
Surviveware First Aid Kits
At the top of everyone's emergency preparations list should be a First Aid kit. Honestly, each household should have one or more FAK's around.
A box of Band Aids is great, and will probably be what you use 80% of the time, but there are times where you'll need more than that.
The only thing is, there are a million different options out there, it can be a little tricky for the uninitiated to know whats worth buying and what isn't, especially when we are talking about smaller kits that we'd need to carry in a backpack.
That's where we come in, and why we want to introduce you to the Surviveware line of First Aid Kits.
Why We Like Surviveware Kits
There are a lot of great companies out there making survival gear and first aid kits, but we think Janco and Amanda (the couple who started Surviveware) have made some really nice products and put a lot of thought into the design by thinking through use-cases their kits would encounter.
They are Organized & Labeled
Without a doubt, the internal organization and labeling of each part of their kits is outstanding. This makes the Surviveware stuff stands out, and it is of immense assistance should the kits be needed.
During a stressful event like a medical situation where time may be of the essence, knowing exactly where the item is that you need is important.
Should you train with your FAK's regularly and know where everything already is? Of course! But in case you don't, or someone who isn't familiar with your kit comes along to help you out the labeling makes a lot of sense.
It Has What You'd Need
We'll get into the details in a moment, but the Surviveware kits are designed for the day-to-day traumatic injuries that can occur anywhere. So the focus is mainly on cut and wound treatment, and protective equipment (gloves, etc) for the caregiver.
Medications are not included, but these are easy enough to add, and in fact they provide some small plastic bags labeled for personal medications. Pack some of those as needed.
I would suggest adding some anti-bacterial creams or ointments, along with burn treatment gels. Also anti-diarrheal (loperamide hydrochloride), anti-pain (Aspirin, Tylenol) and allergy medications like diphenhydramine would be good choices.
It's Not Cheapy Stuff
We've seen some pretty bad kits out there. The intentions might be good, but the quality of the product is not great.
Surviveware puts quality items in their kits that will perform as you expect them to when you need them. The shears they include for example are of much better quality then we usually see in similarly priced kits.
Surviveware Small Kit
Let's start with their smallest kit, because this is the one most applicable to use in a portable Emergency Kit like a Bug Out Bag or Get Home Bag. It weighs 1 pound and measures 5.5" x 7.5" x 3.5".
The items inside focus on treating: small to medium sized trauma, shock, and CPR. There is paper tape included which is our favorite way to prevent blisters.
What to add: your own personal medications and some of the pain and relief medications mentioned above.
The pouch itself is made of durable 600D polyester and the individual items inside are encased in sealed plastic bags which will give you a pretty decent barrier against water entry. Not submersible mind you, but the interior should remain dry in a decent downpour.
As we mentioned before (and will again) it's really well organized and it's super easy to find what you are looking for since all the tabs are labeled and laid out in a logical way.
Whats helpful about the labeling is that when you take something out of the kit it's easy to know where to put it back again later. That's a feature missing from a totally packed up kits like the MyMedic ones.
One touch I really like is the CPR directions sewn into the inside of the CPR kit. On one side it shows the adult directions, on the other child and infant. The CPR kit includes gloves, sterile wipe and sanitary mouth cover.
Each treatment kit comes in its own re-sealable packaging, and is also labeled and includes directions where needed. Another very nice touch. This is the way all the Surviveware kits are packed.
Surviveware Survival Kits
A slightly beefier version of the Small Surviveware kit, the Survival kit includes a few items which would be handy additions to an emergency kit or outdoors kit, and make it somewhat more then just a traditional First Aid Kit.
Most notable additions include a: knife, flashlight, signal mirror, friction cord saw, multi-tool, chem-lights, poncho, paracord bracelet and biodegradeable wipes.
If you don't already have these items in your kit, or are looking for a good pre-made Get Home Bag solution, than look no further that the Survive Kit as a starting off point.
This might be a little too much kit for a day out on the trail but for a 72 hour kit this works nicely.
Whats cool about this kit is that they come in black and red colors.
All of the kits come with some kind of backing which allows for multiple mouting and storage options. On the Small kit there is a MOLLE attachment. On the Survival and Large Kits, tear-off MOLLE backers.
Surviveware Large Kits
Now we get to the king of the Surviveware lineup, their Large kit. The name is appropriate, it is a beast of a FAK, at 12" x 8" x 6" and 3.25 lbs.
It has everything you get from the Small Kit, but you get more of it along with a few additions.
Like the other Surviveware kits, there is no medication in the Large kit, with the exception of Hydro Gel for burns.
There are also 2 other smaller kits included with the Large one: a Mini Kit and a CPR Kit.
The Mini kit is a small trauma kit with CPR response tools which are also included in the CPR kit.
The Large Kit also comes with a small splint for fractures.
So Which One Do I Get?
If you are looking for something to go in a Bug Out Bag or any type of kit that needs to be carried around then the Small Kit is probably your best bet.
If you are just starting out and need the extra gear that the Survival Kit provides and want to integrate it into a Bug Out Bag then that's one way to go. It also makes a good sized kit for an automobile.
If you have a large family or will be spending and expended time off-grid, or are looking for a FAK for your home or INCH Bag, then look to the Large Kit.
Where to Get One
Surviveware has partnered with Amazon to handle all their retail sales.
BTW If you buy anything from links we provide on this page we might get a small percentage of the sale. For more info click here.
They have several models to choose from:
Suviveware Large First Aid Kit
Typical Price: $105
This kit comes with 200 basic first aid items for your Truck or Boat with additional space to add your own items. Made from 600D Polyester this first aid kit comes in the strongest bag on the market.
Each inner sleeve is labeled according to its function. Now, all items can easily be retrieved and afterwards replaced with new supplies in an orderly fashion.
Surviveware Small First Aid Kit
Typical Price: $37
This kit is packed with 100 essential supplies for backcountry expeditions. It weighs only 1 pound and measures 5.5" x 7.5" x 3.5", making it ideal for an active lifestyle.
The bag is water resistant and all inner items are protected from water damage in durable laminate pouches.
Surviveware Survival First Aid Kit
Typical Price: $80
This kit has everything you need to not just survive, but thrive. A FAK on steroids, with survival items added like a knife, a handsaw, signaling mirror, multitool and poncho.
With a removable Velcro system you can carry this first-aid kit on your tactical backpack or adhere it to the material in your trunk.