I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve packed a backpack, my Jeep, truck, etc to head out on a camping trip – sometimes in some fairly remote areas – and not packed any first-aid supplies. Now typically, in my vehicles, I’d have some basic first-aid supplies on hand. That said, sometimes the contents of the kits were out of date because I hadn’t paid attention. Aware of my own short-comings in planning for the first-aid emergencies / needs, I started to look around for various options that met a few requirements. One kit I’ve found is the Sportsman kit from Adventure Medical Kits (AMK).

Now obviously there has to be a happy compromise when selecting such a kit. It has to be complete enough to be of use but compact enough to be convenient to pack and carry. Measuring approximately 7.5″ x 6.5″ x 3.5″ (some shifting of materials occurs so measurements are never exact) and weighing just over a pound, the Sportsman kit is recommended by AMK for use by one to four people on trips lasting one to four days. At least it’s easy to remember both as you examine the kit for its applicability to your need.

So what all is in this thing?

Bandage Materials
5 Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1″ x 3″
5 Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
3 Bandage, Butterfly Closure
1 Bandage, Conforming Gauze, 3″
1 Bandage, Elastic, Self Adhering, 2″
2 Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 2″ x 2″, Pkg./2
2 Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 4″ x 4″, Pkg./2
2 Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3″ x 4″

Bleeding
2 Gloves, Nitrile (Pair), Hand Wipe
1 Instructions, Easy Care Bleeding
1 Trauma Pad, 5″ x 9″

Blister / Burn
11 Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (11 pieces)

Instrument
3 Safety Pins
1 Scissors, Bandage with Blunt Tip
1 Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps

Medical Information
1 Comp. Guide to Wilderness & Travel Medicine

Medication
2 After Bite Wipe
2 Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
2 Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
1 Instructions, Easy Care Medications

Wound Care
5 After Cuts & Scrapes Antiseptic Wipe
1 Cotton Tip Applicator, Pkg./2
1 Dressing, Petrolatum, 3″ x 3″
1 Instructions, Easy Care Wound
1 Tape, 1/2″ x 10 Yards
1 Tincture of Benzoin Topical Adhesive
3 Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use

Now all the bandage material is stuff we normally think about including. Most of us would include gloves and maybe a pair of scissors and some tweezers. After that? To have all of that in a handy single-location package / kit is handy and at an MSRP of only $38 it’s hard to beat the value.

And as much as I’d like to tell you that all you have to do is pack it, I’d be doing you a disservice. As compact as the kit is, everything is packed in there quite carefully. That’s great because it makes it small, but it also means that if you don’t know where to find what you’re looking for then you have to unpack the kit until you find what you’re looking for. It behooves you to open this kit up before you pack it; pay attention as you take the contents out; repack it. Get familiar with it so you know where to find what you’re looking for when the emergency occurs.

Aside from that caveat, I can recommend this kit. It’s pretty complete – given what it’s designed for. As I said, MSRP is only $38. I’ve got the one I had for testing to throw in my backpack. I think I’ll pick up two more: one for each of my vehicles.

Did you find this information helpful? If you did, consider donating.