Top 10 military first-aid kit essentials

A good soldier needs a good military first-aid kit to go out in the field. There's no such thing as zero risk! With a good military first-aid kit, a soldier is prepared for all critical eventualities.

Survival blanket, Israeli bandage, insufflator mask or even a simple pair of tweezers: there are plenty of essentials! Forgotten equipment can quickly get a soldier into trouble in the field.

Don't want to find yourself in such a situation? Here's our top 10 military first-aid kit essentials.

Care accessories: wipes, cotton pads, scissors...

A good first-aid kit should contain the medical accessories you need to provide care. You'll need a good pair of medical scissors, absorbent cotton, providone-iodine wipes or alcohol preparation pads. You can also bring cotton swabs, which are useful for light, superficial wounds.

And don't forget to stock up on good medical tape to make effective, durable dressings. Choose microporous, skin-resistant tape.

Find our complete IFAK first-aid kit and military survival kits in our military surplus store.

A good disinfectant to prevent infections

Bacterial infections can be fatal in the field. A simple cut can quickly take a disastrous turn. To avoid disaster and the development of staphylococcus aureus, opt for an effective disinfectant.

You can also replace the disinfectant with70% modified alcohol. Modified 70% alcohol contains both disinfectant and antiseptic properties, making it an indispensable ally in a military first-aid kit. It is renowned for destroying skin bacteria in less than two minutes. However, take care: modified alcohol contains a mixture of ethanol and is highly flammable.

The equipment needed to make a tourniquet

Hemorrhage can happen quickly on a dangerous mission. This medical emergency requires quality equipment to prevent the soldier's death. Your military first-aid kit should include tourniquet equipment: a medical scissors, a tourniquet and a medical patch. For the more daring among you, a tourniquet can also be applied with a belt or tie.

If you don't know how to make a tourniquet, read our article with all the explanations you need to make a safe and effective tourniquet. The tourniquet is a medical technique that requires prior knowledge to avoid complications.

With our military tourniquet care kit, you'll be ready at a moment's notice in the event of hemorrhage. Our tourniquet kit attaches to your belt and takes up no space, so there's no need to take risks without it. Buy our military tourniquet care kit from our military surplus store.

A splint, elastic straps... in case of injury

Accidents can happen quickly in the field. It doesn't take much for an ankle to give way on a bramble or an object, and pain is guaranteed. To prevent soldier's sprains and strains, include a splint and elastic straps in your military first-aid kit. In addition to protecting your injured limb, this equipment helps reduce inflammatory pain.

Elastic straps can be used for the ankle as well as any other part of the soldier's body: wrist, elbow, knee... They are easy to put on and help strengthen the joints. Strapping is also a good way of preventing injury in the event of apparent pain or on difficult terrain.

A triangular sling to protect a fracture

Here's an accessory that may seem insignificant in a military first-aid kit, but which quickly proves useful in the event of an upper-limb fracture: the triangular sling. An excellent means of immobilization, the triangular sling helps protect a fracture or tear of the upper limb to avoid further complications. It reduces arm movement to prevent the fracture or tear from moving.

Thetriangular sling can be single-use or reusable. You can use safety pins to secure it in place, and keep some in your military first-aid kit.

Bandages and an Israeli bandage

Of course, bandages should be part of every good medical first-aid kit. Choose bandages in a variety of shapes and waterproofs to cover all minor injuries. If you want to make your dressings to measure, you can also take along a roll of bandages: with a good pair of scissors, you'll be able to adapt the size of your bandage.

A military first-aid kit should also include an Israeli bandage. This type of bandage is not designed to protect minor wounds, but to contain bleeding. The Israeli bandage is a means of emergency hemostatic compression and is indispensable in the event of hemorrhage. Easier to use than a tourniquet, the Israeli bandage is designed to be applied single-handed without assistance. A must-have in the military first-aid kit, for any soldier wishing to venture out on solo missions!

Tweezers

The accessory you don't always think to include in a military first-aid kit is tweezers. However, they can be very useful in case of insect bites or splinters. With its fine point, tweezers remove the sting of an insect (such as a hornet or wasp) to prevent infection and instantly relieve the sting. What's more, it's the only way toremove a tick. This parasite is very common in the bush!

If you have first-aid skills, tweezers can also be used to perform medical techniques in a sterile way, such as cleaning an open or infected wound.

Pins to make complete, made-to-measure bandages

Safety pins are often overlooked in military first-aid kits. However, they are very useful in many situations. Safety pins can be used to support an injured limb with a triangular sling, consolidate a bandage, close a broken zipper or patch up clothing with holes. Totally versatile, you can use them for both medical and practical purposes.

Our complete IFAK first-aid kit includes metal medical pins. Choose this nylon military first-aid kit to make sure you don't forget any equipment!

A survival blanket

The essential item in a good medical first-aid kit: the survival blanket! In the event of hypothermia, fever or accident, this blanket is essential to maintain the body's temperature. The survival blanket can be used to protect the soldier from the sun, to warm the body if it's damp, or to cool it in extreme heat. Field conditions can be tough, and this blanket will always come in handy.

At SOLDAT.FR, we offer you a reusable survival blanket made from ultra-resistant materials to guarantee excellent quality. Its compact size and featherweight mean you can take it anywhere in the field! Its material is fully washable: ecology thanks you, soldier!

An insufflator mask is always useful during resuscitation

In the event of a serious accident or heart attack, resuscitation of a soldier becomes mandatory. An insufflator mask is needed to supply the casualty with oxygen until help arrives. If you are not trained in first aid, this equipment will enable you to do your utmost to resuscitate the casualty in the event of respiratory distress. Make sure you have one in your military first-aid kit for every situation.

This single-use mask must be renewed each time it is used, to avoid contamination by germs between patients.

How to choose a military first-aid kit?

A practical, durable, waterproof kit

Not sure what material to choose for your military first-aid kit? Opt for a tough, waterproof material like nylon, so it can withstand any situation. What's more, look for a practical military first-aid kit with built-in pockets for easy organization.

Do I need a military first-aid kit or a complete survival kit?

To go on a mission, a good soldier needs at least a military first-aid kit. If you want to anticipate every situation, buying a survivalism kit is also a good idea. Sword card, compass, flashlight or fire starter, the survivalism kit is very useful.

On our military surplus store, we make life easier for soldiers with our complete military survival kit, including a survival kit, but also a military first-aid kit. Equipped like this, you'll be a soldier prepared for any situation!

Read our article on what to pack in your military survival bag!