How To Build A First Aid Kit | Total Point Urgent Care

A first aid kit is a must have item that every person must possess not only in a massive, dramatic occurrence, but also handling minor accidental daily injuries in home.

Keeping the necessary first aid equipment handy can bring a lot of difference in such a case and an emergency situation, resulting in quick and easy fix to wounds.

It is certainly within our means to buy an emergency kit manufactured in advance at the drugstore which can be more than sufficient as a starting point. However, in this case, containers are generic.

They will probably have some things your family will use a lot or will have supplies you would never use.

It is therefore very advisable to have your own DIY first aid kit because it can give you more custom inside and out and it is not as difficult to create as you might think.

Table of Contents

What Should Be in a Basic First Aid Kit?

No matter what you are putting together as a first aid kit, whether at home, in your car, or in your hiking bag, there are some items which can be said not to be optional.

The American Red Cross provides a list of basic first aid supplies. These are the necessary first aid supplies as divided into categories:

Bandages and Dressings:

2 absorbent compress dressings (5” x 9”): Required for managing bleeding and protecting larger wounds.
25 assorted adhesive bandages: Having various sizes of bandages ensures that you have the right fit for different cuts and scratches.
5 sterile gauze pads (3” x 3”): Used for cleaning wounds, applying pressure, or as a dressing.
5 sterile gauze pads (4” x 4”): Having larger pads for similar applications ensures more coverage.
1 gauze roll bandage (3” wide): Ideal for securing dressings or providing light compression.
1 roller bandage (4” wide): Used for sprains, strains, or holding larger dressings in place.
1 roll of adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch): Essential for securing bandages and dressings effectively.
2 triangular bandages: These are highly versatile and particularly useful for supporting injured limbs.

Medicines and Ointments:

5 antibiotic ointment packets: Essential for preventing infection in minor cuts and scratches.
Lubricating eye drops: For providing quick relief from dryness, irritation, or debris.
5 antiseptic wipes: Essential for cleaning wounds before applying dressings or ointments.
2 aspirin packets (81 mg each): Can be used for pain relief or, in specific emergency situations (like suspected heart attack, if advised by a medical professional), as a blood thinner.
2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approx 1 gram each): For treating skin irritations, itching, and rashes.
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen: To relieve pain, fever or inflammation.
Antihistamines: Important for unexpected allergic reactions. It’s important to remember that if you have sensitivities to certain ointments or latex, you should always substitute them with appropriate alternatives that work for you.

Tools and Other Essentials:

These items take minimal space, but can prevent minor incidents from expanding into a significant problem.
Here’s how to prepare a first aid kit manually.

1 emergency blanket: These blankets are highly effective in situations involving shock, helping to maintain body temperature.
1 CPR breathing barrier with a one-way valve: Protects the rescuer while performing CPR.
1 instant cold compress: Useful for reducing swelling and pain from sprains or bruises.
2 pairs of nitrile gloves: For protecting yourself and the injured person from contamination.
1 oral thermometer: To check for fevers.
1 pair of tweezers: Used to remove splinters, ticks, or other small foreign particles.
1 small, sharp pair of scissors: For cutting tape, bandages, or clothing if necessary.
1 flashlight with batteries: Important for visibility in low-light conditions.

How to Personalize Your First Aid Kit?

After you have prepared the above-mentioned basic first aid set, a logical thing to do is to personalize it to combine with the requirements and the activities within your household.

What works with a family with toddlers should not be similar to what is needed by a person who hikes regularly or whose parents are aging.

First Aid Kit For Families with Kids:

Children’s pain reliever (liquid or chewable form).
A thermometer specifically designed for children.
Saline spray or drops.
A nasal aspirator (especially if you have infants).

First Aid Kit For Hiking:

Moleskin: Essential for preventing and treating blisters, which are common on hikes.
Bug spray wipes: For protection against insect bites.
Burn cream or aloe gel: For soothing minor burns or sunburns.
Water purification tablets: Crucial for making questionable water sources safe to drink in remote areas.
Emergency whistle: For signaling for help.
A couple of energy bars: For quick energy boosts during strenuous activities.

First Aid Kit for Individuals with Skin Sensitivities or Chronic Conditions:

Paper tape: This is gentler on sensitive or elderly skin.
Extra non-latex gloves: Essential for those with latex allergies.
EpiPen: If prescribed by a doctor, it should be included. It’s important not to pack one “just in case” unless it has been specifically prescribed to you.
For diabetics: glucose tablets, a juice box, and a glucagon emergency kit. These are vital for managing low blood sugar levels.
For individuals with heart issues: Chewable aspirin should be included, but it is critical to discuss this with your doctor first.
Albuterol inhaler for asthma patients.
Emergency Contact Information: Always include a slip of paper with emergency phone numbers.

Where to Store First Aid Kit?

The storage location of your first aid kit is almost as important as its contents. It should always be easily accessible and portable. The type of container can vary depending on the size of your kit:

For smaller kits, a simple zip-top plastic bag can be sufficient.
For a family-sized kit, a tackle box or a small backpack works well.

First Aid Kit Storage Locations Include:

In a bathroom or kitchen cabinet within your home.
In the storage console of your car.
Alongside your hiking, camping, or boating gear.
In your garage or workshop.

First Aid Kit Maintenance Checklist

Maintenance of a first aid kit is necessary to keep it useful during emergencies. Regularly checking your first aid kit every six months helps ensure all materials stay functional and effective when you need them.

During this inspection, make sure to go through the following first aid kit maintenance checklist:

Check expiration dates of medicines. Medications can become harmful past their expiration dates.
Replace expired medications, even if it was just a single bandage for a minor paper cut.
Check the batteries in your flashlight and thermometer. Ensure they are working and replace them if needed.
Verify that medications haven’t melted in the heat or frozen solid in the winter. Extreme temperatures can degrade medical supplies.

A well-stocked and regularly updated first aid kit provides invaluable peace of mind when unexpected situations arise.

When First Aid Isn’t Enough

Remember, while a first aid kit is essential for minor issues, for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses that require more than basic first aid, visit Total Point Urgent Care. We provide walk-in clinic services to all, with no appointments necessary.

We also offer a Wellness Membership Plan, making your care more affordable and accessible, especially for families or individuals without insurance. It’s a smart way to stay on top of your health without the high costs of medical visits or the long waits at primary care offices.

We provide quick, reliable, and affordable treatment at our urgent care locations across Texas,

as well as in Missouri,