Having a first aid kit at the ready is a necessity at home, work, in the car and when in the outdoors. Whether you assemble your own or purchase one, here are the contents of several different types of kits sold by the Red Cross. Be sure to include a supply of your prescription medicines and emergency phone numbers along with the kit.
The term "first aid" first appeared in 1878 as a combination of "first treatment" and "National Aid." (medicinenet.com)
Family First Aid Kit
(1) Combine pad 5" x 9"
(1) Combine pad 8" x 10"
(1) Roller gauze 3" x 4 yds
(3) Zip-lock bag 6.5" x 5.5"
(6) Sterile gauze 3" x 3"
(4) Sterile gauze 4" x 4"
(1) Roller bandage 2" x 4 yds
(13) BZK towellettes
(3) Sterile gauze
(2) Island bandages 2" x 3"
(2) Lg. fabric fingertip bandages
(2) Lg. fabric knuckle bandages
(10) Adhesive bandages 3/4" x 3"
(6) Adhesive bandages 1" x 3"
(1) Water Jel burn gel
(1) Rescue blanket
(1) Triangular bandage
(1) Oral Thermometer
(1) Pair of scissors
(2) Pair of vinyl gloves
(1) CPR One-Way Valve Faceshield
(1) Waterproof tape 1/2"
(10) Cold pack
(1) Bio-hazard bag
(1) First aid guide
Pet First Aid Kit
(1) Plastic dropper 1 ml
(1) Tweezer
(1) Scissors
(1) Conform bandage roll 2" x 5 yds
(1) Instant ice pack
(1) Combine pad 5" x 9"
(1) Emergency blanket
(2) Triple-antibacterial first aid cream packs
(1) Adhesive Telfa pads 2" x 3"
(1) Styptic pencil
(6) Cotton tip applicator 3"
(1) Sterile roller gauze 4"
(1) Tongue depressor 6"
(1) Pen light
(1) Eye wash 1/2 oz
(1) Hydrogen peroxide 4 oz
(1) Pair vinyl gloves
(1) Hard plastic case w/wall-mountable handle 10" x 7" x 3"
Wilderness First Aid Kit
Wilderness author, Buck Tilton, offers these important tips for preparing your own wilderness first aid kit.
5 Commandments of Wilderness First Aid Kits
1. It is impossible to assemble the perfect first aid kit, but you should still try. Keep track of things you wish you had, and things you wish you had more of, and reassemble your kit periodically.
2. Re-pack or re-check your kit for each outing. Check for expiration dates on medications, sterile items torn open, damaged or dampened, specific needs that special trips might require. Replace items damaged by heat or cold. Remove unnecessary items (ex. insect repellent on a winter trip).
3. Do not pack anything you do not know how to use. Before the trip, go through each item in your kit and familiarize yourself with what is there and how to use it.
4. Encourage, if not require, participants to pack and carry a personal first aid kit.
5. Remember that ultimately life and limb are not saved by a kit, but by knowledge and skill. Get properly trained!
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4. Encourage, if not require, participants to pack and carry a personal first aid kit.
