A handy first –aid kit should be always ready and readily accessible.
It should be kept not only at home, but also at work and even in the car.
Do not fail to carry one along if you are traveling/hiking/camping.
A readymade kit may be purchased or it can be put together according to one’s own requirements.
Make sure that it has everything you may need.
The needs of children, senior citizens and any others ( with high blood pressure, asthma, etc.) should be borne in mind.
· Remember to include emergency phone numbers, or other items
suggested by your doctor.
· Check and update the kit regularly, preferably twice a year.
· Make sure the batteries work. Always keep an extra set handy.
· Store your first aid kit in a secure place out of the reach of young children.
The following is a rather exhaustive list suggested by me :
ESSENTIAL ITEMS
Cetavlon lotion (Savlon) – 1 small bottle
Sterilised cotton – 1 small packet
Eye pad - 2
Small scissors - 1
Pen torch plus extra batteries
Disposable hand gloves (size 7) – 1 pair
Loose woven gauze – 1 packet
Gauze bandages size 2” and 4” – 1 each
Micropore or adhesive tape – 1 roll
Band –aids (in assorted sizes)
Safety pins - 2
Thermometer - 1
ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
For sprains – eg Voveran gel - 1 tube
Antacid tablet – eg Gelusil – 1 strip
Anti diarrhoeal tablet– eg Lomotil, Lopamide – 1 strip
NOTE: Both are contraindicated in children.
Anti amebic tablet- eg Tinidazole – 1 strip
ORS (for diarrhoea) – eg Electral -1 packet
Antihistamine tablet – Tab. Avil – 1 strip
Antiseptic ointment – eg Neosporin eye ointment– 1 tube
This doubles up as a skin ointment (but not vice-versa!)
For insect bites, minor burns -steroid ointment – eg Betnovate - 1 tube
For vomiting – Tab. Ondansetron.
Pain killer – eg Tab.Voveran, Tab Ibugesic.
For fever – eg Tab Metacin
Cough syrup –eg Syp.Benadryl
DURING TRAVEL
For itching/rash/sunburn – eg Caladryl lotion
Lip balm – Any chapstick of your choice
Nausea/motion sickness – eg Tab Avomine (Promethazine theoclate)
White Petroleum jelly –eg Vaseline
Moisturiser (with or without sunblock) – eg Moisturex or any of your choice.
Laxative – eg Isogel (Isabgol) or any of your choice
DURING AIR TRAVEL
Nasal decongestant drops –eg Otrivin nasal drops.
Paediatric drops also available
Oral decongestant –eg Tab Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine).
Syrup also available for children
Nausea/motion sickness - eg – Tab Avomine (Promethazine theoclate).
Syrup Phenergan for children.
FOR CHILDREN (AT HOME AND DURING TRAVEL)
For fever - eg Syrup Metacin (Paracetamol)
For colds, insect bites, allergies –eg Syrup Avil (Pheniramine maleate)
For vomiting –eg Syrup Emeset (Ondansetron)
SPECIAL NEEDS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS
B.P. instrument and stethoscope
Asthma inhalers
Prescription drugs :
antibiotics,
antacids (like ranitidine)
anti –diabetics,
anti –hypertensives,
asthma
migraine
anti spasmodics (for colicky abdominal pain, dysmenorrhoea)
heart disease medicines.
OPTIONAL ITEMS
Wet wipes
Triangular bandage for sling (37”x 37”x 52”)
Anti fungal cream-eg Daktarin gel
Water soluble lubricant -eg KY jelly
Dental floss
Ear buds
Scalpel (disposable)
Eye –dropper
Tongue depressor (disposable) – 2
Needles (gauge 23) –2
MOST IMPORTANT
List of telephone nos. of doctors’ and other emergency phone nos.
