A first aid kit, also known as an emergency kit ot first aid box, is a collection of medical supplies and medicines that can be used to provide first aid in the event of an accident or unexpected onset of illness.

What should be in it first aid kit

In this article we tell you what is normally in a basic first aid kit.

WHAT SHOULD BE IN A FIRST AID KIT

The items of a first aid kit can vary greatly, from the meager material that can be carried on a trip, to the very complete ones that are carried in an ambulance. Below we give you a suggested list of what a basic first aid kit should contain, which can be useful for your home and even a company.

The 10 items in a first aid kit is:

  • Sterile gauze in individual packets: it is suggested that the side be 10 cm. Some 50 cm and 1 m square gauzes can also be included in packets containing only one folded gauze.
  • Adhesive dressings: It is recommended that these dressings be small, as they are very useful for small abrasions or wounds on the fingers or other parts of the body. These are purchased under the name "band aids".
  • Gauze bandages 3.5 and 8 cm wide.
  • Cotton cloth: At least three squares, 1 m on each side.
  • Small packages of sterile cotton wool.
  • Larger packages of non-sterile cotton wool.
  • A roll of adhesive tape, 5 m wide.
  • A dozen safety pins.
  • A medium bottle of 95º alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol.
  • Mild antiseptic, such as "Merthiolate" or "Fisohex."
  • Terracotril spray or equivalent for burns or insect bites.
  • Medium-sized scissors, with blunt tips, for cutting bandages, adhesive tape, etc.
  • Boil-sterilized dressing forceps wrapped in sterile cloth: these tools will be used to pick up gauze and other sterile materials.
Depending on the circumstances and where you are, it may be useful for your emergency kit to contain other items such as splints that can be used as splints, material for a possible tourniquet, a blanket, an injection syringe with ampoules of Dexamethasone, Adrenaline, Efortil, etc., and even an electric flashlight.

USE OF FIRST AID KIT

Once you have learned how to make a first aid kit, it is important that you learn what its use is, which is nothing more than having on hand the implements that you may need to provide first aid to anyone who requires it.

On the other hand, to use your first aid kit efficiently, we give you the following recommendations.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE OF THE FIRST AID KIT

  • Always keep your first aid kit in the same place.
  • Do not lock your first aid kit so that you can always access its contents.
  • It is a good idea to keep a first aid kit in your car.
  • Replace used items immediately.
  • In addition to the emergency kit mentioned above, it is a good idea to have a first aid kit at home that can be locked to prevent the little ones in the house from being poisoned by some of the medicines or materials it contains.

FIRST AID KIT FOR HOME

For the average family, a home first aid kit should contain the following:

  • Disinfectants, such as 2% tincture of iodine and hydrogen peroxide.
  • Baking soda.
  • Boric acid, also known as sodium borate powder.
  • Camphorated alcohol.
  • A few bottles of cream or ointment for minor burns, such as butesin picrate or cutan ointment.
  • Vaseline.
  • Laxatives.
  • Clove oil, very useful for first aid for aching teeth.
  • A box of sterile gauze.
  • Scissors for cutting adhesives.
  • A dozen safety pins, either hook or medium-sized, for securing bandages.
  • A thermometer.
  • A dropper.
  • A sterile cup or glass for eyewash.
  • A bath thermometer.
  • A bottle of Merck ultracarbon powder to treat some type of poisoning.
  • A rubber bulb or syringe for giving enemas.