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Specialty First Aid Kits
By Jeff Porcaro
face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva" size="4">To
go with our feature First Aid Kit review (see First Aid Kit Review), I reviewed 3 specialty kits. One kit is an herbal kit for those who prefer Mother Nature's remedies to manmade concoctions, and two kid's kits that serve well as personal scout kits.
We reviewed the following First Aid Kits:
Adventure Medical Kits Herbal
Outdoor Research Pre-Med
Sawyer First Aid Kit For Kids
Adventure Medical Kits Herbal
Weight 1 lb. 4 oz.
Suggested Retail Price $41.75
 The Adventure Medical Kits Herbal first aid kit includes herbal medicines for pain relief and nausea, as well as aloe for burns, and Arniflora, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. This kit includes all other supplies like strip bandages a Nitrile gloves. We didn't like the glass bottles containing the herbal extracts because of potential breakage and weight. The kit folds into small bag that attaches with a fast-clip.
The kit features complete instructions on using the medicines, such as important dosage information, along with A Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness & Travel Medicine written by Eric A. Weiss, M.D.
Summary: The Adventure Medical Kit Herbal is a great kit for the person who wants the natural touch. This kit has everything for your weekender first aid emergencies.
Contact Adventure Medical Kits at (800) 324-3517 or www.adventuremedicalkits.com.
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Outdoor Research Pre-Med
Weight 4 oz.
Suggested Retail Price $16.50
 The Outdoor Research Pre-Med kit comes in a single pocket zippered bag. This bag is designed for kids and young adults who are traveling with others. The kits are simple and exclude any medications or potentially dangerous supplies.
The simplicity of this kit makes it great for scouts and children. Children's bandage strips, burn ointment, antiseptic towelettes, and medical tape make the kit easy-to-use and safe for children. We like the inclusion of the first aid wipes for minor cuts, scrapes, and skin irritations, as well as the thermometer strips. We feel the kit would be better for children if it included belt loops or a clip attachment for carrying.
Summary: The Pre-Med First Aid kit is great for the minimalist or optimist who needs the basic bandages, moleskin and wound treatment. It is inconvenient to carry and keep track of--belt loops would remedy this problem. It makes a great purse kit because of its small size. The Pre-Med could use a simple easy-to-read card for simple first aid. This kit is worth its price simply for its wound cleansing and blister-repair supplies.
Contact Outdoor Research at 1-888-4-ORGEAR or www.orgear.com.
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Sawyer First Aid Kit For Kids
Weight 5 oz.
Suggested Retail Price $8
The Sawyer First Aid Kit for Kids is simple and includes the basics for fixing scrapes and small cuts. It comes in a small zippered pouch, without much room for additional supplies. This kit is also designed as a learning tool for younger children.
Our testers liked the emergency whistle connected to the pouch zipper. We also liked the simple clip to attach the kit to a belt loop of the child's pants. We feel the kit needs antiseptic towelettes for cleaning wounds. The kit included a few assorted bandages, plastic tweezers that are not very functional, a triangular bandage, gauze and sports tape. We don't think the kit needed the tweezers or the triangular bandage. We really liked the first aid action cards that make it easy for kids to know what to do in an emergency.
Summary: This kit would work for children or scouts when adults are present. The bag is very full, precluding adding your own supplies. We would probably change out some of the supplies, adding antiseptic towelettes and more bandages.
Contact Sawyer Products at 800-940-4464 or www.sawyerproducts.com.
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Jeff Porcaro is a Contributing Editor at GearReview.com, and co-founder. He specializes in stoves, GPS navigation, mountaineering, and trips to Utah's remote backcountry.
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