The Nurse Knot
Products to make your work day easy
and your time at home
fun and comfortable.
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What
Should You Have in Your First Aid Kit?
If you want to be prepared for emergencies,
keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car. Take it with you when
you hike, walk or when your biking. Make sure your kids and other
family members know where it is and how to use what's in it.Keep it well
stocked and that everything in it is up to
date.
First aid kits come in many shapes and
sizes and you can customize them for your personal use. Keep a larger one in your home, a moderate sized one in your car and a mini kit for hiking, biking or other outdoor sports and activities. If you want to make
your own first aid kit, you may need to personalize it for certain
activities or for members of your family that have special needs like
allergies, diabetes or asthma. It isn't a bad idea to keep an extra
inhaler or insulin pen in the kit, just make sure you keep it updated as
needed so it isn't expired when someone needs it.
Along with actual first aid supplies, you
may also want to include other emergency items such as emergency response phone
numbers, cell phone numbers for other family members, maps, compasses and even energy bars if you do a lot of hiking.
If you have a flashlight in your kit, keep the batteries fresh and make
sure they work.
The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a
family of four include the following:
3 Antibiotic ointment packs
4 Antiseptic cleansing wipes (sting free)
1 First aid tape roll, ½” x 5” yards
1 Gauze roll bandage, 3”
1 Knuckle fabric bandage
1 Fingertip fabric bandage
10 - 1” x 3” Plastic bandages
2 - 2” x 4” Elbow and knee plastic bandages
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5 - 3/8” x 1-1/2” Junior plastic bandages
3 Patch bandages, 1-1/2” x 1-1/2
1 Instant cold compress
1 Triangular sling/bandage
1 Trauma pad, 5” x 9”
4 - 3” x 3” Gauze dressing pads
2 - 4” x 4” Gauze dressing pads
1 CPR one-way valve face shield, latex-free
1 American Red Cross First Aid Guide
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1 Thermometer, one time use
2 Latex-free exam-quality vinyl gloves
1 Pair of scissors
1 Pair of tweezers, plastic
1 Zippered clear-pocket soft pack
1 Hydrocortisone pack
2 Hand sanitizer packs
2 - 81 mg chewable aspirin tablets
20 - ¾” x 3” Plastic bandages
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Consider a Waterproof Kit
Having a
waterproof kit is preferred or at
least have your kit in a ziplocked
carrying bag. First Aid kits also
make nice 'Thank You' gifts for
co-workers, students and teachers.
When
Should I Get
Stitches?
A wound
that is more than
1/4 inch (6 millimeters) deep or is
gaping or jagged edged and has fat
or muscle protruding usually
requires stitches. A strip or two of
surgical tape may hold a minor cut
together, but if you can't easily
close the mouth of the wound, see
your doctor as soon as possible.
Proper closure within a few hours
reduces the risk of infection.
Emergency
kits provide you peace of mind
If
you live in hurricane, tornado,
flood or earthquake country you should
also have an emergency kit to get
you through until help can reach you.
All items in your kit should be latex-free!
Care
for
minor cuts and scrapes
Minor
cuts and scrapes usually stop
bleeding on their own. If they don't,
apply gentle pressure with a clean
cloth or bandage. Hold the pressure
continuously for 20 to 30 minutes.
Don't keep checking to see if the
bleeding has stopped because this
may damage or dislodge the fresh clot
that's forming and cause bleeding to
resume. If the blood spurts or
continues to flow after continuous
pressure, seek medical assistance.
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Shop here for
first aid kits!
First aid is
an essential part of every outdoor adventure as well during an disaster.
Small wounds or cuts can become life threatening if not properly
cleaned and dressed.
Minor first-aid emergencies always
seem to pop up unexpectedly and even a simple injury may become
life-threatening. You need to be prepared with the basics for home use, a
more well stocked kit for traveling and a larger kit for outdoor
activities.
There should be a First Aid kit everywhere...in a kitchen pantry, the bathroom, your car,
women's purses, your desk at work, campers, garages, etc.
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