Keeping a first aid kit nearby is always a smart idea. You never know when you’ll have to treat cuts, burns, and other common injuries, after all. Having one gets even more important when you’re adventuring outdoors, since you can easily run into a dozen or so things that could leave you wounded, sprained, and a whole lot worse. If you want to be ready, you need a well-curated first aid kit to handle a wide variety of potential problems and that’s what the My Medic MyFAK brings to your arsenal.
Billed as an “adaptive, functional, and indestructible” first aid kit, it has been specifically designed for use during outdoor activities, ensuring you’ll be equipped to provide emergency treatment with whatever medical issues you encounter while slumming it out in the wild. Cut your leg on a rock? Yep, there’s stuff for that here. Got a fracture after falling off a low crag? Yes, you can remedy that, too. Got accidentally shot in the chest? Yes, there’s a chest seal in there (and multiple scalpels if you dare remove the fragments yourselves), but you’ll definitely want to drive to the nearest medical center for something that serious.
The My Medic MyFAK comes in a compact pouch that’s designed for the backcountry, ensuring you can drop it in your pack without the need for any extra storage item. It’s cut in 600-denier nylon, so it’s durable enough to withstand rough handling, with a waterproof build that ensures your medical supplies won’t be penetrated by the elements. A heavy-duty carry handle allows you to comfortably grip it by hand, as well as hang it from a hook, a branch, or a strap on your backpack, with a Velcro panel allowing you to attach smaller pouches and other accessories. There are also D-rings, in case you’d rather not risk damaging the handle by using it to hang the bag. It measures 6.75 x 4 x 7.75 inches.
Two MyFAK kits are available: basic and advanced. Both are equipped with provisions for treating cuts and wounds, burns, airway problems, sprains, fractures, allergies, irritations, and bites, along with various topical remedies (from sunscreen and antiseptic wipes to lip balms and antibiotic creams), non-prescriptions medications (headaches, upset stomachs, pain relief), tools (such as a thermometer, EMT shears, tweezers, nitrile gloves, and so on), a rescue blanket, and even a whistle. The advanced kit throws in additional equipment for more advanced treatments, such as drastic airway remedies (chest seal, airway adjunct tool), burn dressings, hydration tablets, sutures, scalpels, and more. Basically, stuff you’ll need when you encounter problems that are a little more serious than expected.
Granted, most of us don’t engage in activities perilous enough to require a heavy-duty first aid kit, but given the nature of the outdoors where things can be unpredictable, it’s only prudent to have something like this, in case something goes terribly wrong. More importantly, make sure you know how to use every item in the kit because they’re only really useful when you know what to do with them.
The My Medic MyFAK is available now, priced starting at $120.