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Be Smart Get Prepared 326 Piece Review

This kit is the best we've reviewed for the workplace, office, or classroom, where a large number of people need access to basic supplies.
Be Smart Get Prepared 326 Piece
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Price:  $45 List | $34.99 at Amazon
Pros:  Durable case, large quantity of supplies
Cons:  No CPR mask, poor quality tools
Manufacturer:   Be Prepared
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Aug 12, 2017
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54
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#7 of 8
  • Quality - 20% 6
  • Usefulness - 20% 5
  • Durability - 20% 7
  • Versatility - 20% 5
  • Weight - 20% 4

Our Verdict

The Be Smart Get Prepared 326 piece first aid kit is big in size, weight, and quantity of contents. It meets OSHA and ANSI guidelines on first aid kit contents in a workplace setting and is equipped to be hung on a wall or inside of a door in the home or workplace, as well as carried in a vehicle or on a boat. The contents of this kit are meant for common non-life threatening injuries such as cuts and scrapes, and the sheer quantity of these contents imply a large group using or having access to it. For a smaller first aid kit that is still able to support a group, take a peek at the Editors' Choice-winning Surviveware kit, and be sure to read up on How to Choose the Best First Aid Kit.


Compare to Similar Products

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award  Best Buy Award 
Price $34.99 at Amazon$36.95 at Amazon$27.95 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$32.34 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$19.99 at Amazon
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Pros Durable case, large quantity of suppliesVery durable, quality tools, removable CPR kitLightweight, minimal packaging, waterproof, quality components, compactVery well organized, usefulInexpensive, includes medications and good assortment of supplies
Cons No CPR mask, poor quality toolsNo medications, no first aid manualLimited group size, minimal quantitiesBag is only moderately weather proofPoorly organized, low on certain supplies
Bottom Line This kit is the best we've reviewed for the workplace, office, or classroom, where a large number of people need access to basic supplies.A great choice for those in rugged environments where durability is a concern.The best choice for trips where weight matters, without compromising on quality.A cleanly organized first aid kit for small groups and short excusions, the AMK Backpacker anticipates the medical needs of most backpackers.This is a budget first aid kit perfect for a single overnight, or even as a car camping kit.
Rating Categories Be Smart Get Prepared 326 Pi... Surviveware Small Ultralight/Watertight .7 Mountain Series Backpacker Adventure 2.0
Quality (20%)
10
0
6
10
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9
10
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8
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8
10
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8
Usefulness (20%)
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5
10
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8
10
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6
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7
Durability (20%)
10
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7
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9
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8
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7
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7
Versatility (20%)
10
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5
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6
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7
10
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6
Weight (20%)
10
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4
10
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8
10
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10
10
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8
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7
Specs Be Smart Get... Surviveware Small ... Mountain Series... Adventure 2.0
Total Weight (oz) 48 oz 13.6 oz 8 oz 13.6 oz 16 oz
Dimensions (inches) 12 x 13.5 x 4.5 3.1 x 6.2 x 6.7 7.5 x 10 x 2 7 x 6 x 3.5 6 x 8.5 x 1.5
First Aid book Yes No No Yes Yes
CPR Mask/ Face Shield No Yes No No No
Gloves/Type/How many 4 examination gloves Nitrile gloves Nitrile gloves Nitrile gloves Nitrile gloves
Medications Yes - aspirin, antacid No Yes - antihistamine, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen Yes - acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, antihistamine, diamode, sting and bite relief wipes Yes - acetaminophen, antihistamine, ibuprofen, aspirin
Splint 5 finger splints No No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Be Smart Get Prepared first aid kit is a large briefcase-sized kit that comes in a hardshell case, and is a useful resource for big groups in the workplace or home settings, and the contents anticipate both high volume of users as well as most standard and non-life-threatening injuries.

Performance Comparison


The Be Smart Get Prepared case is best used when mounted on a wall or door.
The Be Smart Get Prepared case is best used when mounted on a wall or door.

Quality


The contents of the Be Smart Get Prepared first aid kit are generally of good quality, coming in a durable plastic briefcase that has shelves for easy organization. Medicines and bandages comprise the majority of the kit's supplies, and these are all individually packaged making it easy to grab what you need. All the over the counter medicines (antacid tabs, aspirin, acetaminophen) have easy to read expiration dates (2 years from when we received the kit) which help in keeping contents up to date. There is no ibuprofen and diphenhydramine for allergic reactions included. We liked the quality nitrile gloves found in this kit, and unlike most portable first aid kits, it included more than one pair. We were less impressed by the quality of the shears and tweezers, which were flimsy and unreliable.

Ample bandages and nitrile gloves make this a good kit for a large group
Ample bandages and nitrile gloves make this a good kit for a large group

Usefulness


The Be Smart Get Prepared kit was moderately useful when compared to other contenders. Some models were able to treat the full range of medical emergencies possible in a backcountry or wilderness setting; however, as it relates to the conventional treatments likely to be found in an office environment, this kit is much more useful. It can treat a common headache, cut, sting or scrape. This model also provides a vast quantity of basic bandages and wound cleaning pads that can support a large group. There are a few additional trauma supplies such as large gauze pads and finger splints for emergencies, but this kit is meant to take care of small, non-life threatening injuries.

Easy access makes simple first aid on minor cuts and scrapes a breeze.
Easy access makes simple first aid on minor cuts and scrapes a breeze.

Durability


Coming inside of a massive case the size of a briefcase and being able to be hung on a wall or door as well as be carried by a handle, the Be Smart Get Prepared kit is quite durable, though the design of the interior allows contents to shift and get mixed up when not mounted. The plastic tweezers and flimsy scissors used in this kit are not durable at all and would be better replaced with higher quality trauma shears and forceps.

The tools used in this kit were some of the least durable or useful of the review.
The tools used in this kit were some of the least durable or useful of the review.

Versatility


Although this first aid kit meets the OSHA guidelines for small businesses, even they recommend that additional supplements may be necessary based on the type of work environment. We felt like for a typical office setting that the Be Smart Get Prepared Kit would be adequate and versatile enough to deal with most non-emergent situations, but for a construction job site, we would rather see more gauze pads and better quality tools. And while many workplaces also may have an AED/CPR station, there really should be a CPR mask included in this kit too. There is an option to add it on to a restocking order through Be Smart Get Prepared, however.

The well organized shelving only really keeps things neat and tidy when mounted on a wall.
The well organized shelving only really keeps things neat and tidy when mounted on a wall.

Weight


Tipping the scales at just over 3 pounds, the Be Smart Get Prepared first aid kit is heavy. While does not score nearly as high as some of the lightweight models, is also meant for use in a completely different setting. Designed to be wall mounted or carried in a vehicle, weight should not be a reason to avoid this product. We would have even been happier if the kit had weighed more if that meant that there were more varied supplies for a wider spectrum of emergencies.

The Be Smart Get Prepared Kit is not meant for the backcountry so its size does not make a big difference.
The Be Smart Get Prepared Kit is not meant for the backcountry, so its size does not make a big difference.

Best Applications


For the home, small office, boat or RV, the Be Smart Get Prepared first aid kit offers a large number of basic first aid supplies that are able to treat a large number of people with common minor injuries. We recommend using this kit only when in reasonably fast access to definitive medical care, not in a remote or wilderness setting.

Value


With an MSRP of $45, the Be Smart Get Prepared 326 Piece first aid kit is an average value. You do get the mountable carrying case, but the supplies contained within are pretty inexpensive, and the tools are of poor quality. What you are paying for is an OSHA/ANSI approved kit that has an easy reordering system when you need to stock up on depleted supplies.

When mounted on a wall or door the shelves pop out to reveal more storage space.
When mounted on a wall or door the shelves pop out to reveal more storage space.

Conclusion


For basic first aid in an office, home, school classroom or other group settings, the Be Smart Get Prepared kit can support a small to a medium-sized group as long as the injuries are relatively minor and can be treated with over the counter medications and small bandages. Any more severe injuries would need additional supplies added to the kit based on your group's needs.


— Ryan Huetter