|
First aid kits come in a variety of shapes, sizes and types.
Most cases are soft, making them more lightweight and convenient
to pack. However, kits which are designed for home or car use
generally tend to be supplied in a hard case. There are individual,
family, and group kits designed to equip you for basic home and
car needs, or for remote locations and travel. The one you buy
will depend on what space you have available and its purpose.
Well equipped, it is a good idea to take a first aid kit camping
with you. You can buy a pre-packed first aid kit, but there is
nothing in them which you cannot buy yourself separately. This
will also save money.
Ailments which are most likely to occur whilst camping are insect
bites, cuts and grazes, blisters, sunburn, allergic reactions,
strains/sprains and burns. Listed below are ideas for items to
include in your kit:
- FIRST AID MANUAL - a guide to the treatment
of the most common and serious emergencies. Almost everything
in your first-aid kit is designed to ease the pain and speed
the healing, of relatively simple problems, but unless you know
how to use the products, they are useless.
- DISPOSABLE GLOVES - when treating anyone, bleeding
or not, they keep your germs out of the wound and the other
person's germs out of you. Latex gloves are still the best choice.
- THERMOMETER - to monitor an illness and determine
its severity.
- SCISSORS, TWEEZERS and NEEDLE -
use the scissors to alter bandage size, remove splinters with
tweezers and the needle to cut delicately to get at a deeply
embedded splinter.
- ANTIHISTAMINE TABLETS - for the relief of mild
allergic reactions.
- REHYDRATION SALTS - a combination of electrolytes
and sugar, which you mix with water and drink to replenish any
lost body fluids.
- PAIN KILLERS - not only to treat pain, but colds
too, and to bring down a fever. Some are better than others
at reducing inflammation.
- EYE WASH - flush the eye of foreign particles
or liquids. Opt for disposable, individually wrapped sterile
ones.
- PLASTERS - For minor cuts, invest in a small
box of plasters of varying sizes.
- SURGICAL TAPE.
- ANTISEPTIC WIPES - for cleaning wounds or wiping
your hands clean before, and after, treating wounds.
- ANTISEPTIC CREAM.
- FABRIC BANDAGE - cover small wounds after they
have been cleaned.
- SUPPORT BANDAGES - for strains or sprains.
- GAUZE PADS - breathable pads used to cover larger
open wounds. Remember to touch only the edges when you're handling
sterile material. A dab of triple antibiotic ointment on the
wound first helps prevent the gauze from sticking to the wound.
Adhesive tape can also be used on hot spots to prevent blisters.
|
