First aid kit 207040 225063475 2008-07-11T18:33:23Z Sid 6467 7461218 /* Contents */ {{otheruses}} {{Unreferenced|date=February 2008}} [[Image:Sac-de-rea-milouf-img 1004.jpg|thumb|First-aid kit of the [[French Army]].]] A '''first-aid kit''' is a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving [[first aid]]. First-aid kits contain a variety of equipment that may include [[bandage]]s for controlling [[bleeding]], personal protective equipment such as [[Medical gloves|gloves]], a [[CPR mask|breathing barrier]] for performing [[EAR|EAR (expired air resuscitation)]] and [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation|CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)]], and sometimes instructions on how to perform [[first aid]]. == Contents == Commercially available first aid kits available via normal retail routes have traditionally been intended for treatment of minor injuries only. Typical contents include adhesive bandages, regular strength pain medication, gauze and low grade disinfectant. There are also [[Sports First Aid Kit]] which are recommended by certain governing bodies (ie FA, RFU) Specialized first aid kits are available for various regions, vehicles or activities. For example, first aid kits sold through marine supply stores for use in watercraft may contain seasickness remedies. ===Typical contents=== [[Image:Sparadrap 2.jpg|thumb|Adhesive bandages are one of the most commonly used items in a first aid kit.]] *'''[[Dressing (medical)|Dressing]]s''' ([[sterilization (microbiology)|sterile]], applied directly to [[wound]]) **Pads ***Sterile [[eye]] pads ***Sterile gauze pads ***Sterile non-adherent pads ***Burn dressing (sterile pad soaked in a cooling gel) *'''[[Bandages]]''' **Gauze roller bandages - absorbent, breathable, and often elastic **Elastic bandages - used for sprains, and pressure bandages **Adhesive, elastic roller bandages - very effective pressure bandages or durable, waterproof bandaging **Triangular bandages - used as slings, tourniquets, to tie splints, and many other uses *[[Adhesive bandage]]s (band-aids, [[sticking plaster]]s) **Straight adhesive bandages **[[Butterfly stitches|Butterfly (knuckle) bandages]] [[Image:Disposable nitrile glove.jpg|thumb|right|Disposable gloves are often found in modern first-aid kits.]] '''Instruments''' *[[Adhesive tape]], [[hypoallergenic]] *[[Trauma shears]], for cutting clothing and general use *[[Tweezers]][[Image:Tweezer-plastic.JPG|thumb|Plastic Twezers]] *[[Lighter]], for sterilizing tweezers or pliers etc *Irrigation syringe, for cleaning wounds *Rubber suction bulb, for clearing the airway of an unconscious patient '''Equipment''' *[[Personal protective equipment|Personal Protective Equipment]] (PPE) **[[Medical gloves|Glove]]s, disposable non-[[latex]] **[[CPR mask]] or other breathing barrier such as a [[face shield]] *Eye cup or small plastic cup *Torch (also known as a [[flashlight]]) *Instant-acting chemical cold packs *Sterile eye wash (commonly [[saline (medicine)|saline]]) **Sterile saline (used for cleaning wounds where clean [[tap water]] is not available) *Swabs, sterile non-woven *[[Space blanket]] (lightweight plastic foil blanket, also known as "emergency blanket") *[[Alcohol rub]] (hand sanitizer) or [[antiseptic]] [[hand wipe]]s *[[Thermometer]] *Penlight '''Medication''' *[[Antiseptics]]/[[antimicrobial]] **Povidone iodine wipes **[[Benzalkonium Chloride]] **Alcohol pads - used to prep unbroken skin for injections etc. or to disinfect equipment such as thermometers. **Antibiotic ointment - single, double, or triple antibiotic ointment in petroleum jelly base *Antiseptic/anesthetic ointment or spray *Anti-itch ointment **[[Hydrocortisone]] cream **[[Antihistamine]] cream, such as benadryl **Calamine lotion *[[Painkillers]] / fever reducers **[[Acetaminophen]] **[[Ibuprofen]] - anti-inflammatory, often more effective than acetaminophen. **[[Aspirin]] *[[Antihistamines|Antihistamine]] **[[diphenhydramine]] (brand name Benadryl) *[[Aloe vera]] gel - used for a wide variety of skin problems, including burns, sunburns, itching, and dry skin *Burn gel - a water-based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anesthetic such as [[lidocaine]] and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as [[tea tree oil]] *[[Epinephrine]] [[auto-injector]] (brand name Epipen) - often included in kits for wilderness use and in places such as summer camps, to treat anaphylactic shock. *Poison treatments **[[Activated charcoal]] **[[Syrup of ipecac]] *[[QuikClot]] is a [[hemostatic]] agent sometimes included in first aid kits, especially military kits, to control severe bleeding. '''Improvised uses:''' Many first-aid items can have improvised uses in a survival situation. For example, alcohol pads and petroleum jelly-based ointments can be used as a fire-starting aid in an emergency, and the latter can even be used as an improvised lubricant for certain mechanical devices, and adhesive tapes and bandages can be used for repairs. These alternate uses can be an important consideration when picking items for a kit that may be used in wilderness or survival situations. ==Trauma Bag/First Responder Bag== Emergency responders use a more advanced medical kit called a '''trauma bag''' or a '''first responder bag''' containing greater quantities of material, of higher quality, than commercially available first aid kits. ==Markings== [[Image:Sign first aid.svg|150px|thumb|First Aid symbol.]]Commercially available first aid kits sold in North America and Europe are generally identified by one of the following symbols: * Red Cross * Green Cross * Red Star{{Fact|date=April 2008}} * St.John Ambulance The use of the Red Cross on First Aid kits by anyone but the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]] (ICRC) or associated agency may be illegal under the terms of international agreements designating the red cross as a protected symbol. The red cross is also a registered trade mark of the ICRC. [[Johnson & Johnson]] has permission to use the red cross as a trademark on its products and registered the symbol for use in 1887. == See also == *[[First aid]] *[[Bug-out bag]] == External links == <!--- ******************************************************* * DO NOT ADD LINKS TO SITES SELLING FIRST-AID KITS!!! * ******************************************************* ---> *[http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Health/First_Aid/ Yahoo's First Aid Directory] *[[Category:Camping equipment]] *[http://www.safetyfirstaid.co.uk Safety First Aid] *[http://dmoz.org/Shopping/Home_and_Garden/Emergency_Supplies/First_Aid/ DMOZ.org First Aid Guide] *[http://www.work.com/buying-a-first-aid-kit-2375/ Work.com Guide to "Buying a First Aid Kit".] *[http://www.ohsonline.com/articles/45020/ The Do's & Don'ts of First Aid Compliance] <!--- ******************************************************* * DO NOT ADD LINKS TO SITES SELLING FIRST AID KITS!!! * ******************************************************* ---> [[Category:First aid]][[Category:Backpacking]] [[cs:Autolékárnička]] [[de:Verbandkasten]] [[fr:Trousse de secours]] [[it:Cassetta di pronto soccorso]] [[nl:EHBO-koffer]] [[ja:救急箱]] [[pl:Apteczka]] [[ru:Аптечка]]