Surviveware Large First Aid Kit Hands-on Review: Worth It?

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By Bryan Lynch •  10 min read

I would say that first aid kits and supplies are one of the most underrated areas of gear, but they are certainly one of the most important items to have. 

Whether you are adventuring far away from civilization where medical assistance may not come in a timely fashion, or at home tending to an injury before seeking medical attention, having medical supplies available is critical.

Having a good first aid kit can literally be a lifesaver and they should never be far away. Today I will be reviewing and sharing my thoughts on the Large First Aid Kit and Bonus Mini offered by Surviveware. 

Let’s start by seeing what the Large First Aid Kit and Bonus Mini has to offer. 

Surviveware Large First Aid Kit Specifications

Durability

The first aid kit bag is made from 600D polyester which will allow it to withstand rugged use. 

Water-Resistance 

The 600D polyester container is water-resistant as are the medical supplies inside that are packaged in laminate pouches.

Organization 

The organization of supplies is key, especially in a medical emergency. Each compartment on the interior of the bag is labeled by function so that supplies can quickly be grabbed. 

Transportation 

The bag has a convenient MOLLE strap system for attaching it to a wide variety of surfaces. 

Country of Origin

This is a product of China

What is Included 

Here is a detailed rundown of everything that comes with the large first aid kit. 

Surviveware First Aid Kit Hands On Review

When looking at pictures on the Surviveware website I could tell that the large first aid kit was, well, large. However, many kits today say they are large but end up being on the small side. 

So, I was quite surprised when I received the large first aid kit because it is in fact large.

Knowing the dimensions of the kit could come in handy depending on where or how it will be stored. So, I decided to break out the ruler and find out its dimensions. 

When closed, the kit measures in at 10 ½” long by 7 3/8” wide by 5 3/8” high.

When opened, the kit is 17” from side to side.  

And when unfolded, the kit is 21 ½” from side to side.

Since the carrying case is a soft container, the above measurements are approximate.

Additionally, the Large First Aid Kit comes packaged in a very large resealable bag. After inspecting the bag, I realized that it is durable and could be reused for storing other supplies. So, my recommendation would be not to throw it out.

Exterior 

The carrying container comes in a bright red color which makes it easy to color-code gear and prevents losing the kit because it will not blend in with its surroundings. 

On the top side is a single carrying handle that makes it easy to move the kit around when it is not packed away. 

Speaking of transporting the kit, on the back is MOLLE webbing and two straps with snap buttons for attaching the bag to any surface you like. 

I took a few minutes to thoroughly inspect the outer material of the bag and I have a lot of confidence in the 600D polyester. It feels extremely durable and I like that it is water-resistant. The stitching along the seams and the straps also appears to be quality and I think it should hold up well. 

The last feature of the outside of the bag that I like is the oversized zippers. I would have been disappointed if the large first aid kit had come with small zippers, but it did not. Large zippers are easy to operate when wearing or not wearing gloves. 

Interior 

After unzipping the bag and opening it up, I was pleased to see the level of organization of the supplies. 

All the first aid supplies are stored in individual mesh pockets with labels on the front that indicate that pocket’s function. Such as “Skin Cleaning Wipes/Hygiene.”

Behind the main pouches there is also a pocket that runs the length of the container that a few extra supplies could be placed into.

Included Supplies

I dug a little deeper into the kit and I found that almost all the supplies are packaged in sealed plastic wrapping or resealable bags. This is a great feature because it prevents the supplies from deteriorating due to moisture or from drying out.

There are also a few items in the kit that I wanted to spotlight because some first aid kits do not include them or because I just like them. 

Safety Pins and Emergency Whistle 

Located at the top of the kit is a row of safety pins and an emergency whistle. Safety pins are great to include because they are a versatile item. An emergency whistle isn’t often thought of as a first aid kit item but if you need help then it is an effective signaling tool. 

Tweezers 

The tweezers in this kit are metal instead of plastic. I talked about this in another review, but I prefer metal tweezers because I think they work effective and are more durable.

Cutting Shears 

I am also incredibly happy with the shears that are in this kit. They are quality cutting shears but what I like about them is the size. Like the kit, the shears to are quite large. The bigger holes in the handle accommodate different hand sizes and can be used while wearing gloves. 

CPR Kit

In the Mini Kit, there is a CPR mask but in the main kit, there is a separate CPR pouch that can be detached from the main bag. Upon opening the CPR pouch there is a step-by-step guide to follow as well as a CPR mask, gloves, and towelette.

First Aid Guide

In the outer most front pocket of the kit there is a small first aid booklet. It covers some of the most common ailments that a person could run into and how to properly deal with them. Pictured below is a rundown of the table of contents and what the booklet covers.

Resealable Plastic Bags

In the same pocket as the first aid booklet is a supply of resealable plastic bags. There is one large bag and several small ones that can be used for personal medications.

I was glad to see this item added to the kit because resealable plastic bags are an incredibly versatilie item to have.

Splinter Probes 

The last item I wanted to touch on are the splinter probes. This is the first kit that I have had that has this tool. Usually, my go-to tool for removing a splinter is a needle and tweezers. 

But a needle can be a pain to use (no pun intended) and are difficult to keep track of. The splinter probe is a small piece of plastic with an embedded needle and a plastic tip covering. Once the plastic tip is removed, the needle is exposed and can be used for digging out a splinter. 

First Aid Mini Kit 

Sometimes there are moments where I may not need a large kit on my person all the time or it is secured to my pack or resting in my vehicle. But it is a good idea to have some amount of first aid supplies always close at hand. 

Enter the Mini Kit. 

The Mini Kit is a small, zippered pouch that fits comfortably in almost any pocket. The kit features:

But of course, the contents of the mini kit can be swapped out and personalized to fit your needs.  

Bonus Gift 

After opening the first aid kit I saw that there was a little something extra included. I ripped open the packaging and found a credit card tool. 

If you are not sure what a credit card tool is, it is basically a multitool in the shape of a credit card that can be carried in a wallet or purse. 

The functions that the card offers are:

I have not used credit card tools all that much but this one feels rather heavy and durable so I think I will stick it in my wallet for a while to see how it works out.

Surviveware Pros and Cons 

Pros

Cons 

FAQs 

Q: What do you do if the kit runs out of supplies?

A: After looking through Survivware’s website I round that they offer a refill kit at a fair price. The refill kit includes much of the items found in the large kit and can be used to restock it. 

Q: Is this a first aid kit to have at home?

A: This first aid kit is well suited for any environment. It can be stored in the back of your vehicle, strapped onto a bike or a pack, hanging on the workshop wall, and yes sitting on the shelf at home. 

Verdict 

Overall, I think that the large first aid kit by Surviveware is a great product. 

The 600D polyester container is durable, water-resistant, and offers several carrying options. 

The medical supplies are neatly and well organized within the bag for easy and quick access. And the variety of supplies included makes this a general-purpose kit that covers most medical situations a person could run into.  

Lastly, the large first aid kit is affordable, which means you can be prepared for the unknown during your adventures without breaking the bank.

The only thing I would have liked to have seen added to this kit is a tourniquet, but Surviveware does offer a tourniquet in their Trauma Kit. 

Thanks for reading and stay prepared!

Have you ever used a first aid kit by Surviveware? Sound off in the comments section below and let us know!

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Bryan Lynch

Bryan grew up in the Midwest and spent every waking moment outdoors. Learning how to hunt, fish, read the land, and be self-reliant was part of everyday life. Eventually, he combined his passions for the outdoors, emergency preparedness, and writing. His goal was to spread positive information about this field. In 2019, Bryan authored the book Swiss Army Knife Camping and Outdoor Survival Guide. His second book, Paracord Projects For Camping and Outdoor Survival, is scheduled to be released on March 2, 2021.