What Items Should I Be Carrying in A First Aid Kit?

One of the most overlooked but essential pieces of gear you will need for any occasion is a well-stocked first aid kit. A well-stocked first aid kit ensures that you’re ready for any emergency, no matter how big or small.  Accidents and emergencies are some of life’s inevitabilities, and it’s better to be prepared with the right equipment to ensure you’re able to respond, mitigate injuries and stress and prepare yourself or someone else for proper medical treatment.  To find out what you’ll need in a first aid kit, keep reading.

Hydrogen Peroxide

It may sound like an unconventional alternative to a standard antiseptic wipe, but hydrogen peroxide is a valuable antiseptic for severe cuts and wounds. Unlike a wipe, hydrogen peroxide is a fluid that will get to all the nooks and crannies of a wound, ridding it of any bacteria, dead skin, or dirt that could lead to a dangerous infection.  This will prepare the wound for further assessment and eventually, dressing, ensuring you’re not trapping any dirt in a moist and warm environment where it can thrive and cause infection.  However, you should use this with caution. If any debris or dried blood is stopping the wound from bleeding out, try to avoid dislodging this by flooding the wound with lots of hydrogen peroxide, as this will cause excess bleeding.

Bandages

Bandages are an essential addition to your first aid kit. You should have a combination of standard bandages for small cuts around the body, also known as a bandaid, to large adhesive and non-adhesive bandages.  Applying bandages with pressure can stanch bleeding and prepare injured personnel for medical assessment. You should also stock roller bandages and triangular bandages to hold sterile dressings in place to stop bleeding, or to make arm slings for breaks and sprains.

Sterile Gauze

Sterile gauze is usually what goes in and around a cut or graze to stop bleeding and the introduction of dirt and bacteria. Sterile gauze usually comes in sterile packaging that guarantees no bacteria from the gauze will be introduced to the wound. Sterile gauze should be applied directly over the wound and held in place using bandages.

Tweezers

Although this sounds like a strange addition, anyone who has ever had a tick on them or has got a sea urchin spine stuck in their foot will tell you that a pair of tweezers are essential for any first aid kit.  From removing insect stings and splinters to removing debris from wounds, tweezers are very valuable. You can also use them to apply dressings if you don’t have gloves and you don’t feel as if you can touch any serious wounds. 

Flashlight

Accidents always happen at the most inconvenient times, but you never want to be caught out in the dark when you’re handling an injury. A high-quality flashlight will ensure that, even in the dark, you’ll be able to attend to injuries and perform basic first aid without missing any steps.  You’ll also be able to assess patients fully and ensure they don’t have any injuries that you can't see. Flashlights are also useful when you’re not in the dark, as you’ll be able to shine the light into wounds to assess for debris. 

Scissors

Scissors are an essential piece of equipment for a functioning first aid kit. You’ll need safety scissors to cut bandages and gauze to the correct size to properly address wounds. 

Safety Pins

Once bandages are in place, you’ll need to keep them there without holding them. To do this, you should use sterile safety pins. These will secure bandages and keep pressure on wounds while in transit to a medical facility. Try to keep safety pins that you are not using together in a zip lock bag to ensure they don’t come into contact with any bacteria.

Non-Latex Gloves

Non-latex surgical gloves should be a priority item in your first aid kit. These gloves will allow you to maintain a sterile working area when tending to wounds at risk of infection.  Your hands harbour harmful bacteria that could infect wounds and cause serious illness, so having a pair of surgical gloves at your disposal is essential. Make sure these are non-latex gloves, as this will ensure allergy sufferers can use them.  

Shop with PSP Corp Today If You Are In Need Of A First Aid Kit!

If you’re looking for a first aid kit and tactical gear in Canada, look no further than PSP Corp! We have a comprehensive range of first-aid kits that are perfect for all situations. From mini kits to ankle trauma and disaster kits, you’ll find everything you need to manage a medical emergency. Shop with us today to get your hands on a great first-aid kit.