Preppers will tell you they practice prepping as a way to be prepared for what the future may hold. Of course none of us really know what tomorrow or even the next hour will bring. So it is probably wise to plan ahead at least a little bit. It does not matter if you are the type that plans for the end of the world scenario or someone who just wants to have a few essentials on hand in case of an emergency; having a basic first aid kit assembled and within reach is a good idea. A first-aid kit can run the gamut, from the extreme to just the basics. Building a first aid kit to fit your family’s basic needs is relatively easy to do.
Ten Essential Items for a Basic First Aid Kit
- Aspirin
- Antibacterial ointment
- Gauze pads
- Adhesive strips
- Adhesive first-aid tape
- Butterfly bandages
- Ace bandage
- Antiseptic swabs
- Tweezers
- Bee sting/insect kit
Of course first aid kits can easily be customized to adapt for specific medial needs or concerns you or your family may have. For example if someone has severe allergies you will want an Epi-pen in your kit. If you are planning an expedition, miles from the nearest emergency facility you will probably want to add a few more items such as sewing needles, items for treating blisters, sunburn remedies, scalpel, hydrocortisone cream, instant ice packs, thermometer and a sling plus any medication anyone in your group may need.
What do you keep in your first aid kit? Tell us in the comment section.
[lisa]
super glue. good for gluing a crown, repair glasses, even seal a small wound.
CA adhesive (Crazy Glue) is used for quick closure of cuts or other wounds, it takes up little storage space and will last unopened for a long time.
This is a good basic first aid kit. You should add gloves to the kit to protect the person you’re caring for and yourself.
Anything further adds to the kit.
The thing is you need to make the kit for the use you will have for it. You may even want several different kits for different activities and purposes.
Taking Red Cross or AHA first aid and CPR is a good thing and will help anyone that you may care for to include family members.
You also have to practice at first aid and CPR to make sure you can do it properly. When time comes to use it you don’t want to have to think about what you’re doing. You want to be able to care for someone like it’s second nature.
You practice other things so why not practice first aid.
in my opinion The asprin is for emergency heart problems
I would carry IB ar something else as well as asprin
Regarding ASA (aka aspirin). Ibuprofen is also an anti-coagulant and, like aspirin, will irritate the stomach lining. And aspirin should NEVER be used in young toddlers because it can cause Reynoud’s disease. However, in large doses or in cases of failing liver, acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be fatal due to hepatotoxicity.
Solution may be to have ASA, Ibuprofen AND Tylenol available. Just keep them in separate containers!
Water is a great idea. You could also make a bottle of saline solution (recipe is available on the web). Saline is a better solution for cleansing wounds, when available.
If you’re going to keep wound closure materials (suture, stapler) in your kit, please learn how to use them properly A poorly closed wound is better left open and packed with moist (NOT WET) gauze and covered with a protective bandage. Also, remember that wounds that may be dirty or are more than 8 hours old should not be closed but allowed to heal from the inside out.
Having good quality first-aid books and other resources available in the event of need is also a good idea. If you shoot at remote ranges or hunt, knowledge of emergency treatment of gunshot wounds may also be helpful.
You forgot gloves to put on to protect from contact with bodily fluids. If you have to pack one pair, chose vinyl in case they are allergic to latex.
I disagree with your recommendation of asprin because it’s a blood thinner; if you were to administer that to someone with a venomous snake bite, for example, they would be as good as dead. I would suggest acedomedophin or a Tylenol-like product that can be administered on an empty stomach, unlike ibuprofen which can inflame the stomach in high doses when taken without food.
You should know the indications, contraindications, and dose every medication in your kit. You may have to chose the better of two evils. Even OTC medication can be deadly. But having more options is never a bad thing. If I could only carry one (ASA, IB or aspirin) it would be the aspirin.
You just have to know when to give it and when not to.
Aspirin is a mild blood thinner but is used usually for its anti-coagulant ability.
I have added many items, blood clotting packages, a surture kit, includes every thing to stich up a bad cut,baby wipes.
I prefer to use 3 levels of first aid kit. Level 1 is a basic small individual kit in a molle pouch 5x5x11. Holds dressings, external meds, internal meds, and instruments hemostats, tweezers, scissors, etc.. Level 2 is larger and holds more of the basics, plus more instruments (stethoscope, bp cuff, etc,). Level 3 is backpack sized and holds more of the Level 1 and 2 contents, plus more instruments (tissue stapler, splints, collars, braces, and etc.).
Scissors. Stout medical type. Hemostat. Light. Inexpensive. Like an extra hand to hold most anything.
A bottle of water. Assauges thirst, cleans wounds.
A bottle of saline nose spray, sterile…though you can’t drink it, it’s generally better for flushing wounds than plain water.