You might have seen some awesome post and information about how easy it is to curb emergency situations which can be life threatening by applying various first aid techniques. Do you really know how important it is to have a first aid kit or do you really have one?

For some people, their first point of call is the doctor or a medical practitioner for any type of emergency whether minor or a major one. Well, I'm not downplaying that act. It's actually good. But have you imagined cases where a minor emergency situation would have been dealt with, without escalating to a major one or setback? An instance is where a person had a deep cut in a part of the body or epistasis, such situation would have been curb or controlled if proper first aid techniques were applied before a professional comes in to handle the situation. But sometimes, this fails to happen. The person in question can bleed to death due to shock or anemia before medical help arrives or he/she is taking to the hospital.

First aid box/kit contains equipments, tools and supplies to give medical treatment. The contents of a first aid kit varies as to how vast the requirements are in the area it is to be used and the knowledge of those assembling it. Use of first aid is different in regions and are also regulated. First aid kits usually comes in boxes made of plastic or fabric pouches. Some are mounted on walls. Depending on the use, a first aid kit will vary and at different sizes or as small as a pocket size material or a very large box. Kits should be properly kept and protected. A clean environment is advisable for it to be stored. Regularly check the kit, the content and replace if out if stock or items are damaged.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A FIRST AID KIT

Ever seen a green box with a white cross around people giving medical treatment? That is the first aid kit. That design is a standard by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This standard design has been adopted by many countries. The red cross on a white box design are allowed to be used only by (ICRC) and associates.

CONTENTS OF A FIRST AID KIT

A good first aid box should contain the following :

• a first aid manual
• phone numbers for emergencies
• gauze pads
• cotton ball/swabs
• iodine
• bandages
• antiseptics or alcohols
• eye wash
• splint
• soap
• antibiotics ointment
• scissors
• tweezers
• cold pack/compress
• thermometer
  *blankets
• lighter
• safety pins
  Modern and advanced kits and also those commercialized, will contain equipments such as ;
• pocket mask
• face shield
• sphygmomanometer
• stethoscope
• oropharengeal airway
• bottles oxygen
  You can also find Personal Protective Equipments such as;
• goggles
• surgical maks
• apron

For the aspect of medications, it is a common practice that your personal first aid kit or the one used for the family should contain life saving medications. Pain killers such as paracetamol, Ibruprofen are expected to be there in the kit. Other medications form such as aspirin, Diphenhydramine (for shock) are important as well as others.

Do note that these are few of the equipments that can be found. There are several others

IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE

• Ensure you read your first aid manual to get the right information and how to make use of the equipments in the kit. Update your manual if need be.
• First aid kits should be stored out of the reach of children.
• Regularly check the kit. If items are damaged or not present, please do replace.
• Other guidance or caregivers such as nannies should know where kits are kept and how they are used in case of emergency.
• Keeping your first aid kit in the bathroom can shorten the lifespan of the box. This is due to the presence of humidity.

Go get that first aid kit and ensure the safety of people around you

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