First Aid Kit

FIRST AID KIT


Remember the Three Mechanisms of Injury:
Trauma – due to high impact e.g. car accident
Medical – illness e.g high blood pressure, diabetic
Environmental- e.g tsunami
The Complete KITThe First aid kit must be well organized, weather proof, accessible in an emergency, and user friendly. The simplest way to organize is:
- to separate bandages, dressings, meds, etc. with ziplocks, or some sort of waterproof dividers.
- Writing what's in the bag can help when the adrenaline is pumping, or some people even color code what is what.
- Having gloves, pocket mask, and other protection readily available is very important.
Not only is the first aid kit itself important, it is how easily you can assemble all your resources.
Suggested Personal First Aid Kit List
1 - roll 1" cloth tape4 - 4" x 4", or 3" x 3" general gauze pads2 - non-adherent gauze pads1 - 8" x 7" combine (bulk) dressing8 - band-aid bandages2 - 3" or 4" stretch roller gauze3 - 3" or 4" occlusive dressings2 - triangular bandages 1 - 4" ace wrap1 - Sam Splint or wire splint4pr - vinyl exam gloves1 - CPR pocket mask w/ 1 way valve or shield1 - Airways, nasal and/or airway1 - blister kit (personal preference)5 - povodine iodine packets1 - trauma scissors1 - splinter tweezers1 - thermometer1 - med kit (personal preference)1 - blanket pin2 - safety pins1 - 12 to 60cc syringe1 - 20-30' duct tape
-Medication
Carrying Device
One that works best in environment in which you travel.
o Dry Bag/Box, fanny pack, compartmentalized pouch, ziplock bags, etc.
Personal Protection
Must be easily accessible. Gloves can be placed in various places e.g in your pack, a lifejacket in a film canister, etc.
ü Vinyl or Latex Gloves - 2 to 4 pairs per person*
ü CPR Mask - or at the very least, a CPR Shield
ü Airways - dependent on level of training
Wound Care
Bandages - narrow piece of cloth tie around wound or dressing :3" and/or 4" roller gauze that stretches and possibly self-adhering

Dressings – material used 2 cover and protect wound: carry multiple sizes of sterile gauze bandages or a 4" x 4". Different dressings may help make wound care much more manageable.

General Purpose Gauze Pads - uses for wound care, from padding to absorbency.

Combine and Trauma Dressing - used where high absorbency and/or padding are necessary. Larger sizes in these are usually recommended e.g Surgipad.

Occlusive Dressings - dressing to keep a wound dry in a wet environment. Care must be taken to remove these dressings during rest periods to help promote healing in a prolonged context. Examples include Bioclusive and Tegaderm.

Bandage Strips - a bandage with an attached dressing, better known as Band-Aids. It is important to change these regularly, so bring enough.

Tape – To secure bandages or closing wounds. 1" cloth tape is usually all that is needed in a basic first aid kit.

Duct, packaging and other tapes make great securing tools for bandages, splints, clothing, etc. Be careful to watch for constriction and other circulation problems. 20-30 ft.

Wound Cleansing
The risk of infection is greater when the wound is close, so prior wound cleansing is vital.

Clean water for washing off residue

Povidine Iodine (PI) used in a solution with water, to adequately irrigate the wound and surrounding area. Some people are allergic to iodine, so check their medical history first.

Soaps, as well as medical "scrubs" that can be used for cleansing around wounds.

Splinting
The most improvised skill there is. Lifejackets, packs, paddles, ski poles, etc. all make great splints.
- Use the injured’s person equipment first!
- Remember to watch for constriction, comfort, and compatibility.

Hardware
Tool that can expedite and assist during treatment:

Tweezers – to pull out splinter or hold cotton for wound cleaning

Pins - to secure materials such as using a sleeve as a improvised sling, or securing a tarp as a shelter.

Plastic bags - make great irrigators, improvised glove, or occlusive layer. Big trash bags are perfect for vapor barriers when wrapping up a patient, emergency shelter, and to put trash in.

Thermometer - A digital indoor/outdoor thermometer with a probe is a good resource to tell temp. variations of a patient who is either immobilized during or waiting for evac, although not as accurate as a medical version.

Trauma shears - for removing clothing, cutting improvised splints to size etc

Heat/Cold Packs - again usually carried in major med kits, these will help in short term context. Water bottles with warm water, cooled wet towels, filled ziplocks, can be improvised heat/cold packs.

Mirror/signal device - a compass with a mirror show a spruce speck in the eye, or help locate tick or leech. It can also be used to signal aircraft or other groups.

Whistle - can be use as signals.

Flashlight/headlamp - Select a light appropriate to your activity

Lighter/ waterproof matches- if traveling in wet, cold environments it is also good to carry a fire catalyst, such as fire ribbon, or fire gel.

Medications
Adequate training, written policies and procedures and medical control should all be considered.

- Topical antibiotic cream - such as Neosporin, has been proven to promote healing in shallow wounds and help maintain a good barrier.

- Analgesic, Antipyretic and Anti-inflammatory – pain killer such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and aspirin. It is personal preference to what has worked best for you.

- Antihistamine – for allergies: such as Benadryl and Sudafed for

- Antacid – for stomach discomfort/ burning feeling due to e.g overeating : Mylanta, Gelusil, Pepto Bismol, Maalox

- Antidiarrheal - Pepto, Keopectate, Immodium, Lomotil

- Anticonsptipation - Metmucil, glycerine suppositories

- Antifungal/yeast - Tinactin, Mystatin

- Dental Problems - pain relief from clove oil, Orabase

- Special Needs and Medications - such as prescription antibiotics, asthma inhalers, altitude meds, epineherine, etc

- Glucose - liquid glucose in a single use tube

- Oral Electrolyte Replacement Solution - such as Gookinaid, Gatorade, etc.

- Tincture of Benzoin - helps keep bandages attached

- Activated Charcoal – poisoning emergencies