First
Aid Kit
Find out what essentials to keep in your first aid kit -
and how to use them.
THE
ESSENTIALS
Item: waterproof plasters
Quantity: selection of different sizes
Use: for most minor wounds
WHEN
TO USE WATERPROOF PLASTERS
If there is a bleeding wound that is fairly small, an
adhesive dressing should be used. If you're preparing food in the kitchen use a blue plaster so you will be able to
see it if it drops in the food.
HOW
TO USE
Minor wounds can be washed with water and padded dry, then the adhesive
dressing should be stuck over the top.
TOP
TIP
A small number of people are allergic to the adhesive
strip, which could cause irritation. If you're applying one to a family member,
you may be aware of this. If it’s someone you don’t know, ask them first.
Item: sterile eye pads
Quantity: 2
Use: for minor eye injuries
WHEN
TO USE STERILE EYE PADS
If the wound is small, or the casualty has a foreign
object in their eye, such as dirt or grit, but it's not embedded, you can apply
an eye pad or small dressing. Use an eye pad until you can get medical advice.
HOW
TO USE IT
Place the pad lightly over the eye and secure with some bandage around the head
using a knot or with tape.
Item: crepe bandage
Quantity: 1
Use: for a sprain or strain
WHEN
TO USE A CREPE BANDAGE
It's mainly used for a sprained or strained ankle or
wrist. First treat the injury with an ice pack to reduce swelling. After 10-12
minutes, remove the ice pack for a few minutes then re-apply. If the swelling
does not go down, it could be a break and you should seek medical advice as an
X-ray may be needed. If you think it's just a strain, and some of the swelling
has gone down as a result of using the ice pack, apply a crepe bandage for
support.
HOW
TO USE IT
The bandage is generally applied in a figure of eight. For example, on an ankle
you would start at the base of the leg (above the heel), make two turns, then
take the bandage inside the instep of the foot and begin the figure of eight.
The heel stays exposed. If the sprain or strain is to the wrist, you can simply
wrap the bandage around the wrist. If the bandage came with clips, secure it
with these. Alternatively, you can use tape or safety pins.
Item: triangular bandages (sling)
Quantity: 4
Use: to lift a limb
WHEN
TO USE A TRIANGULAR BANDAGE
You can use a triangular bandage in different ways: as
a sling to lift a limb to prevent blood loss, to secure a fractured collar bone
or hand, and also for sprains and strains if a crepe bandage isn’t available.
HOW
TO USE IT
If there’s an injury to the lower or upper arm, you
can also make an arm sling, tied at the neck. Triangular bandages can also be
folded and used as a supporting bandage if a crepe bandage isn’t available.
Item: medium sterile dressing pads
Quantity: 6
Use: when a plaster is too small
WHEN
TO USE MEDIUM STERILE DRESSING PADS
These pads are wound dressings. When you open them up, there is a roll of
bandage attached so you can secure them into place. They’ll cover most common
wounds and should be used whenever a plaster is too small. The dressing applies
firm pressure on the wound.
HOW
TO USE THEM
Make sure the pad covers the entire wound. When you
wrap the bandage part of the dressing (which is attached to the pad) around the
wound, make sure you seal each end of the pad with it to stop infections
entering the wound, and stop blood seeping out. The bandage should be secured
by tying in a knot, above the wound if possible, which will apply more
pressure.
TOP
TIP
If the wound is severe, apply the dressing and seek
medical advice. If blood soaks through the dressing, don’t remove it or clotting
(which will have started) will be disturbed. Instead, take a large dressing and
apply it over the top as a second layer
Item: large sterile dressing pads
Quantity: 2
Use: for dressing large wounds
WHEN
TO USE LARGE STERILE DRESSING PADS
These pads are large wound dressings. When you open
them up, there is a roll of bandage attached so you can secure them into place.
They’ll cover most common wounds and should be used whenever a plaster or
medium dressing pad is too small. It applies firm pressure to the wound.
HOW
TO USE THEM
Make sure the pad covers the wound and that the
bandage part of the dressing seals each end of the pad. If the wound is severe,
put the dressing on and seek medical advice.
Item: sterile gloves
Quantity: 1 pair
Use: to protect the casualty and
first-aider
WHEN
TO USE VINYL GLOVES
These protect the casualty if the first aider’s hands
are dirty, and they protect the first aider if the casualty is bleeding.
TOP
TIP
Gloves are usually available in small, medium, large and extra large. Make sure
you have the right size to fit you in your first aid kit.
Item: tough cut scissors
Quantity: 1 pair
Use: to safely cut clothing off
WHEN
TO USE TOUGH CUT SCISSORS
These are used for cutting clothing to get at a wound
or the site of a fracture. They are safety scissors so you can’t jab them into
somebody’s leg by accident – there is no danger of cutting the skin.
HOW
TO USE
Only use if you need to expose the site of an injury.
If the wound is on the arm or leg, cut along the seam of the trouser leg or
shirt, and on a side away from the wound.
TOP
TIP
Always tell someone you are going to cut their
clothing before you do it.
Item: alcohol-free wipes
Quantity: 6
Use: to clean grazes if water is not
available
WHEN
TO USE ALCOHOL-FREE WIPES
These
are used to clean grazes and minor wounds when water is not available.
HOW
TO USE
Wipe
the wound once, then dispose of the wipe. Take another
one and repeat. Wipe away from the wound, to avoid introducing an infection.
TOP
TIP
Tap
water is the best thing to clean a wound, but if there's no water available, an
alcohol-free wipe is better than nothing.
Item: safety pins
Quantity: 6
Use: to secure a bandage or sling
WHEN
TO USE SAFETY PINS
Safety
pins can be used to secure a crepe bandage, or for securing a sling on the
elbow.
TAKE A COURSE
First aid courses
Why is it important to learn first aid?
Research
from the British Red Cross shows that you are most likely to use your first aid
skills on a relative or a friend.
Wouldn’t you want to help a friend who was choking or help a relative
who had burned themselves? It’s quick
and easy to learn and having first aid skills can make a real difference.
How do you find a way to learn first
aid?
You
can learn online at redcross.org.uk/firstaid. If you’re a new parent
visit childrenfirstaid@redcross.org.uk which focuses on first
aid for babies and children.
To
find your nearest course go to the British Red Cross website at http://www.redcross.org.uk/firstaid
or call 0844 871 8000
What will a course cover?
You
can choose what you want to learn and how long you want to take.
The
British Red Cross offers a whole range of courses throughout the UK.
SHOPPING LIST
Here's a shopping list for a basic
first aid kit:
VIDEO GUIDES
Alcohol
free wipes and adhesive dressing
NHS
Choices 2011