Last updated on July 28th, 2025

Where to Buy First Aid Equipment

Having the tools and the know-how to treat minor and major wounds could be the difference in saving someone’s life or watching them bleed to death after a traumatic injury. Let me correct that. Having quality tools is important. In the market of first aid equipment, counterfeits run rampant, and flimsy equipment has led to a false sense of security and even death. This article will walk you though how to avoid buying fake first aid gear.

One can buy first aid equipment just about anywhere, even most grocery stores. However, if we are talking about more specialized first aid equipment like tourniquets, pressure bandages, wound packing gauze or chest seals, your sources become slightly more limited. At the same time when we are discussing these specialized first aid tools, they are more likely to be counterfeit.

What’s wrong with counterfeit first aid equipment? “Screw the greedy corporations!” I get it. I’m all for saving a buck. But if I have to go parachuting tomorrow, I am not going to the dollar store. Parachutes, guns, and tourniquets are all similar in the fact that they are life-saving equipment. The Ukrainian Army found out the hard way. Cheap tourniquets break.

You could go to Amazon, eBay, or other generic online retailers. However, these same retailers are where counterfeits run rampant. It’s not to say you can’t get genuine products on these websites. It is to say you’ll have to really search for genuine products, apply filters, and do your due diligence. Caveat Emptor.

While I am not totally opposed to buying some products on Amazon, I have learned how to narrow it down to genuine products by choosing the vendor directly. But I’ve also learned I can sometimes get the exact same product more affordably by going to the manufacturer or vendor’s website directly. Regardless of the price, if it is a couple of dollars more, the peace of mind is invaluable.

Amazon Seller Filter. Choose reputable sellers.

Amazon Brand Filter. Choose reputable Brands.

real v fake — Which tourniquet is real and which is likely fake?

You can also successfully buy genuine first aid equipment on Amazon, but you have to be very careful. To do so requires your due diligence, but using the filters makes the process of buying real gear significantly easier. Only purchase from reputable sellers. Only purchase reputable brands.

Spoiler alert. If the manufacturer is selling a tourniquet for $30, and Amazon or eBay is selling the same tourniquet for $5, the $5 tourniquet is not real!

Generally, when I am purchasing first aid equipment, these are the websites I prefer to use:

North American Rescue – https://www.narescue.com/ or NAR Amazon Store.
TacMed Solutions – https://tacmedsolutions.com/
Stop The Bleed (official) – https://www.bleedingkits.org/
American Red Cross – https://www.redcross.org/store
Rescue Essentials – https://www.rescue-essentials.com/ or Rescue Essentials Amazon Store.

Quality Tourniquet Brands

Typically, it is recommended that one use TCCC tourniquets,

Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) Gen 7: This is a one-handed, windlass-style tourniquet that has been widely adopted and is known for its ease of use and effectiveness.
SOF Tactical Tourniquet – Wide (SOFTT-W): Another popular choice, the SOFTT-W is also a windlass-style tourniquet and is recognized for its durability and reliability.
SAM Extremity Tourniquet (SAM-XT): This tourniquet utilizes a ratchet and buckle system for tightening and securing, offering a different mechanism of application.
Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet – Tactical (RMT-T): This tourniquet features a ratcheting mechanism for precise tightening and is also designed for one-handed application.
Tactical Mechanical Tourniquet (TMT): The TMT is a mechanical tourniquet that utilizes a windlass and locking mechanism for secure application.
TX2″ and TX3″ Tourniquets: These tourniquets are designed with a ratcheting mechanism and are available in different widths (2″ and 3″ respectively) for varying patient needs.