First aid kits are not the type of item that you want to wait to get. They are best acquired too early, rather than too late. Having a well-stocked first-aid kit is especially important for those that spend time outdoors or regularly do dangerous activities. That said, even if you never spend time outdoors, you might benefit from storing a kit in your home. In the event of unforeseen medical emergencies, you will be grateful to have spent the time putting together the right supplies.
It is impossible to know exactly what materials you will most need in the event of an injury. However, there are a number of factors that can give you an educated guess, and help you prepare. Consider the following when packing a first aid kit.
Medical expertise refers to the amount of knowledge about using medicine to treat bodily injuries. Take into account both the medical expertise of those participating in your activity and the proximity to the nearest hospital.
Those with more medical knowledge on hand may be able to carry more complex supplies, while those who are nearby to a medical facility may not need to rely on their own supplies as much. Also, remember that you may learn more medical knowledge as you do more trips. Purchasing a kit with more items than you currently know how to use could work in your favor in the long term.
Group size may not influence the types of supplies that are needed, but they do impact the number of supplies needed. Larger groups will have more medical emergencies and therefore demand more materials.
Take note of any special needs in your group. This could be prescription meds, an Epipen, or another health-related item.
Like group size, longer trips demand more materials. Premade kits usually indicate the number of days the kit is designed to last in the product description.
Different types of trips might call for different types of kits. For example, boaters might need waterproof kits. Small, compact kits are best for runners that need to carry all their materials. Car campers can afford to carry bulkier, more well-stocked kits.
Some trips present unique risks. For example, if you anticipate going somewhere with poison ivy and ticks, then your kit should include a poison ivy treatment and tick removal device. If you are unfamiliar with the terrain, it might be worth an Internet search to learn about dangerous plants or animals.
The activity that you are doing may also influence what kind of injury you are at most risk. The most common types of injuries are the following:
In addition, you might consider packing medicine to treat the following symptoms if you will not have access to a medical facility.
Make sure to consider the risks of your activity before you go out so that you can pack accordingly.
Unfortunately, First Aid kits do not last forever. It is important to assess your kit before every season to make sure it is still good to go. Check the expiration dates on things that might expire, such as ointments, gels, and sanitizers. Ensure that any reusable tools, such as tweezers and scissors have been cleaned since their last use.
You may also want to have multiple first aid kits for different purposes. If you are someone that does multiple activities which might call for a first aid emergency, then one first aid kit may not be enough. As previously mentioned, the activity you are doing may influence what materials you will need, and what kind of kit you are able to carry.
Additionally, having multiple first aid kits can be helpful if your group will split up. That way, you can keep a personal kit on you at all times without having to stay as one pack.
So, what items do you need to actually have in your first aid kit? You must-have supplies for major injuries, minor cuts and scrapes, the correct tools and instructions, and medications. The following are essentials for any first aid kit.
Triangular bandages can be used as either bandages or slings. They will come in handy if someone needs to bandage an open wound, or if someone needs to keep their arm steady due to a serious injury.
Medical Exam Gloves are made of synthetic, latex rubber. Whoever is providing the medical care will likely have gotten their hands dirty doing whatever activity caused the injury. Wearing pair of gloves is important to keep dirt and infectious matter out of the injury.
Trauma Pads are used to stop severe bleeding. They are a special type of bandage that applies pressure to the wound.
Adhesive Tape is used to keep bandages or other dressing wounds attached to the body. Similar to trauma pads, adhesive tape place pressure on the wound.
Sterile Gauze Pads are designed to stop bleeding in larger wounds and prevent infections from entering. Sterile Eye Pads are specifically designed to be placed over the eye, like an eye patch.
An adhesive Bandage is important for covering small wounds. There is an assortment of adhesive bandages that are shaped to fit specific parts of the body. Knuckle Bandages are designed for injuries to fingers, Fingertip Bandages are designed for injuries to the fingertip, and Elbow Knee Bandages are designed for injuries to elbows and knees.
Butterfly Wound Closure are adhesive bandages to close small, shallow wounds. Butterfly stitches are a good alternative to typical needle stitches, for cases where cuts are not as large or deep. This bandage is good for areas of the body that are harder to bandage.
Users can best use their First Aid Kit if there is a First Aid Manual. Most kits will come with a guide. If you make your own first kit, then you may want to consider making your own guide if you anticipate someone else on your trip might need the kit while you are not present.
Minor tools such as tweezers and scissors are often needed to pluck and cut. Tweezers may be needed to remove debris from a wound or remove a splinter. Scissors may be used to cut bandages to the appropriate size or to remove bandages when it is time for a wound to be redressed.
Cold Packs are used to compress on injuries such as sprains, bruises, and cuts. They help to relieve the pain and reduce swelling.
Finally, a CPR Breathing Barrier is a plastic device placed over the mouth of a person receiving CPR. It prevents bacteria from being passed between the person giving CPR and the person receiving CPR.
If you will be traveling at night, make sure to pack a flashlight. It is important that whoever is performing the medical procedure can see what they are doing.
Burn Dressing Gel relieves pain following a burn. The gel cools the skin and can prevent further damage.
Antiseptic ointment is a cream that protects wounds from microorganisms on the skin. It is applied before surgeries to reduce the risk of infection. Antibiotic ointment is used to prevent bacterial infections, while burn ointment is used specifically during first aid for burns.
Eye/skin wash is used to cleanse eye or skin injuries. This may be very useful if chemicals or particles get trapped in the eye.
Hand sanitizer application is an alcohol-based gel that can be used to clean hands if there is no access to soap and water. If someone is performing an impromptu medical operation, using hand sanitizer can help prevent germs on their hands from getting into open wounds. In addition, wipes can help to clean off a cut before starting the operation.
Consider any other medications that might be helpful to relieve pain or cold symptoms, such as aspirin, Tylenol, an antihistamine (such as Benadryl), or instant cold medicine.
For those that would like to, making your own first aid kit is very achievable. All the recommended supplies can be found easily at a basic store and packed into a small bag or case.
Luckily, though, this is not the only option. First aid kits can be purchased completely stocked. Baseline Equipment offers first aid kits that are approved by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA).
You can select between Class A and Class B kits. Both options offer a well-stocked first aid kit whose items are organized by the medical categories outlined in the “Recommended Supplies” section. The medications are added right before shipping, to ensure the longest shelf life possible. Instructions are right on the inside pocket for easy use.
The only difference between the kits is that Class A has less of each supply. Furthermore, Class B has a Malleable Splint and a Tourniquet, neither of which is included in Class A. Class A costs $27.99 per kit, while Class B costs $85.99 per kit.
