Tactical First Aid Kit: Your Guide To Staying Prepared

A tactical first aid kit isn’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill portable med kit. They’re specially designed to treat serious and life-threatening injuries while you’re on the move. 

In this guide, we take an in-depth look at tactical first aid kits. We explain in what circumstances they may be needed, what essential items they need to contain, how to choose the right type of kit for your situation, and what the best brands are right now. We also answer all of your frequently asked questions.

Let’s start with the basics. 

What Is A Tactical First Aid Kit?

Tactical first aid kits are a specialised type of med pack. They’re specifically designed for situations where injuries might involve heavy bleeding, broken bones, or even life-threatening conditions. 

A standard medical kit in comparison, is only designed to treat minor wounds, like scrapes, cuts and mild burns.

A tactical med kit is essentially a portable emergency room. And given the need to be carried in sometimes intense military situations, they’re compact and lightweight but possess what you need to save lives. 

Why Do You Need A Tactical First Aid Kit?

Given their specialist nature, you may be wondering when you would need a tactical first aid kit. Here’s a handy breakdown to give you an idea:

• The Military - tactical medic kits are a must for soldiers venturing into combat situations. They can treat serious injuries like gunshot wounds, broken bones and deep cuts and gashes. It could make the difference between life and death on the frontline.
• Hiking and Camping - if heading out to remote locations or following paths that lean toward the treacherous side, it may be a good idea to bring a tactical first aid kit. If you break or fracture a bone, for example, you may need a splint to support your limb while you scramble back to safety. These kits are also ideal for the likes of winter camping. 
• Emergency Services - police officers may find it useful to carry a tactical first aid kit in their cars, just in case they come across or become involved in any serious injuries or incidents. The same goes for those in the fire service.
• Everyday Emergencies - if you like to be prepared, it doesn’t hurt to keep a tactical kit in your car or vehicle just in case of emergencies. If you live in areas that are prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding or other types of natural disasters, it’s wise to store one at home. 

What Should A Tactical Med Kit Contain?

Tactical first aid kits should give you the ability to treat serious wounds and injuries. In order to do that, it needs to contain certain pieces of equipment. Here’s an overview of the essential items you need for a tactical med kit.

Treating Wounds

Though small and mobile, a tactical first aid kit can pack a real punch with the types of wounds it’s able to treat. Here are the key pieces of equipment you need for this:

• Hemostatic Gauze - this is a special type of gauze that helps blood clot faster.
• Trauma Bandages - these are extra strong bandages that wrap and secure wounds.
• Chest Seals - this is a special piece of kit designed to treat puncture wounds to a chest like those caused by a knife or bullet.
• Sterile Gauze Pads - this is used to cover and protect wounds.
• Antiseptic Wipes - used to clean wounds and prevent infection.
• Tourniquet - used to help stop heavy bleeding from the limbs. It wraps around an arm or leg and tightens to stem blood flow. It can cause nerve damage in cases of prolonged use.

For Broken Bones

A tactical first aid kit can also treat broken bones. This can prove essential if you’re in a remote location and need to make it back to more civilized territory. Here are the key pieces of equipment you need:

• Trauma Shears - these are a type of strong scissors designed to cut through clothing and thick bandages.
• Splints - a splint can be used to stabilize a broken bone. 
• Medications - painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can be vital to help manage symptoms.

Other Essentials

As well as the items listed above, it can help to have some other essential bits of equipment for your first aid kit:

• Other Medication - antihistamines can be vital in cases of allergic reactions
• CPR Mask - this can help you perform mouth-to-mouth safely
• Medical Gloves - they can help protect both you and a patient from suffering an infection

Armed with everything listed above, your tactical first aid kit will be well-equipped to handle the most serious situations.

How To Choose The Right Kit For Your Needs

Not all tactical first aid kits are the same. Some have different design features, carry capacities and are made of different materials which have different situations and scenarios in mind. 

The first thing to consider is what purpose you want your kit to serve. Is it for hiking, for an emergency situation, or do you need to use it on a military frontline, for example? Knowing what you need the kit for will help you narrow down your options.

Another key consideration is the size of the kit. Many variations are small and compact, but with limited space, you lose out on the ability to carry different things. 

You should also consider how often you’ll use the kit and the types of environments it’ll be used in. This way, you can look for varieties that are made from more robust materials.

Let’s take a look at a couple of key specialist types of tactical first aid kits. 

First Aid Kits And MOLLE

MOLLE is a design feature often found on military vests, belts and rucksacks. It’s a system of webbing made out of robust straps. You can weave the straps of other pieces of equipment through this webbing to efficiently increase your overall carry capacity. 

Some types of tactical first aid kits are compatible with MOLLE systems. Not all of them are, however, so if this is an important factor for you, make sure you double-check the product description.

Tactical First Aid Kit With A Tourniquet

Just like with MOLLE-compatible kits, not all med packs come with a tourniquet. This item can be a little bulkier and is also more specialist so isn’t featured as standard. Just check to see if one’s included, and if not, check that the kit you buy can fit one in. 

What Are The Best Brands Of Tactical First Aid Kit?

There are lots of different brands of tactical first aid kit on the market and it can be tricky to know which one is best. Here at LA Police Gear, we only stock the very best and most trusted brands, but to give you more insight, here’s an overview of some of the leading names:

• Elite First Aid - this is a leading brand of quality, military-standard tactical first aid kits and equipment. Kits are often cost-effective and can be tailored to different situations. For example, they offer a very reasonably priced small kit and a bulkier trauma kit. 
• North American Rescue - this is a leading brand of tactical first aid kits, with many offering specialist equipment such as chest seals and a CAT tourniquet
• Tactical Medical Solutions - founded over two decades ago, Tactical Medical Solutions specialises in providing excellent equipment for military personnel and emergency services alike. 
• First Tactical - another quality brand, offering a range of lightweight and compact kits

Buy A Tactical First Aid Kit Today

Now that you’ve read all about tactical first aid kits, you may realise a need to buy your own. If so, you’re in the right place. 

Here at LA Police Gear, we stock some of the very best tactical first aid kits on the market. We offer fast, nationwide shipping and the best prices around. If you find a better one, we’ll price-match it.

If you sign up for our mailing list too, you can get 20% off your order today. Just click the tag on the left side of your screen to get your coupon code. 

If you have any questions about a tactical first aid kit that you’ve seen, please get in touch. Our phone line is open and you can contact us here too. We’re always more than happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below, you can find answers to some questions we often get asked about tactical first aid kits. 

What makes a first aid kit "tactical"?

Tactical kits are built for tough environments and focus on treating serious injuries, like heavy bleeding or broken bones.

Are tactical first aid kits only for military use?

Not at all! Anyone can use one, especially outdoor adventurers, preppers, or families wanting to be prepared.

Can I take a tactical first aid kit on a plane?

Yes, but some items (like scissors or hemostatic agents) may need to go in checked luggage. The best thing to do is check with your airline beforehand as each one has its own policies. 

How often should I check my kit for expired items?

It’s important to make checks for expired items every six months after you first use an item. Medications, for example, can expire, and adhesives can lose their effectiveness.