Skip to content

***Now on Sale!*** Get Your Car Window Breaker Seat Belt Cutter For Only $2.95

Search 

 Cart (0)

Got questions? Email or Call +760-628-5987

Emergency Kits
 All Emergency Kits
 Family Emergency Kits
 School/Office Emergency Kits
 Car Emergency Kits

Calculators

 
Shop by Category
 All Products
 First Aid and Triage Supplies
 Search & Rescue + Utilities
 Food, Water, and Sanitation

Training
 Online CPR Skills Training
 Disaster Response Training
 CPR & First Aid Training (On-Site)
 Free Life-Saving Skills Online

More Resources
 School Earthquake Preparedness Guide: Activity Checklist and Videos
 Download ER Team Structure
 Blog
 Downloadable Posters
 Download Catalog
 About
 FAQ
 Contact Us

 Facebook
 
 Twitter
 

 Pinterest
 

 Instagram
 

 YouTube

Home › Disaster Preparedness Blog › How To Build Your Own “Real” First Aid Kit

How To Build Your Own “Real” First Aid Kit

Posted by Wayne Bennett on April 3, 2019

 
Most commercial first aid kits cannot save lives nor aid any life threatening emergencies. A
typical first aid kit is made up of just band-aids and wipes. Even more frustrating, is that
most kits have first aid supplies that are no longer part of current first aid protocols.

As a former fire fighter with over 33 years experience responding to more than 50,000

emergencies, I got used to using a professional first aid bag. When I started
training Disaster Survival Skills workshops, I was frustrated when it came to
recommending a first aid kit to my students. So in 1995, out of necessity, I had to create
a “real” first aid kit.

The ‘REAL’ First Aid Kit For real-life emergencies

 We have included a first aid checklist with the best supplies that can make a difference in a
real emergency.

With a real first aid kit you should be able to manage CPR, Severe Bleeding,
and Shock as well as other serious injuries, like burns and broken bones. That means the
best first aid kit must have contents that are professional high-quality American made. Like
our double one-way valve mouth barrier for CPR.  Most CPR masks on the market are
imported into the United States and licensed as novelty items (toys). These cheap masks
have paper filters that offer little if any viral protection.  Trauma dressings are a necessity
for the control of Severe Bleeding and serious wound care.

For burns, nothing works better than a burn gel dressing. It helps to stop the pain, stop the
burn progression, stop infection, prevent hypothermia and best of all, it won’t stick to the
burn.  For fractured limbs, be sure and include a real splint to stabilize the injury. These are
just a few of the important items that should be on every first aid list.

First Aid Kit Content List:

 CPR Face Mask/Mouth barrier

 Thermal Blanket
 Burn Gel
 Cardboard Splint
 Cold Pack
 Trauma Dressings
 Triangular Bandages
 Sterile Water
 Gauze Rolls
 First Aid Tape
 Trauma Shears/Scissors
 Tweezer
 Antiseptic Wipes
 Vinyl Gloves
 Antimicrobial Wipes
 Band-Aids
Items that shouldn’t be in your first aid kit

Just as important are the items that should be left out of the first aid kit. Items such as
hydrogen peroxide and alcohol wipes have been shown to damage tissue and capillaries.
These contents also slow the healing of wounds.  Also butterfly bandages- can lead to
trapping in a septic infection, aspirin- can lead to internal bleeding and thin the blood, and
bite sticks for seizures are also items that should definitely be left out of kits.

Also, a common myth is that feminine napkins make great trauma dressings. Since feminine
hygiene pads have no clotting ability. They should never be used in the place of trauma
dressings which will aid in the clotting of blood.

How to use your real first aid kit

Many people do not have first aid kits in their home, car or office because they just don’t
know how to use them. So along with this post, I want to share with you how to use a real
first aid kit in case of life-threating emergency.

 
 For CPR (Download the CPR poster here)
 Check for breathing and unconsciousness. If not breathing yell for help and CALL 911
Immediately then Perform CAB.

 Compressions. Place the heel of your hand in the middle of the victim’s chest. Put your other
hand on top of the first with your fingers interlaced. Compress the chest at least 2 inches.
Perform 30 compressions at a rate of 100-120 pushes per minute.
 Airway. After 30 compressions, open the victim’s airway using the head tilt, chin lift method.
Use the CPR mask and place to the victim’s mouth. Pinch the victim’s nose and make a seal
over the victim’s mouth with yours.
 Breathing. Give the victim a breath, blow for 1 second, just enough to make the chest rise.
Remove your mouth, let the chest fall and then deliver the second breath.

 REPEAT CYCLE 30 Compressions: 2 Breaths Continue this CPR cycle till help arrives. 

First Aid Treatment For Bleeding

 For Severe bleeding cover with 5×9 trauma dressing and hold firm direct pressure. Never
remove the dressing. Call 9-1-1.
 For minor to moderate bleeding use 4×4 gauze pads again applying firm direct pressure (no
peeking)

First Aid Treatment For Shock

Anyone breathing but unconscious elevate feet 6-12 inches, cover with Thermal Blanket,
Call 9-1-1.

First Aid Treatment For Burn. 

Apply burn gel dressing to the burned area. Secure in place with gauze roll. Leave on 2-3
hrs. and seek medical attention. Do Not Use: Ice, Butter, Mustard, etc. Only water for 10-20
min. or burn gel.

First Aid Treatment For Bone Fracture.

 Check for deformity, pain, swelling, check for pulse below the fracture before applying splint.
Pad splint with gauzeand secure with gauze roll.
 Place gauze over swelling prior to applying ice pack. Leave on for maximum 20 min.
  Tags: Checklist, First Aid, First Aid Checklist, How To Use Real First Aid Kit
2 comments

 I will like you to send me the list of items found in a first aid kit and their uses

thadei aloyce on May 7, 2020

 How to order this first aid kit and how much and how long for distributed

Tekaubanga Kotua on December 23, 2019

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Post comment

Disaster Survival Skills

Providing Disaster Preparedness Training and Emergency Supplies Since 1991

Mailing Address: PO Box 10008 Palm Desert CA 92255

Phone: 760-628-5987
Email Us | FAQ | Write for us
 Quick Links
 Family Emergency Kits
 School Emergency Kits
 Office Emergency Kits
 Car Emergency Kits
 First Aid and Triage Supplies
 Food, Water, and Sanitation
 Search & Rescue + Utilities
 Training and Workshop

Popular Products
 Real Life-Saving First Aid Kit
 Family Disaster Survival Kit
 Car Survival Kit
 Disaster First Aid Kit
 Water Barrel Package
 CPR Face Shield Keychain Kit
 CPR & First Aid Training
 Disaster Response Training

Be in the know
Promotions, new products and sales. Directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE

Copyright © 2022, Disaster Survival Skills | About | Privacy Policy | Terms and Condition | Shipping and

Returns | Contact Us

Payment icons