Advice on First Aid kit contents

[lilstookie]

We have 2 basic FA kits, but I think I need to update and add to them. I just don't want to have superfluous items or be missing things that are important. We will initially be travelling up the east coast, so (at this stage) don't need to consider remote travel, though we would like to be doing that sooner rather than later. We have two young kids, the dog and no allergies/asthma/pre existing conditions for any of us. I would like advice/opinions on the two options I have for kits please!

    * 1 x Scissors Stainless Steel Sharp/Blunt Nurses Style 12.5cm
    * 1 x Forceps Stainless Steel Splinter 12.5cm
    * 2 x Non Stick Dressing 10cm x 10cm
    * 2 x Bandage Triangular Cotton 110cm x 110cm x 155cm
    * 1 x Hypoallergenic Tape 2.5cm x 5m
    * 1 x Plastic Adhesive Shapes Assorted Sizes 20's
    * 1 x Plastic Adhesive Strips 10's
    * 1 x Bandage Elastic Conforming Gauze 5cm
    * 1 x Bandage Elastic Conforming Gauze 7.5cm
    * 1 x Bandage Elastic Conforming Gauze 10cm
    * 1 x Wound Dressing No.13
    * 1 x Wound Dressing No.14
    * 1 x Wound Dressing No.15
    * 1 x Safety Pins Assorted Size 12's
    * 1 x Tissues Personal Pack 9's
    * 9 x Gauze Swabs Sterile 7.5cm x 7.5cm 3's
    * 1 x Plastic Bags Assorted Sizes (x 3)
    * 1 x NotePad
    * 1 x Pencil
    * 6 x Alcohol Swabs 2ply 3cm x 3cm
    * 1 x Combine Wound Pad 10cm x 20cm
    * 1 x Eye Wash / Saline 100mL
    * 10 x Itch Relief Cream 1g Sachet
    * 1 x Blanket Emergency Foil Rescue
    * 5 x Eye Wash / Irrigation Ampoules 15mL
    * 4 x Eye Pad Sterile
    * 2 x Gloves Nitrile Large (Powder Free) Pkt/2
    * 1 x CPR Resuscitation Mask (Single Use)
    * 1 x Ice Pack instant 160mm x 90mm Boxed
    * 10 x Antiseptic Swabs Povidone-Iodine
    * 5 x Non Stick Dressing 5cm x 7.5cm
    * 1 x Bandage Crepe 7.5cm
    * 1 x Bandage Crepe 10cm
    * 5 x Splinter Probes with Cap - Single Use
    * 2 x Burnaid Gel 3.5g
    * 1 x First Aid Instruction Pamphlet

OR

 1    Emergency First Aid Book    
 2    Triangular Bandages 110cm x 110cm    
 1    Crepe Bandage 5cm    
 1    Crepe Bandage 7.5cm    
 1    Crepe Bandage 15cm    
 1    Heavy Crepe 10cm    
 2    Combine Pads 20cm x 30cm    
 2    Combine Pads 10cm x 10cm    
 1    Wound Dressing No. 14    
 2    Non-Adherent Pads 7.5cm x 10cm    
 1    Burns Sheet Small    
 1    Bag Adhesive Strips (Bag of 50)    
 8    Antiseptic Swabs    
 3    Alcohol Swabs    
 1    Bag Antiseptic Steritube (Bag of 2)    
 2    Eye Pads Large    
 4    Saline Steritube 15ml    
 2    Saline Steritube 30ml    
 1    Hypo-Allergenic Tape 2.5cm x 9m    
 1    Bag Safety Pins (Bag of 12)    
 1    Pkt Disposable Splinter Probes (Pkt of 5)    
 1    Stainless Steel Sharp Forceps 12.5cm    
 1    Stainless Steel Sharp/Blunt Scissors 12.5cm    
 1    Emergency Shock Blanket    
 1    Pkt Paracetamol Tablets (Pkt of 12)    
 1    Stopitch 50g    
 1    Notepad and Pencil    
 1    Bag Disposable Nitrile Gloves (Bag of 2)    
 1    UP Sunscreen Tube 30+ 100g    
 1    Disposable Resuscomask    
 3    Sterile Gauze Swabs 7.5cm x 7.5cm    
 1    Bag Disposable Towels (Bag of 3)    
 1    Plastic Bag Medium    


Or are they both significantly lacking?? I always add extras like Panadol/Nurofen, band aids, tea tree oil, calamine lotion, and will look at some sort of antihistamine. Even if I have a great base and add a few bits and pieces....

Lil

[Bird]

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=18584.0
Have a word to GLC... Many of us have dealt with him and are happy with the results.

As for whats good, and whats not - its a situation where you can almost not have too much stuff... Just make sure its all in-date

I have 2 fairly large kits - a kit in the car and one in the camper.

[peanut2]

Lil

Here are a few other items you may consider.

When we camp with kids (not ours) a lot of them seem to have ear problems when spending time swimming.  So I have added to my kit some Ear drops and also blue tak/ear putty.  The other is some people have trouble with ears blocking up and not being able to hear, so I also carry small syringes which can be filled up with warm water and sqirted in ears to shift wax build up, which unblocks ears.  Eye drops are also a good idea for red eyes from swimming.  I buy the box of single use ones.

The other item I have is a bottle of peroxide.  If a cut seems to be infected, peroxide will soon fix it.  It also helps small initial cuts as it bubbles up any sand or dirt which may be in the cut.



Peanut

[Tjupurula]

Hi Lil
The only thing that I could not see with either kit is a "space blanket".  I have an extensive first aid kit, being so remote, and I always make sure I have one.  I have replaced four already, having used them over the years for various needs when required.
Regards
Tjupurula

[Manjimike]

    * 1 x Blanket Emergency Foil Rescue
   
OR
 
 1    Emergency Shock Blanket    


Lil

I think that is the same 

 
Mike

[Kit_e_kat9]

Don't forget headache tablets and any of your normal prescriptions (I put the prescriptions themselves in a ziploc bag in the car) and some things for the pup.  I always carry eye drops, polarmine, Pain Away (a brilliant muscular/arthritus/RSI rub) and various other personal things with me that I just can't live without. 

I think an instruction book is essential no matter your training or lack there of.  I leave my first aid training manual in the kit along with my certificate ... you never know when someone might want it's details at some stage.  I'm trained but certainly no expert.

Kit_e

P.S.  Did see a silver blanket in both those kits ... but both called it something different.

[SUPA105]

Best piece of equipment in any first aid kit is a person capable of a clear, informed conscious decision making......so short of being exposed to applying first aid or similar on a regular basis your best option is to complete an accredited First Aid course and as a maintenance of skill, discuss some simple scenarios around the dinner table.....set a situation and discuss how you would manage, treat, and adapt to achieve a positive outcome.

Enjoy your trip.....

Cheers

[Estelle]

Sorry, but it may be better to make up your own kit rather than buy one.

But first of all, First Aid course?  Good to have a first aid book (it is also a must have) but in an emergency, it may be hard to find, and, if you have time to read it.

These kits come with different size dressings. Maybe get several of the largest and cut them down to suit the circumstances? Hard to make the small ones bigger, easy to make the big ones smaller.

Triangular bandages, buy several, bandage crepe, ditto. You may find you use more bandages than you think. Could take several for a sprained ankle.
You may need several to build up a buffer for a broken bone etc.

Several instant cold packs, not just one or pack of two. You will use two at a time for a twisted ankle. And you have to time their use and add more after a while.

Saline to rinse eyes. Antihistamines etc.

You could get a kit and add to it.

Oh, and I hope you never need to use your kit. Probably will though.


Ed: and as Supa105 said!

[Tjupurula]

Yes Mike, I must stand corrected.  I am just used to the ones that come in the cover, named "Space Blanket".  My error.
Tjupurula

[Dogsbreakfast]

I also pack a small mirror into my first aid kit. Useful for checking for breath with suspected spinal injury and also very handy for signalling.

[Manjimike]

Yes Mike, I must stand corrected.  I am just used to the ones that come in the cover, named "Space Blanket".  My error.
Tjupurula

Not having a go, just pointing it out 

 
Mike

[pacs]

Hi Lil I can get the nurses at work to knock out a list for you if you like just to see if there is anything overlooked or missed
Cheers pacs

[SteveandViv]

I'd add some emla to the kit which is a topical anesthetic and very good. I use it for getting splinters out or any where you need a bit of topical pain relief, minor burns, small cuts. Add to that some single use little needle things that are great to get the splinters out with

[lilstookie]

Pacs, that would be great!! Argh...still tossing up on a premade on or a kit I make up myself.

I have FA training, but will need to organise something for Stookie in case something happens to me!

Thanks for the extra bits of info everyone.

Lil

[Campfire]

Pacs, that would be great!! Argh...still tossing up on a premade on or a kit I make up myself.

I have FA training, but will need to organise something for Stookie in case something happens to me!

Thanks for the extra bits of info everyone.

Lil

Always good to start with a basic kit which meets recommendations / standards and then add to your own, that's what I did.

Campfire

[lockyer]

While working for a very large company in the security section one of our job's was each month on the first or there about was to go thru all the first aid kits (approx 40) and check the contents and expire dates, in each kit was a note book and pen and a form that asked if anything was used please list here so it could be replaced. The note book and pen is for keeping data/info on the injuried person that then could be given to the medical staff when on site or at hospital.

On a lighter note..

All good first aid kits should have some....bottle of mum's spit and some tissue's - will fix all bump's and scapes.lol

cheers

[disco1]

     I have a box of small and med gloves in my pack as you may use more than the 2 pairs found in most kits
     
     Mauri.

[fishfinder]

every first aid kit should include a young attractive female nurse to be there in case a sponge bath is needed

[lilstookie]

every first aid kit should include a young attractive female nurse to be there in case a sponge bath is needed

Strongly agree.
Stookie

[Patr80l]

     I have a box of small and med gloves in my pack as you may use more than the 2 pairs found in most kits
     
     Mauri.

I was just going to say the same.   I find myself changing gloves several times during an incident.

[krisandkev]

As an Emergency Nurse, I can't agree more, a first aid course is invaluable.  Another thing is to have written down each persons usual medications, allergies and immunisation status (mainly tetanus). Also a brief medical history and any relevant specialists, and next of kin contact details for in case of an emergency.  I used tweezers and an alco wipe to remove a tick from myself in the Kimberley.  This is the way I have always done it.  But recently have been told of a way with dental floss, tied in a loose knot over the tick , then tightened slowly against the skin, therefore lifting the tick out of the skin.  So, maybe, a small roll of dental floss could be helpful.  Kris

[Garry H]

     I have a box of small and med gloves in my pack as you may use more than the 2 pairs found in most kits
     
     Mauri.

this is a must
a box of medium gloves under the drivers seat along with a couple of sets of leather gloves, disposable gloves get cut real easy on shattered glass at some scenes and the leathers over the top work a treat
make sure you don't pack the kit to deep, last thing you need to do is look for your own kit when you need it most,
oh and don't forget a fire extingusher as well

[Patr80l]

make sure you don't pack the kit to deep, last thing you need to do is look for your own kit when you need it most,

Good point. In the past I've used a large fishing tackle box for my first aid and doctor's bag stuff.    But because it's big and flat on top it tends to be packed under everything else.   On the other hand, soft bags are OK to throw on top of everything.

[ivan]

Add extra resus mask,space blanket,surgical gloves and high vis vest to glove box.All theses things protect you while working out what was in that first aid kit and how to use it.Chuck in super glue inlue of sutures for first aid kit and display your new first aid ticket on the fridge at home (the kids get to put there stuff up there.)I would have a look at burns kits.At least have glad wrap on hand for burns.

[Patr80l]

Add extra resus mask,space blanket,surgical gloves and high vis vest to glove box.All theses things protect you while working out what was in that first aid kit and how to use it.Chuck in super glue inlue of sutures for first aid kit and display your new first aid ticket on the fridge at home (the kids get to put there stuff up there.)I would have a look at burns kits.At least have glad wrap on hand for burns.

I'm not sure if you can use ordinary superglue.    Medical superglue comes in single use, sterile tubes.   Also, repairing wounds is best left to the doctors.   Often you need a good light, fine instruments, a little local anaesthetic and a nurse to mop your brow to remove any contamination and foreign material.   That would be a difficult task after the first aider has sealed in any infection with superglue.   Steristrips are OK because they can easily be removed and don't seal off infection to the same degree.
If a wound needs closure it needs to be seen by a doctor.