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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > SpecialTopic > F > First aid kit

First aid kit   

Overview

Information

Suggested items for a first aid kit include:

Bandages and dressings:

  • Butterfly bandages.
  • Adhesive bandages (such as Band-Aid brand or similar); assorted sizes.
  • Adhesive tape such as rolled cloth, paper or silk (hypoallergenic), 1 inch x 10 yards (9.1 meters).
  • Sterile gauze pads (packets of two to five), 3 x 3 or 4 x 4 inch.
  • Sterile gauze (trauma) pads, packets of two to five 5 x 9 or 8 x 10 inch.
  • Nonstick sterile bandages (Telfa or Metalline), assorted sizes.
  • Rolled conforming gauze (C-wrap or Elastomull).
  • Elastic bandage (Ace bandage) for wrapping wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries -- 2, 3, and 4 inch widths.
  • Sterile cotton balls, eye patches, and gauze pads (4 x 4- and 2 x 2- inch pads).
  • Molefoam 4 1/8 x 3 3/8 inch.
  • Moleskin Plus 4 1/8 x 3 3/8 inch.
  • Aquaphor moist nonadherent (petrolatum-impregnated) dressing -- 3 x 3 inch.
  • Tegaderm transparent wound dressing.
  • Tincture of benzoin -- bottle or swabsticks.
  • Benzalkonium chloride 1:750 solution (Zephiran).
  • Povidone iodine 10% solution (Betadine) -- bottle or swabsticks.

Splinting and sling material:

  • Cravat cloth (triangular bandage) for wrapping injuries and making an arm sling, 5 feet at the base and 3 feet on the other two sides.
  • Elastic bandage (Ace bandage) for wrapping wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries -- 2, 3, and 4 inch widths.
  • Aluminum finger splints.

Equipment:

  • Scissors with rounded or blunt-tipped edges.
  • Tweezers, to remove ticks and small splinters.
  • Safety razor.
  • Latex surgical gloves -- if allergic to latex, use hypoallergenic non-latex synthetic gloves.
  • Liquid soap.
  • Sterile cotton-tipped swabs or applicators.
  • Disposable, instant ice bags for icing injuries.
  • Paper cups.
  • Space blanket.
  • Thermometer.
  • CPR mouth barrier or pocket mask, such as a Microshield X-L Mouth Barrier.
  • Paramedic or EMT shears (scissors) or bandage scissors.
  • Rolled duct tape 3 inch x 1 yard (91 centimeters).
  • Braided nylon cord 1/8 to 1/4-inch diameter, minimum 10 feet (3 meters) in length.
  • Blue "baby bulb" or "turkey baster" suction device.
  • Water bottle, such as Nalgene 1/2 to 1 liter.
  • Oral Rehydration Salts or Cera Lyte 70 oral rehydration salts.

Eye medications and dressings:

  • Prepackaged individual sterile oval eye pads.
  • Prepackaged eye bandages (Coverlet Eye Occlusor).
  • Metal or plastic eye shield.
  • Sterile eyewash, such as Collyrium 1 ounce (30 milliliters) or contact lens saline solution.

Medication:

  • Ipecac syrup to induce vomiting. Use only as directed by the Poison Control Center.
  • Acetaminophen -- 325 milligram tablets.
  • Buffered aspirin for headaches, fever, and pain 325 milligram tablets. (Avoid giving aspirin to young children -- use acetaminophen instead.)
  • Ibuprofen 200 milligram tablets.
  • Antacid.
  • Loperamide (Imodium AD) 2 milligram caplets.
  • Glutose (liquid glucose) paste tube.

Allergy kit:

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25 milligram capsules.
  • Allergy kit with injectable epinephrine (EpiPen 0.3 milligrams; and EpiPen Jr. 0.15 milligrams).

Topical skin preparations:

  • Antiseptic solution, such as hydrogen peroxide or wipes, to clean a superficial wound.
  • Antibiotic ointment, such as bacitracin, polysporin, or mupirocin, for cuts and scrapes.
  • Calamine lotion for stings or exposure to poison ivy (follow instructions on label).
  • Hydrocortisone cream, ointment, or lotion (0.5% to 1%).
  • Insect repellent.
  • Sunscreen lotion or cream.
  • Lip balm.
  • Aloe vera gel.

Other:

  • First-aid manual.
  • Paper and pencil.
  • Tissues.
  • Soap.
  • Safety pins.
  • First-aid report form.
  • Waterproof flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries.
  • Change for a telephone call.

Be sure to check your kit regularly, and replace any outdated or expired items.

Ency. home > SpecialTopic > F > First aid kit


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