If someone you care for is injured in an emergency, your knowledge of first aid could be the difference between life and death. Taking a first aid course, followed by regular refresher sessions, will help ensure you are better prepared for emergency situations.
First aid kit
You can buy ready-made first aid kits or you can make your own. The following items are recommended by St John as the minimum requirement for families. Keep these basic items on hand:
- disposable gloves (2 pairs)
- triangular bandages (2)
- sterile gauze (2) and dressings to stop bleeding
- adhesive wound dressing - 6 cm wide x 1 metre long (1 strip)
- sterile non-adhesive pads – small (2) and large (3)
- plaster strip dressings (1 packet)
- adhesive tape – 25mm hypoallergenic (1 roll)
- antiseptic solution – chlorhexidine steritube 30ml or cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect
- antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
- burn ointment
- adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
- roller bandages – 50mm (1 roll) and 75 mm (1 roll) and safety pins
- eye wash container, eye wash solution (saline steritube 30ml) to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
- sterile eye pad
- scissors
- splinter forceps (1 pair)
- over-the-counter medicines such as Panadol or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication
- prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine, or asthma inhaler
- prescribed medical supplies such as glucose monitoring equipment or blood pressure monitors
- accident register and pencil
- first aid manual
- card listing local emergency numbers.