Emergency Supplies Blog

When we talk about first aid kit the first thing that comes into our mind is the collection of supplies that are used to give emergency support. A first aid kit differs in its contents depending on the purpose of its use. The more advanced version of a first aid kit used by the emergency responders is called a trauma kit. Trauma kits generally contain advanced emergency support materials such as supplies to control bleeding, breathing barriers for performing CPR and should also contain some medicines.

All kits are assembled in different types of containers depending on whether they are commercially produced or assembled by an individual. The advanced first aid kits often come in durable plastic boxes, thick fabric pouches or even in wall mounted cabinets. Both natural and man made disaster leave physical injury and emotional distress. Some accidents often make us feel guilty when we realize that the disaster could not have been as destructive if the emergency supplies would have been available. This is why first aid kits and trauma kits with complete emergency supplies should be made accessible.

A first aid kit is a means of providing initial care to certain self controlled illness or injuries where advanced medical care may not always be required. The trauma kits on the other hand are more advanced medical kits, also called as trauma bags or a first responder bag. Deciding on what kind of first aid kit would be appropriate for your needs might be confusing. The selection of kits should depend on the purpose of use.

Here’s a list of different types of first aid kits to determine what types would best be used depending on circumstances:

Traditional: commonly available in kit style in the market. These are the best first responders usually kept in home or at work centers. - Unitized First Aid Kits: especially to be carried on boats, in tool boxes, at job sites, buses and swimming pools. The contents kept in this type of box are categorized into first aid and trauma aid elements. Unitized kits are great to be used in messy or wet regions.

Dispensing: these are small cabinet kits mounted on walls. The contents are well packed in special boxes with perforations the top. It usually holds a large number of items compared to most other kits.

First Responder: these are not necessarily meant for medical experts. The content to be kept in these types of kits depends on the intended use of it. The first responder first aid kits are custom made to be carried quickly to the wounded.

Specialized - Custom Kits: first aid kits are often available with various emergency supplies all made to fit a unique situation. First aid kits and trauma kits require efficiency and knowledge about the casualty that may arise and should contain a first aid book or you may need to add one.

Purchasing first aid kits and trauma kits online with emergency preparedness supplies companies is easy nowadays and just a few clicks away. 

 Sometimes in our life we face certain unusual or emergency situations or accidents for which we are generally not prepared. In today’s fast paced life, most of us use cars for traveling. In the rush of reaching our destinations we often make the mistake of avoiding important safety measures, the result of which can be disastrous road accidents.  A road accident may happen due to a vehicle colliding with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or with geographical or architectural obstacles. Most of these accidents result in injury, property damage and sometimes even death. Though a well designed and well managed vehicle with good brakes, tires and well adjusted suspension is always easier to control in an emergency situation, keeping emergency supplies within easy reach is highly advisable.

The absence of proper auto emergency kits and first aid kits in cars can prove very costly. Accident survivors may succumb to death in the absence of emergency medical care or first aid. Many accident victims have come out as survivors of automobile accidents as they had disaster kits in their cars. Statistical records show that motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading preventable causes of death in the United States. Since accidents do not come with a warning, acquainting yourself with proper first aid supplies in your car can save you in life risk situations.

What all should you have in your auto emergency kit? When it comes to long distance travel, a road emergency kit should be selected based on the road conditions, distance of the journey, the environment, weather as well as the traffic conditions on the road. Keep these factors in mind while deciding what should be there in your kit and what can be left behind. Some of the basic items to help you get back on the road quickly and safely include the following.

Since tire bursts or slow leaks are a common cause of accidents, carrying a 12 Volt tire pump or an aerosol tire inflator is necessary.

A car battery charger or simple jumper cables that you can use to start the car if it has failed without warning. It works wonders if charged fully.

Duct tape and wire to fix windows or pipes are other important items to carry in your automobile emergency kit.

A fire extinguisher.

A flash light if you are driving at night or have to cover a long distance that might include night-time driving.

If it is winter, carry ice scrapers, solar blankets, and heating sticks to keep you warm.

If you are stranded in your car a few food bars and some water will be needed.

Your auto emergency kit should have a sharp pocket knife to cut seat belts and duct tapes if required.

The basic first aid supplies are cotton balls, plastic bandages, more wet naps, large gauze, and rubber gloves are a must.

Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes for disinfection.

Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

Adhesive bandages, sterile dressings and surgical tapes.

Eye-cleansing solutions and burn ointment.

Over-the-counter medicines such as pain relievers and anti-diarrhea medications.

All of these will help accident victims to survive a crash before the paramedics and other rescue services arrive.

Last but not the least is an injury-information card that describes the symptoms, treatment, the cognitive rehabilitation and the recovery from any mishap prior to getting professional help.

By now you must have an idea that how important it is to carry an automobile emergency kit in your car before stepping out of home. After all, your safety is in your hands. So, what are you waiting for? Just order for emergency car kit and enjoy a safe and peaceful journey.

Whether it’s an earthquake, fire, flood, or other natural disaster, it’s important to be prepared if things go bad.  Keeping extra water, food, and medical supplies on hand is always a good idea.  You should have at least two first aid kits or medical supply boxes.  We suggest one in your car and one in your house at all times.  It’s hard to prepare for a disaster, after all, you can’t know all the minute details until the disaster is upon you.  But it’s a good idea to have your supplies readily accessible and/or even have extra supplies outside your home, like in your car.  You should also set a meeting point with family and friends.

If you prepare for an emergency or disaster beforehand, you will be much calmer and able to address the situation should the unthinkable occur.  Being prepared is not just about having the right planning and supplies, it’s about abstaining from fear.

What is in your first aid kit?  The Red Cross suggests keeping a first aid kit in your home and another in your car.  There are a lot of first aid kits available today.  You probable do not have to buy a first aid kit if you would rather make your own.  Here is my recommended list of items that should cover 90% of basic care.  You can also add items you feel are important.

Bandages & Medical Supplies:  Two 4 by 6 absorbent compression dressings, 30 adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, one large roll of cloth tape, an assortment of gause pads, and an assortment of roller bandages, 10 packets of antibotic ointment, 2 packets of hydrocortisone ointment for bee stings and rashes, and aspirin. 

Protective Gear: A breathing barrier with a one way valve and some latex gloves.

Additional Supplies:  a couple of space blankets, scissors, tweezer, a first aid book, an oral thermometer, and a list of emergency phone numbers.

Accidents can happen at any time to anybody, and the family that’s determined to be as safe as possible will acknowledge this possibility. If you want to make sure that your family has access to at least basic medical aid, make sure that you choose a first aid kit for your family. Sort through all the first aid kits at the store to ensure that you’re picking the one that’s right for your family. If you find that it’s lacking something, purchase the missing elements and make sure that they fit within the first aid kit. In this way, all the emergency medical supplies are together in one place.

The first thing to do with a first aid kit is make sure that everyone in the family knows exactly how to use all the elements within the kit. They aren’t of much use, after all, if no one can actually identify or use the products within it. The other important thing is that you check the kit every month to ensure it’s still fully stocked. Minor things like Band-Aids are sure to get used first, and a kit can quickly run out of these items.

Triage is defined as the act of prioritizing patient according to the severity of their injuries. The idea behind a triage system is that it allows the medical personnel to treat as many patients as possible in situations where treating them is difficult due to situation, terrain, or shortage of medical personnel. Triage kits and their use are an essential part of the success of any triage operation.  You will want to obtain a basic triage kit to set up your operation.

A triage kit contains a number of items essential to any rescue and medical situation. Safety vests and colored tape to designate the different levels of severity of injury are just scratching the surface of triage kits and the use. The levels of a triage unit are generally minor, delayed, immediate and morgue/deceased. Those defined as having minor injuries obviously don’t need urgent help. Patients who are diagnosed as delayed can wait for transport to a hospital. Those diagnosed as immediate are taken to hospitals right away. For those morgue patients, body bags will be needed. Also included in a triage kit are a book on setting up your triage unit and how to perform common operations.

You will also want to obtain the tools necessary for quick and efficient CPR as well as a portable stretcher or two or three for easy and quick evacuation of the most seriously injured patients. Triage kits and their use are something most of us hope never to need. But imagine the moment arises that your community needs to set up an emergency triage unit and you’re able to help. Nothing will feel more fulfilling in that situation. Being able to contribute supplies such as your trauma kit or solar blankets to keep the patients warm in the field operation will be invaluable to your community in its time of need. 

In most cases of natural disaster situations such as earthquakes, non medical personal will find themselves involved in a type of triage known as S.T.A.R.T. which stands for simple triage and rapid treatment. This is simply designed to identify the injuries quickly and get the most seriously injured to hospitals for full care as soon as possible. That’s why it is important for volunteers to know the ins and outs using a triage kit.

Medical first aid kits and supplies are indispensable in times of emergencies. This collection of supplies allows you to take immediate action against injuries that can happen anytime. And because you can never know when an emergency can happen, it is always a good idea to keep separate first aid supplies in your home, car and office. As a matter of fact, it is more prudent to have separate kits in each major section or room in your home. This way, you can always reach for medical first aid kits in a snap.

Your medical first aid kits and supplies should not be too small like a matchbox or too big like your garage. While there is no hard-and-fast rule about how big your first aid kits should be, you must make sure that your emergency medical set can contain all the essential items for first aid treatment. Also, take into consideration the weight of your first aid kit. It is better to have a lighter box than a heavier one because you will definitely need to carry it to many areas, not just inside your home, but also in other places where there is an emergency. Nevertheless, the type of container for your first aid supply can be varied according to your needs. You can use a re-sealable plastic bag or even a clean toolbox for your supplies.

Medical first aid kits and supplies should be placed in good open location, meaning, your kits can be easily seen by anyone inside your home. If you have kids, make sure that they understand the importance and the uses of having first aid kits. You will never know when you will rely on your kids to respond to emergencies, especially those that involve you, so you might as well teach them early on. Furthermore, if you can not afford to have multiple first aid supplies, you can just invest on one medical first aid kit and place it somewhere in the central area of your home such that you can see it and grab it from wherever you are coming from.

Medical first aid kits and supplies basically include bandages, adhesive tapes, cotton balls, clinical gloves, anti-bacterial solutions and eye goggles too.  See First Aid Supplies on our web site and you will notice that the main components of good medical first aid kits include items that protect not just the injured but the respondent as well. Above all, make sure that your first aid supplies are of good quality. You can get your kits and supplies from reputable drugstores and online, or you can assemble them yourself.

Things you should have in a good first aid kit:

• Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex).
• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
• Burn ointment to prevent infection.
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant.
• Thermometer (Read more: Biological Threat)
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

Things that may be good to have:

• Cell Phone
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Non-prescription drugs:
• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• Laxative

Finding a comprehensive emergency kit and first aid kits aren’t too difficult to find and, in fact, there are sites that specialize in these specifically.  The key thing is to add to the first aid kits and make sure they are as well stocked as possible. 

Great suggestion on adding in the Ipecac for poisoning.  I am a EMT.  So you know I have more to add.  Besides the basics you could also add more Ace bandages, for sprains, etc…; antibotic ointment and/or Antiseptic wipes will be used on just about everything; a birting kit; a blanket blood presure unit burn gel, draws the heat out; burn ontiment; butterfly stiches; calamine lotion; eye dropper; eye wash kit; flashlight face mask; insect/snake bite kit; cold packs; heat packs; magnifing lens; smelling salt; sponge sterile pads; stethescope; tourniquet; tounge depressor, and a tweezer.    

Really I am more impressed just to see that people have a first aid kit in their homes and in their cars and then leave the more serious work to the professionals.  That really is the ideal situation. 

An emergency response team is an invaluable service that should be present in every community. Paramedics, firefighters, and even police officers have knowledge on how to deal with emergency situations. This will ensure that the first person on hand in time of a crisis will be able to deal with the situation efficiently.

More than just ordinary first-aid kits, emergency response teams need trauma kits on their list of equipment. These contain special gadgets and medicines to help them deal with emergency situations. Training should be provided on how to use these kits, and the proper way to assess any situation they encounter.