cac0fae8c8f092b7d7e32f10d5d4e9c220d2969b My Health Is My Life: How To Prepare A First Aid Survival Kit

How To Prepare A First Aid Survival Kit

By April Briggs


Every second counts in an emergency. If someone becomes suddenly ill or is involved in an accident, having a well-equipped first aid survival kit on hand is critical for providing immediate treatment. It can even save someone's life.

Every household should have a least one first aid kit and ideally, one for each floor of the house. This ensures the supplies are readily available and saves precious time retrieving one from a different location. Everyone in the home should know exactly where it is and how to use its contents.

All kits should include a well-written first aid manual. The situation can get quickly out of control during an emergency. Even if you think you know what to do, it is easy to be distracted by the chaos around you. Having a good manual to refer to during this time keeps you focused.

You will need an assortment of adhesive bandages to treat any minor cuts and abrasions. Make sure the packaging around each bandage is intact. You must replace any in torn packages because they are no longer sterile.

Kits should have adhesive tape, sterile pads, and gauze in rolls. You will need these items if you have to dress a large wound. Make sure to add scissors to the list of supplies, so you can quickly cut gauze, clothing, or tape.

An instant cold compress will come in handy for treating strains and sprains, which are common injuries in accidents of all kinds. A triangular bandage can serve as an arm sling. An ace bandage wrapped around an injured joint or tendon can control swelling.

You can avoid spreading infection when treating someone with injuries by including a couple pairs of nonlatex gloves. Wearing gloves offers protection for the injured person as well as the person treating him or her. Have some antibiotic ointment and disposable antiseptic wipes to clean debris and bacteria from open wounds before applying bandages.

Include any other compact items that may be useful in an emergency. Kits should have tweezers, matches, an oral thermometer, and a flashlight with multiple changes of batteries. Do not forget to test the flashlight from time to time and change the batteries as needed. Add an emergency blanket, sometimes called a space blanket. This compact and lightweight item may be necessary if you need a way to keep an injured person warm.

You can purchase a first aid kit online or in any local drug store or variety retail outlet. Depending on your family's individual needs, you may have to add a few additional items to customize your kit. These may include several epinephrine auto injectors if someone in your family has severe allergies. Add a supply of any necessary prescription medications because it may be impractical to fill a prescription during an emergency. Always inspect the kit at least once every six months to replace old batteries, check the expiration dates on medicine, and verify the packages surrounding the sterile items are still intact with no rips or tears that can allow dirt to enter.




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