First Aid Kit

 By: Hardrockgems

 Contributed to the HFPE Group

1 Box of medium size medical gloves (or whatever size you need)

-for cleaning up messes (i.e. puke, poop, blood)

1 Thermometer - whatever kind you already have, unless it doesn't work. -this one is obvious, but a working temp taker is crucial

1 bottle of Alcohol Gel

-for hand washing especially if you use this for travel, but even at home it's good

1 bottle of Normal Saline (please get NS, not contact solution) a 500

ml size is best.-for washing out eyes and wounds

1 bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide

-for disinfecting wounds (and if you're like me, then ears too)

1 bottle of Rubbing Alcohol (optional)

-for sterilizing tweezers to get out splinter

1 tube of Neosporin or generic equivalent

-for applying to wounds to help healing

3-6 boxes of Band-Aids depending on size of family and accident prone members

1-3 regular size - for fingers & such 2-4 inches long and 1 or so inches wide.

1-2 large size    - for larger areas elbows, knees  3-4" long 2-3" wide

1   X-Large       -for  really large areas    3-4" square or bigger

1 box of  4"x 4" gauze pads

-for cleaning or bandaging

1 36'x36' square of muslin or cotton or bandana

-for slinging arms or emergency use as a tourniquet or cleaning rag or whatever

1 roll of 1" or 2" medical tape

-for taping down gauze or whathaveyou

1 travel size box of Q-tips

-for applying ointments

1 tube of Activated Charcoal (To be used in lieu of IPECAC)

-for ingestion of substances like pills, cleaners, etc.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Act. Charcoal is better for accidental ingestion since it neutralizes whatever was swallowed. IPECAC will make the substance come back up and if the stuff was caustic like bleach or most household cleaners it can burn the lining of the throat very badly. You can find Act. charcoal at pharmacies and home health stores.

1 pair of bandage or All-purpose scissors

-for cutting off clothes or bandages

1 pair of tweezers

-for splinter removal, removal of ingrown hairs

1 can or bottle of Burn spray or gel

-for 1st degree burns (sunburns, burning hand on stove)

1 bottle of Caladryl or whatever poison ivy/oak/sumac remedy you like -for relief of poison ivy/oak/sumac

Several travel packs of Over-The-Counter medicine like Tylenol, Alka-Selzer, Immodium, etc.

-This is good for travel and also if an ailment comes up that you don't have a big bottle for like diarrhea or upset stomach (Things that may not happen every day) I suggest the travel packs since they are labeled and are individual size. If you break up pills in the bubble packs that they come in they don't have all the precautions on them.

1 bag, briefcase, tote or container to put all these things in.

-Please get something that closes like a zippered bag or container with a latch or closure of some kind. 

Ziploc bags for some of the items and some empty to save specimens for doctor

 A list of contents so you can replace used items and keep track of usage (optional)

These things are things that we use the most as EMTs here in Indiana and are pretty basic for everyone. Please DO NOT go and spend a lot of money on this. I know most people have some or most of these items. Even a partial first aid box is better than nothing. Trust me, in an emergency just knowing where that the necessary stuff is together in a safe place will keep you calmer and saner.

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