A first aid kit is something that all of us have been around most of our lives.
From home, school, to the workplace, one does not have to look too hard to find one of these kits sitting in a kitchen cabinet or hanging on the wall.
But having a good first aid kit while on the go can be a bit tricky but still important.
Injuries and illness do not only happen at home, school, or work but anywhere and at any time.
I have heard countless stories of unnecessary deaths where medical supplies were not available. And even basic first aid techniques were not present either.
This is why it is so important to always have a good first aid kit close by and to be well versed in its use.
To that end, I recently received the Stormproof Universal First Aid Kit made by MyMedic.
I have heard many good reviews about this company and was excited to check it out and bring you my thoughts and review of this particular kit.
Let’s see if this kit stands up to the good reviews I have been hearing about MyMedic by beginning with the kit’s specifications.
SKIP AHEAD
MyMedic Stormproof FAK Specifications
Dimensions
The Stormproof case is 6 inches high, 8.125 inches wide, and 2.5 inches deep.
Weight
Weighs in at 2.42 lbs.
Color
There are two color options available. A red or black stormproof bag.
Features
Modular Organization
Each pouch inside of the kit is backed with Velcro which means you can customize the layout of the interior to your liking.
Also, on the front of each pouch is a small category icon that is attached by Velcro. This icon helps you find what you need quickly without wasting time.
MOLLE Patches
These small loops can be found on both the front and back of the bag. These attachment points can be used to secure the kit to a pack, inside a vehicle, or pretty much anything you can get some cordage around.
Stormproof Bag
The bag is made from a waterproof material with welded seams and a water-resistant zipper track. This helps to keep the kit dry in adverse conditions or if you accidentally drop it in the drink.
Carry Loop
On the side of the bag is a carry loop that makes for a convenient way to carry the kit by hand or to is used as an additional attachment point.
Oversized Zipper
A large, quality zipper ensures fewer snags and fluid operation.
Country of Origin
MyMedic kits are made in the USA
What’s Included
Here is a list of all the supplies included in the Stormproof Universal kit. MyMedic’s webpage is designed with a nice, categorized drop-down menu that displays the supplies in each kit.
I am going to take a page from their book and group the supplies by category.
Bleeding
- 1X Rapid Tourniquet
- 1X Micromend Cut Kit
- 2X Small Gauze Pad
- 2X Large Gauze Pad
- 2X Gauze Roll
- 1X Finger Cuts Medpack
- 2X Fingertip Bandage
- 1x Large Bandage
- 4X Small Bandage
- 2X Knee/Elbow Bandage
- 2X Knuckle Bandage
Burn
- 2X Burnshield Gel
Medication
- 1X Cold and Flu Medpack
- 1X Headache Medpack
- 1X Upset Stomach Medpack
Outdoor
- 1X Survival Blanket
- 3X Superskin
- 1X Lightstick
- 1X Whistle
Topical
- 1X Lip Balm
- 2X Sunscreen
- 2X Anti-Itch Cream
- 4X Triple Antibiotic
- 2X Oral Pain Relief
- 1X Sting Relief Wipe
- 4X BZK Towelette
- 2X Hand Sanitizer
- 1X Saljet
Airway
- 1X CPR Shield
Hydration
- 2X Fizz Tablet
Sprain and Fracture
- 1X Finger Splint 1X Sensi-Wrap
Specialty
- 1X EMT Shears
- 1X Tweezers
- 1X Pen Light
- 1X Thermometer
- 2X Nitrile Gloves
- 1X Stormproof Bag to keep it all in!
Hands-On Review
The Exterior
The first thing that I noticed about the MyMedic bag was its color. Black is an option but mine came in red, and boy is it red!
I am glad that it is such a vibrant color because it color codes the kit which makes it easier to identify when it is with other supplies, say when it is inside a BOB or outdoor pack.
I also do not have to worry about losing sight of it in the woods or anywhere else I may lay it down.
Next, I noticed the material of the bag which appears to be made from smooth, thick plastic. This should definitely help to keep the inside of the kit nice and dry.
Along the back and front are the MOLLE loops. I really like that there are six on the front and six on the back because this provides more carrying options.
On the side of the case is a carrying loop which is nice for when I want to carry the bag by hand or if I want to temporarily hang it somewhere.
Finally, there is an oversized zipper for opening and closing the bag. It glides very smoothly, and its large size makes it easy to operate even when wearing gloves.
Additionally, the bag material overlaps the zipper track which helps to keep that portion of the bag water-resistant.
The Interior
Other than all the gear that comes in this kit, I like the layout of the interior.
Organized
The supplies are all separated by individual mesh pouches of different sizes. Furthermore, the pouches are labeled on the front with Velcro icons that indicate that what supplies are in that pouch.
For example, one pouch has a red icon with a picture of a drop of blood on it. This tells me that the pouch contains supplies for controlling blood loss, such as bandages and gauze.
This makes it super easy to quickly find what I am looking for when I need it.
Velcro Pouches
The back of each mesh pouch has Velcro as well, which makes them removable from the main bag. This is a great feature for two reasons.
First, this allows for one pouch of supplies to be grabbed without having to carry the whole kit.
And secondly, all the pouches can be rearranged, and thus the organization of the kit can be customized to my liking.
Remember that the icon patches are removable as well. So, if I want to put different supplies into a larger or smaller pouch, I can move the icons accordingly.
Finally, there are also three removable elastic loops, one in the center of the bag and one on the left as well as the right side of the bag. One of the loops is for the tourniquet, one holds a glowstick, and the other loop holds onto the thermometer, penlight, and saljet solution.
Item Spotlight
There are a few items in this kit that I wanted to briefly touch on because they stand out in this kit.
Tourniquet
I was happy to see a tourniquet included because the average first aid kit does not include one.
My assumption for not including one is that most people do not know how to properly use them, and it is an item that does not get used very often.
But if a tourniquet is needed, you are going to be glad you have one!
First Aid and Survival The Stay Alive Guide
I was fully expecting this to be some small paper foldout displaying basic first aid information. Boy was I wrong!
This little book contains 73 pages of incredibly helpful information.
Of course, it covers how to handle injuries and other first-aid issues, but it also has a good amount of information on general survival techniques. From making a shelter, to how to tie a few important knots, to field dressing an animal just to name a few.
I would recommend keeping the book tucked away in the stormproof bag, but it is small enough that it easily fits in a pants pocket.
Metal Tweezers
This item is more of a personal preference, but I am very happy that the tweezers in the kit are metal and not plastic.
Many kits I have purchased in the past came with plastic tweezers and I did not have the greatest luck with them. They usually did not grip well and often broke.
Thumbs up to MyMedic for including stainless steel tweezers!
Emergency Whistle
Generally, people do not think to put a whistle in a first aid kit. Heck, I did not think to do add one in my kits for the longest time.
However, in an emergency, you may need to get other people’s attention to help you and an emergency whistle is an incredibly effective way of doing that.
It comes with a large keyring for attaching it anywhere you like.
The Packaging
Okay, so this is not an actual listed item in the kit and admittedly I am a bit of a freak when it comes to packaging, but for good reason.
Almost all the items in the Stormproof kit are packaged in durable, resealable plastic bags. This means those items are more protected and will last longer.
It also helps to keep items organized because once a bag is opened, it can be sealed back up.
And in a survival situation, the bags are durable enough that they could be used for other purposes.
I would like to add that even though first aid is a serious topic, it appears the people at MyMedic have a great sense of humor.
This can be seen by the placement of jokes on the back of the med packs as well as on their website.
It looks like they took the old saying “laughter is the best medicine,” to heart.
Pros
- Interior pouches can be customized
- Durable waterproof bag
- Oversized zipper with water-resistant track
- Compact
- Lightweight
- MOLLE Patches
- Bright color makes the kit highly visible
- Quality medical supplies
- Durable packaging
- Mini first aid and survival guide included
- Made in America
Cons
- Costs more than an average first aid kit (but this is not your average first aid kit)
Verdict
I really did not want to list cost as a con because it is not inherently a negative feature, but it can be when the budget is a concern.
However, not considering the budget, a high price tag only becomes a problem if a product fails or is of poor quality, and thus far, I think the Stormproof kit is a quality product.
It is small enough to carry in an outdoor pack, BOB, vehicle, or to place in a cabinet at home.
However, it is also large enough that it can hold basic and advanced first aid supplies.
This makes it ideal to have for outdoor adventures or those “just in case” moments at home or work.
I really like the level of customization that can be done on the interior and that I do not have to worry about losing sight of the kit because it is highly visible.
If you hunt, fish, camp, hike, or simply have a pulse, then you need first aid supplies available.
The MyMedic is my new favorite way of carrying first aid supplies no matter where I go.
Thanks for reading, and as the back of the stormproof bag states “stay alive!”
Bonus Review!
With certain purchases, MyMedic throws in a free neck gaiter and two hand warmers.
The neck gaiter is pretty sweet and is made from a soft, elastic material.
I chuckled to myself as I unfolded it because on one side MyMedic listed several ways in which to “Rock It,” which consists of several pictures of how to wear it.
But below that, they also list some additional useful ways that it can be utilized, such as an arm sling or a water filter.
I decided to try the gaiter out for a day by wearing it outside in the chilly winter temperatures and inside the house. It was surprisingly comfortable and kept my neck a little warmer than usual.
It’s always great having gear that can be used in multiple ways and this neck gaiter fits that description. I will either be tucking it away inside my stormproof bag or, more likely, in my back pocket.
Thank you for the neck gaiter MyMedic, I will be sure to rock It.