Emergency First Aid Kits

A basic emergency first aid kit found in a backpack or car should include the following:

• Medicines, Antiseptics:
  
  
  
  • 4 aspirin tablets
  
  
  • 2 ibuprofen tablets
  
  
  • 2 motion sickness tablets
  
  
  • 3 antibiotic ointment packs
  
  
  • 6 antiseptic cleansing wipes
  
  
  • 2 first aid/burn cream packs
  
  
  
  


• Bandages:
  
  
  
  • 10 3/4" x 3" adhesive plastic bandages
  
  
  • 1 2" x 4" elbow & knee plastic bandage
  
  
  • 5 3/8" x 1-1/2" junior plastic bandages
  
  
  • 1 knuckle fabric bandage
  
  
  • 1 fingertip fabric bandage
  
  
  
  


• Dressings:
  
  
  
  • 2 2"x 3" non-stick pads with adhesive tabs
  
  
  • 2 large butterfly wound closures
  
  
  
  


• References, Instruments:
  
  
  
  • 1 softback bag, visor mountable
  
  
  • 1 first aid guide and accident report form
  
  
  • 1 "call police" banner
  
  
  • 1 6"x 3/4" finger splint
  
  
  • 1 tweezers
  
  
  
  

Such an emergency first aid kit may cost between $5 and $10.

A somewhat bulkier (11-3/8"x10-3/4"x3") emergency first aid kit, suitable for keeping at home, might include the following supplies and cost about $20:

• 6 Aspirin tablets


• 1 96 pg. AMA (American Medical Association) First Aid Guide


• 1 1/2"x5 yd First aid tape roll


• 1 Tweezers


• 1 Scissors


• 2 Exam quality nitril gloves


• 1 2" x 4.1 yd. Conforming gauze roll bandages


• 1 3" x 4.1 yd. Conforming gauze roll bandages


• 1 4" x 5" Instant cold compress


• 1 4" x 6" Hot/cold reusable compress


• 1 6" x 3/4" Finger splints


• 10 Cotton tipped applicators


• 50 3/4" x 3" Adhesive plastic bandages


• 2 2" x 4" Elbow & knee plastic bandages


• 20 3/8" x 1-1/2" Junior plastic bandages


• 2 Knuckle fabric bandages


• 2 Fingertip fabric bandages


• 2 Butterfly wound closures


• 2 Castile soap towelettes


• 20 Alcohol cleansing pads


• 12 Antiseptic cleansing wipes


• 4 Antibiotic ointment packs


• 1 Burn relief gel pack


• 6 2"x2" Gauze dressing pads


• 4 4"x4" Gauze dressing pads


• 2 Sterile eye pad


• 1 5" x 9" Trauma pad


• 2 2" x 3" Non-stick pads


• 1 Insect sting relief pad


• 6 Ibuprofen tablets


• 8 Extra-strength non-aspirin tablets


• 3 1-1/2"x1-1/2" Patch adhesive plastic bandages


• 1 Thermometers, one time use


• 2 Medium safety pins

Pet emergency first aid kits share things in common with those designed for humans, but include items unique to dog and cat injuries. A typical configuration may include:

• 1 Pet First Aid Guide


• 1 Dog leash


• 1 Tweezers


• 1 Scissors


• 2 Exam quality nitril gloves


• 1 Oral syringe


• 1 Thermometer


• 1 Lubricating jelly pack


• 1 4 oz. Eyewash


• 1 4 oz. Hydrogen peroxide


• 1 1" x 5 yd. First aid tape roll


• 1 2" x 4.1 yd. Conforming gauze roll bandages


• 1 3" x 4.1 yd. Conforming gauze roll bandages


• 1 3" x 5 yd. Elastic bandage wrap


• 2 3" Cotton tipped applicators


• 3 Insect sting relief pads


• 6 Antiseptic cleansing wipes (sting free)


• 3 Antibiotic ointment packs


• 1 Burn relief packs


• 6 2" x 2" Gauze dressing pads


• 6 3" x 3" Gauze dressing pads


• 1 5" x 9" Trauma pad

Other emergency first aid kits are tailored to various hazardous environments, such as woodworking shops and assembly lines. Workplace emergency first aid kits should be certified as OSHA compliant to ensure they contain all the components required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.

Emergency first aid kits come in all sizes and configurations. They provide quick relief for sudden injuries and guidance for treating them. Emergency first aid kits should be in every environment.