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I Rebuilt My Family First Aid Kit (And Why I Threw Out the Knockoff Tourniquet)

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Dad, if you’re skiing, hiking, or just out with the family, you need a first aid kit that actually works when something goes wrong. Mine didn’t.

For the last three years I’ve been carrying a janky plastic-bag version of a kit. It got the job done in a pinch, but it wasn’t organized, it wasn’t reliable, and when I started researching for this series I realized the tourniquet I’d been carrying was a Chinese knockoff. Those can break when you need them most. So I pulled everything out and rebuilt it properly.

I’m a former paramedic with almost 27 years in EMS. I’ve run a lot of trauma. And in all that time I’ve never once used a tourniquet. That doesn’t mean I don’t carry one — I do — but it does change what I prioritize. Most of the injuries you’re likely to see with kids (or anyone) are not arterial bleeds. They’re breaks, sprains, dirty scrapes, and the occasional allergic reaction. Your kit should reflect that.

What Actually Goes in My Kit

SAM Splint
This is one of the most useful things I carry and it’s almost never in commercial kits. It’s moldable. If a kid breaks or badly hurts an arm, you can shape it around their good arm and then wrap it so the injured one stays supported. I’ll do a full how-to video on this soon.

Sling / Triangular Bandage
A simple handkerchief or triangular bandage that can be folded and tied for a sling and swath. Keeps an injured arm from moving and making things worse.

Trauma Shears
Regular scissors don’t cut through ski pants or jackets when you need to see what’s going on. These do. You’ll probably ruin some clothing. That’s fine.

Roll Gauze (Curlex)
Stretchy roll gauze that holds the SAM splint in place and can also apply pressure over a dressing.

Genuine C-A-T Tourniquet
North American Rescue Combat Application Tourniquet. Not a knockoff. I keep the plastic wrapper partially opened so I can deploy it fast if I ever actually need it. But as I said — in 27 years I’ve never had to.

Bleeding Control (the stuff you’ll actually use)

4×4 gauze pads (I use these constantly)
ABD pads (5×9) for heavier bleeding
Direct pressure + elevation stops the majority of bleeds
Pressure points as a temporary measure if needed

Everyday First Aid

Band-Aids (multiple sizes)
Antiseptic / Neosporin-style cleaner
Chewable Benadryl (buys time for allergic reactions while you get help)
Advil and Tylenol
Hand sanitizer
Gloves (non-negotiable)

Survival / Overnight Backup
Because this lives in the ski pack, I also keep:

Emergency bivy / single-person shelter
Mini sleeping bag
Water filter straw
Hand warmers
Compass
Matches + flint/fire starter
Mini multi-tool
Extra flashlights and batteries
Space blanket

I organized everything into a new thin, clamshell-style bag so it sits flat in the pack and I can open it in the snow without everything falling out. Bleeding control is at the top so I can grab it immediately.

Why This Matters

You don’t need a massive kit full of things you’ll never use. You need the right things, organized so you can find them fast, and a clear understanding of what you’re most likely to face. A broken arm on the ski hill is far more common than an arterial bleed. A dirty scrape that gets infected is far more common than needing a tourniquet.

I’m building this series so you don’t have to figure it all out the hard way. We’ll compare commercial kits, break down the good and the bad, and I’ll show you exactly how I use the key pieces.

If you want the full checklist, the free PDF, and everything else I’m putting together, head to DadKitCheck.com. That’s the home for this whole kit project — medical, prepper, and everyday family readiness.

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The Ryan Fields-Spack Blog

I Rebuilt My Family First Aid Kit (And Why I Threw Out the Knockoff Tourniquet)

What Actually Goes in My Kit

Why This Matters

Those little stressors in life can really add up

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