First Aid Kit Essentials
February 15th, 2008It’s 8 p.m. when my five-year-old daughter, Jillian, spikes a fever of 103 degrees. Her cheeks are flushed pink, and her eyes are glassy pools. Rinsing off the thermometer, I realize I’m not prepared for this. Luckily the friends we’ve invited over for dinner haven’t yet left their cabin. Quickly I dial Jean, an ex-emergency room nurse’s cell phone to see if she has any Tylenol, fortunately she does. Arriving at our doorstep with emergency kit in tow, I’m given a lesson from an expert on First Aid Essentials 101.
Cottages are often miles away from the nearest town. Getting to a drug store is one thing, it being open is another. A well stocked first aid kit will not only save time and money, it could also save a life.
Jean’s kit has several versions depending on the season. There is a mini one for mountain biking and hiking in addition to the main kit. Here are the staple items that no first aid kit should be without.
First Aid Kit Essentials
- Children and Adult Motrin or Advil (pain, fever and inflammation)
- Gravel (liquid and suppositories)
- Benedryl (antihistamine)
- Assorted band aids including: liquid and teflon band aids
- Claretin Tablets
- Kaopectate
- Thermometer
- Nail clippers
- Small scissors
- Rubber gloves
- Lifesavers or gum for distraction - a child can’t cry with a candy in their mouth
- Saline with no preservatives to rinse wounds (Jean loads a squirt gun with it and uses it to flush out wounds)
- Baush & Lomb’s eye wash kit -make sure it contains an eye cup
- Preparation H - cream not the ointment - anti-inflammatory that relieves swelling
- Sliver Kit: Tweezers, needle, magnifying glass, orajel (topical antiseptic)
- Ice packs
Since that night, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of a good first aid kit. Our little green rubbermaid kit goes with us everywhere. Ironically last weekend, I left it behind. The folks we were staying with were both doctors. ‘They’ll be well prepared,’ I thought. When their little guy spiked a fever at 9:30 at night, off to town they went in search of a drug store.
Cheers,
Julie
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February 15th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Your first aid kit sounds appropriate for taking your daughter to a cabin and if you’re mostly just staying indoors - and maybe if you’re doing just some light hiking. Seems heavy on the medication side and light on the bandages and pads. I’d pack triangular bandages and larger gauze pads if the family is heading into the wilderness or engaging in any activities where a broken bone, or cut with major bleeding could occur.
February 16th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Thanks Henry,
We have the larger gauze pads, I forgot to mention them.
Cheers,
Julie
February 18th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
The cottage is also a long way away from the fire dept. Noray would like to read an article on fire safety at the lake. Particularily with hot coals after this weekend. The good news is the neighbors put the fire out before we lost the house.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:11 am
The orajel is used as a light topical anaesthetic. I also have polysporin in my main kit.
June 16th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Rayure verre…
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