The Essential Checklist for your First Aid Kit

It is always nice to have peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re covered in a medical emergency. A well organised and stocked First Aid Kits is essential whether you are at home or on the road. When paired with a first aid course, taking the time to put together a comprehensive kit can help you to save a life, potentially even your own.

A lot goes into building the right first aid kit for your needs, and each will be different depending on your lifestyle. What they all have in common is that every good kit starts with a good checklist, ensuring that you have all the necessary tools and equipment on hand.

First Aid Kit Checklist

While your first aid kid does need to be unique to you, there are some products that are a good base for every first aid kit! These include: 

• Bandages (Crepe) of varying widths
• Triangular bandages
• Band-Aids, or other adhesive dressing strips in various sizes
• Hypoallergenic tape
• Gauze swabs
• Alcohol swabs
• Sterile eye pads
• Disposable gloves
• Combine and non-stick dressing pads
• Stainless steel scissors
• Stainless steel pointed splinter forceps/ tweezers
• Safety pins
• Sterile saline tubes/sachets
• Antiseptic skin swabs
• Resuscitation face shield
• Antiseptic cream
• First aid booklet
• Phone numbers of close family members, your family doctor, and emergency services

Customising your First Aid Kit

Now that you have the basic first aid kit checklist, it is time to customise it depending on your lifestyle. Whether you have serious allergies and emergency medication, or various individuals living under one roof, it is imperative that your first aid kit suits your needs.

At home use: Ensure that you have enough items in accordance with the number of household members. Add items that suit the various age groups, such as thicker crepe bandages for any household members that do recreational sports. For infants, ensure that you include a digital thermometer, and any basic pain reliever medication that may be necessary.

In the car: Include a reflective safety vest to wear on the road side if necessary. 

For camping: Include instant cold/hot packs, heavier duty crepe bandages, a whistle, compass/map, torch and glow stick.

Above all, ensure that if you have any known medical conditions and allergies that you include the medication or equipment necessary to manage any conditions.

Additionally, it’s crucial that every first aid kit is kept it in an identifiable container that is dust, weather and contamination proof.

If you are looking to get the necessary skills in first aid, check out our first aid course at Wilson Medic One.