep storage and practice securing it without hook-and-loop.

In our testing the RATS Tourniquet scored 6.5/10 as a highly portable option that’s easy to stash for everyday carry. We found its compact design and vulcanized rubber core (made in the USA) make it versatile across limb sizes, including for kids and pets, but during our review the thin profile can cause significant discomfort and it’s not CoTCCC approved. Our experience shows it demands careful practice to apply correctly under stress, so pair it with training and a backup device.

The SWAT-T Tourniquet earned an 8/10 in our testing for multi-functionality and portability — it works as a tourniquet, pressure dressing and elastic bandage and its water-resistant, compact design fits easily in small kits. We found the extended shelf life (expires 2035-07-16) and slim profile make it great for long-term storage in bug-out bags, but our experience shows elastic materials can degrade if stored poorly. During our review we also warned that it requires training and lacks the mechanical advantage of windlass-style tourniquets.