Bridging the Gap in Emergency Care: Dr. William Hartel's Vision for Smarter First Response

The international market size of the first aid kit was valued at $203.5 million in 2024, according to a report by Grand View Research. It is forecasted to reach $281.40 million by 2030, with an average annual growth of 5.6% from 2025 to 2030. The increasing emergency health crisis in homes, offices, and other public places is driving the demand for first aid kits, but are they equipped to address severe medical emergencies, such as excessive bleeding and drug overdose?

Dr. William Hartel, a veteran with disability and an experienced dentist with over 30 years of practice, emphasizes that not only homes and offices, but also government institutions where people gather for various purposes, should be equipped with more than just basic first aid. "First aid kits are mostly bandages and basic medicines. These kits are designed to provide basic relief for minor injuries and are not equipped to handle unanticipated major health crises. Hence, having more than just a first aid kit at home becomes a vital healthcare strategy," says Dr. Hartel.

According to a report, severe bleeding accounts for over 60,000 deaths annually in the United States. An estimated 31,000 people lose their lives from preventable major bleeding that often happens in scenarios such as road accidents and violence. Unless the bleeding is stopped immediately in such unfortunate incidents, the chances of survival can drop sharply, emphasizing the importance of timely medical intervention. But the limited products in the first aid kits also limit the actions of first responders in stabilizing a patient.

Another important medical emergency that requires immediate attention is a drug overdose. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimated that the number of people using opioids had increased to 61 million people in 2020.

Dr. Hartel shares potential solutions for these medical issues, drawing on his years of experience in the military. At the age of 51, he joined the military as an overseas dentist after intense training. During his deployment, Dr. Hartel handled numerous critical care cases with the help of advanced medical supplies available at that time in his hospital. By blending his 30 years of civilian practice with his service in the military, he has invented an advanced immediate care kit named "Second Aid Kit."

"During my days in the military, we had a few extraordinary medical supplies that I think should be available in every household," says Dr. Hartel. "We had a powder in sawdust consistency to arrest severe bleeding. Even with its premium pricing, the product has begun to appear in high school locker rooms and showers. It should be available in the emergency kits of every home, hence I included it in my Second Aid Kit."

"Each year, we're reminded of the devastating impact drug overdoses continue to have on our communities," says Dr. Hartel. "It's a growing concern, but there's hope. Even basic awareness of how Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose has the potential to save lives." His Second Aid Kit, therefore, includes Naloxone, light sticks, a tourniquet instruction guide, sutureless skin closures, standard bandages, and gloves.

Dr. Hartel's interest does not end with advocating for better immediate care and inventing the Second Aid Kit. He is on a mission to cultivate young minds to innovate better products and services that would empower the whole of humanity. "The idea to create a Second Aid Kit struck me when I was in bed recovering from surgery. I have many more ideas, and young people also come to me with their ideas. The important advice I share with them is: Don't worry too much about someone stealing your idea. Most people are focused on their own projects, and only you carry the unique passion and vision to bring your idea to life," says Dr. Hartel.

As many public institutions in the developed nations are slowly upgrading the contents in their first aid kits, Dr. Hartel intends to provide his advanced Second Aid Kit to broader audiences around the world, including underserved nations.