12 Key Items for First Aid Kits | Brown University Health

“Ouch!”

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How many times have you heard that? At a party, camping, at home, or maybe at work? Accidents happen anywhere, at any time, so you’ve got to be prepared! Here are some simple, fast, and possibly life-saving techniques, plus a list of things to keep in a first aid kit, to help you be ready when someone needs help.

Bleeding Injuries

On a camping trip in the Thousand Islands region of New York, a friend tried to fillet a fish that his son had just caught. Instead, he ended up filleting his finger. Unfortunately, we were deep in the woods and at least 25 minutes from the nearest rescue worker. Luckily, I’m an emergency physician. But the tools I used are available to any first responder. In some scenarios, that could be you! 

How to Stop Bleeding 

Applying direct pressure to the wound is the best first step to prevent further bleeding. If the injury is on an arm or leg, then elevate it. This is the first lesson all emergency medical services (EMS) professionals are taught when it comes to trauma. It’s also the first thing I’d do in my Emergency Department.

Items for Your First Aid Kit

• Nitrile, or other non-latex gloves to prevent contamination for you and your patient.
• Sterile gauze pads to place directly on the wound. These are available in various sizes but 4x4 is fairly universal. If the bleeding soaks through the pad, don’t remove it! Instead, place another over it and keep pressure on the wound.
• Kling, or other bandage to wrap the affected body part. Wound dressings shouldn’t be so tight that the skin beyond the dressing turns pale and cold. That is a tourniquet effect and should be applied only in life/limb threatening situations. Such situations are best recognized by EMS professionals and health care workers.

Pain

Pain has many causes and although many may live with chronic pain, it’s generally abnormal. Your first aid kit should include basic pain management medication for things like sprains, minor injuries, bumps, and bruises.

Don’t underestimate the pain-relieving power of acetaminophen and ibuprofen! But before administering any medication, always make sure your patient is not allergic. Outside of the office, I’d only administer medication to a family member or close friend. If you don’t know the person, remember that he or she may have a reason to avoid certain medication.

Excellent alternatives to medications

• Ice can reduce pain, but shouldn’t be applied directly to skin. Instead, use a towel or piece of cloth as a thin barrier. Cold packs can also be used.
• Elevation assists in alleviating pressure and swelling if the injury is on an arm or leg.
• Restricted use of the injured area. If someone injures their ankle, they shouldn’t walk on it until the cause of the injury is identified. Some fractures can be made worse by “weight bearing,” or putting weight on the injury.

Build Your Own First Aid Kit

Some first aid kits can be pretty comprehensive. They range from a small pack that you can carry on your bicycle, to those used by medical professionals. Here are some basic things to add to your kit that can come in handy in sticky situations, or until paramedics arrive:

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• Examination gloves
• Adhesive bandages
• Medical tape
• Cold compresses
• Medical scissors
• Tweezers
• Gauze pads
• Gauze rolls/kling rolls
• Triangular bandages
• Alcohol pads
• Antiseptic towelettes
• Trauma pads, which are larger than gauze pads, are also a good idea. But if you need to use these, your patient likely requires immediate medical attention.

Remember, 9-1-1 should be your first call in an emergency! If you feel you or a loved one need to be seen, there are emergency physicians and nurses here, 24 hours a day, every day.

A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a must for every home. Having the right supplies ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment's notice. Keep a first-aid kit in your home and in your car. Also bring a first-aid kit when your family travels.

You can buy a first aid kit at drugstores or a local Red Cross office, or make one of your own. If you make one, use containers that are roomy, sturdy, easy to carry, and simple to open. Plastic tackle boxes or containers for storing art supplies are ideal because they're lightweight, have handles, and offer a lot of space and separate sections.

What Should a First-Aid Kit Include?

Put these in each of your first-aid kits:

• an up-to-date first-aid manual
• a list of emergency numbers
• sterile gauze pads of different sizes
• adhesive tape
• adhesive bandages (Band-Aids) in several sizes
• an elastic bandage
• a splint
• antiseptic wipes
• soap
• hand sanitizer
• antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
  
• sterile water, saline (saltwater), or irrigation solution and a large syringe for washing cuts
• tweezers
• sharp scissors
• safety pins
• disposable instant cold packs
• alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
• a thermometer
• tooth preservation kit
• plastic non-latex gloves (at least 2 pairs)
• a flashlight and extra batteries
• a mouthpiece for giving CPR (you can get one from your local Red Cross)
• an eye shield
• eye wash solution

Keep medicines your family might need in your kit, such as:

• antibiotic ointment
• hydrocortisone cream (1%)
• calamine lotion
• acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• an antihistamine (anti-itch medicine), like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, or store brands
• extra prescription medicines (if you're traveling)
• medicine syringes and cups

After you've stocked your first-aid kits:

If you want to learn more, please visit our website First Aid Supplies.