In the Homestead series, one of the most sobering realities the families face is the distance between their front door and a functioning Emergency Room. In a crisis, that distance isn't just measured in miles—it's measured in minutes.
Most "First Aid Kits" sold at big-box stores are designed for papercuts and minor burns. On a working homestead, those kits are effectively useless. Between tractors, sharp tools, livestock, and the elements, our risks are higher.
Today, we're auditing your medical supplies. While you can build a kit piece-by-piece, many modern homesteaders are opting for industry-leading systems from My Medic and Uncharted Supply Co. because they come pre-stocked with professional-grade tools that are often hard to find individually. But regardless of whether you go with a pre-built kit or make your own, be sure to have all of your bases covered:
1. The Trauma Layer (Stop the Bleed)
On a homestead, a major injury usually involves a blade or a heavy animal. You need "Point of Injury" supplies that can stop life-threatening bleeding in seconds.
- A Quality Tourniquet: (CAT or SOFT-T). Avoid the cheap knock-offs on discount sites; your life depends on the windlass not snapping.
- Hemostatic Gauze: (QuikClot or Celox). Gauze treated with agents that help blood clot faster.
- Pressure Dressings: (Israeli Bandages). These allow you to wrap a wound tightly and keep constant pressure on it.
- The Pro Solution: Systems like the Uncharted Supply Co. First Aid Plus or the even more comprehensive My Medic MyFAK Mini Pro First Aid Kit are specifically designed to house these trauma tools in high-visibility, easy-access compartments so you aren't digging for a tourniquet when seconds count.
2. The Wound Care Layer (Prevent Infection)
A small scratch in the garden can turn into a systemic infection (Sepsis) if not treated properly.
- Irrigation: A 60cc syringe for flushing dirt and debris out of deep wounds with clean water.
- Antiseptics: Betadine or Hibiclens (used by surgeons) is superior to simple alcohol wipes for serious cleaning.
- The "MOD" Approach: One of the reasons we carry My Medic is their "MOD" system. Their wound care modules are color-coded and sealed, ensuring that your bandages and antiseptics stay sterile and dry even in a dusty barn, damp mudroom, or in the back of your side-by-side.
3. The “Sick Room” Layer (Illness Support)
If a winter storm or a grid-down scenario keeps you home for two weeks, can you manage a flu or a stomach bug?
- Oral Rehydration Salts: Far more effective than sugary sports drinks for keeping someone hydrated during a fever or stomach virus. We recommend Redmond Re-Lyte as the best electrolyte drink for athletes, but they work great for keeping you hydrated when you're sick and make recovery much easier when your cells have access to proper electrolytes.
- Basic Vitals: A thermometer, a blood pressure cuff, and a pulse oximeter. You need to be able to tell a doctor (via radio or phone) exactly what the patient's numbers are.
- The “Home Pharmacy”: A deep supply of pain relievers, anti-diarrheals, and antihistamines is essential. But so is stocking up on your prescription meds. The easiest way to do this is to plan your purchases and refills ahead of time so that you're able to put a small amount into your "Home Pharmacy" each month. If you're able to save 2 days' medication each month, you'll have a full month of backup after one year. Then if you experience any trouble making it to the pharmacy or doctor's office—or the supply chain is disrupted by a storm, factory shutdown or pandemic—you won't be left without your essential medications.
4. The Most Important Tool: Training
The best gear in the world is just a pile of plastic and fabric if you don't know how to use it.
- Action Item: This month, look for a "Stop The Bleed" course or a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) class in your area. Brands like My Medic also offer excellent online training resources to help you master the gear inside their kits.
The Takeaway: In the Homestead movie, medical supplies are traded with the same reverence as gold or ammunition. Why? Because you can’t "DIY" a recovery from a major infection or a massive bleed without the right tools.
Whether you are building your own or investing in a complete system like the Uncharted Supply Co. Seventy2 Pro or a My Medic First Aid Station, make sure your kit is ready for the reality of homestead life.