Health:- Family First Aid

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We are occasionally asked what we recommend for the family first aid kit. Unfortunately, the answer must always be 'it depends...'

The choice of materiel for a kit will vary according to the size and needs of the family in question, the purpose for which the kit is intended (eg camping, sports, civil defence), the space available for storage, the budget and upon the skills available for their use.

If you are planning for a specific event or journey, please seek specialist advice. We will be happy to assist with this.

A few items are always worth including in any kit as their use is universal. Keep these in a large plastic box with a sealing lid.

Non-woven gauze swabs

These handy items can be bought in bulk packs or in sterile packs of 5. Unlike cotton wool and tissues, they do not leave shreds in wounds. For all but major emergencies, 10 to 20 5cm x 5cm swabs should be enough. Use them for cleaning wounds and, in conjunction with paraffin gauze or similar for dressings.

Crepe Bandage

Useful for applying compression to wounds and light support to minor sprains and strains. One 5cm and one 10cm bandage are enough for most purposes, but sports injury kits should include two of each, and foreign bush-trek kits at least 3 (essential for treating snake bites)

Adhesive Plasters

Choose waterproof plasters which can be used to seal wounds when doing dirty jobs around the house. It is also worth buying a larger roll of plaster which can be cut to any size and which does not form a seal. If you buy bright coloured strips, they will be easily visible if they drop into food (yuk!) or pools.

Gloves

If you will be helping others it is important to protect yourself. If it's wet and it's not yours, wear gloves. Buy some non-sterile gloves to suit your family's sizes. It is best to buy non-latex gloves for kits. Latex gloves perish quickly and may be dangerous to some people who have unusually severe allergies to latex.

Triangular Bandage

The boy scout's favourite, a triangular bandage (one is enough for families, two for sports) is a good support for arm, hand and shoulder injuries.

Eye bath

Although not essential for cleaning eyes, an eye bath can be very helpful for treating chemical and small foreign body problems in eyes. A small bottle of clean water is useful - especially when clean tap water is not available. (sterile saline for irrigation is the best value and as good as any proprietary product)

Non-Adherent Dressing

These pads are relatively expensive but are a very simple dressing suitable for use on most minor burns, scalds and abrasions. The plastic film stops them from sticking too badly.

Dressing Tape

Essential for fixing most dressings to skin. Chose a low allergy brand such as micropore. One roll of 20mm tape is enough for all kits.

Strapping Tape

Use this tape to bind sprained fingers and toes together.

Paraffin Gauze

Used to cover abrasions and some deeper wounds before dressing with non-woven swabs, this layer keeps the wound moist whilst allowing drainage. Also helps stop swabs sticking to wounds. Apply as a single layer and cover with a pad of non-woven swabs. If you need this, you should probably see a doctor.

These items are less universally valuable but are handy to have around the home

Thermometer

Choose an alcohol or mercury thermometer to use under the arm. These are cheap, reliable and do not run out of batteries when you need them most. Keep a spare battery if you buy a digital variant.

Sterile Saline

Most tap water is clean enough for first aid. In some circumstances it can be handy to have saline for irrigation to hand. Sports kits should include at least 1 litre bottle of this. In home kits, the main use is for washing eyes.

Tubigrip

An elastic stocking used to apply pressure to some sprains and for holding certain dressings in place. A good fit is needed and there is a degree of skill required to fit these properly. Badly fitted tubigrip causes more harm than good. Avoid unless you know how to use it well.

Tweezers or Forceps

Good quality forceps are very handy for removing splinters and for picking small objects out of wounds. These should be sterilised after use. Sumner Health Centre charges $5 for this service.

Sterile Needles

Sterile hypodermic needles are useful for removing splinters and for bursting blisters (not all blisters should be burst!) but need to be used and disposed of responsibly.

Scissors

A good pair of scissors which are kept for the kit will make dressings much easier if you are in a hurry. Choose solid metal scissors which can be sterilised if they get contaminated.

10 ml syringe

Useful for spraying a jet of water onto wounds to clean them or for measuring children's medicines.

Medication

Some medicines which are available over the counter can be usueful to have in a family medical kit. Our pages on pain in adults and pain in children give more information on the use of the painkillers.

Store medications in their original packets, with instructions. Remember that they may be used by people with less knowledge than you. Keep all medicines out of reach of children.

If you, or any member of your family takes regular medication please try to keep at least a 2 week supply in stock. This allows you to obtain repeat prescriptions at a convenient time and ensures that in the event of a major emergency you should have enough to see you through.

These medications are really handy to have in stock at home and should be considered for all family kits:

Painkillers

Paracetamol (500mg tablets and 250mg/5ml syrup for children)

Ibuprofen (200mg tablets and 100mg/5ml syrup for children)

Codalgin (8/500 mg tablets for adults)

Sunblock

Sun screen is a handy addition to any travelling pack (keep some in your car too) as sunburn is best avoided. SOOV, an anaesthetic spray can help to take the sting out of minor burns or sunburn but is not an essential item to stock.

Antihistamine

It is worth having a few non-drowsy antihistamine tablets in your kit (ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice) as they are essential for treating allergic reactions. AVOID phenergan for young children as it can be dangerous. Marzine is useful as a travel sickness remedy.

Indigestion remedies

It is always worth keeping a small supply of chewable indigestion remedies to hand.

The following are non-essential but worth bearing in mind:

Antiseptics

These are of little value but a sound choice is Betadine (povidone iodine) which may be used to clean skin before applying dressings or removing splinters. Consider an alcohol swab as an alternative way to clean skin for splinter removal. Avoid antiseptic creams.

Antiemetics

A number of drugs to treat nausea are available over the counter. Most are suitable only for adults and all should be taken with professional advice. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice as to which is best for you.

Antidiarrhoeal Medication

Loperamide is handy to have in stock to treat diarrhoea. One dose is often enough to relieve symptoms. Ask your pharmacist and always read the label.

Decongestants

Eucalyptus oil, karvol or similar to ease symptoms of colds and congestion. Consider sudafed (but this is not suitable for many people - ask your doctor or pharmacist)

Emolients

Buy a good quality moisturiser. Vaseline intensive care and Neutrogena are excellent choices. Great for dry, chapped skin.

Soluble Aspirin

Great to gargle for sore throats. Has a lot of side effects though and NOT suitable for children under 18.

Lozenges

Strepsils and other simple lozenges can provide a little relief from sore throats.