The First Aid Box

It's a beautiful spring day. The kids are riding their bikes at the park, when one of them falls over, and gets a deep cut on their leg. You're cooking dinner, and while carrying a pot to the sink to drain it, you spill some boiling water on your leg. Your spouse is hanging Christmas lights and falls off of the ladder? Do you know what to do in these situations? Do you have a first aid kit handy?

First aid kits can range from the inexpensive homemade versions to elaborate special order versions, intended for first responders and emergency medical professionals. To create your own first aid kit, you will need a medium-sized box to put the items in. Tackle boxes are good for this purpose, as they are inexpensive and easy to store and carry. You will also need supplies. Most of these can be purchased at a Walmart or your local drugstore.

Bandaging supplies are a staple of first aid kits. Adhesive bandages of all types and sizes are a must. At least 3 of each size and style (even the knuckle and finger types) should be included. Several rolls of gauze should also be included, along with 10 or more sterile 4x4 bandages. These 4x4s should remain in their packaging to preserve sterility. A package of non-sterile 4x4s would also be beneficial. These often come in packages called loafs. At least 2 sterile eye bandages should also be included along with a roll of adhesive cloth tape.

Splinting supplies should also be included. There are many types of splints available. Board splints are boards with padding on one side that are covered with vinyl. These are good to have, however they may not fit in the box. Another option is the SAM splint. This is a moldable foam splint that can be shaped to fit almost any injured body part. Triangular bandages should be included with the splinting materials to use as a sling or a swathe to keep the injured limb from moving after splinting. Large bandanas can also be used in place of triangular bandages. A couple of finger splints (ACE) bandage should also be included in the kit.

Medications are important to have in any first aid kit. One important medication to have is triple antibiotic ointment, such as neosporin or the generic brand. Hydrocortisone 1% cream is also important to have to soothe itching. Another important item to have is 81 mg chewable aspirin (keep in mind that aspirin should not be given to children). Tylenol (acetaminophen) or motrin (ibuprofen) in children and adult dosages for your family may also be kept in the kit. You may also choose to keep Benadryl (diphenhydramine) in the kit in case of allergic reactions. Some people also choose to keep calamine lotion in first aid kits in case of poison oak or ivy contact. You may aslo choose to include rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds. If any of your family members has a special medical condition, or a special prescripition (such as an Epi-pen for allergic reactions), you should also include extra medications to administer per their physician's orders if needed. For example, a diabetic person might include some oral glucose in their kit.

Tools are also important to have in a first aid kit, however, these are not tools in the normal sense of the word. A good pair of tweezers should be included in the kit for splinter removal. A good working flashlight with a spare set of batteries should also be included. Scissors should also be included. The best scissors for a first aid kit are bandage scissors or trauma shears. Two instant hot and instant cold packs are a necessity. There are many types available, and most are relatively inexpensive. A One final tool that you might choose to include is a digital oral thermometer.

Personal protection is very important. Non-latex gloves in an appropriate size should be included in the kit. Anti-bacterial hand wipes or sanitizing gel are a must. A barrier mask for CPR should also be included. This can be obtained through your local Red Cross chapter. Including a pair of safety glasses is also a good idea, particularly if the first aid kit will be used in a public setting.

Last of all, a first aid guide should be included in the kit for reference. It will describe step-by-step how to care for a number of injuries and conditions until trained help arrives, or until you are able to get the vicitm to help.

If you are in a situation where you are responsible for the safety of large groups of people, particularly children, it is imperative that you take a first-aid course, along with a CPR course. Check with your local community college or the Red Cross in your area for avalability of courses.

_{Copyright K. Robinson, 2009}