This is a review of the Ultralight / Watertight .7 Medical Kit, produced by Adventure Medical Kits (AMK) who state that this first aid kit is “perfect for the multi-sport athlete that refuses to be weighed down by his or her gear”.
AMK boast, as with all their first aid kits, “repeatedly tested and approved by professionals worldwide”, and their product customer reviews certainly seem to back up this claim. We purchased this kit for analysis to determine its suitability.
The Ultralight / Watertight Medical KIt .7 is certainly light weight at 227 grams or 8 ounces, as stated on the packaging, and therefore a basic first aid kit. It’s described use is for the “12 and 24 Hour Adventure Racers”. It is designed to keep water and the elements out. The manufacturers claim this kit “contains the outdoor first aid essentials needed for 1-2 people travelling on 1 – 4 day trips”.
We have not yet tested this particular first aid kit in the field. However, I do have vast experience in the first aid and safety field, including administering first aid to others and myself. I aim to be as objective as possible to provide a fair assessment of the quality of this kit for your performance assessment.
As with all first aid kits, and as pointed out by AMK, this first aid kit is not meant to be a substitute for seeking professional medical care if required. Review the contents of any first aid kit before using. Preferably become familiar with any first aid kit before storing it away or packing it for the next expedition.
USE OF THE AMK ULTRALIGHT / WATERTIGHT MEDICAL KIT .7
Light weight and compact first aid kits are ideal to treat minor injuries. These types of kits are designed for comfort and practicality, where load weight and volume needs to minimised. This kit would fit in any backpack.
Water proofing is a preferred quality for any first aid kit. Unpredictability in intention of use and weather circumstances almost always warrants at least a water resistant first aid kit and most definitely dry medical supplies. AMK describe this kit as containing first aid essentials to immobilise fractures and sprains, treat and close wounds and treat blisters.
With a duel waterproofing bag system, the outer constructed with both a water resistant nylon and zip, and the inner a water proof durable resealable bag, the .7 would probably do a reasonable job keeping the contents dry if the kit was submerged temporarily. It would certainly float which could be a bonus! AMK state this kit would be suitable for canoeing / kayaking, ultralight hiking and ‘backcountry’ skiing.
The AMK Ultralight / Watertight .7 Medical Kit would be ideal for leisurely day pack hiking, various daily excursions, general recreational pursuits such as fishing and cycling, day work bag if so used, holidaying etc. The .7 medical kit would be ideal as a minimum for the average urban vehicle kit and emergency preparedness kit. Any first aid kit is better than none!
DESCRIPTION OF THE AMK MEDICAL KIT .7
The .7 AMK Medical Kit is housed in a light weight rip-stop nylon bag with taped seams and a water resistant zipper, as the manufactures say for ‘splash proof performance’. A second inner ‘dryflex’ bag, containing all the first aid items, is basically a tough ‘clip-sea’l resealable bag. The manufactures claim this kit is 100% water proof.
Wild Earth describe the .7 medical kit as a bare-minimum ultra-lightweight kit for two people containing the essential first aid supplies with universal uses. Wild Earth reiterate that all AMK medical kits are “field tested and approved by the top adventure racer, mountaineers, guides and outdoor athletes in the world and are one of the most awarded sports medical kit companies in the market”.
The manufacturers state on their website that the .7 medical kit weighs in at 5.8 ounces (165 grams), but under specifications they state it weighs 8 ounces or 227 grams. Our purchased kit states 227 grams on the packaging, but we weighed it at 205 grams or 7.2 ounces. Wild Earth, where we purchased it from, on their website, describe it weighing 237 (8.3 ounces) and 267 grams (9.4 ounces). Either way, it is light weight with a bit of room to add some extra medical supplies if suitable.
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The nylon bag with it’s bright yellow ‘high-viz’ colour will certainly help in locating and identifying the AMK .7 Medical Kit. The packaging states that this medical kit is manufactured and assembled by a USA company with both imported and domestic components. It’s basically a one use medical first aid kit usually requiring re-stocking after each use.
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE AMK MEDICAL KIT .7
Dimensions; L x W x H: 190 x 50 x 150 mm / 7.5 x 2 x 6 in.
Weight: 227 grams / 8 ounces
Group Size: 1 to 2 people
Duration: 1 to 4 days
Medical Kit Groups; 7
Supply Types: 17
Total Items: 38
CONTENTS – Australian Model
WOUND CARE
6 x After Cuts & Scrapes Wipe
3 x After Bite Sting and Itch Relief
2 x Skin Tac Topical Wipes (adhesive?)
1 x Gloves, Nitrile (Pair)
BANDAGE MATERIALS
5 x Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 2.54cm x 7.62cm / 1″ x 3″
3 x Butterfly Closure Fabric Bandages
3 x Wound Closure Strips
2 x Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 7.5cm x 7.5cm / 3″ x 3″, Pk/2
2 x Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 5cm x 5cm / 2″ x 2″, Pk/2
2 x Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 7.5cm x 10cm / 3″ x 4″
1 x Bandage, Gauze, Non-Sterile, 5cm x 3.75m/ 2″ x 4.1 yd
1 x Bandage sterile, Elastic, Velcro Closure, 5cm x 4.5m / 2″ x 5 yd
1 x Tape, 2.5cm x 9.1 metres / 1″ x 10 Yards
BLISTER MATERIALS
1 x Moleskin, 11.5cm x 10cm / 4.5″ x 4″ (14 piece)
INSTRUMENTS
1 x Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
1 x Duct Tape (to repair gear etc), 5cm x 2.5metres/ 2″ x 100″
3 x Safety Pins
SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO INCLUDE WITH THE .7 KIT
5 x Band aids / adhesive bandages, water resistant
2 x Dressing, adhesive, sterile, 8.25cm x 6cm
4 x Ibuprofen – to relieve pain, fever and inflammation
1 x Burn cream satchel
4 x Alcohol wipes – for extra disinfection and fire starting
2 x Electrolyte satchels – to help treat dehydration
1 x Disposable gloves, pair – two is better than one
1 x Carabiner – to attach to kits rope loops
A few Rubber bands – keeping contents tidy, help stop bleeding etc
Additional supplies that are NOT included in this kit but are supplied in the kit as per the AMK’s own USA website include:
2 x Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25mg)
2 x Aspirin (325mg Pkg./2)
2 x Ibuprofen (200mg Pkg./2)
2 x Acetaminophen (500mg Pkg./2)
3 x Alcohol Swab
3 x Triple Antibiotic Ointment
CRITISIMS OF THE AMK MEDICAL KIT .7
The ‘Splinter Picker / Tick Remover Forceps’, otherwise known as a pair of tweezers, would be perfect for removing splinters. However, and this is a big warning, these forceps / tweezers are not ideal for removing ticks. We have modified these forceps to more safely remove ticks, and for more info regarding tick removal read our article on Camping Hazards.
It is though a very beneficial feature to have the tweezers contained in a dedicated enclosed container like this one in the AMK .7’s medical kit. This helps keep the forceps clean and contained. Being a sharp object, it may otherwise puncture and damage other components and the housing satchels. We bent the tip of the forceps so as to allow grabbing the head of a tick for complete removal. This hopefully will prevent compressing a ticks body during removal which should reduce it injecting more poison.
Minor lack of the basics, predominantly band-aids / adhesive bandages. The most common basic first aid treatment is the application of a simple band-aid. There are only five 1 by 3 inch adhesive bandages in this kit, and they are certainly not water resistant. I did test them!
Though not a significant disadvantage, care does need to be taken when opening and closing both the water resistant zipper of the outer bag and the water tight clip seal plastic bag. If damaged in any way, the water proofing will be compromised.
Conclusion
The AMK Ultralight / Watertight Medical Kit .7 is certainly light weight, compact and does seem to be quite water proof with its duel water proof bag system. All Adventure Medical Kits are assembled and made in the USA, and certainly seem to have a reputation based on quality. AMK may very well claim that there first aid medical kits have been tested in the field and approved by the world’s top outdoor adventure enthusiasts.
The AMK .7 Medical Kit does contain the basic first aid supplies, however be aware of the forceps / tweezers if needing to remove a tick. This first aid kit would be ideal for day trips, short hiking/backpacking adventures, holidaying, various sports activities, kayaking/canoeing etc. It would be suitable as a basic kit to keep in the car, and a rudimentary emergency preparedness first aid kit.
As with all first aid kits, it is worthy to check that all listed components are correct and consider if it would be deserving of adding additional medical supplies. It does very much seem to be a quality first aid kit, ideal for basic first aid treatment, of reasonable durability and the water proof feature makes it extremely useful feature for a wider array of uses.
For more information on Adventure Medical Kits & Wild Earth Products Australia
