Lifesystems Waterproof First Aid Kit review
By Tom Calder
A well-made, genuinely waterproof kit with CE-certified contents, sensibly organised for watersports and outdoor use. Solid value if wet-weather durability matters more than sheer piece count.
- Best for
- Kayaking, canoeing and other outdoor trips where a kit is likely to get wet.
- Skip it if
- You want a large home or vehicle first aid kit to cover a whole household
as of 2 Nov 2026, 13:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.We earn a commission if you buy through the retailer links on this page. It doesn't change our verdict. How we make money →
Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- Genuinely waterproof outer case that keeps contents dry in canoes, kayaks and wet weather
- CE-certified contents organised by category, with watersports-relevant items like a resuscitation face shield and burn gel
- Compact and light enough to stow in a drybag or rucksack
Worth knowing
- Contents are geared to outdoor/watersports use rather than a comprehensive home or family kit
- Costs more than a basic home first aid kit for a fairly modest 32-item count
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Our review
Lifesystems' Waterproof First Aid Kit is a compact outdoor kit in a sealed bag, aimed at paddlers, sailors and walkers whose kit gets wet. Lifesystems counts 32 items, weighted towards cuts, blisters and sprains, plus a face shield and burn gel. It is a personal kit for trips, not a full household or workplace kit.
What's in it
Lifesystems lists the contents as a crepe bandage (5 cm by 4.5 m), an open-weave bandage (7.5 cm by 5 m), a triangular calico bandage, a 12 by 12 cm medium wound dressing, two 5 by 5 cm low-adherent dressings, five gauze swabs, six saline wipes, assorted plasters, two blister plasters, a fabric plaster strip, micropore tape, a 3.5 g sachet of burn gel, two pairs of nitrile gloves, a resuscitation face shield, scissors, tweezers, a spot-check thermometer, six safety pins and a leaflet.
The bag measures 330 by 160 by 80 mm and the kit weighs 500 g. Lifesystems says the contents are made to European quality standards and carry the CE mark.
Who it suits
This is built for the trip rather than the house: a canoe, a sailing dinghy, a wet week of camping or a day on the hills. The waterproof bag is the point of buying it, because a soaked dressing is no use, and the contents are sensibly chosen for the injuries people actually get outdoors: blisters, grazes, cuts, a turned ankle and a minor burn from a stove.
In a household plan it earns a place in a grab bag or the car, where it may sit in a damp boot for months. Our home first aid kit checklist covers what a kit for the whole household should hold.
The limits
Lifesystems is clear that its kits are designed for personal use and don't fall under workplace standards such as BS 8599, so this is not a kit for a business or a club that needs to meet first aid at work rules. There are no foil blankets, no large dressing and no eye pads, which a household kit would normally carry, and the product page gives no submersion rating for the bag.
Thirty-two items is also a modest count. Keep it topped up after use, and add any personal medicines, which a kit like this never includes.
How it compares
On our first aid comparison, the St John Ambulance large kit is the opposite end: a wall-mounted workplace kit that conforms to BS 8599-1, with large dressings, burn dressings and foil blankets, but nothing like as portable. Lifesystems' own Light and Dry Nano is the minimalist alternative for a day pack, with 16 items. The Steroplast 70-piece kit is a cheaper general home and travel kit in a nylon bag, without the waterproofing.
Our verdict
A well-chosen, waterproof kit for outdoor and water use, and a good one to keep in a car or grab bag where damp is likely. For the main kit in the house, choose something larger and add this as the portable one.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and UK listings; facts checked 2 Nov 2026. Sources: Lifesystems: Waterproof First Aid Kit; Lifesystems: How to choose the right first aid kit for the outdoors; HSE: What to put in your first aid kit.
Who shouldn't buy this
You want a large home or vehicle first aid kit to cover a whole household. This is a compact, waterproof grab kit for outdoor and water activities, not a full domestic kit.
Key specs
| Type | Waterproof watersports first aid kit |
| Pieces | 32 |
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the UK price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
If this isn’t the one
Best for Households wanting a fit-and-forget CO alarm to sit near any fuel-burning appliance.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 13:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for Reliable everyday protection on landings, hallways and living rooms.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 13:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for A family home or caravan that wants plenty of plasters, bandages and two ice packs in one fold-up bag.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 13:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Questions
How many items are in the Lifesystems Waterproof First Aid Kit?
Lifesystems gives 32 items. Its list includes bandages, dressings, plasters, gloves, a face shield, burn gel, scissors, tweezers and a thermometer. Counting each glove pair and pin separately gives a slightly different number.
Does it meet BS 8599?
No. Lifesystems says its kits are designed for personal use and don't fall under workplace standards like BS 8599. For a workplace, choose a kit that states BS 8599-1 conformity.
How big and heavy is it?
Lifesystems gives 330 by 160 by 80 mm and 500 g, small enough for a drybag or day pack.
Can I take it in a kayak or canoe?
That is what it is designed for. Lifesystems sells it as a waterproof kit for wet conditions, but its page gives no submersion rating, so clip it inside the boat or put it in a drybag rather than trusting it under water for long.
Does it include painkillers or medicines?
No. Like most first aid kits it contains dressings, bandages and tools only. Add any medicines your group needs, and check their dates before each trip.
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