How to pack a first aid kit
Posted by DS Medical on 16th Aug 2022
First aid kits are one of the most important medical supplies to have to hand. They prepare you for dealing with minor accidents and injuries at a moments notice, ensuring that you’re not caught without the right medical supplies to help you and your family. Keep your first aid kit locked and in a cool, dry place – and make sure that young children aren’t able to reach it!
To ensure you are always prepared make sure that you keep a first aid kit at home, in the car, at work, and even create a kit for taking on holiday with you. Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start packing your kit, we’ve got some advice about how to pack a first aid kit in this post!
A Basic First Aid Kit
Your basic first aid kit should contain the following essential supplies:
- plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes
- sterile gauze dressings in different sizes
- two or more sterile eye dressings
- triangular bandages
- crepe rolled bandages
- safety pins
- disposable sterile gloves
- tweezers
- scissors
- alcohol-free cleansing wipes
- sticky tape
- thermometer (preferably digital)
- eye wash and eye bath
For your home and family first aid kit, you may also consider adding:
- skin rash cream – such as hydrocortisone or calendula
- cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
- antiseptic cream
- medication such as paracetamol, aspirin, or ibuprofen ensuing you adhere to the instructions
- cough medicine
- antihistamine tablets
- distilled water for cleaning wounds
- suntan cream
Remember that if you’re packing a first aid kit that can be used on the whole family, you’ll need to include children’s versions of the above if applicable, including baby and children’s pain relievers, any prescribed medications, a syringe or medicine cup for administering medications, and baby wipes.
We also strongly recommend that you keep a St John Ambulance first aid manual or first aid leaflet with each of your first aid kits so you have all the correct advice to hand.
First Aid Kits for the Car
The same kit can be kept in your car – we would suggest adding a couple of extra items that you may need to access while on the move including:
- emergency blanket
- water
- a torch
- emergency mobile phone & charger
- a high visibility jacket
Store the first aid kit in the glove compartment if it will fit, or in the boot of your car. Always ensure that this kit is kept in a plastic first aid box to keep it dry.
First Aid Kits for Travel
If you’re planning a trip in the UK or abroad, there are a few essential adjustments to your first aid kit to ensure that you’re prepared for different climates and conditions. We recommend that in addition to the basic first aid kit, you add the following items:
- sunburn treatment
- sunscreen (this should have a four-star UVA protection and a minimum of SPF15)
- insect repellent
- insect bite treatment
- anti-diarrhoea medication
- rehydration sachets
- anti-malaria medication (please contact your local pharmacy for guidance)
- mosquito net
- water purification tablets water purification system
First Aid Kits from DS Medical
If you’re not confident in packing your own first aid kit, we stock a number of ready-made first aid kits suitable for use in the home, workplace or storing in the car. Our first aid kits range in size from small through to large and vary by use including workplace, catering, childcare, sports, travel, outdoors and more specialist kits for managing severe trauma. Choose from pre-packed first aid kits that are supplied in their own plastic or fabric container, or choose refill first aid packs to re-stock all your first aid kit essentials.
Browse our comprehensive First Aid department at DS Medical for all your first aid kit supplies, whether you’re packing your own first aid kit or looking to buy a premade kit. Read our blog for more information about storing your medical supplies at home or browse our Education Zone for more first aid related resources.
