When it comes to emergency preparedness, most people are familiar with a basic first aid kit. While useful for minor injuries like scrapes, cuts, and burns, a standard first aid kit often falls short in severe trauma situations such as gunshot wounds, serious accidents, or significant bleeding.
Going beyond an ordinary First Aid Kit, a Trauma Kit list should include (in my opinion) the following five lifesaving essential items:
1. Trauma Shears
2. Israeli-type Trauma Dressing
3. Hemostatic Dressing
4. Chest Seal
5. Tourniquet
Trauma shears are used to quickly cut away clothing or gear to access an injury. They’re especially useful in emergencies when removing clothing safely is urgent, such as after a crash or fall.
An Israeli bandage is used to stop heavy bleeding by applying pressure to wounds. It’s ideal for deep cuts or limb injuries and can be applied with one hand in emergencies.
Use a hemostatic dressing on deep or irregular wounds with severe bleeding, especially where a tourniquet can’t be applied, like in the armpit or groin.
A chest seal covers an open chest wound to prevent air from entering the chest cavity, which can help avoid a collapsed lung (tension pneumothorax).
Apply a tourniquet when there is uncontrollable bleeding from a limb, especially from an artery, and direct pressure isn’t stopping the blood flow.
A trauma kit is specifically designed to help control life-threatening injuries until professional medical help arrives. Whether you’re a first responder, outdoor adventurer, or simply someone who wants to be prepared, knowing what to include in your trauma kit can be the difference between life and death.
- Firearms Practice or Shooting Sports
- Hiking / Rock Climbing / Trail Running
- Motorcycle or ATV Riding
- Construction or DIY Work (Chainsaws, Power Tools)
- Backcountry Camping / Hunting
- Off-Roading / Overlanding / Remote Travel
- Rural or Farming Activities
- Lots of jobs, careers, entail some risk of traumatic injury!
- Automobile accident
Don’t ignore the possibilities. It could happen. And if it does, will you have a Trauma Kit nearby? By the time a 911 call brings first responders, a traumatic injury may have already taken a life…
Here are five essential items that, in my opinion, should be part of every trauma kit:
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1. Trauma Shears (Scissors)
BROWSE TRAUMA SCISSORS
(top choices on Amazon)
Overall Pick
Also known as EMT shears, trauma scissors are designed to quickly and safely cut through clothing, seatbelts, or other materials to access injuries. Unlike regular scissors, they feature a blunt tip to prevent further harm to the patient. When seconds count, trauma shears help expose wounds for treatment without causing additional injury.
Any trauma kit list should include trauma shears. They are unique in their shape. The form factor is designed for cutting clothing to quickly access the wound area. Will cut bandages and tape too.
Israeli-Type Trauma Dressing
ISRAELI BANDAGE
(view on Amazon)
A pressure bandage with elasticity to help stop the bleeding.
This all-in-one bandage is a staple in military and tactical settings for a reason. The Israeli bandage combines a sterile pad, pressure applicator, and closure system in one unit, making it ideal for quickly stopping severe bleeding. It’s easy to apply—even one-handed—and can be used on various parts of the body, including limbs and head wounds.
The Israeli Bandage is one of the most effective trauma kit contents to facilitate a major bleeding wound (along with proper wound packing). This should definitely be part of your trauma kit list.
Essentially, it features a sterile, non-adherent pad surface to cover the wound and is secured to a length of elasticized material. It wraps with a built-in pressure applicator to help stop the bleeding.
[ Read: How To Use Israeli Bandage To Stop Traumatic Bleeding ]
3. Hemostatic Dressing
QuikClot Gauze
(Amazon)
Hemostatic Gauze
Hemostatic agents like QuikClot or Celox are game-changers in trauma care. These dressings are treated with special compounds that promote rapid blood clotting when applied to a bleeding wound. They’re particularly valuable for deep cuts or junctional wounds (e.g., groin or armpits) where a tourniquet can’t be used.
There’s a wide variety of gauze products on the market, specifically designed to stop bleeding. They work by accelerating the natural clotting process at the wound area.
For ordinary (less severe) bleeding, applying pressure for a short time will usually stop the bleeding. A major traumatic wound, however, may require more than that. A hemostatic dressing is another critical component of a trauma kit.
A few examples include Clotting Gauze Strips or Rolls, or a specific size Clotting Gauze Pad Sponge. One well known brand for this type of dressing is QuikClot. Another is CELOX.
[ Read: How To Stop The Bleeding With QuikClot ]
Chest Seal (Vented or Non-Vented)
Hyfin Vent Chest Seal
(Amazon)
Open chest wounds, such as those caused by gunshots or punctures, can lead to a collapsed lung (tension pneumothorax). A chest seal is used to prevent air from being sucked into the chest cavity while allowing trapped air to escape. Vented seals help reduce the risk of pressure build-up, while non-vented options offer a quick seal in extreme situations.
Nobody wants to think about this. But if you’re in any environment where firearms are being used, there is a risk (however slight or significant – depending).
An entry (and exit) wound in the chest area may puncture a lung, creating a ‘sucking chest wound’ which may lead to a tension pneumothorax. This will likely lead to death if not treated on-site.
A Chest Seal prevents airflow into the chest cavity during inspiration while allowing air to escape through the vent channels during exhalation. The purpose is to reinflate the lung, allowing breathing to occur. Look for bubbles on the wound hole for indications of lung puncture.
5. Tourniquet
North American Rescue C-A-T
(view on Amazon)
Severe bleeding from a limb can be fatal in minutes. A quality tourniquet (such as the CAT or SOFTT-W) can effectively stop arterial bleeding until help arrives. It’s critical to learn proper application technique ahead of time—misuse can cause harm, but when applied correctly, a tourniquet saves lives.
Did you know that limbs make up about half of your body surface area?
Yes, many military and law enforcement personnel carry a tourniquet on their belt or vest for fast access. It’s standard practice in many units due to the proven life-saving effectiveness of tourniquets in controlling severe limb bleeding.
A purpose-designed tourniquet will perform much better than an improvised stick and rag (although you gotta do what you gotta do). No trauma kit list should be without a good tourniquet.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
A trauma kit is not just an advanced first aid kit—it’s a potentially life-saving resource that empowers you to act in critical situations. The five components listed above are essential tools to control bleeding, prevent shock, and stabilize life-threatening injuries.
Make sure to get proper training on how to use each item. Gear is only as useful as the knowledge behind it.
Stay prepared. Stay safe.
[ Read: Best First Aid Kit for General Purpose (Updated Each Year) ]
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