This article was taken from the September 2011 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.

Wired comes to the rescue with medipacks for minor mishaps.

How we tested

With the guidance of Anita Thorpe, a qualified first-aider and an operating department practitioner at Yeovil District Hospital, we used a selection of current first-aid kits to treat common accidents. Dressings, bandages, scissors, swabs etc were all tested for quality and the packs scored on contents, design and value for money.

Steroplast Premium 70-Piece First-Aid Kit Bag

Our tester, qualified first-aider Anita Thorpe, loved the foil blanket, which is useful if a patient needs keeping warm or goes into shock. It was the only kit that featured ice packs, which are ideal for soothing injuries such as sprains. Thorpe was impressed, but added, "Metal tweezers for removing splinters and an absorbent pad in case someone is bleeding would have completed the kit." The bag is roomy enough to add your own extras.

WIRED: <span class="s2">Practical

TIRED: <span class="s2">Missing bits

8/10

£10; steroplast.co.uk

St John Ambulance Home First-Aid Kit

The soft green pouch feels durable and looks professional and smart. The kit's contents are easy to access and features enough tools - such as the large and medium dressings, cleansing wipes and gloves -- to make it ideal for domestic and minor traffic accidents. There is room in the bag for painkillers and antibiotics but this is still good value for money without them.

WIRED: <span class="s2">Smart looks

TIRED: <span class="s2">No scissors

8/10

£9.30; stjohnsupplies.<span class="s5">co.uk

firstaid4sport home first-aid kit This pack is ideal for immediate application at home or on the playing field thanks to the inclusion of an ice pack and sling to treat sprains. Our medical expert praised the ice pack, which is ideal for sports injuries, and the generous number of plasters, gloves and dressings included. The absence of a basic first-aid book might be a problem -- for instance, if you don't know how to tie your sling in the first place.

WIRED: <span class="s2">Great value

TIRED: <span class="s2">No guide

8/10

£4.48; firstaid4sport.co.uk

Lifesystems Mountain First-Aid Kit Designed for places where medical supplies aren't available, this first-aid kit was put together with the help of expedition doctor Hugh Montgomery and members of the British Special Forces medical team. Thorpe liked the clear pockets with antiseptic wipes, burn gel and gauze swabs, tweezers and the ample amount of dressings, plasters and tape. "You do, however, need an A level in Tetris to get the contents into the bag," she says.

The kit also includes ibuprofen pills, which need to be monitored for use-by date.

WIRED: <span class="s2">Lots of kit

TIRED: <span class="s2">Tight squeeze

6/10

£30; cotswoldoutdoor.com

FastAid Essentials Family First-Aid Kit With its compact, waterproof case, this kit provides first-aid content suitable for domestic use, days out or camping. It features all the basics such as antiseptic cream, dressings, bandages and scissors. Our tester thought the cleansing wipes weren't moist enough to wipe the skin properly -- saline or water pouches are more useful for rinsing dirty wounds.

WIRED: <span class="s2">Waterproof

TIRED: <span class="s2">Latex gloves may provoke allergy

7/10

£10.72; amazon.co.uk

This article was originally published by WIRED UK