Home » Survival Medicine » Emergency First Aid Kits
Print Friendly and PDF

Emergency First Aid Kits

Does your emergency first aid kit consist of whatever is in the bathroom cupboard? It shouldn't be left to chance.

first aid handbook

That means not only gathering basic appropriate emergency supplies, but also learning the procedures for a few lifesaving techniques.

For example, every man, woman, and child should know how to do the Heimlich maneuver to save a choking victim. It takes about two minutes to learn and can literally be a lifesaver. Any member of your family or anyone at a table next to you in a restaurant could choke and die before help would arrive. Or you could perform the Heimlich maneuver and pop out the food in just a few seconds.


The difference between life and death could be a couple of minutes of learning and preparing for emergency first aid.

Another procedure everyone in your family should know is CPR. If someone in your family sticks a knife in the toaster and is accidentally electrocuted or drowns in your swimming pool, it's too late to begin learning how to save their life. Here's video showing the latest method of performing CPR. It's easy to do and may save the life of someone you love.

It's the same with basic first aid skills. If someone is bleeding, do you know how to stop it? Start learning the techniques of direct pressure, elevation, and pressure points now - not when the incident happens.

So it's important to have supplies on hand before the need arises and a very necessary item is a First Aid Handbook. Here is a list of common first aid kit supplies to include.

Standard First Aid Kit


Bandages

  • Sterile gauze pads
  • Rolled gauze
  • Band-Aids of various sizes
  • Triangular Bandage (36"x36"x52")
  • Elastic Bandage
  • Cotton Balls
  • Cotton Swabs
  • Sanitary Napkins (Pressure Dressing)
  • Disposable Diapers (Dressing/Splint/Padding)
  • Micropore Adhesive, Paper Tape
  • Small Splints, Possible Sticks
  • Heavy String
  • Hot/cold compresses

Medications

  • Aspirin or Pain Relievers
  • Laxatives
  • Throat lozenges
  • Diarrhea Medicine
  • Antiseptics such as soap, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, triple antibiotic ointment, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream, minor burn cream
  • Antihistamine (such as Benadryl)
  • Antacid (such as Rolaids or Tums)
  • Activated charcoal (for poisoning)
  • Eye drops
  • Syrup of Ipecac
  • Baking Soda (1/2 tsp. soda + 1 tsp. salt + 1 qt. water for shock)
  • Other special medications like prescription drugs

Tools and Other Items

  • Safety Pins
  • Scissors
  • Thermometer
  • Matches
  • Needles
  • Tweezers
  • Petroleum Jelly
  • Salt
  • Nail clippers
  • Matches
  • Medicine dropper and spoon
  • Latex gloves
  • Dust masks/industrial masks or gas masks
  • Antiseptic towelettes

Special Individual Needs

  • Baby/toddler needs
  • Liquid pain reliever
  • Teething ointment
  • Diaper rash ointment
  • Baby wipes with glycerin
  • Oil/lotion
  • Rubber syringe
  • Current immunizations
  • Compression socks or stocking
  • Diabetic testing supplies
  • Contact lens supplies
  • Eyeglasses

Review all the items in your first aid kit every six months to make sure everything is in working order and fresh.

Related Topics

Top of Page

Return HOME


Follow Me on Pinterest Follow Me on Twitter Visit Us On Facebook Google+

Subscribe To Our Free Newsletter

FIRST AID SUPPLIES

S.O.L. 3 Survival/Medical Pak
S.O.L. 3 Survival / Medical Pak

first aid kit for outdoors
Outdoor Triple Combo Survival & First-Aid Kit

first aid suture kit
Suture Kit & Surgical Kit

trail light first aid
Trail Light3 First Aid Kit

first aid quick clot
QuickClot® - 50g- Stops Bleeding FAST


Evac-Pak-Masks
N95 Vented Particulate Respirator Face Mask


First Aid Kit
First-Aid Kit - SOFT CASE


Industrial First Aid Station
Industrial First Aid Station - 100 PERSON