Wherever you go, you should have access to the first aid kit. Having a first aid kit nearby can save you from a lot of inconveniences. Most of us know the proper use of it. Only a few of us know about all the contents required to make the perfect kit.
Basic First Aid Kit Parts
A first aid kit can be small or large. The size and contents largely depend upon its use. We have compiled a list of the most basic first aid kit contents so you can contact first aid supplies with confidence. Here’s everything you should have in a first aid kit.
Box
A box can be small and made up of plastic. It can also be large and made up of metal. You can fix the metal box on the wall for ease of locating the kit. Some boxes are specialized and contain compartments for different first aid items.
Latex gloves
When you are giving first aid to someone, you have to protect yourself first. Having disposable gloves in your first aid box is essential for your protection. Body Fluids can have different transmittable diseases. During bandaging or cleaning the blood, you can wear latex gloves to stop the disease transmission.
Disinfectant
You should disinfect the bruises and wounds before applying the bandage. There are multiple disinfectants available in the market. You can keep hydrogen peroxide or the iodine solution in your first aid box. These are safe to use on the skin.
Gauze of multiple sizes
These are required to cover the wound and stop the bleeding. You can also apply antibiotic cream on the wounds and then cover it with the gauze bandages. The small gauze bandages are for fingers and large bandages are for arms or other parts of the body.
Tapes and pins
Bandages are not going to attach by themselves. You have to use some adhesive tape or pins to firmly attach the bandage at the site of the wound. You can also use the adhesive tapes directly on the fingers after putting some gauze and antibiotic cream.
Scissors
Most of the homes in America have scissors. These are also available in the offices. The availability of scissors at all the places should not stop you from keeping one in your first aid kit. In case of an emergency, you are going to need it urgently. It is a crucial part of an emergency medical kit.
Elastic bandages
If you have muscle damage or injury inside the muscle without bleeding, regular gauze bandages will not work. Elastic bandages are the best choice because you can get pressure on the site of inflammation. It will help the inflamed area recover in less time. These bandages usually have clips that will help in bandage placement.
The hot and cold pack
In an accident, your body parts can get inflamed. You have to apply heat to areas. The blood circulation can improve by heating and helps the body heal quickly. In the case of bleeding, you are going to need a cold pack because it will help in stopping the blood loss. Both Hot and Cold packs should be a part of the best first aid kit.
Medications
You should keep some medicines at your home and office. Keeping the medicines inside the first aid kit is a way of finding them when needed. The most basic medication is analgesic. It can be used to relieve pain. Headaches can also be treated using analgesics. In the case of allergy, you are going to require anti-allergic medication. Keeping on non-sedative anti-allergic medicine in your first aid kit is beneficial. Tablets and syrups for gastric disturbance and antibiotic creams can be kept in the home first aid kit.
Special First Aid Kits
All of the first aid kits are not made equal. If you are traveling, the contents will be different than the one present in your home’s first aid kit. Some specialized things have to be added in the kit to make it suitable for special occasions.
For traveling
If you are traveling, you should have medicine for gastric disturbance and fever in your medical kits. Apart from all the basic contents, the travel first aid kit has to be small so it can be kept in a small place easily. You can keep it in your car while traveling. A flashlight and disposable bags should also be present in the kit so you can use it in the absence of light and throw the contaminated staff at the right location.
For office
Offices are normally a place of stress and people can often get headaches. The first aid box should be fixed on the wall at a specified location in the office. The location should be informed to everybody so it can be reached easily at the time of need.
Small kits
If you are traveling by foot like hiking on a mountain or spending the night outside, you can keep a small first aid kit like the IFAK or portable medical kit with you. The kit should be small enough so it can be kept in the bag. Some people suffer from diseases like diabetes. It is more crucial for them to take the first aid kit with them. They can also keep their medications with the bag containing items for first aid.
Important Tips
Here are some tips for handling the first aid kit. If you properly use the first aid kit, the first aid kit items will not be wasted and you can use it for a long time. The tips are given below.
- You should always check the expiry of the medicines before using them from the first aid kit.
- When using the scissors or knife from the first aid kit, you should always be careful not to cut your hand.
- You should keep the first aid box away from the reach of the children.
- Never forget to wear disposable latex gloves to avoid the transmission of the disease.
By Admin –
