What should be in an advanced first aid kit?

Introduction

A well-stocked first-aid kit is a handy thing to have in your home or office, and it’s even more crucial to have one in your car. You never know when you might need it, so it’s important to be prepared. Here’s a list of essential items that every first-aid kit should contain.

The contents of an advanced first aid kit

An advanced first aid kit should contain everything you need to deal with a wide range of injuries and medical emergencies. It should be tailored to your specific needs and the types of activities you participate in. Here is a list of suggested items for an advanced first aid kit.

Bandages


Bandages are one of the most important items in a first aid kit. They come in many different sizes and styles, and can be used to treat a wide variety of injuries.

-Gauze pads: Gauze pads are used to cover wounds and absorb blood. They are available in a variety of sizes, from small strips to large sheets.
-Band-Aids: Band-Aids are small, adhesive bandages that are used to protect minor cuts and scrapes. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, including waterproof options.
-Adhesive tape: Adhesive tape is used to hold gauze pads or other dressings in place. It is also used to secure splints and immobilize joints.
-Elastic bandages: Elastic bandages are used to compress dressings or support sprains and strains. They are available in a variety of widths, from narrow strips to wide rolls.

Antiseptics


In medicine, antiseptics are substances that are applied to living tissues/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. Antiseptics are generally distinguished from antibiotics by the latter’s ability to safely destroy bacteria and other infectious micro-organisms within the body, and from disinfectants, which destroy micro-organisms found on inanimate objects.

Common active ingredients in modern antiseptic solutions include:

  • Alcohols (ethanol or isopropyl alcohol)
  • Chlorhexidine
  • Chlorine compounds (including hypochlorite solutions)
  • Hexachlorophene
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Iodine compounds (such as povidone-iodine)
  • Methenamine hippurate
  • Quaternary ammonium compounds

Painkillers

Every advanced first aid kit should have some form of painkiller. Painkillers help to take the edge off of injuries and allow the casualty to remain calm. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are both effective painkillers that can be purchased over the counter at most pharmacies. It is important to note that aspirin should not be given to children under the age of 16.

Other essential items

In addition to the items listed above, there are a few other items that you might want to consider including in your first aid kit. Depending on your needs, you might want to add things like:

-Thermometer
-Tweezers
-Scissors
-Safety pins
-Paper cups
-Cotton balls or swabs
-Bandanas or cloths
-Soap

Conclusion

In conclusion, an advanced first aid kit should have the following items: adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, antibiotic ointment, aspirin,blanket,boil water bottle,breathable barrier,burn gel,calamine lotion,cash or coins,clothing protective gloves ,cold pack,conforming gauze roll ,cotton balls or cotton-tipped swabs ,cPR face shield ,emergency whistle ,flashlight and extra batteries ,gloves ,goggles ,gravol or other antihistamine ,hand sanitizer ,hydrocortisone cream ,ibuprofen ,laxatives ,matches motion sickness medication needle and curved threaders nose clip over-the-counter medications such as antacids pain relievers personal prescription medications scissors soap and water in a resealable bag space blanket sterile dressings in assorted sizes sunscreen survival stories or guidebooks syringe without the needle (to use for flushing wounds with clean water) thermometer tincture of iodine or alcohol swabs tweezers