Stop the Bleed class
- What it is
- A short course that teaches pressure, packing and tourniquet use.
- Why
- Skills you'll keep for life. Gear without training gets used wrong.
- Watch out
- Search stopthebleed.org for local classes.
First aid and medical prep
In a big disaster, emergency services are overloaded for days. You handle the cuts, burns and sprains, and you need to stop serious bleeding until help arrives.
Updated October 2026. Prices are typical ranges; check the live price before you buy.
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How much you need
- Prescription reserve
- 14+ daysAsk your doctor and insurer about emergency supplies.
- Tourniquets
- 1 per adultHome, car and go-bag.
- Training
- 1 classStop the Bleed takes about an hour and is often free.
- Kit check
- Every 6 monthsReplace expired meds and used items.
When it matters
How important each item is in each kind of emergency.
| Item | Outage | Grid down | Evacuate | Shelter | Bad water | Earthquake |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stocked first-aid kit | ||||||
| Prescription reserve | ||||||
| Tourniquet and bleeding control |
Critical Important Useful
- Stocked first-aid kit: When 911 is overloaded, minor cuts and burns become your problem to handle well.
- Prescription reserve: Pharmacies close or run out. A two-week buffer of essential meds is one of the highest-value preps there is.
- Tourniquet and bleeding control: Severe bleeding kills in minutes, faster than any ambulance. Pair it with a free Stop the Bleed class.
Start here
Cheap, high-impact basics everyone should own.
Adventure Medical Kits family kit
- What it is
- A well-organized kit with bandages, wound care, meds and instructions.
- Why
- A solid baseline you can build on.
- Watch out
- Most kits lack trauma gear. Add a tourniquet and gauze.
Step up
Where most prepared households land.
C-A-T tourniquet (North American Rescue)
- What it is
- The windlass tourniquet used by militaries and EMS.
- Why
- Stops life-threatening limb bleeding in a way pressure alone can't.
- Watch out
- Counterfeits are common online. Buy from the manufacturer or an authorized seller.
$30 to $40Best for: Every kit, especially rural and earthquake zonesCheck price on AmazonAffiliate link
Hemostatic gauze (QuikClot) and pressure bandage
- What it is
- Clotting gauze for wound packing and a compression bandage.
- Why
- For bleeding where a tourniquet won't work, like the neck, armpit or groin.
- Watch out
- Training matters here. Take the class.
Go deep
For long outages, big households and rural homes.
MyMedic MyFAK or similar comprehensive kit
- What it is
- A large, organized kit that includes trauma and medical modules.
- Why
- Covers a lot more than basic kits, well organized for stress.
- Watch out
- More gear doesn't replace training.
How to choose
- Start with training, then a basic kit, then trauma supplies.
- Tailor it: allergies, children's meds, chronic conditions.
- Organize by use: bleeding, wounds, burns, meds. You won't think clearly under stress.
- Keep a printed list of everyone's medications, doses and allergies.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a 300-piece kit that is 250 adhesive bandages.
- Letting meds expire. Check twice a year.
- Buying cheap tourniquets. Fakes fail under load.
- Forgetting glasses, hearing aid batteries and medical device power.
Questions
How can I get extra prescription medication for emergencies?
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist. Some insurers allow early refills, and many states allow emergency refills during declared disasters. Mail-order 90-day supplies also build a buffer.
Should I buy a tourniquet?
If you're willing to learn to use it, yes. They save lives in severe limb bleeding. Take a Stop the Bleed class and buy a genuine one.
How many days could you last?
Check off what you have. Get a score, your top gaps and a card to share. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.