Packed & Prepared is run by a working EMT in Northern California.
On the job, I see what happens when the right gear is, or isn’t, within reach in the first few minutes. Off the job, I spend time outdoors, where help is a lot farther away than an ambulance ride.
This site exists to close that gap: plain-language guides to trauma and first-aid gear for hikers, campers, and anyone who wants to be the prepared person in the group.
How I pick gear
I don’t run a testing lab, and I won’t pretend to. My recommendations come from:
- what EMS and military medicine guidelines actually recommend, like the CoTCCC tourniquet list
- published research on how well devices work
- my own training and field experience as an EMT
- a close look at the details buyers get wrong, like counterfeits and kits padded with filler
Gear isn’t training
A tourniquet you don’t know how to use won’t save anyone. Practice with your gear and get hands-on training. It’s the best upgrade you can make.
Nothing on this site is medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.