Sharon has 21+ years of experience as a qualified Emergency Care Nurse registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) and 12+ years as a First Aid Trainer.
She takes pride in FirstAidPro making first aid training available, comprehensive and affordable to everybody.
Having an at-home stocked first aid kit alleviates panic during emergencies, ensuring preparedness for any emergency first aid situation.
You can either purchase one from a store that’s fully loaded and ready to go, or you can purchase the individual supplies yourself to build your very own first aid kits – that way you know exactly what’s in it.
If you choose to buy a first aid kit, or multiple first aid kits from the store, take the time to familiarise yourself with the medical supplies that come in the first aid kit.
A basic first aid kit comes with all the essential supplies for emergencies, to name a few;
- Dressing pads
- Triangular bandages
- Crepe bandages
- Tools
- Equipment and ointments
However, depending on the first aid kit that is needed, you may need to add a few more medical supplies to meet specific needs and optimise its functionality, like defibrillators.
With any severe emergency, remember to follow DRSABCD and dial 000 to ensure emergency response is on the way to assist you.
Are all first aid kits stocked with the same medical supplies?
First aid kits are not packed with the same medical supplies and can differ based on their intended use. For example, a first aid kit for a camping trip in the outback of Australia should contain unique items compared to one for an everyday city living household family. The basic contents of a first aid kit may include adhesive dressing strips, gauze dressings, triangular bandages, saline solution, scissors, tweezers and a first aid booklet.
Getting your first aid kits prepared for all scenarios
If you’re an outdoorsy family, a well-prepared soccer mom, in charge of your workplace first aid kits or just ensuring that you are prepared for a first aid emergency at home, there is a first aid kit for you.
Customising a first aid kit for a particular purpose involves evaluating the potential risks and difficulties related to the planned activities. Here are the general steps for tailoring a planned first aid kit:
Evaluate the Risks
Determine the specific activities the kit will serve and anticipate potential injuries or emergencies associated with those activities.
Outdoor experience
A well-equipped first aid kit means you have planned for most eventualities like spider or snake bites, broken arms, legs or spinal injuries.
Whether it’s a brief outing to the beach, make sure that you evaluate the potential risks that lurk on the beach like stepping on broken glass, sustaining injuries from slipping off a rock, being pummeled by a strong wave or being stung by a bluebottle.
If you’re planning a caravan trip to explore Australia’s diverse sights and staying overnight at caravan parks, preparing for potential emergencies is crucial. You might unknowingly enter areas known for snakes, increasing the risk of a snake bite, or encounter situations such as spider bites or wildlife encounters while in the wild. Unforeseen events can occur, so ensuring proper organisation for any outdoor adventure involves packing a well-equipped first aid kit with essential resources before hitting the road.
At home readily available first aid kits
Ensuring the safety of your family, especially kids, is paramount during emergencies. A well-stocked first aid kit is an indispensable resource for any household, containing essential first aid supplies tailored to address potential emergencies that can occur at home. These kits offer immediate care and assistance in case of unforeseen mishaps or injuries, providing peace of mind to parents and caregivers. Whether it’s a scraped knee, a minor burn, or more severe bleeding, having a comprehensive first aid kit readily available can make a significant difference in swiftly addressing and managing the situation until professional help arrives.
Workplace first aid kits
Employers are required to evaluate their workplace’s distinct requirements and guarantee the availability of supplies to manage potential injuries and emergencies. The contents of the first aid kits should be augmented according to the specific conditions present in the work environment as necessary.
Basic first aid equipment will remain the same, however depending on if you are office-based, working on a construction site, on a boat, or fishing, the first aid kit requirements will differ.
Research, Choose Suitable Supplies and Assemble the first aid kits
Based on the identified risks, research and select the items to manage potential injuries and emergencies.
Outdoor Adventures
Hiking/Camping
Potential for sprains, spider bites, snake bites or blisters. Items like ankle braces, insect repellent, blister pads and a snakebite kit could be essential.
Boating or fishing
Supplies, such as waterproof plasters, motion sickness tablets, tweezers and a marine first aid manual, could be necessary.
At Home
Kitchen
Burns or cuts while cooking. Adequate products might include burn cream, sterile gauze pads and kitchen shears for cutting bandages.
Backyard/Gardening
Minor cuts or scrapes from gardening tools. Items like adhesive bandages, antiseptic solutions and tweezers for removing splinters could be beneficial.
Workplace Sites
Construction Site
Heavy machinery accidents might occur. Supplies like trauma dressings, tourniquets and eye wash stations could be essential.
Office Environment
Minor injuries like cuts or burns are common. Supplies, such as adhesive bandages, burn gel, and antiseptic wipes, would be appropriate.
Restaurant or Kitchen
Burns and cuts while handling equipment. Necessary items could include burn dressings, fingertip bandages and disposable gloves.
Once all the items are known, put together the customised first aid kit. This could involve adding specific items to a pre-made kit or creating a kit from scratch.
Regularly Review and Update
Ensure periodic reviews of the first aid kit’s contents and replace items that were used or past their use-by date to maintain its effectiveness. Keep in mind that essential first aid kit items do have an expiry date, so it’s important to replace the items that have expired.
Beyond the well-prepared first aid kits, taking a first aid course will well prepare you to handle most medical emergencies
Being First Aid Response Ready
There is more to just having a well-organised first aid kit ready for any adventure and that is also being first aid ready.
To get first aid ready and have your certificate issued the same day, take a HLTAID011 Provide First Aid through First Aid Pro, a nationally accredited and recognised training provider, providing first aid training Australia-wide.
