Earthquakes cause injuries that standard first aid kits aren't designed to handle. Here's how to choose a kit — and what to add to it — for real earthquake preparedness.
Key Takeaways
- Standard first aid kits focus on minor cuts and headaches. Earthquake injuries include crush injuries, deep lacerations from broken glass, burns from gas line ruptures, puncture wounds from debris, and respiratory irritation from dust and particulates. Your kit needs to handle all of these.
- Start with a quality pre-built kit and then supplement it with earthquake-specific items: N95 respirators, heavy-duty work gloves, trauma shears, SAM splints, and a tourniquet (with training).
- The MyFAK First Aid Kit by My Medic offers the best balance of trauma-capable contents and organization for earthquake preparedness. The Surviveware Large First Aid Kit is the best value for a well-organized general kit that you supplement yourself. The Lightning X Products Stocked Trauma/Bleeding Control Kit is the best dedicated trauma option.
- Keep a 7-day supply of prescription medications in your kit and rotate them every 3-6 months.
- First aid supplies are useless without knowledge. Take a Stop the Bleed class or basic first aid/CPR course. After a major earthquake, professional medical help may be hours or days away.
Why Earthquake First Aid Is Different
Most first aid kits you'll find at the pharmacy are designed for everyday life — adhesive bandages for paper cuts, antiseptic wipes for scraped knees, acetaminophen for headaches. These are fine for normal circumstances, but earthquakes create a distinct and more severe injury profile.
Crush injuries occur when heavy objects like furniture, appliances, or structural elements fall on people. These injuries can involve broken bones, deep tissue damage, and compartment syndrome. Prolonged crushing can cause rhabdomyolysis — a condition where muscle breakdown products flood the bloodstream — which is life-threatening and requires medical intervention.
Glass lacerations are among the most common earthquake injuries. Windows shatter, picture frames fall, dishes fly out of cabinets. These cuts are often deep, embedded with glass fragments, and in locations (feet, hands) that bleed heavily and impair mobility.
Burns happen when gas lines rupture and ignite, when electrical systems short-circuit, or when hot water heaters topple. The combination of fire risk and impaired water supply makes burn treatment especially challenging after a quake.
Dust inhalation from collapsed drywall, concrete, and insulation can cause respiratory distress, particularly for people with asthma or other pre-existing conditions. Fine particulate matter becomes airborne during and after structural damage.
Puncture wounds and impalement from nails, rebar, splintered wood, and metal debris are common in damaged structures. These wounds carry high infection risk and may require stabilization rather than removal of the impaling object.
A first aid kit designed for earthquake preparedness needs to handle these scenarios — or at least stabilize injuries until professional help arrives, which could be hours or days after a major event.
Essential earthquake safety tips everyone should know
Top 6 First Aid Kits Compared
| Kit | Piece Count | Trauma Items Included | Organization | Water Resistant | Size/Weight | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyFAK by My Medic | 120+ items | Tourniquet, Israeli bandage, chest seal, splint | MOLLE-compatible bag, labeled pouches | Water-resistant bag | 8" x 6" x 4", ~2 lbs | $90–$120 | Best overall for earthquake prep |
| Surviveware Large First Aid Kit | 200+ items | Minimal trauma — mostly bandages and wound care | Labeled compartments, organized layout | Water-resistant nylon | 9" x 7" x 4", ~2.5 lbs | $45–$65 | Best organized general kit |
| Lightning X Trauma/Bleeding Kit | 50+ trauma items | Tourniquet, hemostatic gauze, chest seal, NPAs | MOLLE pouch | Nylon, not waterproof | 8" x 6" x 4", ~1.5 lbs | $55–$80 | Best trauma-focused kit |
| Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series – Hiker | 96 items | SAM splint, wound closure strips | Clear organizer bags by injury type | Waterproof DryFlex bags | 7" x 5" x 4", ~1 lb | $30–$45 | Best for lightweight portability |
| Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit | 120 items + bonus 32-piece kit | Minimal — basic wound care | Clear-front pouches | Nylon case | 9" x 6" x 3", ~1.5 lbs | $20–$30 | Best budget option |
| Surviveware Waterproof First Aid Kit | 200+ items | Minimal trauma items | Labeled compartments | Fully waterproof case | 10" x 8" x 3", ~2.5 lbs | $55–$75 | Best for water/flood-prone areas |
Detailed Reviews
MyFAK by My Medic — Best Overall for Earthquake Preparedness
MyFAK First Aid Kit by My Medic — 120+ piece trauma-capable first aid kit with MOLLE-compatible bag, including CAT-style tourniquet, Israeli compression bandage, chest seal, triangle bandage/splint, wound closure strips, and standard first aid supplies. $90–$120. Best for: comprehensive earthquake preparedness with trauma capability built in.
The MyFAK stands out because it bridges the gap between a basic first aid kit and a dedicated trauma kit. Out of the box, it includes items that most general kits don't — a tourniquet, compression bandage, and chest seal — while still covering everyday first aid needs with bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and blister care.
The MOLLE-compatible bag is organized with labeled pouches that separate supplies by function: bleeding control, wound care, medications, tools. In a high-stress situation after an earthquake, this organization matters enormously. You don't want to be dumping a jumbled bag looking for gauze while someone is bleeding.
The build quality of both the bag and the contents is above average. My Medic uses name-brand components rather than generic equivalents for critical items like the tourniquet and hemostatic agents.
Limitations: At $90-$120, it's the most expensive kit on this list. Some of the included medications (pain relievers, antihistamines) are in small quantities that will need supplementing. You'll still want to add earthquake-specific items like N95 masks and heavy work gloves. The tourniquet requires training to apply effectively — don't just throw it in the kit and hope for the best.
Surviveware Large First Aid Kit — Best Organized General Kit
Surviveware Large First Aid Kit — 200+ piece first aid kit in a water-resistant nylon bag with clearly labeled compartments organized by treatment type. Includes bandages, wound care supplies, medications, tools (shears, tweezers), cold pack, and emergency blanket. $45–$65. Best for: well-organized foundation kit to build upon.
Surviveware's reputation rests on organization, and it's well-earned. Every compartment is labeled, every item has its place, and the layout is intuitive enough that someone with zero first aid training could find what they need under stress. The kit uses a book-style opening that lays flat, displaying all compartments at once.
With 200+ pieces, the quantity of supplies is generous — multiple sizes of adhesive bandages, plenty of gauze, alcohol prep pads, antibiotic ointment, and basic medications. For the everyday cuts and scrapes that happen during earthquake cleanup, this kit has you covered for multiple people over multiple days.
Limitations: Despite the large piece count, this kit is weak on trauma-capable items. There's no tourniquet, no hemostatic gauze, and no compression bandage designed for severe bleeding. You'll need to supplement with trauma items for true earthquake preparedness. Think of this as an excellent foundation rather than a complete earthquake solution.
Lightning X Trauma/Bleeding Control Kit — Best Trauma-Focused
Lightning X Products Stocked Trauma/Bleeding Control Kit — Purpose-built bleeding control and trauma kit including CAT-style tourniquet, hemostatic (QuikClot-style) gauze, Israeli compression bandage, chest seal (vented), nasopharyngeal airways (NPAs), trauma shears, medical gloves, and emergency blanket in a MOLLE-compatible pouch. $55–$80. Best for: dedicated trauma capability alongside a general first aid kit.
If you already own a basic first aid kit and want to add serious trauma capability, the Lightning X kit is the most cost-effective way to do it. This is what you'd see in a tactical medic's IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit), adapted for civilian use.
The inclusion of hemostatic gauze is significant — this is gauze impregnated with agents that accelerate blood clotting, designed for wounds too severe for regular gauze and direct pressure. In an earthquake scenario with deep lacerations from glass or metal, hemostatic gauze can be the difference between controlling bleeding and not.
The vented chest seal addresses penetrating chest injuries — not common in earthquakes, but possible from impalement by debris. NPAs (nasopharyngeal airways) maintain an airway in an unconscious person — an advanced skill, but critical if you have the training.
Limitations: This is NOT a general first aid kit. There are no adhesive bandages, no antiseptic wipes, no medications — it's purely trauma-focused. You need this in addition to a general kit, not instead of one. The included tourniquet and hemostatic gauze require specific training to use correctly. The MOLLE pouch is compact but less organized than the MyFAK or Surviveware.
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series – Hiker
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series – Hiker — 96-piece first aid kit designed for outdoor use, featuring DryFlex waterproof inner bags, a SAM-style finger splint, wound closure strips, blister care (moleskin, 2nd Skin), and antiseptic/pain relief medications. Organized by injury type in clear bags. $30–$45. Best for: lightweight, portable kit for go-bags and vehicles.
Adventure Medical Kits approaches first aid from an outdoor/backcountry perspective, which actually overlaps well with earthquake preparedness. Both scenarios involve being potentially far from medical help, dealing with environmental exposure, and needing to handle injuries with limited resources.
The DryFlex waterproof bags protect contents from water — useful in earthquake scenarios involving burst pipes, rain, or flooding. The organization by injury type (wound care, blister care, fracture/sprain, medication) is intuitive for non-medical users.
The inclusion of wound closure strips (butterfly bandages) is practical for closing lacerations when sutures aren't available. The SAM-style finger splint can be shaped to immobilize small fractures.
Limitations: The piece count is lower than competitors, and the overall supply quantity is designed for one or two people, not a family. No tourniquet, no hemostatic gauze, and no items designed for severe trauma. The lightweight, compact design means less of everything. Best as a go-bag kit, not your primary home earthquake kit.
Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit — Best Budget
Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit — 120-piece first aid kit plus bonus 32-piece mini kit, featuring bandages, gauze, antiseptic, medications, emergency blanket, and basic tools in a compact nylon case. $20–$30. Best for: budget-friendly starting point or equipping multiple locations.
At $20-$30 for two kits (the main kit plus a mini version), the Swiss Safe offers the lowest cost per kit on this list. If you need to equip your home, car, office, and go-bag without spending $200+, buying multiple Swiss Safe kits and supplementing each one is a practical strategy.
The piece count includes a solid range of basics — multiple bandage sizes, gauze pads, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and an emergency blanket. The bonus mini kit is genuinely useful as a car or purse kit.
Limitations: You get what you pay for. The individual item quality is noticeably below premium kits — thinner gauze, smaller bandages, generic medications in smaller quantities. Zero trauma capability. Organization is adequate but not as refined as Surviveware. You'll need to add significantly more supplies for earthquake preparedness. But at this price, you can afford to supplement.
Surviveware Waterproof First Aid Kit — Best for Flood-Prone Areas
Surviveware Waterproof First Aid Kit — 200+ piece kit in a fully waterproof hard-shell case with the same labeled compartment organization as the Surviveware Large kit. Includes standard first aid supplies, tools, medications, and emergency blanket. $55–$75. Best for: coastal areas, flood zones, or any location where water damage is a concern.
If you live in a coastal area where earthquakes could trigger tsunamis, near rivers prone to post-quake flooding, or in any location where water damage to your supplies is a real concern, the waterproof case is worth the premium over the standard Surviveware kit.
The hard-shell case also provides better physical protection for contents in a debris field — if your kit gets buried under rubble, a rigid waterproof case protects contents better than a nylon bag.
Limitations: Same trauma-capability gap as the standard Surviveware — no tourniquet, no hemostatic gauze. The hard case is bulkier and heavier than soft-sided alternatives, making it less ideal for go-bags. The waterproof seal depends on proper closure — make sure it's latched correctly.
What to Add to Any Kit for Earthquake Preparedness
No pre-built kit is fully earthquake-ready out of the box. Here's what to add and why.
Respiratory Protection
N95 respirator masks (NIOSH-approved) — Earthquakes generate enormous amounts of airborne dust from drywall, concrete, insulation, and soil. Standard surgical masks won't filter fine particles. Keep a minimum of 4-6 N95 masks in your kit (one per family member, plus extras). Brands like 3M (model 8210 or 8511 with exhalation valve) are widely available. Make sure they're genuine NIOSH-approved — counterfeit N95s flooded the market during COVID.
Hand and Foot Protection
Heavy-duty work gloves — After a quake, every surface is potentially covered in broken glass, splintered wood, nails, and sharp metal. You'll be moving debris, opening jammed doors, and climbing over rubble. Leather or cut-resistant work gloves (such as Mechanix Wear or similar) protect against lacerations. Keep a pair for each family member.
Sturdy shoes or boots — Not technically a first aid kit item, but the most common earthquake injury is cut feet from walking on broken glass in the dark. Keep a pair of hard-soled shoes under your bed or next to your emergency kit.
Trauma Supplies (If Not Included in Your Kit)
CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet) or SOF-T Wide tourniquet — The gold standard for controlling life-threatening limb bleeding. These cost $25-$30 each. Do NOT buy cheap knockoffs — your life may depend on the windlass mechanism holding under tension. And please, take a Stop the Bleed course (free, offered nationwide) to learn proper application. An improperly applied tourniquet is dangerous.
Hemostatic gauze (QuikClot Combat Gauze or equivalent) — Gauze impregnated with kaolin or other clotting agents for wounds where a tourniquet isn't appropriate (torso, neck, groin). $15-$25 per pack.
Israeli compression bandage (Emergency Bandage) — A pressure dressing designed for severe bleeding that combines a sterile pad, elastic wrap, and pressure bar in one unit. Easier to apply under stress than assembling separate gauze and bandages. $8-$12 each.
SAM Splint — A moldable aluminum/foam splint that can immobilize fractures of the arm, leg, wrist, ankle, or fingers. Lightweight, compact, and reusable. One of the most versatile items you can add to any kit. $10-$15 each.
Trauma Shears
Trauma shears (7.25") — Heavy-duty scissors designed to cut through clothing, seatbelts, thin metal, and leather. Essential for quickly exposing wounds for treatment. If your kit doesn't include a pair, add one. $5-$10 from brands like Leatherman Raptor (premium) or generic EMT shears (functional).
Medications and Personal Items
Prescription medications — 7-day supply is the recommendation from FEMA and the Red Cross. Talk to your doctor about getting an extra prescription specifically for your emergency kit. Rotate medications every 3-6 months to prevent expiration. Keep a written list of all medications, dosages, and allergies in the kit as well.
Over-the-counter medications to stock:
- Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (pain, inflammation, fever)
- Diphenhydramine/Benadryl (allergic reactions, also works as a sleep aid during stressful displacement)
- Loperamide/Imodium (diarrhea — common with contaminated water after infrastructure damage)
- Antacids (stress-related stomach issues)
- Electrolyte packets (dehydration from exertion, heat, or illness)
Additional Supplies Worth Including
- Duct tape — Versatile for improvised splints, securing bandages, sealing wounds temporarily, marking damaged areas.
- Permanent marker — Write the time of tourniquet application on the patient's forehead (standard trauma protocol) or label triage status.
- Headlamp — Treat injuries hands-free in the dark. Far more practical than a handheld flashlight when you need both hands.
- Nitrile gloves (extra supply) — Pre-built kits usually include 2-4 pairs. Add more. You'll go through them quickly treating multiple people.
- Emergency blankets (Mylar) — Shock, hypothermia, and exposure are risks after earthquakes, especially if you're forced outdoors at night. Pack several.
- CPR face shield — A barrier device for rescue breathing. Compact and inexpensive.
Complete earthquake emergency kit recommendations
Buying Guide: What Makes a Good Earthquake First Aid Kit
Organization Over Quantity
A kit with 500 pieces sounds impressive, but if everything is jumbled in a bag, you'll waste critical time searching. Prioritize kits with labeled compartments, color-coded sections, or organized pouches. In a disaster, you're operating under stress, possibly in the dark, possibly while injured yourself. You need to find gauze in five seconds, not five minutes.
Quality of Contents
Cheap kits pad their piece counts with individually wrapped alcohol prep pads and tiny adhesive bandages. Check what's actually inside. Key indicators of quality include name-brand tourniquets (CAT or SOF-T, not generic), genuine hemostatic gauze, metal (not plastic) shears, and gauze pads that are actually thick enough to absorb significant bleeding.
Bag/Case Durability
Your kit may end up buried under debris, exposed to water, or dragged through rubble. Nylon bags should have reinforced stitching and quality zippers. Hard cases protect contents better but are heavier and bulkier. Water resistance is valuable — at minimum, keep critical supplies (medications, sterile dressings) in zip-lock bags inside whatever case you use.
Size and Portability
Consider where the kit will live. A large home kit can be comprehensive but heavy. A go-bag kit needs to be compact and lightweight. Many people keep a larger kit at home and a smaller one in each vehicle and workplace. The best approach is a layered system: a small personal kit on your person, a medium kit in your go-bag, and a comprehensive kit at home.
What to Avoid
- Kits marketed as "500+ pieces" for $15 — These are padded with individually counted items (each adhesive bandage strip is a "piece") and the quality of components is typically poor.
- Kits with expired medications — Check dates on everything at purchase, and again every six months.
- Any kit you haven't opened and inventoried — Buy it, open it, learn what's inside and where everything is. Repack it. An unfamiliar kit is nearly useless under pressure.
- Relying solely on a kit without training — A tourniquet can cause nerve damage or limb loss if applied wrong. Hemostatic gauze must be packed deep into a wound. Take a class.
First Aid Training: Your Most Important "Supply"
Having the right equipment is necessary but not sufficient. After a major earthquake, emergency medical services will be overwhelmed. Hospitals may be damaged. Ambulances may not be able to navigate debris-blocked roads. You may be the only medical help available for your family, neighbors, or coworkers for hours or even days.
Stop the Bleed — A free, nationally available course (typically 60-90 minutes) that teaches tourniquet application, wound packing, and pressure dressing techniques. Developed by the American College of Surgeons. Find a course at stopthebleed.org.
CPR/AED certification — Available through the American Red Cross and American Heart Association, both in-person and partially online. Covers cardiac arrest response, choking, and basic life support.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training — Free training provided by local fire departments and emergency management agencies. CERT covers disaster first aid, light search and rescue, fire safety, and disaster psychology. This is the most comprehensive free emergency training available to civilians.
FEMA CERT Training Information Find a Stop the Bleed Course
FAQ
How often should I check and restock my first aid kit?
Every six months at minimum. Set a reminder when you change your clocks for daylight saving time — it's an easy reminder. Check expiration dates on all medications, ointments, and sterile dressings. Replace anything that's expired, damaged, or has been used. Confirm that sterile packaging hasn't been compromised. Rotate prescription medications every 3-6 months per your pharmacist's guidance.
How many first aid kits do I need?
At minimum, one comprehensive kit at home and a smaller kit in each vehicle. Ideally, also keep a compact kit at your workplace and in any go-bag or evacuation kit. If you have children at school, verify their school maintains adequate supplies. The goal is to have first aid accessible wherever you spend significant time — you may not be home when an earthquake hits.
Should I buy a pre-built kit or assemble my own?
Starting with a quality pre-built kit and supplementing it is the most practical approach for most people. Building entirely from scratch ensures you get exactly what you want, but it's more expensive (no bulk purchasing advantage), more time-consuming, and easy to overlook essentials. A good pre-built kit provides the foundation and organization; you add earthquake-specific items.
Is it worth buying a tourniquet without medical training?
A tourniquet with training is one of the most effective life-saving tools a civilian can carry. A tourniquet without training ranges from "not very useful" to "potentially harmful." If you're going to stock one — and you should — commit to taking a Stop the Bleed course (free, 60-90 minutes). The technique isn't complicated, but it needs to be practiced. Improperly applied tourniquets may not stop bleeding or can cause tissue damage.
What prescription medications should be in my earthquake kit?
Work with your doctor or pharmacist to create a 7-day supply of all critical medications. Prioritize life-sustaining medications first: insulin, heart medications, blood pressure medications, anti-seizure drugs, psychiatric medications, and inhalers. Include a written list of all medications, dosages, prescribing doctor's contact information, and any allergies. Store medications in a waterproof container and rotate them before they expire.
Can I use expired first aid supplies in an emergency?
In a genuine emergency where no alternatives exist, most expired supplies are better than nothing. Sterile dressings may no longer be sterile but still provide wound coverage. Most over-the-counter medications lose potency gradually rather than becoming dangerous (with some exceptions — check with a pharmacist). Adhesive bandages may not stick as well. That said, this is a fallback, not a plan. Regular rotation keeps your kit ready so you never have to make this judgment call under pressure.
Sources
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Build A Kit. ready.gov/kit
- American Red Cross. First Aid/CPR/AED. redcross.org first aid training
- American College of Surgeons. Stop the Bleed. stopthebleed.org
- FEMA. Community Emergency Response Team. ready.gov/cert
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Earthquake Preparedness — Injury Prevention. cdc.gov
- Hsu, E.B., et al. "Healthcare worker competencies for disaster training." BMC Medical Education. National Library of Medicine.