Q: I have been asked to make a first aid kit and I need advice as to what to put in it. I could buy one, but kits I have bought in the past do not seem to have much in them and so I thought making my own was a better idea.
A: The pharmacist at your local drug store can be helpful in selecting items for a first aid kit. He will also be able to find items on the shelves more easily. You may already have several of the items at home, but it is handier in an emergency if they are all kept together in one container. This should be water resistant and unbreakable, such as a nylon bag, fanny pack or make-up case. Plastic zip-lock bags are useful for grouping items.
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Here is a list of items to include in a first aid kit:
- Several pairs of latex disposable gloves. These are to protect you from the potentially harmful body fluids of others.
- Phone numbers of hospitals, doctors and poison centres.
- A box of adhesive bandages in assorted sizes.
- Sterile adhesive tape.
- A roll of cohesive flex bandage, commonly known as Vet-Wrap. Don’t use this directly on the skin because it will stick to body hair. Apply a dry cotton bandage or gauze pad first.
- Several packages of four inch gauze squares. These are useful for cleaning wounds as well as dressings. Use with the tape.
- Telfa non-adhesive dressings to apply to wounds or burns.
- A triangular shaped cloth to use as an arm sling.
- A small plastic bottle of alcohol, Cetavlon or other antiseptic cleaning fluid.
- Two or three assorted width Ace bandages for wrapping sprains or for strapping to splints.
- Pocket mask for CPR. This enables you to perform CPR without direct
contact with the patient’s lips.
- Safety pins, scissors, tweezers and small Swiss army type knife.
- A few basic medicines such as Aspirin, Advil and an oral antihistamine such as Benedryl. Calamine lotion is good for insect bites and safer than cortisone ointment. Polysporin ointment can be applied to wounds. Do not apply anything other than a non-stick dressing to burns.
- A small book on first aid procedures or at least two pages of basic instructions.
Having written this, I realize that I have all these items and more in my house, but they are certainly not all in one place. I’ll try and remedy that situation right away.
Clare Rowson is a retired medical doctor living near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
