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Featured Article -- December 2006

What's in a First Aid Kit? Some Recommendations...

After a major disaster, obtaining proper food, water and shelter are your first concerns, followed by medical care.  Receiving adequate medical care can be critical during a survival situation.  Hospitals may be crowded, damaged or even unavailable due to the effects of a major disaster.

Creating a first aid kit is paramount to your family's health.  First aid kits are available commercially, and contain many different items.  Whether you buy or create your own first aid kit, it is important that it fits not only the needs of your family, but your existing skills.

First aid kits can contain, but are not limited to the following items

• Several pairs of sterile gloves
• Bandages
• Medical adhesive tape
• Gauze pads and rolls
• Several sizes of sterile pads
• Special bandages, such as conforming, trauma and field dressings
• Ace-type bandages for strains and sprains
• Moleskin
• Iodine or similar prep pads
• Rubbing alcohol for sterilization
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Betadine
• Antibiotic ointment
• Burn medication
• Anti-itch treatment
• Tube of petroleum jelly
• Prescription medication
• Cold medication and Decongestant
• Aspirin and/or non-aspirin pain relievers
• Diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• Laxative
• Eye drops and saline
• Sun screen
• Basic and advanced first aid instructions
• Thermometer
• Snake bite poison extractor
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Forceps
• Scalpels
• Safety pins
• Hemostats
• Sterile sutures, in several sizes
• Wound probe
• Mouth-to-mouth shield
• Instant hot pack
• Instant cold pack
• Cotton balls
• Dental tools
• Splint materials

A well stocked first aid kit is extremely important — but it does not substitute for adequate training.  Taking classes such as first aid, CPR or emergency medicine will greatly enhance your ability to respond to emergencies.  And remember, whenever possible you should seek professional assistance in a medical emergency.