What's the difference between a First Aid Kit and Bleeding Control Kit?

What's the difference between a First Aid Kit and Bleeding Control Kit?

First Aid Kit vs Bleeding Control Kit

What's the difference between a First Aid Kit and Bleeding Control Kit?

What's the difference between a first aid kit and bleeding control kit?
While commercial First Aid Kits have been available since 1888, courtesy of Johnson & Johnson, Bleeding Control Kits (a.k.a. Stop the Bleed Kits) are a more recent innovation. And, while both kits can be potentially life saving, it is important to understand there are several key differences between the two. Differences distinct enough that both kits cannot be considered interchangeable with each other.

Main Differences Between the Two

  • First Aid Kits are traditionally used for treating minor injuries. This includes small cuts, burns, bee stings, sprains, etc.. If you have children, or spend a lot of time around them, chances are you already know your way around a First Aid Kit. 
  • Bleeding Control Kits are used for much more severe injuries that result in traumatic blood loss. Common injuries that would warrant this type of kit include severe laceration, gunshot wounds, vehicular accidents, & industrial accidents.

What’s Inside a First Aid Kit?

In order to treat various minor injuries, First Aid Kits typically come stocked with a wide array of components including, but not limited to:

  • Adhesive Bandages
  • Ice Pack
  • Nitrile Gloves
  • Tweezers
  • Burn Cream
  • Antiseptic Wipes
  • And Much More... 

What’s Inside a Bleeding Control Kit?

True Rescue’s Bleeding Control Kit provides the lay responder with battlefield tested tools to stop life threatening traumatic blood loss. Our kit comes in four variations, each expertly crafted with input from seasoned first responders.

Basic Bleeding Control Kit: 

  • (1) SWAT-T Tourniquet
  • (1) 6” Emergency Trauma Dressing
  • (2) Compressed Wound Packing Gauze
  • (1) Trauma Shear (7-1/4”)
  • (2) Pairs Large Nitrile Responder Gloves
  • (1) Emergency Survival Blanket
  • (1) Permanent Marker
  • (1) Instruction Card

Intermediate 1 Bleeding Control Kit:

  • (1) SWAT-T Tourniquet
  • (2) HyFin Vent Compact Chest Seals
  • (1) 6” Emergency Trauma Dressing
  • (2) Compressed Wound Packing Gauze
  • (1) Trauma Shear (7-1/4”)
  • (2) Pairs Large Nitrile Responder Gloves
  • (1) Emergency Survival Blanket
  • (1) Permanent Marker
  • (1) Instruction Card

Intermediate 2 Bleeding Control Kit:

  • (1) SAM-XT OR C-A-T Tourniquet
  • (2) HyFin Vent Compact Chest Seals
  • (1) 6” Emergency Trauma Dressing
  • (2) Compressed Wound Packing Gauze
  • (1) Trauma Shear (7-1/4”)
  • (2) Pairs Large Nitrile Responder Gloves
  • (1) Emergency Survival Blanket
  • (1) Permanent Marker
  • (1) Instruction Card

 Premium Bleeding Control Kit:

  • (1) SAM-XT OR C-A-T Tourniquet
  • (2) HyFin Vent Compact Chest Seals
  • (1) QuikClot Bleeding Control Dressing
  • (1) 6” Emergency Trauma Dressing
  • (1) Compressed Wound Packing Gauze
  • (1) Trauma Shear (7-1/4”)
  • (2) Pairs Large Nitrile Responder Gloves
  • (1) Emergency Survival Blanket
  • (1) Permanent Marker
  • (1) Instruction Card
Brian Graddon
Article written by

Brian Graddon

Brian is a former Firefighter Paramedic who also worked as a SWAT Medic, Engineer, and Captain over a 15-year career. Brian is devoted to providing life-saving information based on his first hand experience in life-saving application of tourniquets, hemostatic gauze, chest seals and other bleeding control products.

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