Emergency first aid kits consist of essential equipment that can save your life or the life of your friends and family in case of an accident or injury. Whether you keep it in the car, at home, or at the office, the emergency first aid equipment helps you respond positively and effectively in case of an unpleasant event. The kits may be purchased pre-assembled, or they may be assembled by you. Whichever the case, here is the equipment that it should contain:
Basic Supplies
All emergency first aid kits should include certain basic supplies that are essential for quick and efficient intervention on a wound or medical situation. Adhesive tape can help you keep bandages in place. Bandages are a vital component of the first aid kit and are often accompanied by elastic wrap. Bandage strips of various sizes are recommended as well. Antibiotic ointments and other antiseptics protect wounds from getting infected. Instant cold packs help reduce swellings and examination gloves are essential to prevent contamination.
Your emergency first aid kit should include gauze pads in various sizes, lubricant, roller gauze, safety pins, scissors and tweezers, plastic bags, soap, triangular bandages, a thermometer, bulb suction devices, and sterile eyewash. Although these are not essential equipment, all of them can help you deal more effectively with an injury.
Medications
The list of medications in your emergency first aid kit should always include the medications that you and the people you travel with take regularly. Some people are on blood pressure medicine, others need pain killers regularly for chronic pain or auto-injectors of epinephrine prescribed by the doctor. In addition, the kit should also include activated charcoal, anti-diarrhea medication, oral antihistamine medication for allergies, aspirin, non-aspirin pain relievers, calamine lotion, aloe vera gel, hydrocortisone cream, and other personal medications. Of course, you will also need a syringe to administer injections and also a medicine cup or spoon for accurate measurement.
Emergency Items
You must include a first aid manual to guide you on your way, especially if you don't have any medical training. You should always keep close the phone numbers of your doctor or that of your pediatrician for you to contact them and advise you on what should be done. You should also have the phone numbers of emergency road service providers and the numbers from the regional poison control center. In addition, the medical history of all family members should always be at hand.
Other emergency items should include a waterproof flashlight, extra batteries, candles, and matches. Sunscreen is always important to carry in your emergency first aid kit for cases when you can’t move the injured person and need to stay out in the sun waiting for emergency services. An emergency space blanket is also a good item to carry with you. To be always prepared, you can also take a first-aid course and check regularly on your emergency first aid kit to make sure all items are in good condition and have not expired.
Check out our emergency first aid kits online or find first aid supplies to assemble your own in our store.
