Lately my husband and I have been obsessed with the TV Show ‘Lost’. Due to the nature of the show in most episodes they bring out the first aid kit, which by the way seems to always be fully stocked. hmmmmm! So this made me think of writing about first aid kits. Here’s a little bit of history provided by Wiki.
The instances of recorded first aid were provided by religious knights, such as the Knights Hospitaller, formed in the 11th century, providing care to pilgrims and knights, and training other knights in how to treat common battlefield injuries. The practice of first aid fell largely in to disuse during the High Middle Ages, and organized societies were not seen again until in 1859 Henry Dunant organized local villagers to help victims of the Battle of Solferino, including the provision of first aid. Four years later, four nations met in Geneva and formed the organization which has grown into the Red Cross, with a key stated aim of “aid to sick and wounded soldiers in the field”. This was followed by the formation of St. John Ambulance in 1877, based on the principles of the Knights Hospitaller, to teach first aid, and numerous other organization joined them, with the term first aid first coined in 1878 as civilian ambulance services spread as a combination of ‘first treatment’ and ‘national aid’ in large railway centres and mining districts as well as with police forces. First aid training began to spread through the empire through organizations such as St John, often starting, as in the UK, with high risk activities such as ports and railways.
Many developments in first aid and many other medical techniques have been driven by wars, such as in the case of the American Civil War, which prompted Clara Barton to organize the American Red Cross. Today, there are several groups that promote first aid, such as the military and the Scouting movement. New techniques and equipment have helped make today’s first aid simple and effective.
What to put in it? Here are a few suggestions to put in the kit.
References/Instruments/Misc:
1 – Medium Softpack bag
1 – First Aid Guide
10 – Cotton tipped applicators
2 – Exam quality vinyl gloves
1 – Thermometers, one time use
1 – Medium safety pins
1 – Scissors
1 – Tweezers
Topicals/Antiseptics:
6 – Alcohol cleansing wipes
6 – Antiseptic cleansing wipes
2 – Antibiotic ointment packs
2 – Insect sting relief pads
2 – Castile soap towelettes
Medicine :
2 – Extra-strength non-aspirin (tablets)
2 – Aspirin (tablets)
2 – Ibuprofen (tablets)
Bandages:
16 – Adhesive plastic bandages 3/4″ x 3″
10 – Junior adhesive plastic bandages 3/8″ x 1-1/2″
2 – Fingertip fabric bandages
2 – Knuckle fabric bandages
2 – Elbow & knee plastic bandages 2″ x 4″
Injury/Treatment
2 – Butterfly wound closures
1 – Premium grade moleskin 2″ x 2″
1 – Finger splint 6″ x 3/4″
1 – Instant cold compress 4″ x 5″
1 – 1/2″ x 5 yd. First aid tape roll
Dressings :
2 – Gauze dressing pads 2″ x 2″
2 – Gauze dressing pads 3″ x 3″
1 – Trauma pads 5″ x 9″
1 – 2″ x 4.1 yd. Conforming gauze roll bandages
1 – Sterile eye pads
