Item of the Week: Medical Kit

Dec 6, 2019

What kind of medical supplies do you need in your emergency kit to...?

• Protect from bodily fluids
  • Latex or other sterile gloves
  • Breathing barriers

• Protect or prevent wounds
  • Sterile dressings
  • Fabric adhesive or liquid bandages
  • Soft-wrap elastic (ace) bandages
  • Micropore paper tape
  • Fabric adhesive dressing
  • Non-adherent bandage pads
  • Sterile gauze bandage roll
  • Adhesive wound closures
  • Triangular bandages
  • Moleskin fabric

• Disinfect/sterilize wounds
  • Cleansing agents/soaps
  • Antibiotic/antiseptic wipes
  • Antibiotic ointments

• Heal or soothe wounds
  • Burn ointments
  • Vaseline/Petroleum jelly
  • Eye wash solutions

• Relieve pain or reduce fever
  • Acetaminophen
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen)
  • Instant cold packs

• Relieve digestion issues
  • Laxatives
  • Anti-diarrheal medicines
  • Antacid medicines

• Relieve or prevent allergic reactions
  • Hydrocortisone creams
  • Antihistamine medicines
  • Decongestant medicines
  • Epinephrine injections

You'll also want the following tools and equipment:

• Thermometer
• Scissors
• Tweezers

Additionally, you’ll want to keep a back-up supply of relevant prescription medication in your kit, such as:

• Inhalers
• Insulin injections
• Blood pressure medicines
• Cholesterol medicines

Bonus Item: Condoms

• Did you know that condoms can hold up to 2 liters of water? So in addition to providing protection from sexually transmitted infections, condoms can be used to transport water. 

Additional Resources:

• https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/03/smarter-living/packing-emergency-kit-disaster.html
• https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/anatomy-of-a-first-aid-kit.html