Reviewed by health expert Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE
4 min readOne of the biggest perks of a pre-made first aid kit is not having to remember where everything is during an emergency. When your kiddo scrapes their knee, you immediately know where to get the antibiotic cream and their favourite character-themed bandages.
But choosing a first aid kit isn’t always simple. Grocery stores and pharmacies have several options, but how do you know which is the best first-aid kit for your lifestyle?
Here are our expert picks, along with some information to help you narrow down what it is you need.
Best first aid kits in Australia
- : SURVIVAL Work/Home First Aid Kit
- : YESDEX First Aid Kit
- : SURVIVAL Handy First Aid Kit
- : St John Ambulance Essential Baby First Aid Kit
- : ARCA Pet First Aid Kit
1. Best first aid kit overall: SURVIVAL Work/Home First Aid Kit
Best overall
We're big fans of the Australian-owned and operated first aid kit company SURVIVAL. Their Work/Home First Aid Kit comes recommended by consumer group Choice and contains just about everything you, your family or your colleagues could possibly need in a first aid scenario, including dressings, bandages, sterilisation wipes, CPR card, saline, tweezers, gloves and more.
Though it isn't the cheapest option out there, we love the colour-coded and clearly-labelled storage bag which is durable and water-resistant.
Pros
High-quality, durable bag
Colour-coded and labelled sections
Huge variety of bandages and dressings 
Cons
Expensive 2. Best budget first aid kit: YESDEX First Aid Kit
Best budget
If you can't afford to fork out more than $50, the YESDEX 556-piece first aid kit is a great second choice for your home, office, or campervan.
The bag isn't as robust and well-organised as our top pick, but it's waterproof and contains just about everything you need, including bandaids and bandages, masks, gloves, alcohol and iodine pads, scissors, cotton buds, adhesive tape, safety pins and more.
Pros
Affordable
556 pieces
Waterproof bag with handle Cons
Not as well-organised as our top pick 3. Best travel first aid kit: SURVIVAL Handy First Aid Kit
Best travel
The SURVIVAL Handy First Aid Kit is small but very mighty, making for a worthy companion on your road trips, camping holidays and hikes. It's made from the same ultra-durable, water-resistant material as its big brother (above) and has the same meticulously organised and labelled interior sections.
At just over half a kilo in weight, it's probably not the best option for flying (unless you have a particularly generous luggage limit), so if you're after something extra compact, their $20 Pocket First Aid Kit is also worth a look.
Pros
High-quality, durable bag
Colour-coded and labelled sections
Great size for cars and campervans Cons
Expensive
On the heavy side 4. Best first aid kit for babies: St John Ambulance Essential Baby and Kids First Aid Kit
Best for babies
St John Ambulance has been making first aid kits for decades, so you know you can trust their Essential Baby and Kids First Aid Kit, which comes complete with a detachable baby change mat and everything you need to treat cuts, scrapes and burns, along with a quick guide to infant emergencies.
The compact size makes it easy to pack in your nappy bag or stroller, plus we love its cute elephant design case.
Pros
Includes detachable baby change mat
Small and lightweight
Cute design Cons
Only contains one pair of gloves 5. Best first aid kit for pets: ARCA Pet First Aid Kit
Best for pets
This carefully curated pet first aid kit from ARCA is filled with essentials for treating just about any common injury your beloved four-legged friend might experience.
It's got the usual first aid kit suspects like bandages, gauze, scissors, tape and saline, but also more animal-specific stuff like a tick twister, dog lead, an emergency muzzle, a thermometer and more. It's a must for owners of adventurous fur children.
Pros
Pet-specific first aid items
Includes emergency dog lead
Versatile bandage options Cons
Expensive Choose a first aid kit that fits your unique needs
No matter your needs, there's a first aid kit on the market that will serve you well. If you're a parent of a newborn, for example, you need a kit fitted to an infant’s needs. It would include items to treat croup, earaches, tummy aches, and teething symptoms. If you have pets, you want an entirely different first aid kit with products to remove ticks and treat sore paws.
Hikers and campers have different medical requirements. You spend your time in rugged terrain, which increases your risk of falls and sprains. And if you travel in groups, you may need to purchase a larger first aid kit. For solo adventurers, a smaller, lightweight kit could serve you best.
If you regularly commute or take road trips it's smart to get a car first aid kit that contains flares, jumper cables, water, and food.
Focus on the essentials
When evaluating a first aid kit, focus on the essentials. The following list isn’t exhaustive, but it covers many of the basic products found in first aid kits. If your kit is missing any of these must-haves, be sure to add them separately.
- Splints or wraps
- Gauze pad packs
- Medical tape
- Bandages (adhesive bandages, triangular bandages, etc.)
- Rubbing alcohol
- Antibiotic ointment or antiseptic wipes
- Tweezers
- Basic pain medication (e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen)
- Scissors
There are some optional items you may want to consider too:
- Insect bite cream
- Medical tape
- CPR mask
- Cold pack
- Hand sanitiser
- Nitrile gloves
- Emergency blanket
Need to stock up on other emergency kits?
This guide will illuminate your personal first aid kit needs and share our top recommendations. You might also like our guides for creating a personalised emergency kit and your own DIY first aid kit.
How to safely use first aid products
Each item in a first aid kit comes with guidelines for use. Read these to prevent allergic reactions and other maladies. Many first aid kits also come with an instruction book or recommend attending a first aid class.
Reading the book and attending the class are excellent ideas, but if you face an emergency before you do this, use the tips below. They can help you take immediate action and keep everyone safe.
- Keep the kit in a central location. Keep your first aid kit in an easy-to-access and known location—for adults, not kids—within your home or vehicle.
- Examine the active ingredients. Some drugs react poorly with other medications or contain ingredients that could cause a rash. Make sure your products, such as paracetamol, are safe for use.
- Look for indications of use. Every medication, ice pack, and other first aid item includes indications for use. Follow them to ensure a bandage doesn’t stick to a wound.
- Follow the directions. Kids under the age of twelve usually require smaller doses of medications. Read the directions carefully so you don’t over-medicate.
- Remember the expiration dates. Antibiotic cream and other first aid items come with expiration dates. Typically, they lose effectiveness after this date, so make sure you’re aware of when to replace these products. This is particularly important if you're storing prescription medications.
- Keep it cool. Some medications, like insulin, need to be kept cool. If you're storing your emergency kit in the garage or in the boot of your car, there might be an issue.
- Don't use vaseline or antibiotic ointment for burns. It can trap the heat and continue the burn if the burn is new and intense. Aloe is best.
Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.
