Every home should have a first aid kit, even if the home is not in an area that is prone to tropical storms or hurricanes. The most basic survival aid kit will enable you to deal with health health emergencies and injuries and can save your life if you are unable to seek medical attention right away.
The emergency aid kit should always be well stocked. If you use an item, you should replace it, in the event that you may need that item again. A checklist can be used to keep a record of the items in the kit as well as expiry dates.
Best First Aid Kits on the Market
One of the easiest ways to obtain an emergency aid kit is to purchase one. If you’re interested in purchasing a kit until you can build your own, I would suggest the following kits which are available at Amazon:
| Product | Price | Kit Contents | |
|---|---|---|---|
  | EverLit 250 Piece First Aid Kit | Check Price | Includes bandages, gauze pads, metal scissors, blanket, tactical flashlight and poncho |
  | Sportsman Series Grizzly First Aid Kit | Check Price | Includes bandages, gauze, forceps, gloves, disposable thermometer and CPR face shield |
  | Delta Provision Co. First Aid Kit | Check Price | Includes medic bag, gauze pads, bandages, wound dressings, compass and whistle. |
  | 154-piece Deluxe Sports First Aid Kit | Check Price | Includes antiseptic wipes, bandages, gauze, finger splints and nosebleed plugs |
  | Surviveware Small First Aid Kit | Check Price | Includes personal medicine mini bags, gloves, wound closures, bandages and emergency blanket. |
How to Build a First Aid Kit
If you are ready and willing to build your kit, there are some rules of thumb to follow so that your kit is adequate and contains all of the items that you may need in an emergency. Kits like the Everlit 250 Pieces Survival First Aid Kit, include must have items such as bandages and antiseptic cleansing wipes. But when you build your kit, you can incorporate the same items and personalise it based on the needs of you and your family.
The starting point is to use a sturdy, waterproof container that will house items for the kit. This container should also be large enough to hold all items and it should be able to close easily and firmly.
Inside the container, you should include enough of the following items to at least tend to the needs of the members of your family. A survival kit built for one person, would be considerably smaller than a kit built for a family of four.
First Aid Kit
| Kit Item | Our Suggestion | Use |
|---|---|---|
| First Aid Bag |   | Houses all first aid kit items |
| Bandages |   | Wraps injuries and cuts |
| Dressings |   | Help stop bleeding and apply pressure to wounds |
| Face Masks |   | Prevent contamination and infection |
| Cotton Balls |   | Clean wounds |
| Cotton Swabs |   | Clean wounds and apply topical creams and lotions |
| Plasters |   | Wrap small cuts and grazes |
| Sterile Gauze Pads |   | Wrap wounds and injuries |
| Safety Pins |   | Affix bandages |
| Disposable Gloves |   | Reduce infection from blood and body fluids |
| Tweezers |   | Remove splinters or other small foreign objects |
| Small Scissors |   | Cuts bandages, tape or clothing |
| Small Knife |   | Cuts bandages, tape or clothing |
| Cleansing Wipes |   | Clean hands and sanitize wounds and instruments |
| Isopropyl Alcohol |   | Cleans and disinfects superficial wounds |
| Adhesive/ Sticky Tape |   | Holds bandages in place |
| Bug Bite Cream or Spray |   | Relieves insect bites |
| Thermometer |   | Checks body temperature |
| Antiseptic Cream |   | Can relieve minor pain and soothe the skin |
| Painkillers |   | Can relieve pain |
| Cough Medicine |   | Soothes coughs and provides chest relief |
| Distilled Water |   | Cleans wounds |
| Thermal Blanket |   | Helps manage body temperature |
| Cold and Warm Compresses |   | Relieve pain and swelling |
| CPR Breathing Mask |   | Protects against infection |
| Zipper Plastic Bags |   | Store small items |
| Duct Tape |   | Tapes down bandages |
| Petroleum Jelly |   | Soothes and protects minor cuts and burns |
| Medicine Dropper |   | Administers medicine |
| Calamine Lotion |   | Relieves pain from sunburn, insect bites and some plant poisons |
| Aloe Vera Gel |   | Reduces pain from burns, insect bites and cuts |
| Baking Soda |   | Relieves upset stomach |
| Paper Bags |   | Used to calm hyperventilation |
| Hand Sanitizer |   | Used to clean hands in the absence of water |
| Antiseptic Soap |   | Used to wash hands as needed |
| Hydrogen Peroxide |   | Disinfects wounds and scrapes |
| Whistle |   | Can be used to attract attention |
| Small Flashlight |   | Used to provide light in a power outage |
| First Aid Manual |   | Explains how to administer basic first aid. |
How to Make an Effective First Aid Kit
The best first aid kit is one that is well maintained and ready to use in an emergency. To ensure that your kit is as effective as it could be, you should:
- Store the kit in a cool, dry place and out of the reach of children and babies.
- Keep track of supplies and expiration dates, so that you can update the kit as needed
- Wash reusable items (e.g. tweezers and scissors) after each use, and sterilize them with isopropyl alcohol
To get the most of your medical kit, you can take a first aid class if it’s available in your area. If you cannot find a course that’s close to you, the Red Cross offers online first aid courses.
References
Health Direct: First Aid Kits
Helpside: First Aid Kit Checklist
Survival at Home: How to Make Your Own DIY First Aid Kit
Kids Health: First Aid Kit
Red Cross: Make a First Aid Kit
NHS Choices: What Should I Keep in My First Aid Kit
St. John Ambulance: Workplace First Aid Kit Contents and Supplies Checklist