A first aid kit is a need in every household, from minor ailments to more catastrophic injuries. Preventing infection or worsening an injury is the reason why we need first aid. First aid kits often include supplies for treating cuts, scratches, and injuries, such as sprains and burns. You may purchase a ready-to-use kit online, or you can make one yourself.
A checklist for basic first aid kit refills include:
Depending on the activities you engage in, you may tailor your first aid bag accordingly. An advised checklist from the Australian Health Department for basic first aid kits accessories are:
- variably sized crepe bandages
- Tape that does not irritate the skin
- Triangle splints
- Different-sized sticky dressing strips (such as bandages)
- swabs of gauze
- dressing pads may be used in combination (10cm x 10cm)
- dressing pads that don’t stick (7.5cm x 10cm)
- Pad for cleaning the eyes, aseptically
- swabs for cleaning up after drinking
- scissors made of stainless steel (sharp/blunt). 12.5cm
- Gloves that may be washed and reused
- splinter forceps with stainless steel tips (tweezers)
- pins with safety clasps
- permanent ink pen with a notebook
- containers/sachet that is sanitary and safe to use
- disposable face shields for resuscitation
- Antibacterial wipes for the face and body
- stop itching lotion
- a first-aid manual
These are some of the basic first aid kit refills; however, you may need to change, replace, add or remove items as per your needs.
How do you personalise your gear?
First aid kits may be tailored to suit their intended purpose after they have been put together. If it is, for example:
- Consider adding thick crepe bandages if you have older children who play sports or use them for pressure immobilisation, such as in the event of a car accident.
- Add a highly reflective (day/night) safety triangle and vest to your vehicle or caravan if you’re travelling.
- Crepe bandages and fast cold packs, ponchos and plastic bags are all you need for camping.
- Make sure you have some disposable ponchos and plastic bags on hand, as well as a whistle and light stick. Include vinegar in your boating supplies if you’re heading out to sea where marine stingers are prevalent.
- A digital thermometer, simple pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen, and plastic syringes for precise dosage are recommended for newborns.
- Make sure to include additional goods, such as medication or medical equipment, if you have a known medical condition.
- Keep these materials together in a bag or container. In terms of first aid supplies, it doesn’t always have to be costly or professionally made, but there should be:
- a sufficient amount of space for all of the essentials
- first aid kit-like in appearance
- protected against dust, moisture, and pollution
What do I do with the first aid supplies in my kit?
You must know how to utilise the first aid supplies in your pack.
For instance:
- Bleeding wounds are covered and packed with dressing pads.
- In the case of wound and burn care, a non-adherent dressing is used.
- Body temperature may be maintained by using shock blankets
- For sprains and strains, crepe bandages provide modest support.
- joints are immobilised and supported by thick crepe bandages
- It is possible to use triangle bandages to immobilise and shield damaged limbs and control bleeding using them.
- Disposable life-saving measures: During mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, face shields offer personal protection.
- Sterilised water tubes or pouches may be used to flush out eye dirt and clean small scrapes or scratches, as well as provide an antibacterial solution.
Checking our first aid kits is important since we never know when an emergency may arise.
Australian Health Advisory advises that at least once every three months, first aid kits should be inspected. Batteries for flashlights, pharmaceuticals, and other necessities might run out or expire at any time. However, this does not mean that you need to buy a new kit. There’s no need to stockpile long-lasting items like bandages and gauze; instead, concentrate on often replenishing those with limited shelf lives or are frequently used.
