Building a First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit can help you soothe the pain and prevent infection from minor cuts, scrapes and injuries. First aid kits can also help prepare you for an emergency by including emergency contact information, medications, prescription information and other essentials. In most cases, it’s both economical and convenient to buy a bundled first aid kit. However most first aid kit come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it’s important to ensure that the first aid kit you buy meets your needs.

Start with a good, portable all around first aid kit that is specifically designed for a certain activity or purpose. For example, you can get hiking first aid kits, workplace approved first aid kits, roadside first aid kits, fishing first aid kits, camping first aid kits, day or weekend first aid kits or seven day first aid kits. Make sure that your first aid kit is portable and easy to store or carry, but also make sure there’s a bit of extra room for you to add items.

Begin by adding anything on the Red Cross recommended first aid kit list that isn’t already included in the first aid kit that you purchased. The Rescue One First Aid Kit has it all. This includes:

• Tweezers
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets
• First aid instruction booklet
• Two 5 x 9 in. absorbent compress dressings
• 25 adhesive bandages (various sizes)
• 2 pair of large non-latex gloves
• 10 yd. x 1 in. adhesive cloth tape
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin 
• 1 mylar emergency blanket
• 1 CPR pocket mask
• 1 instant cold compress
• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets
• Scissors
• One 3-inch roller bandage
• One 4-inch roller bandage
• Five 3 x 3 in. sterile gauze pads
• Five 4 x 4 in. sterile gauze pads
• Oral thermometer
• 2 triangular bandages

In addition to the above items, consider what you else you may need. For example, you should pack prescription medications, diabetic needs, infant needs (diaper rash cream, extra wet wipes) and feminine hygiene products.  You should also regularly check the contents of your first aid kit and rotate out any items that are nearing their expiration dates.

Your first aid kit should also supplement your emergency preparedness kit. Depending on what types of emergencies you can expect, you may also need to pack a flashlight with batteries,  ready to eat emergency food, water purification tablets, a car charger for your cell phone, non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, anti-histamines like BenaDryl, laxatives and other necessities.