First Aid Kit
Building, stocking, and maintaining first aid supplies.
Basic Home First Aid Kit
Wound Care
| Item | Quantity | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive bandages (various sizes) | 20+ | Small cuts, blisters |
| Sterile gauze pads (3x3, 4x4) | 10+ each | Wound dressing |
| Roller gauze (2", 3") | 2 rolls each | Securing dressings |
| Non-stick pads | 10 | Burns, abrasions |
| Medical tape | 1-2 rolls | Securing dressings |
| Butterfly closures/Steri-strips | 10+ | Closing cuts |
| Elastic bandage (ACE wrap) | 2 | Sprains, compression |
| Triangular bandage | 2 | Sling, bandage |
Medications
| Item | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Pain, fever | Check expiration |
| Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) | Pain, inflammation | Not for everyone |
| Aspirin | Heart attack | Give if not allergic |
| Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) | Allergic reactions | Causes drowsiness |
| Hydrocortisone cream 1% | Itching, rash | |
| Antibiotic ointment | Wound infection prevention | |
| Antacids | Stomach upset | |
| Anti-diarrheal | Diarrhea | |
| Aloe vera gel | Burns, sunburn |
Tools
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Scissors | Cutting bandages, clothing |
| Tweezers | Splinters, ticks |
| Safety pins | Securing bandages |
| Disposable gloves (nitrile) | Infection control |
| CPR face shield | Safe rescue breathing |
| Instant cold packs | Swelling, sprains |
| Thermometer | Checking temperature |
| Flashlight | Seeing in dark, pupil check |
| First aid manual | Reference |
Other Essentials
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Hand sanitizer | Hand hygiene |
| Saline solution | Eye wash, wound irrigation |
| Cotton balls/swabs | Cleaning, applying ointment |
| Plastic bags | Ice packs, waste disposal |
| Emergency blanket (Mylar) | Heat retention |
| List of emergency numbers | Quick reference |
| Personal medications | As needed |
Advanced/Trauma Kit
For those with training or remote locations:
Bleeding Control
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Commercial tourniquet (CAT, SOFTT-W) | Life-threatening limb bleeding |
| Hemostatic gauze (QuikClot, Celox) | Severe wound packing |
| Israeli bandage/pressure dressing | Pressure and coverage |
| Chest seal (vented) | Chest wounds |
| Trauma shears | Cutting clothing |
Airway
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| NPA (nasopharyngeal airway) | Maintaining airway |
| BVM (bag valve mask) | Assisted breathing |
| Suction device | Clearing airway |
Other Advanced Items
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| SAM splint | Moldable splinting |
| Cervical collar | Spinal immobilization |
| Burn dressing | Specialized burn care |
| Irrigation syringe | Wound cleaning |
| Glucose gel | Diabetic emergency |
Location-Specific Kits
Car Kit
Basic home kit plus:
- Reflective vest
- Flares/triangles
- Jumper cables
- Blanket
- Water bottles
- Non-perishable snacks
- Phone charger
- Basic tools
- Duct tape
Office/Workplace Kit
Basic home kit plus:
- AED (automated external defibrillator)
- More supplies (more people)
- Prescription medication info
- Emergency contact list
- Incident report forms
Outdoor/Hiking Kit
Basic kit (compact version) plus:
- SAM splint
- Emergency whistle
- Signal mirror
- Water purification
- Emergency shelter
- Fire-starting supplies
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Blister treatment (moleskin)
- Snakebite kit guidelines
Travel Kit
Compact basic kit plus:
- Prescription medications (extra supply)
- Motion sickness medication
- Diarrhea medication (Imodium)
- Electrolyte packets
- International emergency numbers
- Medical information card
- Insurance information
- Prescription copies
Specialized Items
Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EpiPen)
- Prescription required
- For known severe allergies
- Learn how to use before emergency
- Check expiration regularly
- Keep accessible (not locked away)
Glucagon
- Prescription required
- For diabetic emergencies
- Training needed for administration
Narcan (Naloxone)
- Available without prescription in many areas
- Reverses opioid overdose
- Consider if opioids in household
Container Options
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Hard case | Durable, organized | Heavy, bulky |
| Soft bag | Lightweight, compact | Less durable |
| Backpack | Hands-free carry | May be overkill |
| Waterproof container | Protected from elements | May be bulky |
Choose based on:
- Where it will be stored
- How it will be transported
- Environment (wet, dusty, etc.)
- Number of people served
Organization
Labeling
- Label sections clearly
- Color code by type (red = bleeding, blue = medications)
- Include quick reference card
- List contents on outside
Arrangement
- Most critical items on top/front
- Group by type
- Keep similar items together
- Make inventory list
Maintenance
Monthly Check
- Are supplies accessible?
- Is anything obviously depleted?
- Any visible damage?
Quarterly Check
- Replenish used items
- Check expiration dates
- Replace expired items
- Test equipment (flashlight, etc.)
Annual Review
- Full inventory
- Replace old/damaged items
- Update based on needs
- Review first aid knowledge
Expiration Dates
Check regularly:
- Medications (critical)
- Antibiotic ointments
- Sterile supplies (may degrade)
- Cold packs (may lose effectiveness)
Replace medications before they expire.
Storage
Location
- Easily accessible
- Known to all household members
- Away from children (or secured)
- Not exposed to extreme temperatures
- Not in damp locations
Multiple Kits
Consider having kits in:
- Home (main floor, bedroom)
- Each car
- Workplace
- Garage/workshop
- Outdoor gear
Teaching Others
- Show family where kit is located
- Review contents together
- Practice basic skills
- Ensure everyone knows emergency numbers
- Review regularly
Building vs. Buying
Pre-Made Kits
Pros:
- Convenient
- Organized
- Often good value
Cons:
- May include unneeded items
- May miss needed items
- Quality varies
Building Your Own
Pros:
- Customized to your needs
- Know exactly what you have
- Can prioritize quality
Cons:
- More time and effort
- May forget items
- Often more expensive
Best approach: Start with basic pre-made kit, customize and upgrade.
Cost-Saving Tips
- Buy supplies in bulk
- Use store brands
- Watch for sales
- Check expiration dates when buying
- Don't overbuy (supplies expire)
Quick Reference Card
Include in your kit:
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
911 - Emergency
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
CPR: 30 compressions, 2 breaths
Choking: 5 back blows, 5 abdominal thrusts
Bleeding: Direct pressure
Heart Attack: Call 911, give aspirin
Stroke: FAST - Face, Arm, Speech, Time
Key Points
- Have a kit - Something is better than nothing
- Customize for your needs - Medical conditions, activities, location
- Know what's in it - Review contents
- Know how to use it - Training matters
- Keep it accessible - Not locked away
- Maintain it - Check regularly, replace expired items
- Tell others - Family should know where it is
- Have multiple kits - Home, car, work