It’s summer and prime time for the outdoor ouchies – bug bites, scrapes, sunburn…you get the idea. Whether you are at home, traveling with the team, safe in your own neighborhood, or away on vacation, one key element you need to always carry with you or have handy is a First Aid Kit.
It doesn’t have to be fancy, just equipped with the things you need most in the event of an unplanned mishap or emergency.
You can purchase already-assembled kits, or you can put a general kit together relatively easy and for not a lot of money. There are some kits designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping, or boating.
To make your own kit, organize your kit into three quart-sized press-and-seal bags, all of which you’ll put into a larger gallon-sized press-and-seal bag. These bags are waterproof, lightweight, compact, and you can see what’s in them without having to open them up.
To be prepared for emergencies, the Red Cross recommends the following items:
General-purpose supplies Nitrile exam gloves Alcohol wipes Antibiotic/antiseptic wipes Burn cream Sting relief wipes Adhesive bandages Gauze rolls Triangular bandage Butterfly closures Sterile gauze pads Moleskin Adhesive tape Cotton swabs Scissors/shears Safety pins Splint materials (fingers and/or limbs) Thermometer Tweezers Cold pack Emergency blanket Glucose/sugar tablets Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Aspirin Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) Plastic bag First aid guide Advanced supplies CPR mask/face shield Antihistamine Compressed gauze Trauma pads Eye pads Tourniquet Saline/eyewash Permanent marker/pen Specialty supplies Decompression needle QuikClot gauze Chest seals Nasopharyngeal airway
Keep a few common over-the-counter medications in a pill case. Some useful all-purpose ones might include painkillers, anti-diarrheal medication, and antihistamines, along with any other medications you normally take. Make sure to include the appropriate medications and associated supplies if someone in the family has diabetes or allergic reactions.
Include some type of antihistamine-containing gel which relieves bites from biting and stinging insects.
Also remember:
Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Most kits have a shelf life of three to five years. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents.
While first aid kits do not expire, replacing supplies from time to time is a wise strategy. Over time, medications slowly lose their potency, and alcohol wipes, gel
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