Basic First Aid and Street Medics

Your First Aid Kit

Everyone should have a well-stocked first aid kit handy at home, in the car and in the workplace. The contents of your kit will vary depending upon the number of people it is designed to protect as well as special circumstances where it will be used.

For example, a first aid kit in a factory where there may be danger of flying debris getting into the eye should certainly have a sterile eyewash solution in its kit. If a family member is a known diabetic, your kit at home should have a glucose or sugar solution. When assembling your first aid kit, whether for use in the home, car or at work, you should consider possible injuries you are likely to encounter and then select kit contents to treat those conditions.

It's also important to check your kit periodically to restock items that have been used and to replace items that are out-of-date.

It's also advisable at home and at work to have both a stationary kit, stored in a cabinet or drawer, as well as a compact portable kit that can be taken quickly to the site of an emergency.

Recommended Contents for a First Aid Kit

[Modify to suit your particular needs]

• Activated Charcoal (for poisoning emergencies)

• Adhesive strip bandages - assorted sizes

• Adhesive tape

• Alcohol - rubbing 70%

• Alcohol wipes

• Antacid

• Antibiotic ointment

• Baking soda

• Calamine lotion

• Chemical ice packs

• Chemical hot packs

• Cotton balls

• Cotton swabs

• Decongestant tablets & spray

• Diarrhea medication

• Disposable latex or vinyl gloves

• Elastic bandages

• Face mask for CPR

• First aid guide

• Flashlight

• Gauze pads - various sizes

• Hot-water bottle

• Household ammonia

• Hydrocortisone cream .5%

• Hydrogen Peroxide

• Hypoallergenic tape

• Ice bag

• Insect repellent

• Insect sting swabs

• Matches

• Meat tenderizer (for insect bites)

• Moleskin

• Needles

• Non-adhering dressings [Telfa]

• Oil of Cloves

• Over-the-counter pain medication [aspirin]

• Paper & pencil

• Paper drinking cups

• Roller gauze - self adhering

• Safety pins

• Salt

• Scissors

• Soap

• Space blanket

• Sam splint

• Sugar or glucose solution

• Syrup of Ipecac

• Thermometer - oral & rectal

• Tongue blades

• Triangular bandages

• Tweezers

• Waterproof tape