Adventure Medical Kits
Mountain Series Fundamentals ($200)
Adventure Medical Kits are sold in nearly every outdoors store in the country. They have a reputation for making and selling quality first aid kits designed for specific activities, which makes recommending just one of their kits impossible.
The Mountain Series Fundamentals kit was designed for larger groups on longer outings. The bag itself is quality, with water resistant zippers and an organization scheme that makes finding a particular component effortless. The kit can be laid flat on a table or hung from a branch in which case the contents stay conveniently in their respective pouches. Need to address a wound, open the Wound Pouch and out comes a well-written card detailing how to do it. Need to address a fracture or sprain? Open the correlating pouch, pull out the instruction card, and do what it says. These kits each also contain the most complete manual of any kit reviewed. The manual and pouch containing instruction cards make these kits an excellent choice for a non-medically trained guide who needs reassurance when caring for an injured client.
There’s a host of medications for sick-call style complaints, and a pouch with tools like a thermometer, scissors, tweezers, etc. Each kit also contains plenty of extra room for your own favorite equipment.
I also appreciate the limited dental tools, such as dental cement for replacing temporarily dislodged dental crowns and fillings.
Fractures? No problem! Each kit comes with a worthy elastic wrap and malleable splint for stabilizing fractures and sprains.
Advanced practitioners should ditch the instruction cards and manual in favor of some more serious, life-saving supplies, perhaps adding a component or two from ITS Tactical’s lineup. I have owned other smaller Adventure Medical Kits and they are very good kits, designed to do exactly what they’re advertised to do. If you’re going to buy one, be sure to buy the one designed for your specific group size and needs and you will not be disappointed.
Pros:
Available in multiple configurations for differing group size, duration, and specific activity
Easily identifiable pouches
Good choice for those needing a little prompting due to lack of formal medical training
Cons:
Does not contain much life-saving equipment