Items in a Complete First Aid Emergency Kit



Emergency Kit
  1. Emergency food ( like bouillon cubes, sugar cubes, etc.)
  2. Matches, waterproofed with nail polish, or candle wax
  3. Compass
  4. Razor blades or a knife
  5. Fishing line (nilon, 25 lb. test)
  6. Fish hooks and lures
  7. 2 to 4 meters of light flexible wire for making snares
  8. Halozone tablets to purify water (optional)
  9. Whistle and mirror
  10. Pencil and paper
  11. Firestarter (like birch bark, lint, cardboard covered in wax, or the store-bought kind) (optional)
  12. A 6 foot length of rope (optional)


A First Aid Kit for Scouts
  1. Triangular bandages
  2. Adhesive bandages
  3. Adhesive tape
  4. Scissors
  5. Safety pins
  6. 4 x 4 sterilized gauze pads
  7. 2" X 2" Gauze pads
  8. Instant Ice Compress (optional)
  9. Elasticised roller bandage (pink)
  10. Crepe roller bandage (lightweight - white)
  11. 2" X 2" Gauze pads
  12. 2" Gauze Bandage
  13. EMT Shears ( the ones that cut everything )
  14. CPR Lifesaver Pack with CPR Lifemask (optional)
  15. Moleskin for blister relief (optional)
  16. Splinter Picker Forceps
  17. Cotton wool
  18. Note-book and pencil (to take notes of patients condition, treatments, etc.)


Group First Aid Kit

The Group First Aid Kit is to be carried in one waterproof container by one person (preferably the groups first aider or leader) in a handy part of the pack. The quantity of the supplies listed in tables 1 to 3 should be adequate for a group of four to eight people for five to six days provided all members have their own personal first aid kit as well.

The kit should weigh approximately 1 kg and occupy a container 20 cm x 18 cm x 10 cm. The kit contents are divided into three categories:

Notice that the first aid stock includes a note-book and pencil, and a current edition of a first aid manual. A list of kit contents and their uses should be attached to the inside of the lid of the kit container.

Table 1. First Aid Stock

Item Quantity, Size and Strength Use
Triangular Bandage Four plus 2 safety pins attached to each Use as a sling, broad or narrow bandage to support injured part or retain a dressing. Use as a pad when folded. A most useful item.
Elasticised roller bandage (pink) 8-10 cm wide with safety pin attached Elasticised bandages for support and/or to control swelling of knee or ankle.
Crepe roller bandage (lightweight - white) One 2.5 cm, one 5 cm and one 8 cm; each with safety pin attached. Crepe bandages retain dressings or support hand, arm, thumb.
Adhesive dressing strip (band-aids) about 24 For minor lacerations.
Prepared wound dressing (gauze pads) 2" x 2", 4" X 4" and 8" x 8" gauze pads, 4 of each Absorbent pad for large lacerations. Effectively controls haemorrhage when applied with an additional firm pad like a triangular bandage. Do not use on open fractures.
Gauze roller bandage One 8 cm To make your own dressings. Cut to size before applying cotton wool as an absorbent pad.
Cotton wool One pkt (or 50 g) continuous in a resealable bag To absorb secretions. Never place directly on any open wound.
Micropore action tape One 5 m roll, 1.25 cm wide. Clear porous, plastic adhesive tape It is hypoallergenic. Use to hold eyepads or light dressings in position. Can tear into strips for butterfly closures. Allows practically painless removal, leaving little or no adhesive residue.
Eye pad Two sterile in sealed plastic bags To properly rest the injured eye; the good eye must also be covered.
Scissors One fine pointed, good quality, sharp, small Cutting gauze, dead skin etc. (not toenails or fingernails.
Tweezers One fine pointed, good quality, sharp, small For removing ticks, splinters, etc.
Needle One sharp, medium size Flame sterilise before use. For pricking blisters, removing splinters, etc. Store in a piece of foam or cotton wool in a small container.
Matches One box in waterproof wrapping For flame sterilising or emergency use
Candle 5 to 8 cm wrapped to prevent wax contamination of other articles Candle burns longer than a match.
Note-book and pencil 1 To record items used and the condition of the patient.
First air manual (current edition) 1 Include inside a list of kit contents and their uses.

Table 2. Substances for Topical Application

Item Quantity, Size and Strength Use
Antiseptic cream One 30 g tube, eg Savlon Savlon is hypoallergenic, it is water soluble and can be washed off.
Eurax cream One 30 g tube For itchy bites, allergy rashes, hives, etc. Check expiry date.
Antiseptic soap One small cake (or 25 ml Phisohex liquid) To wash your hands before attending to patient's eyes or wounds.
Eyewash - Sterile tears Minimum 30 ml, sterile until opened, eg. Eye Stream individual-use droppers are also available, e.g. Minimums eyedrops To wash out small foreign bodies trapped under the eyelids, e.g. dust or smoke particles. Be taught how to apply it safely and correctly. Shelf life is printed on the label. Does not stay sterile once opened.

Table 3. Substances to be Taken Internally

Item Quantity, Size and Strength Use
Pain Killer Tablets (such as Tylenol, Advil, etc.) 24 (foil packed are less likely to be damaged) One or two tablets as directed on package
Note: Many brands of pain relieving tablets are available but not all are safe. Paracetamol is effective for mild pain and it also reduces fever. Soluble paracetamol is easier to take. Aspirin is no longer recommended for first-aid situations. Before giving any medication, always check with the casualty whether the substance is safe for him to take and that he has no history of previous sensitivity or other side-effects.
Antacid Six tablets (such as Mylanta, Tums, etc.) To relieve indigestion and heartburn.



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