Building A Basic First Aid Kit

Let's talk about first aid kits... whether you're able to hunker down in your home, or are driven to evacuate, you're going to need one. First response teams won't be so widely available, hospitals could be overfilled or inaccessible in a natural or man-made disaster, and seeking medical assistance in a hospital during some sort of an outbreak could be more life threatening than your initial need for assistance.

One first aid kit per person in your family or group is ideal, at least I think so. Aside from just building or buying a first aid kit, I encourage you, and anyone else in your group of eligible age, to check into local First Aid, CPR, AED, and Aquatics classes. Contacting you local Red Cross is a great place to start. You should also include a chart or booklet on first aid procedures, along with a pharmaceutical book or drug guide in your kit.


Here are the basic items you should be sure are included in your first aid kit (alphabetically ordered):

Ace Bandages (assorted sizes)

Antibacterial Gel and/or Wipes

Antibiotics (some ethnic stores sell them without a prescription, fish antibiotics are also an option, neither needs a prescription - don't forget that you'll need a pharmaceutical or drug guide to understand doses, warnings, etc. - these are only for desperate situations)

Anti-fungal Cream (helps athletes foot, jock itch, nail fungus)

Anti-fungal Foot Powder

Aspirin (relieves minor aches and pains, especially arthritis)

Aspirin - Bayer (taken at first sign of a heart attack, get the chewable)

Benadryl (relieves allergy symptoms, soar throat and irritation, also for motion sickness)

Bottled Water (at least one 20 oz bottle)

Butterfly Wound Closures

Cold Packs

Duct Tape (you never know)

Feminine Pads & Tampons (obviously for the women, also pads for wound dressings, tampons for packing deep punctures, gunshot wounds, etc.)

Flashlight (extra batteries)

Gel Toe Sleeve (blisters on toes)

Heat Packs

Hydrocortisone Cream (relieves minor skin irritation, poison ivy, insect bites)

Hydrogen Peroxide (topical cleaner, dental cleaner)

Ibuprofen (reduces swelling, reduces fever, pain reliever)

Imodium (anti-diarrhea)

Iodine (topical cleaner)

Isopropyl Alcohol (topical cleaner)

Lighter and Matches (could be used for sanitizing needles, scalpel)

Magnifying Glass

Medical Tape (waterproof)

Metamucil (laxative, dietary fiber)

Multi-Tool/Knife

Muscinex and Muscinex DM (can break up chest congestion before infection sets in)

Nail Clippers (small and large)

Non-stick Band-Aids (package with assorted sizes)

Orthopedic Felt (relieves pressure from foot blisters)

Pepto-Bismol (nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea... you've heard the song)

Petroleum Jelly and/or Zinc Oxide (I'd get both, protects skin- chaffing, diaper rash, etc.)

Saline Solution (eye wash, wound care)

Scissors

Space blankets (aka Mylar blanket)

Sterile Gauze Pads (I'd go with a pack of each size you can find, from 2x2 and up to 5x9)

Sterile Gauze Rolls (these come in a variety of sizes and lengths also)

Sterile Gloves (if you can't find some that are individually wrapped, make sure you have a zip lock baggy to put them in after opened)

Super Glue

Thermometer

Triple Antibiotic (treats and prevents infections from minor cuts, scrapes)

Tweezers

Tylenol (relieves pain from headaches, muscle aches, other aches and pains)

Water Bottle with Built-In Filter

White Towels, Hand Towels, Washcloths

Zip Lock Bags (for putting unused items in to keep sterile after opened)


Don't let your first aid kit stop with the list I provided, you'll think of more things to add along the way. The
more things you have quick access to, the better. It's also a good idea to look into pre-built kits for more critical situations and study up on how to use whichever ones you include. There's a great assortment of online video tutorials if you can't find nearby classes to take. Even if you aren't sure you could go through with any of the procedures now, you'll probably be able to muster up the courage if it comes down to it during desperate times... especially if it ends up being your own child or a loved one's life hanging on the line.


A Couple Additional Pre-Built Kits To Consider:

Gunshot Wound Kit

Snake Bite Kit

Surgical Kit

Suture Kit (or needles with waxed thread)

Trauma Kit






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What's in your first aid kit if you already have one made? What else do you think should be added to mine? There are a lot of things to choose from and I'm interested in hearing your ideas. I'm also interested in checking out other blogs and sites that I may not have stumbled across yet, so please share your favorite if you have one. Please take a second to subscribe, share this with others who may find this useful, and don't forget to comment.