The materials necessary for first aid are kept together in a first aid kit or some other suitable container. These kits should be kept in the work place, in home, sports and leisure facilities and vehicles.
The contents of the kit at workplace and leisure center must conform to the legal requirements. You may add things to your kit at home depending on your requirements. The kit should be clearly marked and easily accessible. It should be kept in a cool and dry place. It should be checked and replenished regularly, so that all required items are always ready to use.
Contents of a first aid kit are shown in the following table. These may vary according to the duties performed, rules of the organisation and special needs for the occasion.
FIRST AID KIT
Item Quantity – (Number)
For assessment purposes
Flashlight – 1
Thermometer – 1
Tongue spatula -1
Blood pressure instrument -1
Gloves, rubber -1
Writing pad and pen -1
For treatment purposes
Bandage, triangular – 2
Bandages, assorted sizes – 6
Gauze pads, sterile – 6
Sticking plaster roll – 1
Cotton wool packet – 1
Swab sticks – 6
Eye pads – 2
Safety pins – 12
Eye pads – 2
Light plywood splints – 2
Screw capped bottles, wide mouthed – 2
Urethral catheter – 6
Gastric lavage tube – 2
Intravenous drip set – 2
Hypodermic syringe, – 2 ml 1
Hypodermic syringe, – 5 ml 1
Injection needles No. 22, 24 2
File for cutting ampoules – 2
Scalpel – 2
Pocket knife – 1
Scissors, blunt and sharp tipped – 1 each
Artery forceps – 1
Toothed forceps – 1
Dextrose 5% solution for intravenous use – 2
Oral rehydration therapy pack – 1
Tetanus toxoid ampoule – 2
Adrenalin injection 1 : 1000 ampoule – 1
Atropine injection ampoule – 1
Antihistaminic tablets packet – 2
Antispasmodic tablets packet – 2
Paracetamol tablets packet – 1
Antiasthma tablets packet – 1
Antacid tablets packet – 1
Medications for external use
Methylated spirit bottle – 1
Tincture of iodine bottle – 1
Tincture of benzoin bottle – 1
Lignocaine 2% tube – 1
Eye drops bottle – 1