St John Ambulance Home First Aid Kit

I am very pleased with this fist aid kit. Thankfully, fingers crossed, have not had to use it yet, but it certainly has everything I'd need to deal with a first-aid emergency or little cuts at home. It's also got a handy little first aid booklet. I have bought some small scissors, antispetic wound wash and childrens' plasters to put in as well but I know by law you can't keep scissors and drugs/fluids in standard kits so that's no criticism of the product.

This first aid kit from St John's Ambulance has most of the things you'll need in order to carry out simple first aid around the home - 2 packets of plasters, a disposable bandage, 4 dressings, cleansing wipes, a pair of single-use gloves and a finger dressing. Some things that I thought were missing, and which I added, were 1.5cm surgical tape, eye wash phials and antiseptic wash, all of which just about fitted in the bag without creating too much of a bulge. I could probably squeeze a pair of scissors in there as well but any more would be pushing it, so it looks like antiseptic cream and a burn bandage will have to wait.

The bag is actually bigger than I thought it would be, although I'm not sure what I expected because there's only so small it could be and still house all the bits and bobs it does. It lacks a belt loop, which I would have liked because the only means of carrying it are the rubberised handle and two metal loops on the sides for a shoulder strap (unfortunately not included), so there's no perfect way for it to be carried when I'm on my mountain bike. It isn't billed as a portable first aid kit but its small size (relative to the case kits) and strap loops suggest that this was at least a consideration.

A single zip fastener opens and closes the bag in a `clamshell' style, and there are two zip compartments on the inside which hold the contents securely. The bag appears to be made from a nylon weave which (even though I haven't tested it) should be pretty good at keeping out the rain, the exception being the zip fastener which would probably leak like a sieve.

I bought this kit primarily for taking with me on bike rides and while it's good, I find it just a bit too bulky for that - not helped by the lack of a good carrying method. If I was after a kit for the home, I'd almost certainly go for one of the bigger ones in a plastic case as then I'd have room for lots of extras. Then again, if you're in need of something to carry around with you while out walking or on holiday, this (with a few additions) would be ideal, as long as you have the room for it.

Excellent product as a starter kit. Has all you'll need but enough space to add more. Good value for money!