Makers are packing in ropes, compressed food and potable water for earthquakes and fires.

China suppliers of first-aid kits are bolstering output of models for emergency-response and survival situations. Such endeavor comes as natural disasters occur more frequently due to climate change and environmental degradation.

	This first-aid kit from Zhejiang Kanglidi comes with a CPR mask, snap-fit tourniquet and splint.

To this end, suppliers are increasing content selection. With whistles and multitools already standard, safety ropes, fire blankets, compressed biscuits and water purifiers are being added for earthquakes and fires. The last item can raise prices by $20.

New first-aid kits from Zhejiang Kanglidi Medical Articles Co. Ltd also come with descent-control devices, hand-crank multifunction flashlights, fire extinguishers and mini bags of adhesive bandages. Select versions boast emergency hammers, filter-type respirators and protective gloves as well.

China Emergency Assistance Investment Co. Ltd or CEAI offers models with the first inclusion capable of shattering tempered glass.

Releases from Hangzhou Cror Biotechnology Co. Ltd, meanwhile, contain vacuum extractors for removing stings and venom. These add between $10 and $20 to the quotes.

The most common contents of first-aid kits are wound care supplies. As such, most enterprises are directing R&D efforts toward enhancing the curative capability of these pieces.

Qingdao Etsong Bioengineering Co. Ltd’s latest hemostatic gauze, for example, boasts soluble, absorbent, instant hemostasis, wide-spectrum sterilization and quick-healing properties, and prevents postoperative adhesion of tissues.

Also among the supplier’s range are fibrin sealants in the form of powder and dressings, the inclusion of which pushes up quotes by 10 and 20 percent, respectively.

Further, makers are packing in silver ion and activated carbon fiber adhesive bandages. The first-aid kits from Zhejiang Kanglidi that contain these items are 30 to 50 and 15 percent more expensive than models with regular dressings.

The company manufactures silver ion and activated carbon fiber pieces in-house.

The addition of chitosan hemostatic powder is likewise gaining ground. But because domestic production is still developing, this is typically sourced overseas.

In general, contents are held in fire-resistant cases or bags, increasing prices by at least 50 percent.

For enhanced visual appeal, enterprises are releasing kits in gradient colors and fancy motifs. Qingdao Etsong’s selection includes first-aid supplies in mini purses and strap-on bags.

China makers offer first-aid kits for family and emergency response use. These are differentiated by the contents.

For the former category, adhesive bandages, medical tape, alcohol pads, cotton swabs, iodine sticks, cleaning wipes, fire blankets, scissors, tweezers, clinical thermometers, and hot and cold packs are common inclusions. First-aid manuals are likewise standard.

Models from Hangzhou Cror also come with mosquito-repellent wristbands, medicine feeders and nasal aspirators.

Apart from the abovementioned items, emergency response kits pack whistles, multitools, flashlights, CPR masks, disposable medical gloves, splints, safety ropes and specialized wound care supplies. The other options are stethoscopes, phlegm-suction units, stomach wash tubes, sphygmomanometers, surgical scissors, laryngoscopes, tongue depressors and acupuncture needles.

Compressed food, potable water and liquid purifiers are added as well for survival situations.

Bags and cases are available in different sizes, depending on the contents. The former enclosures are often made of polyester, soft plastic and leather. Some even have EVA padding. Cases, meanwhile, utilize ABS, PP, PE, steel and aluminum. These are typically fire- and water-resistant, and light-reflective. A number of designs also come with detachable shoulder straps.

Product gallery

Industry experiences growth

China’s emergency management industry, which includes the manufacture of first-aid kits, is undergoing rapid expansion thanks to strong support from local authorities.

Faced with frequent calamities, the government has taken various steps to promote the line. Among these measures is the establishment of several industrial parks devoted to emergency treatment products.

Laws to help raise the quality of China-made releases are also being implemented.

In addition, the government has partnered with many domestic manufacturers to expedite procurement, especially during disasters.

These efforts have led to the emergence of several industry specialists. The Ministry of Civil Affairs, for instance, founded the CEAI in 2007. Hangzhou Cror, meanwhile, started operations three years ago.

Zhejiang Kanglidi, which began producing wound care supplies in 2004, expanded its range to include first-aid kits in 2008. In the first four months of 2011, the company’s overseas revenue from emergency response and survival models registered YoY growth of 60 percent. This was in part spurred by the earthquakes and resultant tsunami that hit Japan last March.

The least expensive first-aid kits have basic contents and are often for family use. These are priced at $1.50 to $30. Going for $31 to $60, midrange models include safety ropes and specialized wound care supplies. High-end releases suitable for emergency response, meanwhile, start at $61 and can top $150.

Product gallery China Emergency Assistance Investment Co. Ltd Model: CEAI-101 MOQ: 5,000 sets Delivery: 45 days Description: Includes adhesive bandages for different body parts, two alcohol, antiseptic, pain-relieving and cleaning wipes, four safety pins, five iodine swab sticks and emergency blanket; 14x9.5x3cm bag

Hangzhou Cror Biotechnology Co. Ltd Model: JE-S-002A MOQ: Negotiable Delivery: 30 days Description: Family use; includes digital thermometer, safety scissors, tweezers, instant ice pack, elastic bandage, adhesive tape, gauze, iodine stick, mosquito-repellent wristband, medicine feeder, nasal aspirator, tongue depressor, flashlight, first-aid manual; plastic case

Hangzhou Cror Biotechnology Co. Ltd Model: YE-N-001A MOQ: Negotiable Delivery: 30 days Description: Outdoor use; includes emergency blanket, snap-fit tourniquet, safety pins, medical and adhesive bandages, iodine stick, vacuum extractor, cleaning wipes, disposable medical gloves, flashlight; bag

Shanghai Bankok Med & Tech Co. Ltd Model: BGA-1 MOQ: 1,000 sets Delivery: 30 days Description: Includes gauze, wound dressing, cotton roll, blood absorption, alcohol and iodine pads, adhesive tape and bandages, tourniquet, CPR mask, emergency blanket, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, clinical thermometer, first-aid manual, and disposable instant ice pack, latex gloves and mask; water-resistant oxford bag; may have shoulder strap; 29x23x11cm

Shanghai Bankok Med & Tech Co. Ltd Model: BGA-3 MOQ: 1,000 sets Delivery: 30 days Description: Factory use; includes gauze, wound dressing, cotton roll, blood absorption, alcohol and iodine pads, adhesive tape and bandages, tourniquet, CPR mask, emergency blanket, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, clinical thermometer, first-aid manual, and disposable instant hot and cold packs, and latex gloves and mask; lockable steel case; 40.5x23.5x13cm

Shanghai Bankok Med & Tech Co. Ltd Model: BGA-8 MOQ: 1,000 sets Delivery: 30 days Description: Includes gauze, wound dressing, cotton roll, blood absorption, alcohol and iodine pads, adhesive tape and bandages, tourniquet, CPR mask, emergency blanket, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, clinical thermometer, first-aid manual, and disposable instant hot and cold packs, and latex gloves and mask; aluminum alloy case; may have shoulder strap; 32x20x20cm

Zhejiang Kanglidi Medical Articles Co. Ltd Model: FKH-107A MOQ: 1,000 sets Delivery: 25 days Description: Outdoor use; includes SS scissors, Hg clinical thermometer, disposable gloves, CPR mask, snap-fit tourniquet, iodine stick, alcohol wipe, medical and adhesive bandages, emergency blanket, whistle, cooling pad, first-aid manual; water-resistant PU-coated 600d oxford bag; 18x13x7cm bag

Zhejiang Kanglidi Medical Articles Co. Ltd Model: FKJ-102 MOQ: 1,000 sets Delivery: 30 days Description: Family use; includes safety and SS scissors, Hg clinical thermometer, disposable gloves, CPR mask, snap-fit tourniquet, alcohol wipes and cotton balls, iodine stick, medical and adhesive bandages, splint, emergency blanket, instant ice pack, cooling and pain-relieving pads, multifunction whistle, multi-tool; PU-coated 600d oxford bag with EVA padding; 24x17x19cm or 28x21x23cm

Zhejiang Kanglidi Medical Articles Co. Ltd Model: FKH-103 MOQ: 1,000 sets Delivery: 40 days Description: Outdoor use; includes 7-compartment pill box, medical scissors and tweezers, tongue depressor, disposable gloves, Hg clinical thermometer, CPR mask, snap-fit tourniquet, alcohol wipes and cotton balls, iodine stick, medical and adhesive bandages, splint, emergency blanket and candle, cooling pad, water- and wind-resistant matches, candle, multifunction whistle, pliers, shovel, flashlight, reflective vest, life-saving rope, compressed biscuit, drinking water, pencil, self-sealing bag; PU-coated 600d oxford bag; water-resistant, light reflective; 28x25x11cm

Note: This article "First-aid kits' content expansion raises usability" was originally published by Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with China manufacturers and India suppliers, providing essential sourcing information to volume buyers through our e-magazines, trade shows and industry research.

All price quotes in this report are in US dollars unless otherwise specified. FOB prices were provided by the companies interviewed only as reference prices at the time of interview and may have changed.

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