Aliexpress as a source for first aid gear

[majorhavoc]

Ordered this during Aliexpress's November 11th Singles sale (11.11 - get it?).  It's their biggest sale of the year, sort of the Asian equivalent of Black Friday.  Prices get lowered and there's all sorts of stackable coupons that can really add up. 

Thing is, Aliexpress has about 6 major sales a year.  So if you missed out, fear not.  There'll definitely be another sale within two months, certain things go on sale at random times for no good reason at all, and AE's regular prices are exceptionally good.

I wanted to get another Israeli bandage for a couple of my first aid kits, including the one that came with the Surviveware 72-hr Emergency Preparedness Survival Backpack. And a thread that @12_Gauge_Chimp started on hemostatic agents BleedStop powder : Good idea or gimmick? reminded me I've been meaning to add that capability to some of my other first aid kits (including a group FAK I take on trips with an outdoor activity club I'm involved in).

And then a strictly selfish purchase: I've always coveted Leatherman's insanely cool Raptor multi-function EMT shears, but I could never justify the $100 price tag.  So along with some items I got for my Secret Santa recipient, I ordered the following:



I posted about the Israeli bandages and the hemostatic gauze in the Bargains and Deals subforum. The Emergency Preparedness First Aid manual was a freebie Rhino Rescue threw in with the bandages.  It's basic but it a) has commendably clear english language instructions and b) includes some interesting topics you don't often see covered in a basic first aid pamphlet, such as applying a (windlass-type) tourniquet one-handed, using chest seals and treating penetrating eye injuries. 

The Israeli bangages get their efficacy mostly from simple mechanical compression, so as long as they're reasonably sterile, I'm confident of the ones from Rhino Rescue.  Chitosan hemostatic gauze sourced from China is a bit of a crapshoot, I know.  But the product page did link to medical researching documenting the efficacy of the product type, and I was pleased to see the packages are each stamped with the date of manufacture and lot number.  Which at least implies some semblance of quality control.

The Leatherman Raptor knockoff is particularly impressive.  Listen, I know it's probably an unlicensed copy of what is unquestionably an innovative American design.  I do feel guilty about that.  But between the 11.11 sale price and two stacked coupons, I paid a whopping $12.99, including the optional custom belt holster.  That's between one sixth and one eighth the price of the authentic Raptors.  And the truth is, I was never going to buy the real Raptor.  I would have stuck with my crappy-yet-functional stamped steel EMT shears. 

So, yes I do feel guilty.  But I don't feel $80 guilty. 

The Aliexpress copy just exudes quality.  The cutting blades are each 3mm thick and slice through fabric like butter.  The folding mechanism operates with a triagular button on each handle that functions exactly like the magazine release on my Sig Sauer.  It comes with an integrated belt clip that doubles as the retention catch for the plastic holster.  It locks the folded tool in either place very securely.  In addition to its primary cutting function, it includes a swing-out belt cutter, an oxygen valve wrench (which I'll never use, but it's cool to tell people what it is), a centimeter scale for measuring wound length, a ring cutter and a carbide auto-glass breaker.  This thing is leagues better than the stamped steel EMT shears I currently have in my FAKs. 

If you're a professional first responder, I think you should definitely spring for the Leatherman original.  But if you're just a limited-budget prepper like me, and especially if you have a weakness for quality, over-engineered, multi-function gear, I highly recommend these. 

[Moab]

(its not toally clear whether you prefer the 4 inch or 6 inch Isreali bandages. Maybe i haven't had enough coffee tho. Lol)

I have to echo majorhavocs opinion on shopping Aliexpress. Read my recent review of a few items I recently received:

https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=1902.0

The only thing I've been disappointed in was some rubber trim. But it was my fault for not checking the metric measurements. 

And those solar flood lights. Those sucked. I was surpised to see good reviews on Amazon for them. But 100 leds is not enough. You could probably light up your address numbers on your house. But thats about it. I'm still looking for a good driveway solar/pir floodlight. If anyone has any recommendations.

I've been astounded by how many things I've found for my Jeep. Many items are not even listed on Amazon. And everything so far has been top quality. And very inexpensive.

I'm at the point now that prior to buying anything off Amazon. I check Aliexpress.

Temu is good for things you need faster. But the prices are much higher. All from china items too. But I think ore stored in a US warehouse. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Those Leatherman Raptor shears interest me as well, but not at 100 bucks.

I think Gerber or SOG make a version of the Raptor shears as well, but I can't remember what the model is or which company makes them.

[majorhavoc]

(its not toally clear whether you prefer the 4 inch or 6 inch Isreali bandages. Maybe i haven't had enough coffee tho. Lol)

I have to eat my words and am about to edit my post.  So I'm quoting you here so your question will still make sense to other readers.

I totally take that back: the one Israeli bandage I already owned (the one on the right in the picture below) is also the 6" size.  Looking at the new ones from Rhino Rescue, I simply couldn't fathom how a 6-incher could possibly fit in the molle pouch trauma pack I have attached to my car FAK.  Your question forced me to dig it out and I see that - sure enough - it's also the larger size.  Maybe the Rhino Rescue packaging is a little larger, but it's essentially the same damn bandage in both packages. 

Granted, a 4" would free up a bit more space, at the cost of some capability.  Especially with the stapler, I can barely get that thing zipped up. (Those soon-to-be-replaced crappy stamped steel EMT shears in the black nylon case clip to the outside)

[Moab]

(its not toally clear whether you prefer the 4 inch or 6 inch Isreali bandages. Maybe i haven't had enough coffee tho. Lol)

I have to eat my words and am about to edit my post.  So I'm quoting you here so your question will still make sense to other readers.

I totally take that back: the one Israeli bandage I already owned (the one on the right in the picture below) is also the 6" size.  Looking at the new ones from Rhino Rescue, I simply couldn't fathom how a 6-incher could possibly fit in the molle pouch trauma pack I have attached to my car FAK.  Your question forced me to dig it out and I see that - sure enough - it's also the larger size.  Maybe the Rhino Rescue packaging is a little larger, but it's essentially the same damn bandage in both packages. 

Granted, a 4" would free up a bit more space, at the cost of some capability.  Especially with the stapler, I can barely get that thing zipped up. (Those soon-to-be-replaced crappy stamped steel EMT shears in the black nylon case clip to the outside)

So you prefer the 6 inch over the 4 inch?

[majorhavoc]

Those Leatherman Raptor shears interest me as well, but not at 100 bucks.

I think Gerber or SOG make a version of the Raptor shears as well, but I can't remember what the model is or which company makes them.

In case it's not blindingly obvious, I can't recommend the Aliexpress copy highly enough.  Here's the link to the exact model I ordered.  Even at its "regular" price of $18.39 with the holster, it's an insanely good deal.  If you get it and don't agree the quality level is off the charts, I'll pm you my home address and you can come over and stab me with them.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805673140944.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.0.0.76cdf19cGIqjpt&gps-id=pcOrderDetail&scm=1007.38956.354503.0&scm_id=1007.38956.354503.0&scm-url=1007.38956.354503.0&pvid=91d38d48-f111-49f4-b756-db6da1a5c4db&_t=gps-id:pcOrderDetail,scm-url:1007.38956.354503.0,pvid:91d38d48-f111-49f4-b756-db6da1a5c4db,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238112%231997&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2144.72%2115.16%21%21%21317.38%21%21%40210321dc17015461340035487e0f6f%2112000034602862138%21rec%21US%21700774127%21&_gl=1*15zgx4c*_ga*ZTViNTY2MjMtYTVhYy00NDM0LWIwNTQtMDAzNDMzYWYwNzgzLjE2OTc4NTE1NzkwNTQ.*_ga_VED1YSGNC7*MTcwMTU0NjA2Mi41LjEuMTcwMTU0NjEzMy42MC4wLjA.

[majorhavoc]

So you prefer the 6 inch over the 4 inch?

Well, it's you that's made me realize I don't actually have any experience with the 4 inch.  So I'm falling back on what I said in an earlier thread: I'm a "more is more" kind of guy, so I guess I prefer the 6 inch (?)  But I can totally see the advantage of the 4 inch size if you're constrained for space. 

I've had my fair share of serious injuries over the years, and I cannot recall a single one where the 4" wouldn't have been plenty sufficient.

I think I just jinxed myself ....

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Those Leatherman Raptor shears interest me as well, but not at 100 bucks.

I think Gerber or SOG make a version of the Raptor shears as well, but I can't remember what the model is or which company makes them.

In case it's not blindingly obvious, I can't recommend the Aliexpress copy highly enough.  Here's the link to the exact model I ordered.  Even at its "regular" price of $18.39 with the holster, it's an insanely good deal.  If you get it and don't agree the quality level is off the charts, I'll pm you my home address and you can come over and stab me with them.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805673140944.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.0.0.76cdf19cGIqjpt&gps-id=pcOrderDetail&scm=1007.38956.354503.0&scm_id=1007.38956.354503.0&scm-url=1007.38956.354503.0&pvid=91d38d48-f111-49f4-b756-db6da1a5c4db&_t=gps-id:pcOrderDetail,scm-url:1007.38956.354503.0,pvid:91d38d48-f111-49f4-b756-db6da1a5c4db,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238112%231997&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2144.72%2115.16%21%21%21317.38%21%21%40210321dc17015461340035487e0f6f%2112000034602862138%21rec%21US%21700774127%21&_gl=1*15zgx4c*_ga*ZTViNTY2MjMtYTVhYy00NDM0LWIwNTQtMDAzNDMzYWYwNzgzLjE2OTc4NTE1NzkwNTQ.*_ga_VED1YSGNC7*MTcwMTU0NjA2Mi41LjEuMTcwMTU0NjEzMy42MC4wLjA.

I think I've already got your home address, but no worries on me stabbing you with a pair.

I'm pretty set on EMT shears anyway, but that's a damn good deal on these Leatherman Raptor clones.

Maybe we ought to pick up a couple pairs for next years UFoZS anniversary contest ?