Assembling a First Aid Kit

We probably all have at least a box of bandaids, maybe a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide or a tube of Neosporin and a few other basics in the house somewhere, but if you don't have a really good First Aid kit, I would encourage you to buy or assemble one for your home and one to carry in each vehicle.

The contents of your first aid kit should reflect the needs of your family, personal needs or the possible needs of the situation it would be used in. I would have some different items in a kit I carry into the back country than I would have in a kit I keep in a boat. In our family, we have a home kit, a smaller kit in each vehicle, and since my boys and husband spend a lot of time in the mountains with the scouting program, they all have small kits tailored to backpacking needs.

In our car, we have a pre-assembled kit we purchased in a plastic first aid box. The other I assembled myself and put in an over-sized fanny pack. I keep it under the seat of the pickup since that is the vehicle we would most likely be in when we're off the beaten path - camping, cutting wood, driving to trail heads, etc. I can grab the pack and put it on to carry with me if I need to.

Our home kit is kept in a big, plastic tool box I purchased inexpensively at Walmart, similar to the one in the picture. We also have plenty of extra supplies in the storage room. Remember to think of all possible needs, and the ability to help others outside of your family when selecting your kit or items.

Suggested First Aid Checklist

ANTISEPTIC AND TOPICALS

• Soap
• Germ killing cleanser
• Antiseptic prep pads
• Triple antibiotic ointment
• Calamine lotion
• Anti-fungal cream
• Minor burn preparation
• Skin care items
• Petroleum jelly
• Insect repellent
  
• Sunscreen
• Colloidal Silver
  
• Rubbing alcohol
• Hydrogen peroxide

GASTROINTESTINAL UPSET AIDS

• Laxative
• Antacid
• Anti-diarrhea agent
• Anti-vomiting agent

DRESSINGS

• Adhesive bandages, assorted sizes
• Rolled gauze
• Sterile gauze pads (4"x4" and other sizes)
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tapes
• Elastic bandages
• Triangular bandages
• Cold/hot compress

CLOSURE DEVICES

• Butterfly bandages
• "Steri-strips"
• Sutures

RESPIRATORY AIDS

• Antihistamine
• Decongestant
• Mentholatum drops, oil or rub

POISONING

• Emetic - syrup of ipecac
• Activated charcoal
• Baking Soda (has drawing action)

ANALGESICS

• Buffered Aspirin
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil)
• Gargle and/or throat lozenges
• Toothache remedies (Eugenol, Anbesol)

OTHER

• Ear drops
• Eye drops
• Eye wash
  
• First aid reference booklet
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Pocket knife
• Razor blades
• Cotton or alcohol wipes
  
• Thermometer
• Needle and thread
• Safety pins
• Matches
• Medicine dropper
• Ziplock bags
• Latex gloves
• Dust masks

SPECIAL NEEDS FOR YOUR FAMILY

• Prescription medication (stay one prescription ahead and rotate)
• Eyeglasses
  
• Contact lens supplies
• Insulin and diabetic supplies
• Children's medications
• Rectal Thermometer or Forehead strip for infants
  
• Inhaler
• Allergy medications
  

This is a list of "traditional" medical supplies. If you are like me, and use things like herbs, essential oils, homeopathics, etc., you will want to tailor your kit to the things you trust and know how to use.

Ideally, we'll know how to proficiently use every item in our kit! But that isn't always the case. It's important that we continually learn all we can about how to deal with health and first aid issues, but in the meantime, it's far better to have the supplies than not. In an emergency, we'll at least have something to work with, or very often someone else may know what to do, even if we don't.

Remember: It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!