I am a firm believer in the maximes “something is better than nothing” and “the best EDC gear is what you actually carry”. In my opinion, this also applies to first aid kits. I have put together what I call a medium size FAK, which I bring whenever I participate in sports or go off the beaten track. However, I also try to keep a small FAK in every bag that sees use more than every other week.

A family of FAKs. From left: The Flat FAK, another rather flat FAK, very small but thick FAK, the small FAK i keep in my grab bag, my medium FAK, my car kit.

As with all EDC gear, a FAK is a compromise between size and usefulness. And while you can buy really small FAKs, they are not always flat enough to fit in a given pocket. Luckily, you can always build your own, if you find the right container. I have a couple of relatives who suffer from migraine, a condition I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. They rely on a drug called Maxalt Rapitab. Since migraine sufferers should carry their meds everywhere they go, this drug comes in sturdy little plastic boxes, which lend themselves to a million uses. The other day, the idea struck me. Why not use one to build a very small, flat and compact FAK/boo boo kit?

As seen in this lousy photo, the box is only slightly thicker than a Buck 110, and much slimmer than my other mini FAK.

The flatness does of course come at a prize: it is not possible to stuff an Israeli dressing or even a roll of conforming bandage into such a flat container (I can fit both into the small FAK at the right of the previous picture). That makes the Flat Fak more of a boo boo kit than a true FAK, but as I stated at the beginning of this post, something is better than nothing.

The Flat FAK contains: Ibuprofen (400mg x 2), paracetamol (400mg x 2), antihistamin, wound dressing pad/compress (5x5cm), waterproof bandage/large band aid (5x7cm), papery medical tape, band aids (two small, two large).

The Flat FAK shown with iPhone 3G and Buck 110. As you can see, it takes up so little real estate that there is absolutely no excuse not to carry a FAK anymore. It will even fit in a large shirt pocket!