8/11/2019 Make your own first aid kit

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Make your own first - aid kit MIND YOUR BODY By Willie T. Ong, MD (The Philippine Star) | Updated March

25, 2014 - 12:00am

You may ask: Why do I have to bother with making a first-aid kit?There are actually many reasons to do so. First, having a well-equipped first-aid kit is immediately reassuring to the patient or victim.Second, learning about first aid can give you confidence and a senseof fulfillment.

In this article, well teach you how to assemble a first -aid kit and alsothe basic principles of first aid.

There are readily available first-aid kits, but they are notoriouslyincomplete. To assemble your own kit, get a large plastic box that islight, clean, and durable. Then get the following items and equipmentfrom a drugstore:

1. Sterile dressings and gauze pads. These are applied directly tolarger and open wounds. For acute bleeding, you will need severalgauze pads and you need to press firmly on the bleeding area forseveral minutes.

2. Bandages (not necessarily sterile) for securing dressings andstopping bleeding. There are various sizes, but buy the medium-sizedone. However, take note that minor cuts and wounds are better left

uncovered.

3. Safety pins, to secure the bandages.Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

4. 70% rubbing alcohol to disinfect minor wounds and to clean yourhands.

5. Povidone-iodine as a potent antiseptic. Povidone-iodine is moreeffective than alcohol, and is less painful.

6. Cotton buds and cotton balls.

7. Band-aid for minor cuts.

8. A pair of scissors with rounded edges. The rounded edge willensure the safe cutting of bandages and avoid accidentally injuring theskin.

9. Adhesive tape , preferably one that is hypoallergenic .

10. Ice bag or an instant-acting chemical cold pack. Use these forminor bruises, insect bites, swelling, sprains, and for reducing fever.11. Soap to clean superficial wounds once bleeding has stopped.

12. Thermometer to check the temperature.

13. Tweezers . These are very useful for removing splinters of wood orglass.

14. A strong penlight or flashlight to check on wounds, mouth, etc.

15. Disposable gloves (2 pieces). For personal protection, wear these

gloves before handling cases of bleeding and open wounds.

16. Face mask s (2 pieces) to protect your face from splatters andreduce the risk of inhaling infections. The mask can also be used forthe patient.

17. List of emergency phone numbers, such as your local doctor,nearest hospital, ambulance services, and others.

18. The following topical medications are often useful: Burn gel orointment, anti-itch ointment, and calamine lotion.

YOUR PERSONAL TRAVEL KITIf you have some background in health, you may also want to stock uponp some oral medicines, which can be used as first aid or as yourtravel kit. These are the commonly used drugs. Remember to consultyour doctor first before taking any of these medications.

1. Paracetamol 500mg (bring eight tablets). For fever, takeparacetamol 500mg, one tablet every four hours. Paracetamol can alsobe given for minor aches and pains.

2. Mefenamic acid 500mg (four capsules). For moderate to severepain, consider taking mefenamic acid 500mg, one capsule three times

a day. Take the capsule with food. Avoid long-term use of pain-relievers.

3. Amoxicillin 500mg (15 capsules). For various infections, consideramoxicillin 500mg, one capsule three times a day, taken for sevendays. Ask the patient if he/she has a drug allergy. Antibiotics areusually needed for the following situations: inflamed tonsils, cough withyellow phlegm, urinary tract infection (UTI), large skin wounds, boils,and gum infection. Consult your doctor about it.

4. Loperamide (three tablets). For diarrhea, consider taking loperamidecapsule, one or two capsules initially. Eat a banana and drink lots offluids, too.5. Loratadine 10mg (two tablets). For allergies, consider loratadine10mg, one tablet daily, preferably at night.

6. Bromazepam 1.5mg (two tablets). This drug requires a specialdoctors prescription. For anxiety or insomnia, consider takingbromazepam (brand name Lexotan) 1.5mg, take half a tablet asneeded.

Some added tips for travelers: Bring enough supply of your maintenance medicines.

Bring some emerge ncy medications like the ones listed above.

Always bring your medical records.

FIRST-AID COMMON SENSENow that you have your own first-aid kit and travel kit, what else do youneed? As our teacher used to tell us, Its the organ between yourears. We need some basic knowledge on how to deal with emergencysituations.

Be calm and think of a rational plan of action. Think calmly, becauseyou might make matters worse if you act impulsively.

First, decide if you need to call for help. Its always be tter to err on thesafe side and call for medical help, rather than delaying your call forassistance.

Look around the accident area for any hazards or danger to others.Do not put yourself in danger, too.

Be aware of your limitations. Do not attempt any treatment (such asmouth-to-mouth resuscitation) if you have no idea what to do.

Give medical aid if you feel you can. However, do nothing if yourenot sure.

Its a good idea to give comfort to the patient or victim. Talk andreassure the victim until help arrives.

Once a better qualified person arrives, defer the management of thesituation to them. Do not let your pride get in the way.

After the problem is solved, talk to a friend or relative about theincident so you can release your stress and worries about the event.Emergencies are really like that. Its not anybodys fault, and we justhave to do what we can about the situation at hand. Finally, pray andthank God that the situation has been resolved. Good luck!

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