
- Iodine (also useful for treating water)
- Antibiotic ointment
- Aspirin and or Ibuprofen (fever & swelling)
- Hydro-cortisone cream (bug bites & rashes)
- Antihistamine (allergies)
What things are required in a first aid kit?
In fact, OSHA requires that your first aid kits contain:
- Gauze pads that are at least 4 x 4 inches
- Large gauze pads that are at least 8 x 10 inches
- Band aids
- Gauze roller bandage that is at least 2 inches wide
- Triangular bandages
- Wound cleaning agent
- Scissors
- A blanket
What do you need in a basic first aid kit?
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
- 25 Band-Aids (assorted sizes)
- Adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
- Antibiotic ointment packets
- Antiseptic wipe packets
- Aspirin
- Breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
- Cold compress
- Nonlatex gloves (size: large)
- Hydrocortisone ointment packets
What should I do before providing first aid?
- Do not hold the person down or try to stop his or her movements.
- Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. This can injure teeth or the jaw. ...
- Do not try to give mouth-to-mouth breaths (like CPR). People usually start breathing again on their own after a seizure.
- Do not offer the person water or food until he or she is fully alert.
What makes a good first aid kit?
“A good general first-aid kit has things in it — including medications — for any type of situation that might arise,” Dr. Waters says. Each kit will vary by family, but Dr. Waters shares a list of items to include, as well as circumstances to consider to determine what else you might need. Hand sanitizer

What should be in a mini first aid kit?
Many people also keep a small first aid kit in their car for emergencies....Your basic first aid kitplasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes.small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings.at least 2 sterile eye dressings.triangular bandages.crêpe rolled bandages.safety pins.disposable sterile gloves.tweezers.More items...
What are 10 things you should have in a first aid kit?
Top 10 First Aid Kit ItemsGloves/Eye Protection.CPR Pocket Mask.Tourniquet.Roller Gauze.4×4 Gauze Pads.Medical Tape.Two Triangular Bandages.Sam Splint.More items...•
What are 12 important items in a first aid kit?
Here are some basic things to add to your kit that can come in handy in sticky situations, or until paramedics arrive:Examination gloves.Adhesive bandages.Medical tape.Cold compresses.Medical scissors.Tweezers.Gauze pads.Gauze rolls/kling rolls.More items...•
What are 5 common items that you are likely to find in a first aid kit?
5 Essentials in Every First Aid KitDisposable Gloves. Treating wounds is a risky business. ... Antiseptic Solution. Open wounds can pick up germs and bacteria faster than you'll be able to treat them. ... Band-Aids & Dressings. ... Scissors or Bandage Shears. ... First Aid Manual. ... Restock Your First Aid Kit with Team Med.
What are the 20 items in first aid box?
20 Essentials for Your First-Aid KitA first-aid manual.Different sized sterile gauze pads.Adhesive tape.Band-Aids in several sizes.Elastic bandage (like an Ace wrap)Antiseptic wipes.Antibiotic ointment.Antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)More items...•
How many first aid kits do I need?
For low risk environments including most retail shops, libraries, offices and schools we recommend: 1 small kit - for less than 25 people. 1 medium kit - for groups of 25 to 100 people. 1 large kit - per group of more than 100 people.
What are 3 P's of first aid?
The aims of First Aid can be remembered by thinking of the three Ps: Preserve Life. Prevent The Situation Worsening. Promote Recovery.
What are the 3 C's when dealing with an emergency?
Training your brain before you find yourself in a high-pressure situation may help you save a life or potentially help someone in pain. There are three basic C's to remember—check, call, and care. When it comes to first aid, there are three P's to remember—preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery.
How do you make a homemade first aid kit?
You should be able to find travel / trial / first aid kit sized packs of most of the following: Aloe vera gel....Definitely include:Small, sharp scissors.Tweezers.Two pairs of non-latex gloves.Non-mercury oral thermometer.Cotton balls and swabs.CPR breathing barrier mask.Instant cold compress.First aid instruction booklet.More items...
What is the most important item in first aid kit?
The Five Most Important Items for a First Aid Kit Bandages and dressings –a few adhesive bandages and gauze dressings to cover wounds. Antibiotic cream – check the expiration date. Scissors to cut dressings, clothing, rope, seatbelts and more. Needle-nose tweezers to pull out splinters, ticks, thorns and rattlesnake ...
What is the most important thing in first aid?
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Arguably the most important first aid skill is CPR. Learning CPR is something many people are somewhat familiar with; it involves providing artificial ventilation to preserve the life of an unconscious person, who isn't breathing.
How many items are in first aid?
At-Home First Aid Kit Contents A household first aid kit should include these 16 items.
What are 3 P's of first aid?
The aims of First Aid can be remembered by thinking of the three Ps: Preserve Life. Prevent The Situation Worsening. Promote Recovery.
How to prepare for a first aid emergency?
A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have. To be prepared for emergencies: 1 Keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car. 2 Carry a first aid kit with you or know where you can find one. 3 Find out the location of first aid kits where you work.
What to include in a first aid kit?
Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need: Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents.
Emergency items
Emergency phone numbers, including contact information for your family doctor and pediatrician, local emergency services, emergency road service providers, and the poison help line, which in the United States is 800-222-1222.
Give your kit a checkup
Check your first-aid kits regularly to be sure the flashlight batteries work and to replace supplies that have expired or been used up.
What is the best medicine for a sprain?
Anti-diarrheal medication. Aspirin. Cough and cold medications. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen, naproxen or ibuprofen. “They’re good for anything from headaches to generalized aches and pains to muscle sprains and strains,” Dr. Waters says.
Why do we need a first aid kit?
Waters says, “but when we least expect it, it does. Having a complete first-aid kit means that when it does happen — when you’re stressed and in a panic — you’ll find everything you need in one location.”. First-aid kits are your first line ...
What to do if someone in your household has a medical issue that could result in emergencies?
If someone in your household has a known medical issue that could result in emergencies, keep appropriate supplies on hand.
What is the best tool to remove splinters?
Tweezers, which are especially helpful for removing splinters.
Can you use hand sanitizer in storage?
Still have tons of hand sanitizer in storage from your pandemic prep? Add some of it to your first-aid kit so you can clean your hands before tending to an injury .
Can you use a real ice pack in the freezer?
Because nothing can truly replace the cold therapy of a frozen ice pack, though, you should also have a real ice pack or cold compress in your freezer.
Can you use ice packs without freezing?
Dr. Waters suggests including a few instant ice packs, which provide cold therapy without needing to be frozen. Just squeeze them when you need them, and a little popping sound will indicate that they’re about to become cold enough to use as a compress.
What is a travel kit?
The travel kit is for true trips away from home. Keep it in a suitcase or backpack or drybag (for example, a zip lock plastic bag), depending on the activity. A first aid kit for everyday use in the car should be just like the home first aid kit. For that matter, you could keep similar kits in your boat (inside a waterproof bag), travel trailer, ...
Why do you need a first aid kit for travel?
Travel First Aid Kits Contents. First aid kits for travel need to be more comprehensive because a drug store may or may not be accessible . In addition to personal medical items, the kit should contain items to help alleviate the common symptoms of viral respiratory infections, for example: Fever. Nasal congestion.
What is the best antihistamine for rash?
Adhesive bandages (all sizes) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - oral antihistamine for allergic reactions, itching rashes. Avoid topical antihistamine creams because they may worsen the rash in some people. Exam gloves - for infection protection, and can be made into ice packs if filled with water and frozen.
How many items should be in a first aid kit?
Home kit contents: A household first aid kit should include these 16 items.
What is the best container for first aid?
If your kit will be on the move, a water-resistant, drop-proof container is best. Inexpensive nylon bags, personal kits, fanny packs, or make-up cases serve very well.
What is the best medication for a heart attack?
Aspirin - for mild pain, heart attack. Adhesive bandages (all sizes) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - oral antihistamine. Book on first aid. Cigarette lighter - to sterilize instruments and to be able to start a fire in the wilderness (to keep warm and to make smoke to signal for help, for examples) Cough medication.
What is nasal spray?
Nasal spray decongestant - for nasal congestion from colds or allergies. Nonadhesive wound pads (Telfa) Polysporin antibiotic ointment. Oral decongestant. Personal medications (enough for the trip duration and perhaps a couple of extra in case of delays) and items (for example, a cane or knee braces if needed)
What is the best splint for hiking?
Gauze -- for use covering wounds and to stop bleeding. Latex Gloves -- They weigh nothing, sometimes you don't have time to wash (get nitrile if you or your hiking buddies have a latex allergy) SAM Splint -- breaks and sprains, better than improvising one. Benedryl -- mild reactions. EpiPen -- serious reactions.
What is the best pain reliever for a patient who is bleeding but not able to take ibupro?
You get the idea. Tylenol -- pain where ibuprofen is not ok (ie - patient is bleeding) Ibuprofen -- pain that involves swelling but not bleeding. Small bandages -- comfort item and to help prevent infection on longer hikes. Triple Antibiotic -- reduce risk of infection. Iodine -- wound care, reduces risk of infection.
How to label pills?
One tip for labeling your pills. Use a sharpie then clear tape over the writing. Sharpie will wipe off of most plastic containers in time. We've never lost the writing this way.
What size bandage should I use for a bleed?
Some (like 4+) large thick bandages to stop a major bleed. Like 4 X 4 or 4 X 6. You can get some life threatening cuts. I ski patrolled and we had a guy cut his inner thigh and 4 of us emptied our kits getting the bleed under control. You also have them for longer term case to change out dressings.
What is an everyday kit?
The everyday kit is aimed at treating the normal problems you might get over a few days: this fits in a small wallet for short trips. A lot of these things are personal preference and what you find works for you, plus of course any regular or emergency medication you may need for known medical conditions.
What is the meaning of "back up"?
Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
Can you put a moleskin over a blister?
If your face is badly wind chapped, this can be a godsend. Moleskin and 2nd Skin -- Moleskin is OK, but 2nd skin with a moleskin over it is unbeatable for blister treatment. With the exception of the EpiPen and Splint, this all fits in a quart freezer bag and goes in the very top of my pack in a separate compartment.
What size pads are used for gauze?
Gauze in rolls, as well as 2-inch and 4-inch pads to dress larger cuts and scrapes
What to pack in a carry-on?
The American College of Emergency Physicians and the CDC encourage travelers to pack a first-aid kit or a travel health kit for common medical emergencies. Pack the following items in your carry-on bag and keep it with you at all times: Medicines you take on a regular basis at home.
Why do we need disposable gloves?
Disposable rubber gloves to protect hands and reduce risk of infection when treating wounds
What is the best medicine for a headache?
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve headaches, pain, fever, and simple sprains or strains
How much alcohol should be in hand wipes?
Antibacterial hand wipes or an alcohol-based hand cleaner (should contain 60% alcohol or more)
Why do we use antibiotic ointment?
Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, and burns
Can you use aloe gel on sunburn?
Aloe gel for sunburns. Insect repellent (Those appropriate for use on children should contain no more than 10% to 15% DEET, and 30% to 50% DEET or up to 15% of picaridin for adults, as the chemical can cause harm when absorbed through the skin. Do not use insect repellant on infants 2 months of age or younger.)
