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First Aid Kit
There are ready made first aid kits
available in chemists and large department stores, but some people like to make up their
own kits, so with this in mind we have put together some items you might like to include
in your first-aid kit. The essence of first-aid is improvisation. You use what you have at
the time. However, every office, factory, home and school should have an accessible
first-aid box with the following recommended basic contents. You don't need any fancy bags
or boxes for your kit; all you need is a biscuit tin or strong cardboard box to hold your
first-aid stuff in, just remember where you leave it and what's in the kit.
"Now go and do a First-aid Course"
Contents:
- First-aid book.
- Triangular Bandages X 3 to 5.***
- Conforming Bandages, 10cm and 15cm X 2
each.
- Crepe Bandage 7.5cm X 2.
- Tape 2.5cm X 1 Roll.
- Absorbent Gauze (Small Roll).
- Band-aids (Plasters) X 1 Box.*
- Sterile Dressings (Selection).**
- Cotton Wool (50gr.)
- Antihistamine, (for Bee Stings).*****
- Antiseptic Solution 50ml.
- Antiseptic Wipes X 4
- Scissors X 1.
- Safety Pins X 12.
- Tongue Depressor X 4.
- Latex Gloves, Pair X 2.****
- Clinical Thermometer X 1.
- Pen Torch X 1
* Band aids or sticky plasters are great
for dressing small wounds. They come in all shapes and sizes for fingers, legs and
anywhere else you might get little nicks and cuts. Some come with cartoons and fancy
colours on them for kids. Make sure the Band aid is big enough to cover the wound, if not
you should use a dressing instead. Be sure the sterile seal on the Band aid is intact
before you use it.
** Sterile dressings are cloth pads that
are placed directly on a wound to protect and control bleeding They too come in all shapes
and sizes and should be used when a wound is too large for a band aid.
In an emergency a clean tea cloth, hand towel, clean tee-shirt can be used to cover the
wound.
*** Bandages used to cover and secure
wound dressings to the body (e.g. conforming or roller bandages). Triangular bandages are
used as above if you have no roller bandages. They are also used to immobilise an injured
limb (e.g. arm sling). Crepe bandages which are normally used to provide compression for
injuries such as a sprained ankle, wrist, etc.
**** Latex gloves are always a good idea,
especially if you are dealing with body fluids from a stranger. You will notice all EMS
personnel wear gloves. The possibility of disease transmission from the victim's blood
should be in the forefront of your mind. (If I have cuts on my hand, I wear two pairs of
gloves). Last but not lest, remember to wash your hands before and after treatment.
*****Antihistamine cream is used for bee
stings and bug bites. Follow the manufacture's instructions. If the victim is allergic to
bee venom, he may develop anaphylactic shock. If this happens, he needs to be seen by a
Doctor. Now! |
