The number of items in your first aid kit isn’t nearly as important as the type of supplies you have on hand. In the event of an emergency, you won’t have time to go to the drugstore to pick up what you need. This is the reason why understanding what first aid kit contains is the first step to being prepared for any emergency.
How to Pack a First Aid Kit
The first step to building a first aid kit is the planning process. You will want to think about what you’ll be using the kit for. Is it something to have at home or at the office? Do you intend on using it for camping, or will it remain in the trunk of your car?
It is important to think about its uses as they will affect the items that you put into the kit. For example, campers might be more interested in sting relief pads than employees in an office. This will also help you to limit your costs when it comes to buying all of the components.
You will also want to consider what is recommended by professional organizations and associations. Two key sources to consider are ANSI and OSHA. Both of these regulatory agencies revolve around safety, and as such, they have top-tier advice when it comes to establishing the perfect first aid kit.
The Most Recommended First Aid Supplies
Once you have an idea of what your first aid kit will be used for, it’s time to discuss what first aid kit contains so you know what to buy. The most recommended supplies include:
Emergency Telephone Numbers
It’s impossible to predict when you’ll encounter an emergency. You may or may not be conscious, and strangers might be responsible for coming to your rescue before medical personnel. Thus, it is imperative that you have a list of the most important telephone numbers in your first aid kit.
You will want to make a list of the names of family members and friends as well as their relation to you. Make sure that you include their home number, cellphone number, and work number. Additionally, place the list inside of a waterproof laminate bag for extra protection.
Sterile Gauze Pads
Gauze pads are available in a wide variety of different sizes, and you’ll want to make sure that you have an assortment. You could be dealing with a minor injury or a major one, and different types of gauze pads are among the most important things to have.
Designed to pack wounds and to stop bleeding, they are indeed a life-saving component that every first aid kit should have.
Roller Bandages and Triangular Bandages
Similar to gauze pads, these bandages are quite useful for preventing an excessive amount of bleeding. Aside from that, roller bandages are also essential for creating impromptu slings for broken bones.
Assorted Adhesive Bandages
At times, you might not need serious supplies, such as gauze. In these instances, a couple of adhesive bandages could suffice.
For your kit, you will want to amass a collection of different sizes of adhesive bandages, as they typically have various purposes. For example, you would want to pack some fingertip bandages as well as knuckle bandages.
Scissors and Tweezers
If you have children, you know how essential it is to have tweezers on hand. When there are dirt and debris inside of a wound, you’ll need to extract the particles with tweezers. Scissors are also important as they give you the ability to cut fabric to gain access to injuries.
Cold Compresses
For acute injuries, nothing works better than a cold compress. It’s a fantastic way to eliminate pain and reduce swelling within a matter of minutes. You’ll also find a cold compress to be useful for insect bites and stings as well as managing fevers.
Antiseptic Wipes
Infection is one of the largest concerns in an emergency, especially if you don’t require immediate medical attention. Antiseptic wipes are essential for cleaning an area before, during, and after treatment. You will also need them to clean your hands if you don’t have access to gloves.
Antibiotic Ointment
Ointments are one of the most forgotten yet important elements of first aid kits. They are another form of disinfecting and are highly recommended for any type of cut or scrape. Even if you don’t think you need medical attention, you will surely need antibiotic ointment.
Sterile Gloves
Coming into contact with the bodily fluids of a stranger can be hazardous for your health. This is why it’s essential that you have multiple pairs of sterile gloves. Additionally, you’ll want to limit the number of exposure the wounds will have to bacteria when applying bandages.
Emergency Blankets
To assist with limiting shock and exposure, blankets are a useful tool to have. This is especially true if you are looking for items for a winter first aid kit. You’ll want to have as many emergency blankets as people you have traveling with you.
Eye Patches and Eyewash
Your eyes are the most delicate parts of your body, and they are also prone to the most damage. As such, you will want to have a sufficient amount of eyewash to rinse out any debris if necessary. You will also want eye patches to cover the affected area until you can reach a hospital.
Multiple Barrier Devices
As mentioned, avoiding the bodily fluids of someone other than yourself is essential. Barrier devices are designed to do this for you, as they create a barrier between yourself and a wound. You will want to consider multiple CPR barriers, pocket masks, and face shields.
Survival Tools
Aside from the medical equipment you need to have in a first aid kit, you’ll want to focus on survival tools as well. This will include a compass, a flashlight, fire starters, an emergency whistle, an emergency radio, a multi-tool, glow sticks, and even flares.
Other Items
Other highly recommended items to include in a first aid kit could be maps, bottled water with high-energy snacks, first aid instructions, extra batteries, and prescription medications. After all, the main objective of these kits is to make sure you have everything you need in an emergency.
Final Thoughts
When you’re stuck trying to figure out what first aid kit contains, there are plenty of items to consider. With the help of this guide as well as OSHA and ANSI guidelines, you’ll be more than prepared for any unexpected events.