Grant Breidenbach admits before he created Peak First Aid he barely carried any first aid supplies on his outdoor adventures. “Almost zilch,” he said.
“There are kits that are small and light, but only include little bandaids and maybe a pad of gauze and plastic tweezers. Good luck out there,” he laughed.
“Then, there’s the kits designed for guiding services that are loaded to the gills and are awesome, but they’re 10 pounds and not for trail running or a big alpine day.”
“There was nothing in the middle. I’m not a professional guide, I’m just Grant,” he laughed. “Nothing represented me, so I resorted to just carrying nothing.”
But Grant knew better. As an avid ice and traditional rock climber, gravel rider, trail runner, and backpacker, he was aware of the elevated risk that came with these adventures. “And as I got into more outdoorsy things, those things started to carry more and more risk.”
Grant ice climbing in Banff (left) and backpacking in Arizona (right).
It was after a climbing accident on the Northwest face of Yosemite’s Half Dome that sparked the inspiration for Peak First Aid (listen to the story on The Sharp End Podcast here).
Ultimately, Grant’s hiking partner David took a fall requiring the climbers to retreat-repel 1,000 feet to safety so that David, who suffered a broken back and heel, could be helivaced back to the valley floor.
“We trained hard, got up there and had an accident out of our control,” Grant recalled. “I have seen accidents, even before Yosemite, from big to small. This accident could have been so much worse, and that’s when I had reached this epiphany with first aid supplies.”
Grant started researching and locating the highest quality components he believed to be essential on his own adventures. “I spent a bunch of time, more than any sane person, and found that there’s some really awesome tools out there. They might be more expensive, but they can provide a higher level of safety and security.”
He came up with a kit that was perfect for ultra running, high route scrambles, climbing trips and gravel rides. “I thought it was just for me, and I was proud of it.”
In no time, Grant’s personal kit grabbed the attention of his buddies. “They either had big adventure medical kits, or like me, were carrying nothing.”
“That’s when I realized there was a business in this. It wasn’t about getting rich, but other people need quality first aid supplies, and I was inspired to make sure everyone had access to the best first aid kits out there.”
After working with trusted advisors and developing relationships with suppliers, Peak First Aid officially launched in the Summer of 2023 out of Grant’s Superior, Colorado home.
“Not for ouchies and boo boos, this kit puts an emphasis on stopping major bleeding, front and center,” Grant explained. “Massive blood loss is not addressed in most first aid kits because devices are expensive or heavy.”
The key device he’s referencing is the kit’s multi-functional tourniquet device. “It’s quick, it’s robust, and can quickly occlude an artery entirely, so much more than a torn t-shirt. You won't see this in other first aid kits.”
Another notable component is Peak Tape. Unlike athletic tape made with cheap adhesive, Peak Tape uses a much more robust zinc oxide adhesive. “You could probably wax yourself with it,” Grant laughed. “It might not be the most fun to take off, but it’s on!”
More noteworthy is the way Peak Tape is flat-packed and rolled back on itself, eliminating the need for carrying a useless cardboard tube. “Rolls are naturally bulky and don't pack well, and this tape is very carefully sized and is unique as a standalone product.”
Just as they’re defined by what’s in the kit, Peak First Aid is also defined by what’s not included.
“There’s not a huge emphasis on infection control,” Grant explained. “Most of the time you’re close to a trailhead and usually it’s a secondary concern to rapid bleeding.” Still, Peak First Aid offers an Infection Upgrade Pack that includes an irrigation syringe, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, and large gauze pads.
In addition to its components, the pouch itself is compact and thoughtfully designed. Grant points out most kits are filled to the brim compromising the zippers and preventing the user from adding any items of their own. “There’s some flex space so if you want a little more, you can fit it in with ease.”
The pouch itself is made of the highest quality, ultra-grid, water-resistant material and waterproof YKK zipper by Garage Grown Gear partner UltralightSacks.
Grant humbly admits this kit may not be ideal for every adventurer. “It’s a personal decision, and you need to get a first aid kit that meets your needs. Peak First Aid is not for everyone. But it does meet the needs of a lot of people.”
“Take a hard look at what you’re carrying and really think about the activities you’re doing. Does your first aid kit match the intensity of your activity? Can you explore confidently, or are you begging on luck. If you can save your life or self-evacuate because you have the tools, invest in your safety and invest in your life.”
“When I pack every kit, I tuck that tourniquet in there, and I hope that it never gets used, but I recognize that there could come a day when it could be used, and I feel the weight of that.”
“I think about the lives that it will impact, and also have a great sense of joy knowing this could make an impact and radically save someone's life. I can’t help but smile.”
For every Peak First Aid kit sold a $2 donation is made to an underfunded Search and Rescue team.
Peak First Aid Founder, Grant, enjoying trail magic while thru-hiking.
Originally from Alaska, Maria currently resides in Montana with her husband, two young daughters and chocolate lab named Echo. When she’s not chasing her kids or that next running goal, you can find her weekend-warrioring in the mountains or thinking about her next cup of coffee.
2 comments
GGG Moderator
@Bob
Please note that the Peak First Aid Kit is for those taking greater risks in the backcountry. Most backpackers will do well with typical first aid kits from Adventure Medical or other brands, and it sounds like those would be the best fit for you. The main differences here (which affect price) between Peak’s kit and others’ include the presence of a tourniquet to stop major bleeding (something that’s not in a typical first aid kit), proprietary Peak Tape, the USA-made waterproof pouch from a small maker, and the fact that this is a USA-based small business. Therefore the markup numbers you are stating are, with all due respect, inaccurate.
Bob
Thanks for the article and donation to search and rescue with purchase of the safety kit. I don’t typically respond to items like this, but I was a quite baffled at the cost of the safety kit. I’m not understanding why a raw cost of what(?) maybe $10-$20 for the safety kit contents constitutes a markup of 225%-550% to $65 for the assembled first aid kit. The next highest cost kit from Adventure Medical $46.99 contains likely 3-4 times the safety contents. Sorry, I’ll purchase what I need separately for easily half of this marked up cost.