First Aid Kits - Why You Should Have One

Whether you're out camping, working at a construction site or spending time in the backyard, it's important to have a first aid kit on hand for a variety of unexpected accidents. It's also a good idea to have two separate kits: one that you keep in your home and another that you can carry in your car or backpack.

A first aid kit contains essential supplies to treat a wide range of minor injuries, from sprains and strains to cuts and burns. The most common items in a first aid kit include bandages, dressings and antiseptic wipes. Read here more about this first aid kit and why it is essential to always have one.

Many kits will also have scissors, tweezers and other medical equipment that you may need to treat an injury such as an insect bite or a blister. You'll also want to include items that can help you if an emergency occurs, such as a first aid manual and a flashlight or a rain poncho.

You might also need some basic medications to treat an injury, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. These aren't as effective as antibiotic ointment or a prescription pain killer, but they can be very helpful in minor cases of arthritis, sprains and abrasions.

For more serious injuries, you'll likely need a tourniquet. The Red Cross recommends a tourniquet of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width to control severe bleeding, especially from amputations and lacerations.

Having a tourniquet on hand will make it easier to apply a splint, as well as to stop bleeding if you're stuck outdoors or in a hard-to-access place.

Other common items that you'll find in a first aid kit are ointments, sprays and wipes to clean wounds, reduce inflammation or treat infection. You'll also need a supply of bandages, dressings and tape.

When selecting a kit, it's important to choose a variety of materials, including non-perishable food and water as well as a waterproof container to store your supplies in. This will help you survive if your supplies are damaged or lost during an accident.

A good first aid kit should also have a list of emergency contacts so that you can get in touch with them quickly if necessary. For example, you'll want to have phone numbers for your family physician and poison control.

It's also a good idea to include an emergency blanket in your kit so that you can maintain body heat even when you're outside or in adverse weather conditions. This will help to prevent hypothermia and shock, which can cause brain damage or death if you're unconscious.

The right first aid kit can help you save a life. But don't just grab any old first aid kit -- it's best to pick a first aid kit that has been specifically designed for the type of injury you're planning to treat. You can learn about snowboarding first aid here and its benefits now.

For tree-workers, a first aid kit should contain materials to protect open burn wounds from infection and help keep the injured worker warm. This might include a thick, durable, non-toxic gel that can be washed off easily after treatment is complete. Check out this post that has expounded on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_aid.