First Aid Kits: First Line Of Defense In A Medical Emergency?

Answer 1

Medical emergencies happen every single day across the globe and unfortunately many people are unprepared to deal with them. Household accidents are the leading cause of death in the United States. Many people get hurt at home and suffer minor scrapes, bruises, and injuries. Having a well stocked first aid kit can help a person treat these injuries quickly so that the victim does not develop an infection or become more ill. Some of the typical items that should go into a first aid kit include the following: gauze, aspirin, thermometer, band aids, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic, small flash light, hydrocortisone packets, alcohol swabs, latex gloves, compress dressing, space blanket, cold compress, scissors, roller bandages, and tweezers. The items should be stored in a plastic or metal box so that they do not get destroyed if they come into contact with water. Individuals should have a few first aid kits on hand in order to be as prepared as possible. One should be located in their medicine cabinet, and the second should be placed in the trunk of their vehicle. It is a good idea to have a first aid kit in your vehicle because if someone is involved in a car accident, then they will need first aid. Having a well stocked first aid kit can be priceless especially if a passing motorist gets hurt and needs immediate care. Proper first aid can save lives because it often takes an ambulance more than fifteen minutes to arrive at an accident scene after 911 has been called. It is crucial to make sure to update the first aid kit once a year because some of these items such as ointments, aspirin, and alcohol swabs have expiration dates on them. If the items have expired, throw them out and immediately replace them. Write a list of emergency numbers and store it in the first aid kit. Some good numbers to include are the Poison Control Center's number, emergency contacts such as family members and close friends, and the numbers for 911 and the local police department. Another good idea is to print out instructions on CPR and what to do if someone is choking and fold them up and place them in the kit. This can help young children in the event of a medical emergency because they often are uninformed on what to do if they are faced with these situations. A first aid kit can be a lifesaver; they are easy to put together and are a great investment.