What’s the Difference Between a First Aid Kit and Bleeding Control Kit?

Let us be clear: they are not interchangeable!

• First aid kits can be used to treat minor injuries like scrapes, minor cuts, burns, and sprains.
• Bleeding control kits are designed to help control life-threatening bleeding caused by gunshot wounds, motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, or stabbing.

In this post, we’ll discuss the differences between a first aid kit and a bleeding control kit, what’s included in them, and who should own a bleeding control kit.

What’s kind of injuries can a first aid kit help treat?

A well-equipped, compact first aid kit should contain everything you need to handle minor injuries — like scrapes, abrasions, and minor cuts. They can even help bystanders treat moderate, non-life threatening injuries such as sprains, frostbites, burns, and deeper cuts. 

First aid kits generally contain antibacterial wipes, band-aids, aspirin, hydrocortisone ointment, antibacterial ointment, burn gel, surgical tape, gauze, and cold packs. Anyone and we think that everyone — teachers, parents, office managers, recreation leaders, coaches, babysitters, friends, neighbors — should be first aid certified and they should all have quick access to a first aid kit!

While incredibly useful, first aid kits are not designed to stop life-threatening bleeding.

What’s kind of injuries can a bleeding control kit help treat?

Bleeding control kits — also referred to as trauma kits or Stop the Bleed® kits — are specialized trauma kits designed to provide professional first responders or bystanders with the products they need to stop life-threatening bleeding. 

Bleeding control kits can help control excessive bleeding caused by gunshot wounds, stabbing, or crushing. These specialized kits are specifically designed to stop heavy bleeding and hemorrhaging and cannot treat burns, frostbite, or minor cuts and abrasions.

What’s Inside a Bleeding Control Kit?

Bleeding control kits — such as Curaplex Stop the Bleed Kits —  are designed to provide the user with immediate access to life-saving products that can control bleeding and traumatic hemorrhaging.

Each vacuum-sealed and tamper-proof kit contains:

Basic Curaplex Stop the Bleed® Kit*: 

• 1 Permanent marker
• 2 Pair of gloves, latex-free, size: large
• 1 SAM® XT Extremity Tourniquet
• 1 Emergency Bandage
• 1 Pair of trauma shears, 7.5in
• 2 Rolls of primed, compressed gauze dressing
• 1 Instructions for use sheet

Intermediate Curaplex Stop the Bleed® Kit*:

• 1 Permanent marker
• 2 Pair of gloves, latex-free, size: large
• 1 SAM® XT Extremity Tourniquet
• 1 Emergency Bandage
• 1 Pair of trauma shears, 7.5in
• 2 Rolls of primed, compressed gauze dressing
• 1 Instructions for use sheet
• 1 Pack H*VENT Vented Chest Seals (2/pk)

Advanced Curaplex Stop the Bleed® Kit*:

• 1 Permanent marker (2) Pair of gloves, latex-free, LG
• 1 SWAT-T Tourniquet (Orange)
• 1 Quickclot bleeding control dressing, Roll (3″x 4′)
• 1 H*Vent vented chest seal, two-pack
• 1 Emergency bandage 4″
• 1 Pair of trauma shears, 5.5″
• 1 S-Folded primed, compressed gauze dressing

*Contents may vary depending on kit model

Who Should Own a Bleeding Control Kit?

Here at Cardio Partners, we think that everyone who needs a first aid kit — that is, everyone — should also have a bleeding control kit! 

Bleeding control kits can be used to rescue individuals injured in motorcycle accidents, hikers injured in remote locations, workers injured on an assembly line, or victims of violent crime. Sadly, more and more kits are needed in public spaces like parks, schools, office buildings, municipal buildings, and other public venues to treat victims of mass casualty events and active shooter incidents.

Mass casualty incidents such as mass shootings are a harrowing fact of life in America. Uncontrolled bleeding is responsible for 35% of pre-hospital trauma deaths and 40% of deaths within the first 24 hours (National Institute of Health). 

Bleeding control kits provide rescuers and bystanders with immediate access to the products they need to save lives. 

For pricing on bleeding control kits, call our team at 800-544-0004 or visit AED.com for more information.

DISCLAIMER: Information and resources found on the cardiopartners.com and aed.com websites/blogs is intended to educate, inform, and motivate readers to make their health and wellness decisions after consulting with their healthcare provider. The authors are not healthcare providers. NO information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition.