An Cosantóir the official magazine of the Irish Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces.
Issue link: https://digital.jmpublishing.ie/i/340217
An Cosantóir July/August 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 22 | FIRST-AID KIT The intention of this Tac-Aide is to give you an understanding of what to pack in a basic personal first-aid kit. As first-aid kits can come in lots of shapes and sizes and can be bought commercially pre-packed or you can make up your own. Be sure to keep first-aid supplies out of the reach of children, as many first-aid supplies are dangerous. The most important first step in first-aid is to do no further harm. the right container/Bag Use a container with a strong handle and one that can be closed securely, and clearly mark it 'First-Aid Kit'. Commer- cial kits can be purchased from many sources, but any large, well-built plastic box/toolbox works great, and is usually much cheaper. Or a purposely built bag that has lots of compartments, ide- ally you want your kit to be light enough to carry, but large enough to hold all necessary items in an organised and easily accessible format. It should be dust proof, waterproof and sturdy. the right location Store your kit safely in a cool, dry location. Avoid storing it in a garage or laundry room because of the potential harm to its contents from moisture and temperature extremes. Pick a location in your home/office that is central and acces- sible to everyone who will be using the kit. the right contentS The ideal kit will prepare you for some of the most common injuries. your kit should include these basic supplies: Adhesive plasters Sterile cotton balls Cotton-tipped swabs Sterile gauze (pads and rolls) Elastic bandage rolls Extra bandage clips Butterfly bandages Sterile eye patches Individually Wrapped Sterile Wound Dressings Regular adhesive bandages (multiple sizes) Adhesive tape (waterproof and stretchable) Triangular bandages Large foil-lined bandage Sterile disposable gloves Antibiotic cream Sterile eye-wash solution Clean cloth or tissues Digital thermometer Disposable CPR face mask Safety pins Tweezers Space blanket Scissors (the sharp, angular style with rounded end) Disposable self-activating cold and hot packs additionally you could include toolS and other iteMS Such aS: Small pad of paper and pencil Penlight Hand sanitizer Magnifying glass Whistle Every day when you take care of a worrisome symptom, tend to a small wound, or administer emergency care, you are practicing first-aid. But this tac-aide only contains simple instructions; in cases requiring life-saving health- care techniques please get professional medical advice.