Trauma shears and SAM splints are definitely not overkill, especially if you’re prepping for genuine emergencies where help might be delayed. I’ve found commercial kits always skimp on real wound management—hemostatic agents like Celox or QuikClot are absolutely worth it if you can afford them. Tourniquet is essential (CAT or SOF-T wide, not knock-offs). Also, more gauze than you think you’ll need, and compressed gauze takes up less space.
Rolled cravats can be a real lifesaver for splinting or making improvised slings. I’m particular about gloves—get nitrile, not latex, and stash a bunch. For pain and fever, include acetaminophen and ibuprofen, plus antihistamines and anti-diarrheals (loperamide). Add tweezers, a decent CPR mask, and a small irrigation syringe for wound cleaning.
Layout matters a lot—pack the bleeding control items on top or in an outer pocket for fastest access. Some people color code with pouches or bands, which helps under stress. I use a combination of Adventure Medical Kits
