A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid. First aid kits may be made up of different contents depending on who has assembled the kit and for what purpose. A box containing first aid and medical supplies

First aid box

A first aid box provides you with the materials you need to deal with injuries to people at work. It must be

identified with the symbol of a white cross against a green background.

What you keep in the first aid box depends upon your assessment of workplace hazards. As a minimum,

it should include:

a guide to first aid

20 individually wrapped, sterile, adhesive dressings, in various sizes

two sterile eye pads

four individually wrapped, triangular bandages - preferably sterile

six safety pins

six medium sized (12 centimetres x 12 centimetres) individually wrapped, unmedicated wound

dressings

two large (18 centimetres x 18 centimetres) sterile, individually wrapped, unmedicated wound

dressings

one pair of disposable gloves

The first aid box should not contain any tablets or medicine. Be aware that sterile items may have a 'best

before date' and should be replaced before this expires. If no such date is shown, you should check this

information directly with the item manufacturer.

Location of the first aid box

Each work site should have at least one first aid box.

The first aid box should be prominent and easily accessible. Ideally it should be near a sink or

washbasin.

Make sure employees know where it is. Put up signs showing the first aid symbol to direct employees

to the first aid box and to other medical equipment.

Access to the first aid box

Access to the first aid box should normally be through the first aider or an appointed person.

The contents should usually only be used by those trained in giving first aid.

In the absence of these people, employees should still be able to use the materials within the box.

Anyone who uses the box should record what they have used so it can be replaced.

Accidents, injuries, and emergencies happen to everyone, eventually. Properly preparing for these

instances is all-important.

Ideally, everyone should have a first aid kit or medical kit at home and in his or her auto. If your

household includes children, keeping a kit in the house is especially important. As well, outdoorsmen

and outdoorswomen will want to make a first aid kit an essential part of their gear.

Simple to advanced kits can be bought through a variety of retailers, but you can easily put your own kit together from scratch. The advantage of making your own kit is that you can specialize it according to your needs, and it generally will cost you less money to assemble your own.

We will begin by listing and examining what should go in a basic, home, first aid kit. Then we will look at what can go into a more advanced medical kit. A basic kit should include:

1) Band-aids of all sizes

2) 4” by 4” Gauze pads - for cleaning wounds

3) 4” by 4” Dressing bandages - for wounds, cuts, and abrasions

4) 2” Dressing rolls - for wrapping and bandaging injuries

5) Medical tape

6) Cotton balls

7) Q-tips

8) Alcohol pads - or a 16 oz. bottle of isopropyl alcohol for cleaning wounds

9) Antimicrobial hand wipes - a box or several placed in a sealed plastic bag to keep them moist

10) Hydrogen Peroxide - 16 oz. Bottle for cleansing skin wounds

11) Sterile water - 16 oz. bottle

12) Eye flushing solution - 16 oz. Bottle with eye cup

13) Ace bandage - wrapping sprains and contused soft tissue

14) Arm sling

15) Chemical ice pack

16) Chemical hot pack

17)Thermometer - oral and rectal (especially for kids)

18) Tweezers

19) Scissors

20) Nail clippers

21) Jackknife

22) Clean string - for a variety of uses

23) Sterile gloves

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Simple, but important over-the-counter medications that should be kept in a first aid kit and updated regularly (check the expiration dates) include:

1) Antibiotic ointment - for cuts and scrapes of the skin

2) Steroid ointment - topical medicine for poison ivy and itchy skin

3) Medicated sunburn spray or cream

4) Calamine lotion

5) Insect sting relief pads

6) Tylenol (Acetaminophen) - pain and fever reducer

7) Advil (Ibuprophen) - anti-inflammatory for pain, swelling, and fever

8) Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) - antihistamine for allergic reactions, itching, and runny nose

9) Sudafed - a decongestant for stuffy nose (or decongestant nose drops)

10) Cough suppressant

11) Throat lozenges

An advanced first aid or medical kit (like those used by experienced campers and extreme adventurers) could include the following items:

1) Small flashlight

2) Bottles of regular water - for hydration and flushing purposes

3) Eye patches

4) Dental floss

5) Joint braces

6) Splint boards - to stabilize and protect sprains and fractures

7) Cotton towels

8) Cotton wash clothes

9) Insect repellant - nontoxic to children

10) Lip ointment

11) Blood clotting spray - a great, new advancement to stop minor bleeding

12) Suture material and needle - for properly instructed individuals to sow up lacerations

13) Hypodermic needle and syringe – to draw up an anesthetic liquid

14) Anesthetic solution - small, sterile bottle

15) Sterile suture kit

16) Antibiotics - for a variety of uses that should be discussed with a doctor

17) Anti-diarrheal medication

18) Silvadene cream - for severe burns

19) Narcotic pain medicine - consult with doctor on this item

20) Adrenaline kit - for severe allergic reactions, these easy-to-use kits are available by physician prescription

21) Electrolyte tablets - to replenish sodium, potassium, and calcium in dehydrated states

Being organized is the key to creating and keeping a good kit. Remember to label everything properly. Keep a list of everything on a 3X5 card that stays in the kit. Refer to it when items need to be replaced.

Items should be kept as clean and sterile as possible. Medicines should be stored in secure containers with proper name, dosage, number of pills, how and when to take it, and what it is specifically used for.

The quantity of items in your kit generally depends on who lives in your household or who will be going on the trip. Children are not little adults, so special attention is warranted in their case, especially with medicine.

Your first aid kit can be small or large. A small one could contain the minimum: band aids, ointment and antiseptic. A larger one could have everything from band aids to a blood pressure cuff. You should create one for your car as well as your home.Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You'll Need:

a container (can range in size from a plastic pencil box to a medium-size tool box) gauze band aids triple-antibiotic ointment mouthpiece small scissors glucose tablets blankets tylenol, ibuprofen, and baby aspirin large kotex pads 36 inch triangular piece of cloth (sling) cotton pads (make up pads are excellent) popsicle sticks 2 or 3 Ace bandages of varying sizes ice packs/heat packs blood pressure cuff an stethoscope thermometer a first guide or chart

INSTRUCTION

Step 1

Decide on the purpose. This will determine the size. A simple one will be easy to put

together and can be kept in a large pencil box or kids lunch box.

Step 2

Gather the supplies you'll need. Small kits usually include band aids, ointment, Tylenol and

a package of gauze with tape. A larger kit would include glucose tabs (for diabetic shock), a

blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, thermometer, band aids, gauze, Tylenol, cotton pads

of various sizes, etc.

Step 3

Include odd supplies such as: Kotex pads - very absorbent and excellent for large cuts and

wounds. A sling to immobilize an arm or leg, if necessary. A blanket to prevent shock or to

just wrap a person in. A small pair of sharp scissors in case you have to cut clothing or

bandage material.

Step 4

Check with the Red Cross or American Heart Association to see if they offer First Aid or

CPR classes in your area. You will at least learn the basics. This is also a definite plus if you

have kids in clubs or athletics.