Basic First-Aid Kit - What to Stock

 It's a New Month, a New Year and hopefully a New and Better Life. We thought to begin the year armed with some basic health tips and the knowledge of what to have on hand in case of any health emergency.

At any point in time, you or someone around you may have an injury or illness. Basic first-aid is the assistance you get or give to prevent a minor injury or condition from getting worse, and in some instances, it saves lives. Some injuries may only need basic first-aid, for instance minor cuts, burns, or insect bites, but for major injuries, it helps to manage the condition before the person gets to see a medical doctor. There are organizations that provide training and courses on First Aid so go ahead and find one if you're interested in getting the full training.

You never know when you may need to assist someone, or yourself, so it's a great idea to be prepared. You may consider keeping a first aid kit in your home, office or car. The items and tools you will need  can be gotten from your local pharmacy or chemist, you may even find an already assembled Kit, but its useful to know what should be in it, and what everything is so you can restock any missing items, as well as use everything the way they are meant to be used. We will give you a list of the items you need as well as brief information on what and how to use them.

The First Aid Kit

First Aid Box

This is any container, bag or box you will store all the supplies in. You can buy an already made box or bag, or use any container that will contain all the supplies conveniently, and is easy to access when you need them. There are some bags/pouches with lots of pockets or compartments that can make a nice mobile first-aid pack you can store in your bag, in the office or car.

Adhesive Bandage

Also known as plasters, these bandages are used to cover minor cuts, scrapes or burns. They have a sticky side which attaches to the skin and are usually water-proof to keep the wound from getting wet. Plasters help keep a wounds dressing secure and come in various shapes and sizes, which are meant to be used according to the size and location of the injury you want to cover, there are even colorful designs made for children.

Sterile Gauze Pads

This is the main material used to stop bleeding, and to keep wounds clean. They cover wounds to prevent too much exposure to the air (preventing infection), but they also allow the wound to breathe. Use this to clean and dress wounds and injuries.

Roller Bandage

This is a long strip of gauze or cotton that is packaged as a roll. It resembles a loosely woven cloth with large holes, and is used to secure injured parts of the body, preventing movements that can cause further damage, for instance an injury on a bone or joint. It is also used to put pressure on an injury to control bleeding (internal and external), as well as absorb, drain or secure a wound's dressing.

Compression Bandage/Dressings

This is a long strip of elastic cloth that is wrapped around a sprain or strain. It provides gentle pressure which helps to reduce swelling, allowing the injured area feel better. Be careful to not wrap it too tightly that it restricts blood flow. It also comes as a tube that can be worn over the injured area.

Safety Pins

Metallic pin with a spring and clasp that helps it close and secure a wound's dressing. You can use this to secure a Compression Bandage or s roller bandage.

Tweezers

Small tool that looks like thongs/pincers used to pick out tiny objects that are otherwise difficult to remove with the fingers. Use these to pick out tiny bits of dirt, wood, glass etc from wounds.

Scissors

Metal tool used to cut dressings or clothing while dressing or undressing a wound/injury.

Nitrile or Vinyl Gloves

Disposable hand gloves made from materials that prevent small particles from passing through, thus protecting both the patient as well as the person giving care from infection. These come in various sizes so find the size that best fit your hands.

Alcohol Swabs/Wipes or Rubbing Alcohol 

Either isopropyl alcohol or ethanol-based liquid, used to clean and disinfect wounds, skin around wounds, as well as tools and items used to dress wounds. The swabs or wipes are basically cotton pads or glaze soaked in alcohol, which are sealed in individual packages to make it easier to use. You can also buy a bottle of rubbing alcohol.

Cotton Wool Pads and Swabs

Sterile fluffy wadding of cotton fibers used with rubbing alcohol to clean and disinfect wounds. They come in rolls, balls, pads or on sticks as swabs to help reach small areas of the body.

Thermometer

Device used to measure the temperature of the body. The digital/electronic kind measures faster and is said to give the most accurate reading. Come in various kinds that measure from the underarm, mouth, anus, forehead or ear, there are also no-contact types.

Antibacterial Cream

Applied on wounds like minor cuts, scrapes or burns to prevent or treat mild skin infections. Wash hands before applying to the cleaned and dried area of skin, apply only a thin layer over the wound.

Hydrocortisone Cream

For use on the skin,  to treat redness, swelling and itching.

Calamine Lotion

Applied on the skin to relieve itch, pain and discomfort from mild skin irritation.

Aspirin

An oral medicine used as a painkiller, for aches and pains like headache, toothache or period pain, as well as help to bring down a fever.

Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen

Acetaminophen is more commonly known as paracetamol. Both paracetamol and ibuprofen are medicines used to treat mild to moderate pain and reduce fever, while ibuprofen is also used for mild inflammation.

First Aid Manual

A guide to what to do and how to do what when providing basic first aid. Read these instructions carefully to clear out any areas of doubt.

It's a good idea to also include a list of all your prescribed medications, allergies, and healthcare providers' contact in the first aid kit.

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