Having a working knowledge of basic first-aid treatment and light rescue skills is extremely important following a major disaster when hospitals are overloaded and emergency medical services may be delayed. Often, life or death is in the hands of the nearest person, which could be family members, friends or neighbors. Having a well-stocked first-aid kit as part of 72-hour kit supplies can help increase confidence and well-being during an emergency.
First aid is the immediate care you give to someone who is injured or who has become suddenly ill. It includes medical help, words or encouragement, showing willingness to help, and showing confidence through your competence.
Keep your first-aid skills up to date. All family members should know the basics: opening airways, CPR, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, how to stop severe bleeding, how to treat choking, etc. Classes are offered through the Red Cross. A great way to teach your family is by incorporating 1st aid into your Family Home Evenings. (Using a first aid book or even the Boy Scout Book, Let the kids take a turn becoming an expert in an area and teach the family a new skill each week).
Also, don’t forget to keep up to date on Tetanus and booster shots.
Your First-Aid Kit
You can either put together your own first aid kit or purchase kits. I personally find it most economical to buy a good kit, go through it thoroughly, and buy any extra items that are lacking or that our family particularly needs.
Whether buying or assembling your own kits, be sure that you consider the following tips:
The kit should be appropriate to the place where it is going to be used. For example, keep a large, well-stocked first-aid kit in your home and smaller, portable kits in each car near your other 72 hour kits supplies. Every family member should have some very basic first-aid supplies in their individual 72-hour Emergency Kits (placed so that the First Aid Kit can be accessed very quickly).
Contents should be wrapped, sealed, etc. so that unused portions don’t become dirty when handled.
Fit the kit to specific family needs – such as supplies recommended by a doctor. Remember items for persons with special needs, such as diabetics, invalids, handicapped, elderly, infants and those with chronic illnesses.
Kits should be based on level of training of family members. Only include in your kit items you are familiar with and know how to use properly. As you receive more training, you can upgrade your kit.
Make sure all family members know where the medical supplies are kept and how to get to them quickly.
Rotate items that degrade over time, and keep your first-aid kit freshly stocked.
All liquids should be enclosed in a re-closable plastic bag, to contain any leakage that may occur from breakage or freezing.
Place in your kit a list of current medications for each family member, including dosage, and any allergies they may have. Also list style and serial numbers of medical devices (such as pacemakers). (Life-support systems should have an alternative power source readily available and in quantity to withstand the absence of electricity for an extended period of time. They should also be portable in case of an evacuation).
Include a list of doctors and relatives or friends so that they can be notified if an injury or illness occurs.
Priorities when Helping an Injured Person
Rescue the victim from life-threatening danger, if necessary.
Send someone to seek medical help, if the injury or illness is serious.
Restore or maintain breathing and heartbeat using mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or CPR (which is now recommended in most cases).
Control heavy bleeding by applying a clean compress and firm, direct pressure to the wound.
Treat poisoning as directed by the Poison Control Center. Save any container, and try to identify the poison before calling the center.
Prevent shock by helping the victim lie down and by maintaining body temperature.
Examine the victim for other injuries.
Seek medical help. Call 911, if not done previously. Arrange follow-up medical care.
Keep checking the victim’s breathing and pulse. Don’t leave until medical help arrives.
When to Call a Paramedic
Call 911 when a medical problem threatens a person’s life: Heart Attack symptoms (intense pressure, squeezing in center of chest, nausea), serious injury, uncontrolled bleeding, shock (fainting, unconsciousness, inappropriate behavior), spinal injuries, major burns, loss of consciousness, and breathing difficulties.
Should Death Occur
Call paramedic to verify presence or absence of vital life signs.
Call the doctor if the deceased was under the care of a physician.
Notify local police department for an official report of the death.
Select a mortician to make all the necessary additional arrangements.
In a large-scale disaster, many deaths may occur. The coroner advises that after taking a photo to document conditions, bodies should be wrapped in clean sheets or plastic and set in a cool place. Authorities should be notified as soon as possible.
First Aid Kit Supplies
(Fit the list to your family’s needs, type of kit, and your level of expertise; Make sure there is a label identifying your first-aid kit – such as with a red “cross”)
Consecrated Oil
Airway or Breathing Items
CPR Mask Recue breather with One-way Valve (clear, flexible barrier); also available as a pocket or key chain or single use CPR mask.
Plastic vomiting basin or several disposable “Airsick Bags” (from commercial airlines) or even gallon ziplock bags.
Sterile Bulb Aspirator (2-3 oz size) – to extract blood & secretions from back of throat & nostrils.
Supplies for Dressing Wounds
Adhesive Tape (1-3” widths) – lots of kinds available including hypoallergenic
Sterile Dressings (gauze in sealed paper packages) for dressing cuts, burns and lacerations, and as an aid to control bleeding – Sizes 2x2”, 4x4”, 6x6”
Burn-Free Sterile Dressings – soft, open-cell foam, saturated with a gel formula to cool.
Cotton Absorbent “Post-Op” Sponges for controlling bleeding & dressing cuts, burns & lacerations
Absorbent Cotton (1 oz rolled, boxed, sterile) – not for open flesh wounds
Cotton-tipped Applicators & cotton balls
Non-stick Pads (Assorted sizes) – for dressing wounds like burns; won’t stick to wound.
Maternity, Sanitary pads & even disposable diapers can double as a dressing to help stop serious bleeding and can also be useful to pad splints.
Steri-Strips (3M) – to close open wounds such as lacerations until wound can be stitched.
Butterfly Sutures – to hold edges of wounds together
Superglue
Universal Dressings (various sizes) – for controlling bleeding from severe or large wounds; also useful to pad splints.
Abdominal Pads (9x5”) to control serious bleeding from wounds
Elastic Knuckle Bandages & Fingertip Bandages
Patient Bite Sponges – for bleeding in mouth or teeth area
Gauze Self-adhering Roller Bandages (1”, 2”, 3” & 6” widths, 5-10 yds long; boxed, sterile) – to help cover wounds and hold dressings in place.
Elastic Bandages with Clips (2”,3” & 4” widths, such as Ace wraps) used as support for twists and sprains, and to help hold dressings in place
Flexible Conforming Gauze (various widths) – help cover wounds and hold dressings in place.
Plain Absorbent Gauze Pads (18x18” and 24x72”, folded smaller) – for covering and dressing large wounds
Eye Pads (oval-shaped, gauze covered cotton pads) – to cover injured eyes
Adhesive Dressings (Band-aids in various sizes) – for dressing small, minor cuts.
Tourniquet & Constriction Bands (rubber, Velcro, surgical tubing) – to control serious bleeding due to amputation injuries
Moleskin – for blister protection on hands and feet
Cleansing and Antiseptic Items
Hand Sanitizer
Antibacterial Soap Bar (small bar)
Alcohol Preparation Pads – for sanitizing skin (not for open wounds)
Betadine Preparation Pads – Antiseptic for minor wounds
Antibiotic Ointment
Moistened Towelettes – for cleaning hands, minor wounds
Antiseptic Solution
Small container of sterile liquid soap for cleaning wounds, such as Phisoderm
Rubbing Alcohol (70%) – General antiseptic for cleaning wounds, sterilizing, cooling the skin, sanitizing the skin surface for invasive procedures, treating poison ivy, etc. Also helps relieve minor muscular aches and pains due to overexertion or fatigue.
250 cc bottles of Sterile Water – for wound irrigation & cleansing & cooling burns
Normal Saline Solution in Plastic Bottle – for eyes
Hydrogen Peroxide – Helps prevent infection when used to cleanse minor cuts, clean burns, or abrasions.
Latex Sterile gloves (several pairs) – to prevent further contamination of wounds when caring for others and to help protect the care-giver from infectious diseases.
NOTE: Bandages can be made from a white undershirt, handkerchiefs, or other cotton clothing in an emergency where ready-made materials are not available; (Cotton balls slathered with Antibiotic Ointment in a ziplock bag can be used for wounds and double as fire starters)
Supplies for Splinting Fractures
Triangular Bandages (muslin) with safety pins – arm slings, bandaging, holding splints in place, etc.
Splints (for arms & legs) – padded boards, cardboard, plastic, inflatable, ladder, etc.
Sterile Tongue Blades – to check for sore throat and to splint broken fingers.
Cervical Collars: foam or plastic with Velcro (small, med. & large sizes) – to immobilize the neck.
NOTE: Splints can be made from pillows, boards, ski poles, umbrellas, or rolled up newspapers and magazines. They can be secured with belts. Crutches can be fashioned from forked sticks if nothing better is available.
Tools, Kits, and Protective Gear
Bandage scissors – for cutting bandages, moleskin, gauze, tape, etc.
EMT/Paramedic Snips – for cutting through heavy clothing, seat-belts, light metal, etc. during rescue.
Blood Pressure apparatus
Chemical Light Sticks – to light up area where first-aid or rescue is needed, especially around areas where explosive gas vapors may be present.
Cotton or Wool blankets – to cover first-aid victims
Dust or Filter Masks – to reduce spread of germs & decrease intake of dust during rescue operations.
Folded White Sheet – to cover injured victims, or to make slings, bandages, etc.
Gloves (heavy-duty leather)
Hearing Protectors (foam or silicone type) – for noise reduction
Heavy Rope – for rescue purposes
Mylar Emergency Blanket – to treat shock, and to cover injured individuals
Sterile Needle – Helps in treatment of blisters and in the removal of splinters.
Pillow
Plastic-strip or Digital Thermometer
Pocket Knife (multi-function) – useful in back-woods for improvising splinting materials
Razor blade (single edged)
Safety Flares – to warn oncoming traffic of accident or danger areas
Safety Goggles
Small flashlight or re-usable penlight with extra alkaline batteries
Snake Bite Kit
Splinter tweezers or forceps & small magnifying glass – for getting out splinters
Stethoscope – for checking heartbeat, and for use with blood-pressure apparatus
Tick Removal Kit
Matches
Medications
If possible, work with your doctor and your local pharmacy to obtain at least a 2 week supply of necessary medications to include in your portable first-aid kit or 72 hour kit in addition to your regular home supply. Any patient who depends on a regular medication should ask their doctor to write an extra prescription for an emergency supply. If necessary, it may be advisable to pay for the extra drugs out of pocket for the peace of mind. Keeping prescriptions at chain pharmacies (e.g. “Rite Aid”), may make it easier to get supplies if local pharmacies become limited. National chains keep their information in computer systems that can be accessed in other locations. It is important to ask doctors what steps to take in the event that you don’t have enough medication to last through an emergency. Stopping some medications suddenly can cause major problems. But some medications are alright if some doses are missed.
To build up your personal emergency supply, the American Red Cross suggests asking your doctor if it would be safe to go without one dosage periodically, until an adequate supply has been accumulated. For some medications, such as high cholesterol medications, during an emergency it may be possible to stretch medications out by skipping every other dose or cutting pills in half. But be sure to talk with your doctor and get this information before the emergency comes so that you know what is safe to do.
Be sure that all medicine containers are adequately labeled and that directions for use are kept with each of them. Keep a record of expiration dates, and replace your medications with a fresh supply when the expiration date is reached. Some drugs deteriorate with age and become either ineffective or unsafe to use. (If there is not an expiration date stamped on the bottle, talk to the pharmacist).
Your emergency kit should include a record of original prescriptions (or even a copy of the doctor’s prescription) and printed information on special care for a particular disease. Maintain portable electronic or paper copies of medical records and get a medical identification bracelet for any chronic condition or medication allergy. Patients should also learn what their options would be in the aftermath of any disaster, including where to turn for alternative care, and what to do if something such as flood waters or loss of refrigeration destroys a supply of medication. Each patient needs to think about what they would need to take in their car or in a backpack to properly manage their health if they had to leave their home for two weeks.
Prescription medications including insulin, oxygen, heart medication, high blood-pressure medication, asthma inhaler, etc. Obtain specific information from doctor or pharmacist on how long to store, how often to rotate, etc. If young children are around be sure there are child proof caps on medications.
Antibiotics – used only by those for whom it is prescribed
Pain Relievers – (tablet or liquid form) aspirin, ibuprofen & Tylenol in child & adult strengths.
Allergy Medications – Antihistamines (Tablet or liquid) – such as Benadryl, for congestion, allergic reactions, itching & restlessness; Calamine or Caladryl lotion for non-poisonous insect bites, stings, and skin rashes due to contact with allergy-producing materials such as poison ivy, poison oak, etc.; Epinephrine (adrenaline) Injection Kit for those who have history of severe allergic reactions (such as bee stings).
Cold & Cough Preparations, Cough drops or Throat Lozenges, & Decongestants (tablet, liquid or nasal spray); Homemade nasal decongestant: ¼ tsp salt in 8oz of water. Place 2 drops in each nostril 3 times per day.
Other Medications
Ammonia Inhalant Ampules (smelling salts) – for dizziness and fainting
Antacid Medications or Acid-blockers (tablet or liquid) & Pepto-Bismol Tablets
Anti-Diarrhea Medication (tablet or liquid)
Anti-Fungal Cream (for Athlete’s foot)
Vaginal Yeast Infection cream
Baking Soda in small container for 3rd degree burns and shock & for bee stings
Eye Drops
Eye wash and irrigant (sterile)
Insect Repellent (Baby oil can double as an insect repellent when none is available)
Insect Bite Solution (ointment or spray); (A drop of lemon juice applied to insect bites or stings instantly relieves the irritation)
Laxatives (tablet or liquid)
Medicine Dispensers (plastic spoons, medicine droppers, syringe or 1-oz cups)
Nausea Medication including motion-sickness medicine such as Drammamine.
Oral Electrolyte Solution
Sleep Aid – prescribed or over the counter to help you sleep in a crowded public shelter; also doubles as a decongestant and antihistamine.
Sugar Cubes (individually wrapped in plastic or restaurant sugar pkts) – for insulin shock
Table salt – for delayed treatment of shock & burns & heat cramps and fatigue and to make salt water to gargle with a store throat.
First Aid for Poisoning –
Syrup of Ipecac (2 oz)
activated Charcoal – to bind or absorb ingested poison (use only if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Skin Preparations
Triple-antibiotic Cream, Ointment, or Powder
Zinc Oxide
AloeVera Ointment or Cream – for minor skin injuries & burns
Chapstick
Diaper Ointment or Powder
Petroleum Jelly – protective skin ointment and lubricant
A&D Ointment – healing skin ointment
Hydrocortisone Cream (1.0 %) – relieves itching skin, rashes, and minor skin irritations
Hemorrhoidal Preparations
Medicated Antiseptic/Anesthetic Skin Spray
Sunburn Ointment, cream or Spray
Sunscreen Lotion – at least 45 SPF (the higher the SPF the stronger the protection)
Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion for dry skin
NOTE: To relieve a sunburn or diaper rash, add ¼ cup baking soda and ½ cup cornstarch to a warm (not hot) bath. Also, ½ tsp soda & 1 tsp salt in 1 qt of water replaces body fluids.
Miscellaneous Items
Contact Lenses (spare pair) and Solution
Eye Glasses (spare pair)
Denture supplies, Hearing-aid Batteries and wheel-chair batteries (spares)
Instant Chemical Disposable Cold Pack – for reducing swelling & pain & cooling burns
Instant Chemical Disposable Hot pack – increases blood circulation & helps reduce pain; also for treating hypothermia.
Rubber Ice Bag – to reduce swelling, for burns, and for relief of pain.
Rubber Hot Water Bottle – for pain, warmth, comfort, storing of water, & to put in cold sleeping bag for extra comfort & warmth)
Paper Drinking Cups – to give drinks and to cover eye injuries.
Safety Pins (various sizes)
Small Towel– for drying. Can also be for bandaging, dressing wounds, & controlling bleeding.
Nail clippers; Dental floss or heavy string
Paper towels, facial tissue, toilet tissues & plastic bags to discard used first aid wraps.
Written Materials
Critical Medical Histories
Copy of immunization records
First Aid Manual
Names, Phone numbers, & addresses of physicians, hospitals, paramedics, police and fire departments, poison control center, etc.
Small Notebook and Pencils – to record victim’s medical info. & to send messages
Choking first-aid instructions – on a small card, near top of kit
CPR & Resuscitation Instructions – on small card, near top of kit
GOALS FOR THIS MONTH
Obtain or assemble first aid kits to go with each person’s 72 hour kit as well as for each vehicle. Also upgrade your larger home First aid supplies (your largest kit) as needed.
Obtain a 2 week supply of needed medicines in your portable 72 hour or first aid kit and organize a method to rotate that medicine.
Make copies (or a record) of all prescriptions and a copy of your insurance card (front & back) and place in a ziplock bag in your portable 72 hour or first aid kit.
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