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Most people keep some form of emergency first aid kit at home, but if you are just starting out you need a list of the contents yours should have. Not only do you need to know what goes in the container, you should have at least a basic idea what each item is used for. The following is a list of the most common contents and how to use them. It is by no means a comprehensive list and is only intended to provide useful information. Nitrile Exam Gloves For many years no one bothered with exam gloves as a part of their first aid kit contents. Today they are considered an absolute necessity as a way to protect the caregiver from a wide range of blood borne pathogens (these are what cause many communicable diseases such HIV). You can stock inexpensive latex gloves, but there are an ever increasing number of people who are allergic to this type of rubber. A much better choice is nitrile gloves. These are safe for use even with patients who are allergic to latex. Keep a box of gloves with the rest of your supplies. Medical Adhesive Tape Of all the supplies in your box, one or more rolls of adhesive medical tape will turn out to be among the most useful. Tape has a wide number of uses for practically any situation. You can use it to secure a splint in place for a broken bone. In the absence of sutures, you can pull the edges of lacerations together and reduce the bleeding until emergency personnel can arrive or until you can get to an emergency room for stitches. You should keep a roll of wide tape as you can rip or cut it into narrower strips as needed. Gauze Pads Gauze pads are made from a material which is very similar to cheesecloth. Because of this, it is very absorbent. You can use it to cover lacerations and wounds. When held firmly in place with medical tape, the gauze will slow the bleeding down, allowing the blood to clot. The most common size is a four inch square, individually wrapped to keep them sterile. You can also buy a roll of gauze which can be wrapped around larger wounds on legs or arms to control bleeding. It works best when used with gauze pads. Adhesive Bandages Adhesive bandages are going to be the most frequently used item in your first aid equipment and kit. However, you cannot count on a single size to cover every injury. You should have several sizes, shapes and designs. This should include both fingertip and butterfly styles as they add more to the range of cuts you can cover. Be sure to keep antibiotic ointment in with them and change the bandages once per day. You should also clean the cut and reapply the ointment each time you apply a new bandage. Elastic or Stretch Bandages Elastic or stretch bandages come in a range of widths and length. The most commonly used size is 4 inches in width and 3 to 4 four feet in length. These can be used to wrap sprains to reduce the risk of further injury. They also help to keep any swelling under control and can help hold an ice pack in place. For broken bones, elastic bandages can be used to help keep splints securely in place. Basic Tools There are a few tools which should be a part of the contents your basic first aid equipment and kit. Start with a thermometer to check for fever when a family member falls ill. You can pick up a battery operated digital model for just a few dollars. Add a pair of scissors, or better yet medical shears. You will need these to cut gauze to fit or trim elastic bandages to the right length, you may need them to cut clothing away in the event of serious injury. Keep a pair of tweezers in the box for removing bee stingers, splinters, dirt in cuts, and to remove ticks. These are only a sample of the content your first aid kit should include. These few items are enough to take care of minor injure. They are also enough to stabilize many more serious injuries long enough for professional medical help to arrive or for you to get the injured person to a hospital. If anyone in your family has allergies ask your doctor if you should keep a supply of their medication in the kit. You may also want to consider adding an Epi-pen if someone has a life threatening allergy, but talk to your doctor first.

Most store bought first aid kits, especially the cheap ones, are very poor in terms of quality, quantity, and selection of items, and are only suited for treating very minor injuries. A homemade kit, if properly prepared, is generally better and sometimes cheaper than most commercial kits. A generic first aid kit is better than nothing. However, the contents of a first aid kit should be optimized for local conditions. For example, a kit for hikers in snake country should have a snakebite kit. A kit aboard a boat should have medications for seasickness. One list of items for a first aid kit are as follows: Adhesive bandages are one of the most commonly used items in a first aid kit Dressings (sterile, applied directly to wound) Pads Sterile eye pads Sterile gauze pads Sterile nonadherent pads Burn dressing (sterile pad soaked in a cooling gel) airtight dressing, can be used to treat a "sucking chest wound," in which air is sucked into the chest cavity, collapsing the lung. For this use, dressings should be taped on three sides only, to create a "one-way valve") petroleum gauze (also used as non-adherent dressing) Half of any gauze wrapper can be used, since the inside is sterile and air-tight Bandages (sterility is not necessary, used to secure a dressing) 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 Sometimes dressings and bandages are combined, in which case they must be sterile. Adhesive bandages (band-aids, sticking plasters) straight adhesive bandages Butterfly (knuckle) bandages Disposable gloves should be provided in a first aid kit Instruments Adhesive tape, hypoallergenic Trauma shears, for cutting clothing and general use Tweezers Irrigation syringe, for cleaning wounds Rubber suction bulb, for clearing the airway of an unconscious patient If treating snakebites is a concern. This is the only snakebite kit generally recognised as not causing further damage and possibly reducing the effects of a snakebite.[citation needed] Equipment A torch (flashlight) is a useful addition to a first aid kit, especially one placed in a vehicle Splint(s) SAM Splint - Versatile splint made of malleable aluminum covered with foam Air splints - Easy to apply, can also help control bleeding, but bulkier and more expensive Wire ladder splint Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Gloves, 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) Sterile saline may also be used for cleaning wounds where clean tap water is not available. Swabs, sterile non-woven Space blanket (lightweight plastic foil blanket, sometimes called "emergency blanket") Alcohol rub (hand sanitizer) or antiseptic hand wipes Thermometer Penlight Medication (Single use packets of medications, ointments, and antiseptics will prolong shelf life, decrease contamination risk, reduce risk of leakage (usually), and save space (for small quantities). If large amounts of a medication are needed, a multi-use container can be used in addition, but keep single-use packets as a backup. For general household use (not in first aid kits), single use packets can be wasteful and bad for the environment.) Antiseptics/antimicrobial Povidone iodine wipes - very effective and painless, but messy. Can also be used to purify water Benzalkonium Chloride - painless, effective, often includes anesthetic. (Bactine is one brand.) Alcohol pads - should not be used on open cuts or wounds, since they cause tissue damage and delay healing. They can be used to prep unbroken skin for injections etc. or to disinfect equipment such as thermometers. While not a medical use, alcohol pads are also useful as a solvent to remove ink, adhesives, etc. Antibiotic ointment - single, double, or triple antibiotic ointment in petroleum jelly base (i.e. Neosporin, Polysporin). Since it has a petroleum jelly base, it can be used for things such as chapped lips. Antiseptic/anesthetic ointment or spray Anti-itch ointment (especially for outdoor kits) hydrocortisone cream antihistamine cream, such as benadryl calamine lotion Painkillers / fever reducers (since moderate fevers are beneficial, avoid unless necessary) Acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) Ibuprofen (such as Advil) - anti-inflammatory, often more effective that acetaminophen Naproxen (such as Aleve) - similar to ibuprofen, but stronger and longer lasting Aspirin - one 300mg Aspirin tablet may be given to a patient suffering a heart attack, to be chewed slowly. Antihistamines - can treat allergies and allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Although OTC (over-the-counter) medications are far less effective at treating anaphylaxis than epinephrine or prescription drugs, they are much better than nothing and can be potentially life saving, and therefore may be the most valuable medication in a first aid kit. 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 like summer camps, to treat anaphylactic shock. Requires a prescription and can be used with minimal training. Poison treatments Activated charcoal - to be used when directed by poison control. Syrup of ipecac - to be used when directed by poison control.

A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid, and can be put together for the purpose by an individual or organization or purchased complete. There is a wide variation in the contents of first aid kits based on the knowledge and experience of those putting it together, the differing first aid requirements of the area where it may be used and variations in legislation or regulation in a given area. The international standard for first aid kits is that they should be identified with the ISO graphical symbol for first aid (from ISO 7010) which is an equal white cross on a green background, although many kits do not comply with this standard, either because they are put together by an individual or they predate the standards. Contents 1 Format 2 Appearance 3 Contents 3.1 Airway, Breathing and Circulation 3.2 Trauma injuries 3.3 Personal protective equipment 3.4 Instruments and equipment 3.5 Medication 4 Improvised uses 5 Workplace first aid kit 6 Historic first aid kits 7 See also 8 References 9 External links Format First aid kits can be assembled in almost any type of container, and this will depend on whether they are commercially produced or assembled by an individual. Standard kits often come in durable plastic boxes, fabric pouches or in wall mounted cabinets. The type of container will vary depending on purpose, and they range in size from wallet sized through to large rucksacks. It is recommended that all kits are in a clean, waterproof container to keep the contents safe and aseptic.[1] Kits should also be checked regularly and restocked if any items are damaged or are expired out of date. Appearance The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sets a standard for first aid kits of being green, with a white cross, in order to make them easily recognizable to anyone requiring first aid. ISO First Aid Symbol Alternate version of the first aid symbol Symbol of the Red Cross Star of Life The ISO only endorse the use of the green background and white cross, and this has been adopted as standard across many countries and regions, including the entire EU. First aid kits are sometimes marked (by an individual or organisation) with a red cross on white background, but use of this symbol by anyone but the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or associated agency is illegal under the terms of the First Geneva Convention, which designates the red cross as a protected symbol in all countries signatory to it. One of the few exceptions is in North America, where despite the passing of the First Geneva convention in 1864, and its ratification in the United States in 1881, Johnson & Johnson has used the red cross as a mark on its products since 1887 and registered the symbol as a U.S. trademark for medicinal and surgical plasters in 1905.[2] Some first aid kits may also feature the Star of Life, normally associated with emergency medical services, but which are also used to indicate that the service using it can offer an appropriate point of care. However, for very small medical institutions and domestic purposes, the white cross on a plain green background is preferred. Contents A Pocket mask in its case. Adhesive bandages are one of the most commonly used items in a first aid kit. Plastic Tweezers Disposable gloves are often found in modern first-aid kits. 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. Specialized first aid kits are available for various regions, vehicles or activities, which may focus on specific risks or concerns related to the activity. For example, first aid kits sold through marine supply stores for use in watercraft may contain seasickness remedies. Airway, Breathing and Circulation First aid treats the ABCs as the foundation of good treatment. For this reason, most modern commercial first aid kits (although not necessarily those assembled at home) will contain a suitable infection barrier for performing artificial respiration as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, examples include: Pocket mask Face shield Advanced first aid kits may also contain items such as: Oropharyngeal airway Nasopharyngeal airway Bag valve mask Manual aspirator or suction unit Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) Stethoscope The common kits mostly found in the homes may contain: Alcohol, Bandaids, Cotton Balls, Cotton Swabs, Iodine, Bandage, Hydrogen Peroxide. Trauma injuries Trauma injuries, such as bleeding, bone fractures or burns, are usually the main focus of most first aid kits, with items such as bandages and dressings being found in the vast majority of all kits. Adhesive bandages (band-aids, sticking plasters) - can include ones shaped for particular body parts, such as knuckles Moleskin- for blister treatment and prevention Dressings (sterile, applied directly to the wound) Sterile eye pads Sterile gauze pads Sterile non-adherent pads, containing a non-stick teflon layer Petrolatum gauze pads, used as an occlusive ( air-tight) dressing for sucking chest wounds, as well as a non-stick dressing Bandages (for securing dressings, not necessarily sterile) Gauze roller bandages - absorbent, breathable, and often elastic Elastic bandages - used for sprains, and pressure bandages Adhesive, elastic roller bandages (commonly called 'Vet wrap') - very effective pressure bandages and durable, waterproof bandaging Triangular bandages - used as slings, tourniquets, to tie splints, and many other uses Butterfly closure strips - used like stitches to close wounds, usually only included for higher level response as can seal in infection in uncleaned wounds. Saline-used for cleaning wounds or washing out foreign bodies from eyes soap - used with water to clean superficial wounds once bleeding is stopped Antiseptic wipes or sprays for reducing the risk of infection in abrasions or around wounds. Dirty wounds must be cleaned for antiseptics to be effective. Burn dressing, which is usually a sterile pad soaked in a cooling gel Adhesive tape, hypoallergenic Hemostatic agents may be included in first aid kits, especially military or tactical kits, to promote clotting for severe bleeding. Personal protective equipment A waterproof Pelican first aid kit. The use of personal protective equipment or PPE will vary by kit, depending on its use and anticipated risk of infection. The adjuncts to artificial respiration are covered above, but other common infection control PPE includes: Gloves which are single use and disposable to prevent cross infection Goggles or other eye protection Surgical mask or N95 mask to reduce possibility of airborne infection transmission (sometimes placed on patient instead of caregivers. For this purpose the mask should not have an exhale valve) Apron Instruments and equipment Trauma shears for cutting clothing and general use Scissors are less useful but often included Tweezers, for removing splinters amongst others. Lighter for sanitizing tweezers or pliers etc. Alcohol pads for sanitizing equipment, or unbroken skin. This is sometimes used to debride wounds, however some training authorities advise against this as it may kill cells which bacteria can then feed on Irrigation syringe - with catheter tip for cleaning wounds with sterile water, saline solution, or a weak iodine solution. The stream of liquid flushes out particles of dirt and debris. Torch (also known as a flashlight) Instant-acting chemical cold packs Alcohol rub (hand sanitizer) or antiseptic hand wipes Thermometer Space blanket (lightweight plastic foil blanket, also known as "emergency blanket") Penlight Cotton swab Cotton wool, for applying antiseptic lotions. Safety pins, for pinning bandages. Medication Medication can be a controversial addition to a first aid kit, especially if it is for use on members of the public. It is, however, common for personal or family first aid kits to contain certain medications. Dependent on scope of practice, the main types of medicine are life saving medications, which may be commonly found in first aid kits used by paid or assigned first aiders for members of the public or employees, painkillers, which are often found in personal kits, but may also be found in public provision and lastly symptomatic relief medicines, which are generally only found in personal kits. Life saving Aspirin[1] primarily used for central medical chest pain as an anti-platelet Epinephrine autoinjector (brand name Epipen) - often included in kits for wilderness use and in places such as summer camps, to temporarily reduce airway swelling in the event of anaphylactic shock. Note that epinephrine does not treat the anaphylactic shock itself, it only opens the airway to prevent suffocation and allow time for other treatments to be used or help to arrive. The effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) are short-lived, and swelling of the throat may return, requiring the use of additional epipens until other drucs can take effect, or more advanced airway methods (such as intubation can be established. Diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl) - Used to treat or prevent anaphylactic shock. Best administered as soon as symptoms appear when impending anaphylactic shock is suspected- Once the airway is restricted, oral drugs can no longer be administered until the airway is clear again, such as after the administration of an epipen. A common recommendation for adults is to take two 25mg pills. Non-solid forms of the drug, such as liquid or dissolving strips, may be absorbed more rapidly than tablets or capsules, and therefore more effective in an emergency. Pain killers Paracetamol (also known as Acetaminophen) is one of the most common pain killing medication, as either tablet or syrup Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen or other NSAIDs can be used as part of treating sprains and strains Codeine which is both a painkiller and anti-diarrheal Symptomatic relief Anti diarrhoea medication such as Loperamide - especially important in remote or third world locations where dehydration caused by diarrhea is a leading killer of children Oral rehydration salts Antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine Poison treatments Absorption, such as activated charcoal Emetics to induce vomiting, such as syrup of ipecac although first aid manuals now advise against inducing vomiting. Smelling Salts (ammonium carbonate) Topical medications Antiseptics / Disinfectants Antiseptic fluid, moist wipe or spray- For cleaning and disinfecting a wound. Typically benzalkonium chloride, which disinfects wounds with minimal stinging or harm to exposed tissue. Can also be used as an antibacterial hand wipe for the person providing aid. Povidone iodine is an antiseptic in the form of liquid, swabstick, or towelette. Can be used in a weak dilution of clean water to prepare an irrigation solution for cleaning a wound. Hydrogen peroxide is often included in home first aid kits, but is a poor choice for disinfecting wounds- it kills cells and delays healing Alcohol pads- sometimes included for disinfecting instruments or unbroken skin (for example prior to draining a blister), or cleaning skin prior to applying an adhesive bandage. Alcohol should not be used on an open wound, as it kills skin cells and delays healing. Medicated antiseptic ointments- for preventing infection in a minor wound, after it is cleaned. Not typically used on wounds that are bleeding heavily. Ointments typically contain one, two, or all three of the following antibacterial ingredients(those containing all 3 are typically called 'triple-antibiotic ointment') Neomycin, Polymyxin B Sulphate or Bacitracin Zinc. Burn gel - a water-based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anaesthetic such as lidocaine and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as tea tree oil Anti-itch ointment Hydrocortisone cream antihistamine cream containing diphenhydramine Calamine lotion, for skin inflammations. Anti-fungal cream Tincture of benzoin - often in the form of an individually sealed swabstick or ampule, protects the skin and aids the adhesion of adhesive bandages, such as moleskin, bandaids, or wound closure ('butterfly') strips. Benzoin swabsticks are very prone to leaking and making a mess when kept in portable first aid kits, ampules are a more durable option. If swabsticks are used, it is advisable to keep them in a sealed zip lock bag. Improvised uses Besides its regular use in first aid, many first-aid items can also 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. An alternative could however also be the use of additional kits with tools such as Survival kits and Mini survival kits. Workplace first aid kit In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all job sites and workplaces to make available first aid equipment for use by injured employees .[3] While providing regulations for some industries such as logging [4] in general the regulation lack specifics on the contents of the first aid kit. This is understandable, as the regulation covers every means of employment, and different jobs have different types of injuries and different first-aid requirements. However, in a non-mandatory section, [5] the OSHA regulations do refer to ANSI/ISEA Specification Z308.1 [6] as the basis for the suggested minimum contents of a first aid kit. Another source for modern first aid kit information is United States Forest Service Specification 6170-6 ,[7] which specifies the contents of several different-sized kits, intended to serve groups of differing size. In general, the type of first aid facilities required in a workplace are determined by many factors, such as: the laws and regulation of the state or territory in which it is located; the type of industry concerned; for example, industries such as mining may have specific industry regulations detailing specialised instructions; the type of hazards present in the workplace; the number of employees in the workplace; the number of different locations that the workplace is spread over; the proximity to local services (doctors, hospital, ambulance). Historic first aid kits Travel pharmacy (early 20th century). As the understanding of first aid and lifesaving measures has advanced, and the nature of public health risks has changed, the contents of first aid kits have changed to reflect prevailing understandings and conditions. For example, earlier US Federal specifications [8] [9] for first aid kits included incision/suction-type snakebite kits and mercurochrome antiseptic. There are many historic components no longer used today, of course; some notable examples follow. As explained in the article on snakebite, the historic snakebite kit is no longer recommended. Mercurochrome was removed in 1998 by the US FDA from the generally recognized as safe category due to concerns over its mercury content. Another common item in early 20th century first aid kits, picric acid gauze for treating burns, is today considered a hazardous material due to its forming unstable and potentially explosive picrates when in contact with metal. Examples of modern additions include the CPR face shields and specific body-fluid barriers included in modern kits, to assist in CPR and to help prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV.

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