WHAT IS FIRST AID
First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person suffering from either a minor or serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery.
First Aid Kit Essentials
You can buy all items for your first aid kits at a well-stocked drug store. Ask the pharmacist for help in selecting items
First aid kit include these items should:
- Adhesive tape
- Anesthetic spray (bactine )or lotion(Calamine, Campho –Phenique)for itching rashes and insect bites
- 4" x 4" sterile gauze pads -- for covering and cleaning wounds, as a soft eye patch
- 2", 3", and 4" Ace bandages -- for wrapping sprained or strained joints, for wrapping gauze on to wounds, for wrapping on splints
- Adhesive bandages (all sizes)
- Oral antihistamines – diphenhydramine (benadry1causes drowsiness) or loratadine ( Claritin doesn't cause drowsiness) -- for allergic reactions, itching rashes (Avoid topical antihistamine creams because they may worsen the rash in some people.)
- Topical corticosteroids, such as over the counter Hydrocortisone 1% for rashes
- Aloe vera topical gel or cream for burn relief
- Exam gloves -- for infection protection, also to make into ice packs when filled with water and frozen
- Polysporin antibiotic cream -- to apply to simple wounds
- Non adhesive pads (Telfa) -- for covering wounds and burns
- Pocket mask for CPR
- Resealable oven bag -- as a container for contaminated articles, can become an ice pack
- Safety pins (large and small) -- for splinter removal and for securing triangular bandage sling
- Scissors
- Triangular bandage -- as a sling, towel, tourniquet
- Tweezers -- for splinter or stinger or tick removal
