Whether you keep it in your car, outdoor gear, or right by your side, everyone should have a first aid kit. No matter how careful you are, the time will come when a minor injury will occur and you will be grateful that you have those medical supplies handy. Some kits are large and some are pocket-sized. But there a few items that should be in every first aid kid. Keeping it simple can help keep you safe, so pack your kit with these items and you’ll ready to go!
1. Band-Aids
Be it a scraped knee, or blister, a Band-Aid can fix most of life’s small bumps and bruises. They come in a variety of sizes and materials. You have plenty to choose from when assembling your kit for all types of accidents
2. Antibiotic Ointment
Many cuts can avoid infection with some antibiotic ointment, like Neosporin. Make sure to keep some handy for those minor cuts and scrapes.
3. Ibuprofen
Whether you are Team Advil or Team Tylenol, having ibuprofen in your first aid kit can alleviate superficial injury and headache pains that can crop up at any time.
4. Bandage Wrap
These can be used for sprains and injuries and can quite literally get you back on your feet when you inevitably roll your ankle on a steep path or jump the wrong way.
5. Instant Cold Compress
This is one of the most basic forms of treatment, so having an instant cold pack can help out in many outdoor injury situations.
6. Scissors
One of the most useful tools to have, scissors are needed in a multitude of emergency situations, both medical and non-medical, so they are great to have on hand. A pair of EMT shears will ensure you can cut through a variety of materials without accidental injury since the tips of the blades are rounded and the blades themselves are angled to get into difficult spots.
7. Gauze
Gauze can be used to pack deep cuts, create slings for injured limbs, or apply pressure to wounds, making it a necessary item to always have in your kit.
8. Disposable Gloves
When helping someone out with an injury, you want to make sure to keep yourself safe as well. Wearing disposable gloves will prevent passing any infections you come into contact with.
9. Emergency Space Blanket
These can be vital to survival in certain situations, like mountain and water rescue. They have an incredible ability to reflect back body heat and keep it against the body to restore normal functions and feeling in limbs.
10. Tampons
Although a woman may indeed need to utilize it for its intended purpose, tampons are actually useful for a variety of other survival and first aid uses as well, so always keep a couple in your kit.
Featured Image from Claudio Schwarz/Unsplash
