How to Build Your Own First Aid Kit

A first aid kit can be very helpful in case of any unfortunate accident. While serious medical conditions can be dealt with only by a doctor, a first aid kit can be of great help in case of an emergency and for minor treatments. First aid kits are commercially available but they often lack some of the specific medical items needed. A first aid kit can easily be built at home and packed with customized items for the family. It is also more cost effective than the commercial versions.

Things Required:

– Water proof box or bag
– Zip-close baggies
– Injury supplies (antiseptic wash, bandages, gauze, medical tape, topical anesthetic and antibiotic)
– Oral antihistamines
– Medical tools (surgical gloves, tweezers and scissors)
– Emergency prescription medications
– Extras, tailored to your needs (emergency phone numbers, snake bite kits, ipecac, charcoal tablets)

Instructions

  • 1

    Find a waterproof box or bag that can hold the items. The waterproof feature is helpful for travelling and protection against moisture. However, using plastic zipper bags also does the same job. It is important that the box be light weight, so that it is easy to carry.

  • 2

    The quantity of each item that is placed in the kit depends on the family size. However, it is important to add at least two of everything. Coming to the injury control part, an antiseptic wash should be placed in the kit along with bandages, gauze pads and medical tape. Antibiotic ointment, anesthetic spray for the pan, and oral antihistamines are essential components of a first aid kit.

  • 3

    Surgical tools like gloves , scissors and tweezers should also be placed in the box for all types of treatment. These tools should be placed in their own plastic packaging. A pair of each is recommended.

  • 4

    Medications like painkillers and prescribed medicines should be placed in a designated section. A first aid kit should always be ready for emergency movement. So keeping a pack of the prescribed medicines for members of the family is recommended in case there is an emergency.

  • 5

    The kit should also have ointments for specific allergies that members of the family have. The best thing about building a personal first aid kit is that it can be personalized according to the needs of the members of the family.

  • 6

    While the basic purpose of a first aid kit is to be helpful in medical conditions, placing emergency telephone numbers and copies of important papers like passports and identification cards can be of great help, as one can just grab the box in the middle of an emergency.

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