My First Aid Kit: as an EMT and MomMay 22 '03 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line When in doubt, call your local emergency dispatch center..
As both an EMT and a Mom, needless to say I go through quite a few supplies in my kits. My daughter's softball team can clean one out in a season. State law in NC requires me to stop and assist until someone of equal or greater licensure arrives, so I probably carry more than most require, but better safe than sorry. My main bag is stocked with: Gauze pads, don't worry about getting some of every size, just get the 4x4's they're pretty all purpose. Telfa (or any non-adhering)pads - Again, get the big ones, they can be folded down. Abdominal pads or combine dressings - They are pretty thick and can absorb quite a bit Assorted sizes of bandaids (Kid and adult), butterfly closures and moleskin (for blisters) 3" rolls of gauze Triangular bandages - these are very all-purpose and can be used for anything from a sling, to tie on splints, holding ice packs in place, I've even used these for a makeshift tourniquet(Please contact EMS personnel before attempting to apply a tourniquet..they can talk you through it if it is necessary, these can cause more harm than good if improperly used) Antiseptic wipes-those little individual packs of antibacterial wet ones are great. Alcohol wipes Tongue depressors - these work great on jammed or broken fingers or even toes Self adhesive Ace Bandages 3" work well. Those little clips never seem to be around when I need them. Can of antiseptic/anesthetic spray Bottle of alcohol - This can be used to sterilize tweezers/scissors etc. I also use it on my hands afterward. Betadine Scrub for cleaning wounds - I love betadine. It can be used for everything from cuts and scrapes to helping clear up jock itch and athletes foot. I generally keep my alcohol and betadine in squeeze bottles kinda like sports drinks come in, you can squirt an stream rather accurately with them. Most Wal-mart's sell these for about a buck in the cosmetic department. Just label them with contents and expiration date. Between the kids, dogs, cats, horses and all the other critters, I literally buy betadine by the gallon and these little 4 oz bottles make it alot easier to cart around. Saline solution for rinsing antiseptic from wounds. Believe it or not, you may be required to get a prescription for a bottle of saline, but a better idea is to look for saline wound wash in a spray can (Blairex makes one)...you don't have to worry about contamination after it is opened. Maxi pads--These will absorb copious amounts of fluids and can also be soaked in cool water and applied to burns. I've even used them to help cool people with heat exhaustion Non-Latex gloves - latex allergies seem to be on the rise and so this is alot safer in the long run. Ammonia Inhalant ampules Insect Sting ampules - no cross-contamination risks with the ampules that you may have with the sticks. Instant Ice packs - I had a hot pack for years that was never used..most of the time your first choice for injuries is cold. Bandage or any round tipped scissors Tweezers Safety pins Sterile Q-tips for applying ointments Bacitracin Zinc Ointment- Try to get a single antibiotic ointment, Double and Triple ointments and creams contain sulfates which can cause reactions in people sensitive to sulfa drugs. Hemorroidal Cream - This works great for insect bites and stings - stops the itch and the swelling in people who have topical reactions like myself. Insect repellant Sunscreen Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) capsules for allergies. These also work for mosquito bites, poison oak/ivy and bee stings to relieve the itch. Pepto Bismol tablets Advil or Aleve - good for inflammation pain Tylenol or Aspirin - good for headaches Immodium AD Bonine or anti-nausea drug Activated Charcoal/ipecac syrup -- ALWAYS check with a poison control center before administration of either of these...different poisons require different treatments. First Aid manual My car kit also contains a flashlight, flares, emergency triangles, pen light and a CPR Shield (Please take a CPR class - it may be the most important thing you ever do.) Check the dates on all items on a regular basis, including gauze pads; many don't guarantee sterility after a certain date. Keep a list of everything in your kit to make it easier to restock. ***Most importantly: keep the numbers for the poison control center and emergency personnel handy (a copy in each bag and by all phones). Most dispatchers can talk you through any rudimentary first aid until Medics arrive. When in doubt go ahead and call, every medic I know would rather show up and not be needed than not be called until it's too late. If at all possible take a CPR class and First Aid course. The Red Cross offers these classes pretty regularly. You can also contact your local fire department for information on classes that they may offer. One note--Use extreme caution when giving medications, even topical, to anyone other than your own family... This may seem like a lot of stuff, but so far I've been lucky enough to be prepared for everything from car accidents, softball injuries, general boo-boos, sick dogs, lame horses and teddy bear concussions!  |
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