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 |  | Pre-assembled kits: $10-$50 |  | Adventure (camping) kits: $25-$200 |  | Personally assembled: $20-$200+ |
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First aid kits, which can be purchased as a kit or assembled individually, should be in every home, car and camping bag. Kits typically contain everything from Band-Aids and gauze to medications, like Aspirin.
Typical costs: | - Pre-assembled home first aid kits cost between $10 and about $50, depending on the size and desired use of the kit. For example, a 73-piece kit assembled by the American Red Cross[1] costs $15. The American Red Cross recommends its use at home and in the car. The American Red Cross also offers a 100-piece deluxe pre-assembled kit[2] for families. It retails for about $25.
- Adventure first aid kits, which are suitable for camping or backpacking, can be a bit more costly. These range from about $25 to $200, depending on the size and desired use. Adventure Medical Kits[3] offers an ultra-light, water-tight kit that weighs less than one pound. This kit, which costs $29, is designed for one to two people camping or backpacking for up to four days. As an example of a more comprehensive kit, the Mountain Series Comprehensive Kit[4] costs $200 and is designed for extended backcountry backpacking or for leaders of group camping or backpacking expeditions. This kit can also be used as an at-home kit.
- Creating a personalized kit is also an option. Depending on what is included, assembling a kit can cost between $20 and more than $200. However, if care is taken to include all items recommended by the American Red Cross[5] , pre-assembled kits are significantly less expensive.
Related articles: Sprained or Broken Ankle, Sprained or Broken Wrist, Defibrillator, Thermometer
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What should be included: | - The American Red Cross[6] and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security[7] maintain lists of all the items that should be in a first aid kit. These include gauze, a working flashlight, cleansing wipes, burn ointment, a thermometer and scissors.
Additional costs: | - Each kit, whether it's an at-home or travel kit, should be customized. Kits should have extra doses of necessary medications, such as asthma inhalers if applicable. People with diabetes should include extra supplies for managing their illness. These costs can range between $5 and $200, depending on an individual's needs. Patients should contact their pharmacist and insurance company about purchasing extra medications. Often, insurance companies will cover the cost of one "emergency" refill each year. This refill can be placed in a first aid kit, just in case. Typical copays will apply, which can cost between $5 and $50.
- If a pre-assembled first aid kit does not include a first aid manual, one should be purchased to go along with the kit. This is especially true if the kit will be used for hiking or backpacking, because paramedics will not be quickly available. Manuals, offered at bookstores and online, can range in cost from about $17 for the American Medical Association First Aid Manual to more than $30 for Wilderness First Aid: Emergency Care for Remote Locations[8] manual published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Used and older versions of these manuals can be found at bookstores and online retailers, such as Amazon[9] , for significant savings.
Shopping for first aid kits: | - For most people, purchasing a pre-assembled first aid kit is cheaper than buying every necessary item individually. One reason for this is that most items, such as gauze and bandages, are not available for purchase in small quantities. However, if clubs or organizations are assembling first aid kits, buying items in bulk can make assembling a large number of kits cheaper than purchasing pre-assembled kits.
- Boy's Life[10] , a magazine published for Boy Scouts, has a list of what to look for in a first aid kit. Tips include finding a well-organized kit so items can be accessed quickly.
- If purchasing a first aid manual separately, the Boy Scouts of America[11] , maintains a list of reputable and useful first aid manuals.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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External Resources: | - www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=181
- www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=37
- www.adventuremedicalkits.com/medical-kits/ultralight-watertight.html
- www.adventuremedicalkits.com/medical-kits/mountain.html
- www.redcross.org/take-a-class
- www.redcross.org/take-a-class
- www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit
- www.jblearning.com/
- www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=first+aid+bo...
- boyslife.org/outdoors/guygear/4937/first-aid-kit-buying-guide/
- www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/mb-FIRS.aspx
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