In an emergency, every second counts. That’s why it’s so important to have a first aid kit on hand, stocked with everything you need to help in a crisis. But what exactly should you include in your first aid kit? Here are the essentials you need to make sure your first aid kit is complete: 

Bandages: 

Assorted sizes of sterile adhesive bandages and gauze pads. Bandages cover both minor cuts and scrapes as well as larger wounds. Use bandages as well as splints for immobilizing injured limbs.  

Bleeding control: 

Bleeding control can be a matter of life or death. That’s why it’s crucial to include a first aid kit item that can help stop the bleeding from even severe injuries. Include a tube of sterile blood clotting agent, such as QuickClot or Celox, in your first aid kit to make sure you have the tools you need to halt any life-threatening bleeding. Sterile gauze dressings and roller bandages, as well as trauma pads, are also handy for bleeding control, among other purposes. 

Burns: 

Cooling gels or sprays, sterile gauze dressings and non-adhesive bandages for first-degree burns. 

For second-degree burns, include antibiotic ointments, sterile gauze dressings and non-adhesive bandages. 

Third-degree burns will require a trip to the hospital. So make sure you have the number for emergency services saved in your phone. 

Cuts And Scrapes: 

Sterile gauze dressings, adhesive bandages, first-aid tape, antiseptic wipes or cream and scissors for cuts and scrapes. These are mandatory first aid kit essentials. 

If the cut is: 

• more than a quarter of an inch deep 
• caused by a dirty object  
• showing visible bone 

You should seek immediate medical help.  

CPR devices: 

A face shield and gloves if you are practicing CPR. Make sure that your first aid kit essentials include the necessary equipment to protect both yourself and the person who is in need of assistance. Face shields will help prevent any bodily fluids from entering your own mouth or nose while performing CPR. Gloves are also a helpful addition to your essentials for protecting your hands from any germs or contaminants during first aid procedures. 

Medications: 

Pain relievers, anti-nausea medications, first aid ointments and first aid creams are also first aid kit essentials, as these can help soothe any pain or discomfort that you may experience in the event of an emergency. Always make sure to check the expiration dates on all medications and replace them if they are out of date. 

Tweezers: 

Whatever you do, don’t forget the tweezers! You’ve probably got some idea how handy these little things can be, however if you don’t, try removing splinters and other small foreign objects from the skin without them! Equally handy are a thermometer and safety pins. 

What Have We Forgotten? 

There are also some other first aid kit essentials that are often overlooked. For example, it’s a good idea to include some basic first aid training materials in your first aid kit, such as first aid reference guides and instructional pamphlets. 

Also often overlooked are: 

A list of emergency contacts 

This could include family or others that should be contacted in case of emergency. Your kit should also contain the contact details for your nearest urgent care clinic. Your local urgent care clinic can be a source of valuable and immediate information and advice should it be required. 

Medical information 

Depending on where your first aid kit essentials are located, any medical information that could be relevant to someone who may require medical assistance is vital. For example, if someone is an asthma sufferer, providing first responders are aware of this, treatment is relatively simple. This can be invaluable in helping first responders to provide the best possible care as quickly as possible. 

Make sure to check the expiration dates on all of your supplies, and replace them when necessary. By ensuring you keep up-to-date first aid kit essentials, you can ensure that you’re prepared for any first aid emergency that may arise. 

With these first aid kit essentials in mind, you can be confident that you are prepared to deal with first aid situations, should they arise. So don’t forget the tweezers and take care of yourself and others by having a well-stocked kit at all times!