Throughout our lives, first aid is a word everyone has heard quite often, whether it was the availability of a kit that led to saving someone's life or the absence of it that led to someone else's demise.
A first aid kit is an emergency kit for first responders to provide the necessary medical care until tertiary care is available. Similarly, first aid kits are a must-have in your house, especially in this day and age. Not only should you have one in your home, but your car should also have its first aid bag.
On many occasions, a situation presents itself in which medical assistance is needed, and calling an ambulance or going to the hospital can be counterproductive. A ready-to-use first aid kit bag will give you everything you need to use. It saves time and reduces a lot of risks to a considerable degree. In many instances, first aid kits can be the difference between life and death.
Performing a risk analysis
First aid kit bags can be life-saving but only with the right equipment. Having access to a first aid kit without adequate supplies is useless. Therefore, it is crucial to consider all the different factors while making your first aid kit bag. But how would you know what supplies to keep in your bag? A simple way to decide on which items to get is by performing a risk analysis on your area or location and creating a list of potential situations you are likely to face. Once you have all the possibilities written down, rate them on a scale of 1 to 5. The scenarios or hazards that score the highest are the ones you need to be prepared for!
Who is the first aid bag for?
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The first thing to consider is who will be using the first aid kit. Do you live alone, or do you have a family to protect? What about children in the house? This is a critical factor as children face different risks compared to adults. For instance, children are susceptible to cuts, bruises, and allergies and will need bandages and disinfectants. Older people will need different supplies according to their illnesses (if they have any), and in some cases, people can have life-threatening allergies or diabetes. In some cases, a first aid kit without oral glucose or antihistamine medication will be useless. Keeping such factors in mind will help you focus on what to include in your kit.
Where will you keep the kit?
The second noteworthy factor is to decide the location of your first aid kit. Dangers in your home are different from the life-threatening emergencies you may face outside, such as car accidents or being stranded while backpacking. Thus, the first aid kit you keep at home should be more comprehensive and equipped. On the other hand, a first aid kit for your backpack will be different, as the hazards encountered outside are often mobile and fast-paced, giving lesser reaction time and doing more damage. Possessing a purpose-built, essential first-aid bag will be your savior. Antidotes make sense in emergencies where you are out in nature; on the other hand, in your house, you are less likely to face a situation where you will encounter poisonous reptiles, etc.
What are the dangers and hazards of your profession?
Your job and hobbies also affect the kind of medical aid you may need. If you own a gun, there's always the chance that you could have an accident. It's important to be aware of the hazards that come with owning a firearm and take precautions to prevent accidents. One way to do this is to invest in a pistol case or rifle case. These cases help to secure your weapon and prevent it from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. In addition, gun cases can help to protect your weapon from the elements and accidental damage.
If you work in construction, there is a chance that you can get broken bones from a fall or burns from equipment. If you have an office job or any other low-risk profession, you may not need any supplies for trauma. However, with the rising rates of mass violence, offices, schools, and theaters have also become risky places and should have first aid facilities.
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People living nearby hospitals, fire departments, (etc.) may no longer need big first aid kits, as they can get medical aid in a few minutes. However, if you live outside the city or in an area where medical assistance will need time to reach you, having an expansive medical aid kit becomes a necessity and is a valuable asset.
How prepared do you want to be?
The degree of preparedness can influence the contents of your first aid bag. As first aid procedures are numerous, having the necessary skills and confidence to handle those procedures comes with heavy equipment requirements. Your first aid kit bag can be simple with a few basic supplies or extensive trauma supplies inside. The nature of your bag will depend on the kind of medical aid you need access to. If you are looking to handle situations that are most likely to occur, then your kit will only include the relevant supplies.
Vital items to include in your first aid kit
As iterated repeatedly, first aid kits should be tailored based on your needs, and every first aid bag should include a few essential items that come in handy in every situation.
Band-Aid
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Band-Aids are extremely handy, especially with children in the house. They cover minor cuts and bruises and provide another layer of protection to the injured skin from infection. You can also consider getting waterproof Band-Aids to protect you from waterborne pathogens while cleaning your skin.
Antibiotics and Anti-allergies
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Injuries, scratches, and scrapes are a part of life. Human immunity is usually strong enough to deal with most common pathogens, but sometimes infections take hold due to the increased potency of the pathogen. Owning a few generic antibiotics that cover skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal problems can be life-saving in the wilderness. A few to name are Co-amoxiclav for the skin, Levofloxacin for the respiratory tract, Ciprofloxacin for gastrointestinal infections. Anti-allergies such as Loratadine should always be kept, especially out camping, because allergic reactions frequently occur due to multiple allergens in the environment.
Gauze, gloves, and bandages
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Sterile gauze come in handy in cases of cuts or injuries with bleeding. Tissue paper won't be helpful because it is not sterilized, and would lead to infections. For this purpose, you need to get sterile gauze and bandages. The wound should be cleaned with an antiseptic solution, preferably Povidone Iodine, covered with sterile gauze, and bandaged.
Burn Ointments
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Even the simplest tasks, like cooking, involve the risk of burns. It does not matter if the burn is small, because it will still hurt and can aggravate if not treated timely. As a result, burn ointments containing Silver Sulfadiazine and waxed gauze or burn dressings may be required.
Wound cleaning agent
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Wound cleaning agents are a must in your first aid bag as they are necessary before bandaging. Without disinfecting a wound, the risk of infections is high. While water and soap can clean it, a disinfectant in your first aid bag will come in handy if you do not have access to water. Alcohol wipes, Povidone Iodine, or a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide should be able to do the job!
Over-the-counter painkillers
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OTC medication such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and Ibuprofen can give pain relief and reduce fever. Ibuprofen reduces inflammation and can also help with some injuries. While taking these medicines, do not forget to note down the time so you can keep track of the dosage.
Disclaimer: You will most likely need these things, but please pack according to your needs, keeping your medical history and allergies in mind. This list does not include everything and could be different for everyone. Some of the medications described here can trigger an allergic reaction varying from user to user, so please use them accordingly and consult your healthcare advisor for further advice.