Name: Aya Elmallwany

Alaa abas

What to Put in a First Aid Kit for

the Beach
Basic Bandaging Items
Plan to have a small collection of band aids (in varying sizes), gauze pads, and tape. My wife likes
to store our adhesive bandages in a small plastic file folder (commonly called a coupon folder).
This is a great item to pick up because you can also “file” gauze pads and medication sheets as
well.

Hand Sanitizer
Infections are a very real thing. Make sure you’re bandaging things with clean hands.

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Antinflammatory Medication and Pain
Relievers
It’s important to pack some basic medication that might come in handy. Pain-relief medication can
be used for anything from bee stings to severe sunburn. Tylenol and Advil are great options.

Ace Bandage
Walking on a sandy beach is VERY different from walking just about anywhere else. Many people
tend to forget this between beach visits.  It is very easy to sprain an ankle or hurt a knee.  Having
the ability to wrap an injured joint with an ace bandagecan make the difference between a good
day and a bad one

Disposable Instant Ice Packs

Along the same lines as an ace bandage, you’ll be happy to have them in your beach first aid
kit.  Ice packs can make a big difference in how the day goes.  You can activate them to ice a
rolled ankle, a black eye from a rogue volleyball to the face or to assist in the treatment of a heat
related emergency.
 Tweezers
Tweezers are a must have item for removing anything number of little things that could become
embedded the skin.  From splinters to broken glass to jellyfish stingers that could be embedded in
the skin, tweezers are an essential beach first aid kit item.

Bottle of purified water (unopened)

The importance of having an unopened bottle of water cannot be overstated. It’s perfect for
washing sand and other debris from small cuts. You can also use it to flush sand or salt water from
an eye.  Make sure to keep this particular bottle of water separate from your drinks. Why? Let’s
just say it is very unpleasant to use ice cold water for medical purposes (like flushing).

Saline Solution
Along the same lines of the bottle of water I’d put this on a beach essential list. It will make a great
eye wash for removing sand and is easier to use for small kiddo eyes.

Photo Credit:
mimagephotography via Shutterstock
 Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel is tried and true and works just as well as anything else on the market.  Anyone who
had used Aloe Vera on a sunburn knows that it is the first thing to reach for.

Sun Block
To be fair,  this doesn’t really need to be in the first aid kit. There are usually copious amounts of it
strewn about the car to begin with. For the sake of being complete I’m including it here.  Besides,
having a backup supply of sunblock is never a bad idea. Someone ALWAYS forgets to bring it and
you could “save the day” for a total stranger.

Read More: Here are the best sunscreens for kids. 

White Vinegar
White vinegar is just about the best thing to treat jellyfish stings. Yes, we know you want to pee on
your buddy but it doesn’t really work.

Note: Here’s how to treat a jellyfish sting.

Anti-Itch Cream
One of the fun parts of the beach? Bug bites. Of course, you should apply bug spray before hitting
the beach but somehow a bite or two always sneak through. Bring anti itch cream to stop kids from
itching the bites and opening themselves up to possible infection.
 S
andy Hook Beach on the Jersey Shore, with the New York bridge in the background. Photo credit:
Alexander Image via Shutterstock
Ear Drops
While these may not be needed for an emergency this is something you should consider for your
beach first aid kit. Many kids have sensitive ears and a few ear drops prior to water immersion can
make for a happier kid later in the day.

Epi-pen
If anyone in your family is allergic to bee stings be sure to pack an epi-pen for the treatment of
allergic reactions. Epi-pens are dependent on being stored in the proper temperature range to work
properly. Consider investing in a proper carrying protective case for it.