First aid kit of the French Army

A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid, particularly in a medical emergency. Most first aid kits contain bandages for controlling bleeding, personal protective equipment such as gloves and a breathing barrier for performing rescue breathing and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and sometimes instructions on how to perform first aid. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x2216, 441 KB) Work by Rama File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): First aid kit Combat lifesaver Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x2216, 441 KB) Work by Rama File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): First aid kit Combat lifesaver Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the... The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre (Army of the land), is the land-based component of the French Armed Forces and the largest. ... First aid is a series of simple, life-saving medical techniques that a non-doctor or layman can be trained to perform. ... {{Otheruses4|the medical term|the Australian television series|Medical Emergenc an immediate threat to a persons life or long term health. ... Bandages are also used in martial arts to prevent dislocated joints. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A blue nitrile medical glove. ... A CPR-mask, with carrying case A CPR mask is a device used to deliver rescue breaths during a cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest safely. ... // Definition Rescue Breathing is a First Aid protocol which refers to the delivery of air from a person into a patient who has stopped breathing but continues to have a pulse. ... CPR being performed Wikibooks First Aid has more about this subject: Basic Life Support Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or, in some circumstances, respiratory arrest. ... First aid is a series of simple, life-saving medical techniques that a non-doctor or layman can be trained to perform. ...

Contents

Most store bought first aid kits, especially the cheap ones, are very poor in terms of quality, quantity, and selection of items, and are only suited for treating very minor injuries. A homemade kit, if properly prepared, is generally better and sometimes cheaper than most commercial kits.

A generic first aid kit is better than nothing. However, the contents of a first aid kit should be optimized for local conditions. For example, a kit for hikers in snake country should have a snakebite kit. A kit aboard a boat should have medications for seasickness.

One list of items for a first aid kit are as follows:

Adhesive bandages are one of the most commonly used items in a first aid kit

• Dressings (sterile, applied directly to wound)
  • Pads
    • Sterile eye pads
    • Sterile gauze pads
    • Sterile nonadherent pads
    • Burn dressing (sterile pad soaked in a cooling gel)
  • Occlusive dressing (airtight dressing, can be used to treat a "sucking chest wound," in which air is sucked into the chest cavity, collapsing the lung (pneumothorax). For this use, occlussive dressings should be taped on three sides only, to create a "one-way valve")
    • petroleum gauze (also used as non-adherent dressing)
    • Half of any gauze wrapper can be used, since the inside is sterile and air-tight

• Bandages (sterility is not necessary, used to secure a dressing)
  • Gauze Roller bandages - absorbent, breathable, and often elastic
  • Elastic bandages - used for sprains, and pressure bandages
  • Adhesive, elastic roller bandages - Very effective pressure bandages or durable, waterproof bandaging
  • Triangular bandages - used as slings, tourniquets, to tie splints, and many other uses

Sometimes dressings and bandages are combined, in which case they must be sterile. Download high resolution version (2196x1500, 614 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (2196x1500, 614 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... A dressing is a piece of material, usually cloth, used to cover a wound and stop bleeding. ... Sterilization (or sterilisation) refers to any process that effectively kills or eliminates transmissible agents (such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and prions) from a surface, equipment, foods, medications, or biological culture medium. ... Superficial bullet wounds In medicine, a wound is a type of physical trauma wherein the skin is torn, cut or punctured (an open wound), or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion (a closed wound). ... A human eye Eyes are organs of vision that detect light. ... An occlusive dressing is an air- and water-tight trauma dressing used in first aid. ... Left-sided pneumothorax (on the right side of the image) on CT scan of the chest. ... Theres also a song called Bandages by the American alternative rock group Hot Hot Heat which appears on the 2002 album Make Up the Breakdown. ...

• Adhesive bandages (band-aids, sticking plasters)
  • Straight adhesive bandages
  • Butterfly (knuckle) bandages

Disposable gloves should be provided in a first aid kit

Instruments Typical sticking plaster Reverse of a sticking plaster Opened sticking plaster, showing the non-adhesive absorbent pad and adhesive An adhesive bandage (called a sticking plaster or just plaster in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and South Africa; often called Band-aid generically in the United States, even though Band... Typical sticking plaster conditionnig Reverse of a sticking plaster Opened sticking plaster, showing the non-adhesive absorbent pad and adhesive A sticking plaster (called an adhesive bandage in the United States) is a small medical dressing, used for injuries not serious enough to require a bandage. ... A blue disposable nitrile glove (non-sterile, as worn for medical examination) Taken by me. ... A blue disposable nitrile glove (non-sterile, as worn for medical examination) Taken by me. ...

• Adhesive tape, hypoallergenic
• Trauma shears, for cutting clothing and general use
• Tweezers
• Irrigation syringe, for cleaning wounds
• Rubber suction bulb, for clearing the airway of an unconscious patient
• If treating snakebites is a concern. This is the only snakebite kit generally recognised as not causing further damage and possibly reducing the effects of a snakebite.^{[citation needed]}

Equipment Two rolls of adhesive tape. ... Look up hypoallergenic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Trauma shears, often known by the nickname tuff cuts, are scissors used by paramedics and other emergency medical personnel. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

A torch (flashlight) is a useful addition to a first aid kit, especially one placed in a vehicle

• Splint(s)
  • SAM Splint - Versatile splint made of malleable aluminum covered with foam
  • Air splints - Easy to apply, can also help control bleeding, but bulkier and more expensive
  • Wire ladder splint
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Gloves, disposable non-latex
  • CPR mask or other breathing barrier such as a face shield
• Eye cup or small plastic cup
• Torch (also known as a flashlight)
• Instant-acting chemical cold packs
• Sterile eye wash (commonly saline)
  • Sterile saline may also be used for cleaning wounds where clean tap water is not available.
• Swabs, sterile non-woven
• Space blanket (lightweight plastic foil blanket, sometimes called "emergency blanket")
• Alcohol rub (hand sanitizer) or antiseptic hand wipes
• Thermometer
• Penlight

Medication (Single use packets of medications, ointments, and antiseptics will prolong shelf life, decrease contamination risk, reduce risk of leakage (usually), and save space (for small quantities). If large amounts of a medication are needed, a multi-use container can be used in addition, but keep single-use packets as a backup. For general household use (not in first aid kits), single use packets can be wasteful and bad for the environment.) Flashlight File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Flashlight File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A splint is a medical device for the immobilisation of limbs or of the spine. ... // Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other gear designed to protect the wearers body or clothing from injury by electrical hazards, heat, chemicals, and infection, for job-related occupational safety and health purposes, and in sports, martial arts, combat, etc. ... A blue nitrile medical glove. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... A CPR-mask, with carrying case A CPR mask is a device used to deliver rescue breaths during a cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest safely. ... Face shield refers to a variety of device used to protect a first aid rescuer during the delivery of oxygen in Rescue breathing or CPR. Category: ... For the Soviet military jet with the NATO designation Flashlight, see Yakovlev Yak-25. ... In medicine, saline is a solution of sodium chloride (a substance also commonly known as table salt) in sterile water, used frequently for intravenous infusion, rinsing contact lenses, and nasal irrigation (or the yogic practice called jala neti). ... A water tap In most developed nations drinking water is piped to homes and is available on tap. ... A space blanket is a blanket designed to be used in emergency situations to reduce heat loss from a persons body. ... An alcohol rub, also known as an alcohol gel, hand sanitizer or healthcare personnel hand wash is used by people as a supplement or alternative to hand washing with soap and water. ... An antiseptic solution of iodine applied to a cut Antiseptics (Greek αντί, against, and σηπτικός, putrefactive) are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. ... It has been suggested that List of temperature sensors be merged into this article or section. ...

• Antiseptics/antimicrobial
  • Povidone iodine wipes - very effective and painless, but messy. Can also be used to purify water
  • Benzalkonium Chloride - painless, effective, often includes anesthetic. (Bactine is one brand.)
  • Alcohol pads - should not be used on open cuts or wounds, since they cause tissue damage and delay healing. They can be used to prep unbroken skin for injections etc. or to disinfect equipment such as thermometers. While not a medical use, alcohol pads are also useful as a solvent to remove ink, adhesives, etc.
  • Antibiotic ointment - single, double, or triple antibiotic ointment in petroleum jelly base (i.e. Neosporin, Polysporin). Since it has a petroleum jelly base, it can be used for things such as chapped lips.
• Antiseptic/anesthetic ointment or spray

• Anti-itch ointment (especially for outdoor kits)
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Antihistamine cream, such as benadryl
  • Calamine lotion
• Painkillers / fever reducers (since moderate fevers are beneficial, avoid unless necessary)
  • Acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol)
  • Ibuprofen (such as Advil) - anti-inflammatory, often more effective that acetaminophen
  • Naproxen (such as Aleve) - similar to ibuprofen, but stronger and longer lasting
  • Aspirin - one 300mg Aspirin tablet may be given to a patient suffering a heart attack, to be chewed slowly.
• Antihistamines - can treat allergies and allergic reactions, including life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Although OTC (over-the-counter) medications are far less effective at treating anaphylaxis than epinephrine or prescription drugs, they are much better than nothing and can be potentially life saving, and therefore may be the most valuable medication in a first aid kit.
  • diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl)
• Aloe vera gel - used for a wide variety of skin problems, including burns, sunburns, itching, and dry skin
• Burn gel - a water based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anesthetic such as lidocaine and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as tea tree oil
• Epinephrine auto-injector (brand name Epipen) - Often included in kits for wilderness use and in places like summer camps, to treat anaphylactic shock. Requires a prescription and can be used with minimal training.
• Poison treatments
  • Activated charcoal - to be used when directed by poison control.
  • Syrup of ipecac - to be used when directed by poison control.
• QuikClot is a hemostatic agent sometimes included in first aid kits, especially military kits, to control severe bleeding. It is recent product not yet widely marketed to civilians, although in 2002 Z-Medica (maker of QuikClot) received FDA clearance to do so.

Note that regulations in some jurisdictions prohibit the provision of actual medications in a workplace first aid kit. In addition, many first-aid organizations explicitly prohibit the use of medication by a non-medical professional due to the possibility of serious legal repercussions. (See Good Samaritan Law). An antiseptic is a substance that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria on the external surfaces of the body. ... An antimicrobial is a substance that kills or slows the growth of microbes like bacteria (antibacterial activity), fungi (antifungal activity), viruses (antiviral activity), or parasites (antiparasitic activity). ... For other uses of painkiller, see painkiller (disambiguation) An analgesic (colloquially known as painkiller) is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain. ... Acetaminophen (USAN) or paracetamol (INN), is a popular analgesic and antipyretic drug that is used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains. ... Naproxen (INN) (IPA: ) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used for the reduction of mild to moderate pain, fever, inflammation and stiffness caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, injury (like fractures), menstrual cramps, tendonitis, bursitis, and the treatment of primary... Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid (IPA: ), (acetosal) is a drug in the family of salicylates, often used as an analgesic (to relieve minor aches and pains), antipyretic (to reduce fever), and as an anti-inflammatory. ... Acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI), more commonly known as a heart attack, is a disease state that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted. ... Anaphylaxis is a severe and rapid systemic allergic reaction to a trigger substance, called an allergen. ... Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (trade name Benadryl, as produced by J&J, or Dimedrol outside the U.S. & Canada. ... Binomial name (L.) Burm. ... Lidocaine (INN) (IPA: ) or lignocaine (former BAN) (IPA: ) is a common local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. ... Tea tree oil Tea tree oil is a yellowish green-tinged essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odour. ... Adrenaline redirects here. ... An autoinjector is a medical device designed to deliver a single dose of a particular (typically life-saving) drug. ... Activated carbon (also called activated charcoal) is the more general term which includes material mostly derived from charcoal. ... Poison Control Centers (PCC) provide immediate, free and expert treatment advice and assistance over the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous, hazardous or toxic substances. ... Syrup of Ipecac (derived from the dried rhizome and roots of the Ipecacuanha plant), is an emetic—a substance used to induce vomiting. ... Poison Control Centers (PCC) provide immediate, free and expert treatment advice and assistance over the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous, hazardous or toxic substances. ... Categories: Silicate minerals | Mineral stubs ... Styptic pencil A styptic or hemostatic pencil is a short stick of medication, usually aluminum sulfate anhydrous, which is used for stanching blood by causing blood vessels to contract at the site of the wound. ... Good Samaritan laws in the United States and Canada are laws protecting from blame those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill. ...

Improvised uses: Many first aid items can have improvised uses in a survival situation. For example, alcohol pads and petroleum jelly based ointments can be used as a fire-starting aid in an emergency, and the latter can even be used as an improvised lubricant for certain mechanical devices, and adhesive tapes and bandages can be used for repairs. These alternate uses can be an important consideration when picking items for a kit that may be used in wilderness or survival situations.

Improvisation

First aid can be performed without a first aid kit. Any cloth (preferably as clean as possible) can be used as a bandage. Duct tape could also be used to secure a dressing. Common household items such as a magazine or even sticks can be used for splints. Direct pressure to stop bleeding can be applied with a hand if nothing else presents itself. Obviously it is better to have proper equipment, but improvised equipment has saved many lives. First aid is a series of simple, life-saving medical techniques that a non-doctor or layman can be trained to perform. ... Bandages are also used in martial arts to prevent dislocated joints. ... A splint is a medical device for the immobilisation of limbs or of the spine. ... The hands (med. ...

Trauma Bag/First Responder Bag

Emergency responders use a more advanced medical kit called a trauma bag or a first responder bag. The contents are more high quality and the quantity of supplies is more than a basic first aid kit.

See also

• First aid
• Bug-out bag

First aid is a series of simple, life-saving medical techniques that a non-doctor or layman can be trained to perform. ... A Bug Out Bag is a portable kit containing all of the items one would require to survive for seventy two hours after evacuating from a disaster. ...

External links

• Yahoo's First Aid Directory
• DMOZ.org First Aid Guide
• The Do's & Don'ts of First Aid Compliance
• First Aid Kits