Family Emergency Medical Kit

We've previously covered the supplies one should have in boo-boo kits and IFAKs, so the logical next step is taking a look at the recommended items for a family emergency medical kit.  It contains a wide variety of supplies for addressing everyday medical conditions a family is most likely to encounter in a major disaster like a hurricane, earthquake, cleaning out the fridge, etc.  This is not a comprehensive list of items and quantities to see you to the other side of our societal collapse.  (We'll get to that, eventually.)

First off, you'll want a place for your supplies, something that you'll be able to organize nicely.  There are probably hundreds or thousands of options.  Tackle boxes, tool kits, actual medical bags in all shapes, sizes, colors, and price ranges.  I spent a lot of time pondering what would be best for my situation and my family.  I looked at military medic bags and regular EMT bags, and I looked at the one pictured below as well.

Swedish military medical bag, $19.99 as of today at MilitaryClothing.com.

I thought I really wanted the bag pictured below.  I might still want it.  It had some nice features, especially the removable bags and loads of storage pockets.

Lightning X Large intermediate EMT medic modular trauma bag.  As of today, $89.99 on Amazon. 

Money actually being an issue, and not being entirely sure of what I wanted, already gave the Swedish bag the advantage.  However, it also had two other features that I liked.  The first was that it is a backpack--the straps are in the outside pocket and already attached to the bag.  The second is that it does not really look like a medical kit.  Being super bright green, it looks more like a child's suitcase.  So it has the advantage of being really easy to find in an emergency situation, as well as not looking like a medical kit at all.  I don't want to attract any attention or look like medical personnel.  And it doesn't look like military issue, either, or like I might have prepared better than others.

Below is one doctor's list of recommended items for your kit.  You probably won't be able to purchase all your supplies at once.  It can get a little pricey.  We're still building our kit here.  I'm not going to discuss specific items in this post.  That would take forever, and there's no way I can write this blog on a daily basis if each post takes me a week.  Preparedness is a way of life, done in small bits, every day.  And we have short attention spans.  So begin with your bag and then gather items as you come across them at home or find deals at the store, or put them on your Christmas list.  (Oh, wow, honey!  I've always wanted a tourniquet!  This is the best gift EVER!)

Where quantities have a range, the number you want will vary depending on the size of your family.  Or how many children like to believe they are Superman.

tongue depressor
SaO2 monitor
thermometer, glass (non-battery--can't get EMP'd, more accurate)
penlight, LED
headlamp, LED
flashlight
extra batteries
chemical light/light sticks, 4
plastic sheet magnifier
N-95 masks, 1-6
trauma shears, small and large
nail clippers
tourniquet, SWAT, 1, and SOF-T wide, 1-2
T needle
nasopharyngeal airway
CPR mask
collapsible bag valve mask
multi-tool and case
irrigation syringe, 30 ml w/tip
Betadine, 1 oz
tincture of benzoin, 1 oz
isopropyl alcohol, 2 oz
benzalkonium chloride wipes, 2-12
Hibiclens, 4 oz
exam gloves, 2-10 pairs
hand sanitizer, 2 oz
sterile Q tips, 10
pressure dressing, small, 1-6
pressure dressing, 4",  1-2
Z gauze, 1-2
Celox or Quikclot,  1-2
burn dressing, 4x8 2
burn dressing, 4x4 2
triangle bandage, 4
alcohol pads, 4-24
gauze, sterile, 2x2 4-24
Band aids, cloth, assorted, 1-3 packs
safety pins, medium, 4-12
splinter forceps, uncle bill's
non-adherent dressing, 4x4, 6
iodoform gauze, 1/4" packing, 1 bottle
Sharpie, double point fine, 1-2
Write in rain note pad
mechanical pencil
lighter
4x4 8 ply gauze, 10 pack, 4
roller gauze, 4.5" kerlix compressed, 4
duct tape, 2" small roll
cloth tape, 2 " roll
cloth tape, 1" roll
athletic tape, 1.5 " roll
Coban, 3 " roll, 2
Ace wrap, 3" roll, compressed, 2
Ace wrap, velcro closure 4" 2
SAM splint, large, 1
SAM splint, assortment pack, 1
moleskin, sheet, Dr Scholl's, 3
rehydration salts, packet, 4 per person
garbage bag, 4 mil, medium, 4
Blizzard hypothermia blanket
chemical heat pads, 4
nano silver, liquid 4 oz, sovereign silver, 1 bottle
eye shield
skin stapler and staple remover
emesis basin
activated charcoal
permethrin
antibiotic guide
hydrocortisone packets
bacitracin packet
miconazole cream
mupirocin ointment
nitroglycerin tablets
aspirin
zofran

Oh, and just in case you do decide to get everything at once, or as much as possible, ShopMedVet.com has much better prices than Amazon or Walmart on most items.

Related posts:
Boo-boo kits  
IFAKs  
Hanging Travel Cosmetic Bag for Organizing Medical Kit 
Advanced Medical Kit
Family Medical Kit checklist only   

 11.06.18