| st aid kit is not just a set of items that you store | | | | antimicrobials. This would include antibiotic |
| in your washroom and contains only band-aids, | | | | ointments and anti itch ointments. Examples would |
| alcohol and analgesics, it is something more. There | | | | include Hydrocortisone cream, Antihistamine |
| are various types of First Aid Kits, the most | | | | cream such as Benadryl and Calamine lotion |
| common is the one stored inside the house. | | | | among others. You also need pain killers or |
| What do we mean if we have a complete set of | | | | analgesics. These are essential for the fever to |
| first aid kit? What is that for and how or when to | | | | disappear. Examples are Acetaminophen, |
| use it? What comprises each first aid kit? These | | | | Ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory drug, which is |
| are the questions we ask ourselves when we | | | | most of the time more valuable than the latter |
| consider buying one for our home. | | | | drug. Aspirin, for some, is also applicable. |
| A first aid kit is a set of supplies and equipments | | | | Diphenhydramine, which is anti-histamine, can |
| for giving first aid, hence the name. A variety of | | | | lessen the allergic reaction seen in few patients. |
| equipments are in it like: | | | | Aloe Vera gel can be used for a variety of |
| • Bandages - to control bleeding | | | | injuries like burns, sunburns and dry skin. |
| • Regular strength pain medications | | | | Burn gels are water based gels, which acts as a |
| • Gauze | | | | cooling agent and often has mild anaesthetic |
| • Disinfectants - like alcohol and Povidone | | | | components. A good example is Lidocaine with |
| iodine | | | | antiseptics components like that of tea tree oil. |
| • Personal protective equipments - like | | | | Epinephrine auto-injector is also commonly included |
| gloves | | | | in this first aid kit, especially if you are in wild |
| • Breathing apparatus - to protect you | | | | nature trips such as summer camps. This |
| from performing the expired air resuscitation, | | | | epinephrine injector is used for anaphylactic shock, |
| EAR and cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR | | | | which is commonly known as severe allergic |
| Moreover, the typical contents and most | | | | attacks. Thus, activated charcoal and syrup of |
| commonly used are the dressings which should be | | | | ipecac are electively placed in first aid kits |
| sterile. This comes in different types like sterile | | | | because it is for poison treatment. A haemostatic |
| eye pads; adherent or non-adherent pads and | | | | agent that is called QuikClot is sometimes included |
| burn dressings. These are sterile pad soaked in a | | | | especially in military kits; this is mainly to control |
| cool gel. Bandages can be non-adhesive; examples | | | | severe and profuse bleeding. |
| are gauze roller, which should absorbent, | | | | If ever you are trapped somewhere and you do |
| breathable. The elastic type are the ones usually | | | | not have anything else but your first aid kit you |
| used for sprains and pressure bandages. Adhesive | | | | and you are wondering what you can do. Well, the |
| elastic roller types are very effective when it | | | | first thing to do with your first aid kit would be to |
| comes to applying pressure. They are also very | | | | call help. It would also be helpful if you have a |
| durable and waterproof. Triangular bandages are | | | | basic first aid manual, which can guide you in any |
| commonly taught in Basic First Aid Course that | | | | type of situation. This is really necessary because |
| was used as slings, tourniquets and to tie splints. | | | | in emergency cases, we get to panic easily. When |
| Adhesive bandages are the straight adhesive type | | | | this happens we cannot think straight. A manual |
| such as band-aids, sticking plasters. Butterfly | | | | will be able to help us go through it. It would also |
| bandage types are actually the two common | | | | be advisable to list down the pages for specific |
| examples as well. | | | | cases. Just take note of the more possible |
| Instruments that should be present in your First | | | | accidents. |
| Aid bag are the hypoallergenic tape because you | | | | Moreover, keep a number of your family and |
| don’t want the patient to develop | | | | friends, as well as emergency hotlines on your |
| “Urticaria” or itchiness with reddish | | | | mobile or near your landline. Make sure the |
| skin markings. Trauma shears can basically be | | | | numbers are visible to your children as well. Just |
| used for cutting clothing and general use. An | | | | let them know the importance of these numbers |
| irrigation syringe can be used for cleaning wounds. | | | | and when to place a call to these numbers. |
| Rubber suction bulbs are good for clearing the | | | | Thus, there are also some things you should |
| airways and can be applied to an unconscious | | | | know about the contents of your first aid kit. For |
| patient. | | | | an instance alcohol pads as well as ointments that |
| Equipments like Personal protective Equipments or | | | | are “petroleum-jelly based” can be |
| PPE are important. This is especially in emergency | | | | utilized as a type of fire starter in an alarming |
| cases where in hazardous materials can even hurt | | | | emergency situation. It can also be utilized as a |
| the rescuer. An example would be in | | | | lubricant for adhesive tapes. Aside from this, for |
| organophosphate or insecticide poisoning. Eyecups, | | | | particular mechanical devices and bandages, it can |
| gloves, CPR mask or a face shield, sterile | | | | also be utilized for repairs. These alternative uses |
| eyewash, emergency blanket, thermometer, | | | | of these things can help set your mind on the |
| penlight and even instant acting cold packs. | | | | items you need and can only be used in the |
| Certain medications should be in your bag like | | | | wilderness. |