The first aid kit is one of the crucial elements that can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. For this reason, it needs to be well-organized, and all the contents are easily accessible. There is a great deal of importance placed on the contents, which should be of good quality. Also, make sure the kit includes enough contents for the major use. Before learning how to make a first aid kit, we will clarify what components are necessary for it.
The first aid kit is likely to be created for every member of the family. Hence, you find out the various requirements and troubling elements of the family members before deciding what should be in a first aid kit. Even if kits have been picked up as a whole, they should be in a convenient package that can be altered to suit the needs of every family member. Irrespective of the various requirements, there are some common elements that need to be present inside. They are:
PAIR OF SCISSORS
The scissors are a basic requirement for any paramedic or EMT. Usually, they are used to cut adhesive bandages or gauze to the required length. But sometimes you may need those for extra tasks such as to cut clothes to get to injured areas. Crucially, the ends of such a tool are blunt so that patients do not suffer a cut, and they are also angled for this purpose.
PLASTERS
These are a basic essential of any first aid kit when it comes to the question “what goes in a first-aid kit”. This can be a very useful tool to handle minor injuries like grazes or cuts. It is better to pick up plasters of multiple sizes especially when going on a trek or an exercise. Since these do not weigh a lot, it is important to stock as much as possible within the small kit bag. We also recommend restocking the bandages now and then.
GAUZE
This may not be everyone’s idea of “what to put in a first aid kit”, but it is a must-have item since it has a multifaceted use. It is capable of preventing excessive bleeding by putting pressure on the wound, soaking up the blood, and cleaning the cut. It is even capable of acting as a bandage for minor to medium wounds. It is possible to gain a lot of time by just placing a layer of gauze to prevent further damage before it can be attended by a professional.
MOUTH TO MOUTH MICROSHIELD
It is very common for paramedics to perform mouth to mouth, but it is often a missed item in the first-aid kit. This, in fact, should be one of the first things to consider when learning “how to make your own first aid kit” as it can significantly improve the sanitation for the paramedics.
EXAMINATION GLOVES
A number of blood-borne diseases can be transmitted easily through small cracks in the skin, which are left unnoticed. To protect from and prevent the spreading of any diseases, we recommend using examination gloves. These gloves aren’t always included in the best first-aid kit for family members. But we consider it’s important to add this item in your car kit, for example.
TWEEZERS
These are not very common when it comes to first-aid kits that are available as standard, but they will be very useful when it comes to taking out splinters. It is also great in terms of removing stones or dirt from a wound. These are some of the practical uses of this product, which should not make much of a difference about how much does a first aid kit cost.
ANTISEPTIC WIPES
Many tend to overlook the antiseptic wipes, but this component deserves a lot more respect since it can eliminate any potential infection from a wound. If left open, the cut can pick up some serious infection fast, but these wipes clean and protect the wound before any dressing can be made. Even a small amount is capable of handling the needs for a couple of users, and replacing them is also very cheap due to their widespread availability.
PAINKILLERS
The presence of a basic painkiller like paracetamol (Americans use acetaminophen) can be very useful. Any pill with this combination will be enough to relieve pain. But there are also other medications like ibuprofen, and these can help eliminate pain for a certain period of time. Even though these would be ideal only for minor pain or headache, it is worth including them in the kit since they do not take up a lot of space or budget.
ANTIBACTERIAL CREAM
This is great for any cuts that can pick up an infection. If the problem is not very severe that it requires immediate professional intervention, minor scrapes can be addressed easily by the use of these creams. It does not take a lot of knowledge – other than the basics – to get things right with this cream.
ANTIHISTAMINE CREAM
The likelihood of picking up rashes or itchy bumps can be very common when it comes to a family that is on the move. To cure such issues without professional intervention, we recommend having antihistamine cream in the kit. This will reduce the swelling and itching to a great extent.
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