When accidents and injuries occur, it is important that first aid kits are always within reach. Injuries can happen anywhere, and the bad news is that some of them can be life-threatening. To effectively administer first aid to a person who has just been injured, it is necessary to pre-plan the variety, quality and quantity of medical supplies in the first aid kit.
A standard first aid kit, in its most basic form, comprises supplies such as adhesive bandages, gauze, ice packs, scissors and tweezers, adhesive tape, alcohol wipes and gloves, antibacterial/antibiotic ointments, etc. This kit can be kept at home or in the car. Often, this is not enough and a more complete first aid kit is needed. This is where first aid kits come into play.
While some people prefer to buy supplies separately and then assemble them into a first aid kit, a ready-to-use first aid kit is a much smarter and more cost-effective alternative to assembling a first aid kit. A first aid kit with first aid supplies should be kept on hand at home, in the car, in the office, on the playground and in the purse (especially when travelling).
Depending on the purpose of use, first aid kits can consist of a wide variety of supplies. Always remember that not just any first aid kit will do. It is imperative to purchase kits that meet or exceed ANSI or OSHA codes.
First Aid Kit Usage and Attributes
Medical first aid kits can be purchased as standard units or can be customized to specific requirements. These kits are more comprehensive, comprising a range of supplies for a variety of emergencies ranging from contusions to sprains to a stroke to a fatigue-related fainting spell. They may contain CPR face shields and AEDs.
These are some of the attributes of first aid kits:
These kits are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Today, a first aid kit can be purchased for virtually any specific purpose. Examples of first aid kits include professional first aid kits, waterproof kits for harsh environments/disasters, fanny packs, soft bags with emergency first aid supply displays, and even kits intended to stop severe bleeding.
The biggest advantage of purchasing these kits from a reputable supplier is that you can be confident in the quality of the first aid supplies contained in the kit. For example, if you are purchasing first aid and critical trauma kits from FASO, they must meet or exceed OSHA and ANSI Z308.1-2009 standards.
Importance of kits with bloodborne pathogen supplies
When it comes to cleaning up or disposing of body fluids such as blood, vomit, urine and used needles, extreme precautions must be taken. That’s why a first aid kit containing access to bloodborne pathogen supplies (such as clean-up kits, fluid control solidifiers and biohazard bags) has become an indispensable part of medical emergencies.
