I want to keep a well stocked first-aid kit in my car, but I can’t figure out which items can be left in the my car (which gets to about 120 degrees in the summer). I have the same question with freezing temperatures in the winter. Are there any special types of supplies designed for people in extreme temperature conditions?
Things I’d like to keep:
-An antihistamine like benedryl
-An anti-itch/bug bite cream
-Extra Claritin/Loratadine
-Antibiotic Ointment
-Something like Imodium for digestive issues
-Cold compress
Any other things I should include?
Commercially available first aid kits available via normal retail routes have traditionally been intended for treatment of minor injuries only. Typical contents include adhesive bandages, regular strength pain medication, gauze and low grade disinfectant.
Specialized first aid kits are available for various regions, vehicles or activities, which may focus on specific risks or concerns related to the activity. For example, first aid kits sold through marine supply stores for use in watercraft may contain seasickness remedies.
[edit] Airway, Breathing and Circulation
First aid treats the ABCs as the foundation of good treatment. For this reason, most modern commercial first aid kits (although not necessarily those assembled at home) will contain a suitable infection barrier for performing artificial respiration as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, examples include:
Pocket mask
Face shield
Advanced first aid kits may also contain items such as:
Oropharyngeal airway
Nasopharyngeal airway
Bag valve mask
Manual aspirator or suction unit
[edit] Trauma injuries
Trauma injuries, such as bleeding, bone fractures or burns, are usually the main focus of most first aid kits, with items such as bandages and dressings being found in the vast majority of all kits.
Adhesive bandages (band-aids, sticking plasters) – can include ones shaped for particular body parts, such as knuckles
Moleskin— for blister treatment and prevention
Dressings (sterile, applied directly to wound)
Sterile eye pads
Sterile gauze pads
Sterile non-adherent pads, containing a non-stick teflon layer
Petrolatum gauze pads, used as an occlusive(air-tight) dressing for sucking chest wounds, as well as a non-stick dressing
Bandages (for securing dressings, not necessarily sterile)
Gauze roller bandages – absorbent, breathable, and often elastic
Elastic bandages – used for sprains, and pressure bandages
Adhesive, elastic roller bandages(commonly called ‘Vet wrap’) – very effective pressure bandages or durable, waterproof bandaging
Triangular bandages – used as slings, tourniquets, to tie splints, and many other uses
Butterfly closure strips – used like stitches to close wounds, usually only included for higher level response as can seal in infection in uncleaned wounds.
Saline for cleaning wounds or washing out foreign bodies from eyes
soap – used with water to clean superficial wounds once bleeding is stopped
Antiseptic wipes or sprays for reducing the risk of infection in abrasions or around wounds. Dirty wounds must still be cleaned for antiseptics to be effective.
Burn dressing, which is usually a sterile pad soaked in a cooling gel
Adhesive tape, hypoallergenic
Hemostatic agents may be included in first aid kits, especially military or tactical kits, to promote clotting for severe bleeding.
[edit] Personal protective equipment
The use of personal protective equipment or PPE will vary by kit, depending on its use and anticipated risk of infection. The adjuncts to artificial respiration are covered above, but other common infection control PPE includes:
Gloves which are single use and disposable to prevent cross infection
Goggles or other eye protection
Surgical mask or N95 mask to reduce possibility of airborne infection transmission (sometimes placed on patient instead of caregivers. For this purpose the mask should not have an exhale valve)
Apron
[edit] Instruments and equipment
Trauma shears, for cutting clothing and general use
Scissors are less useful but often included instead
Tweezers
Lighter, for sterilizing tweezers or pliers etc
alcohol pads for sterilizing equipment, or unbroken skin. This is sometimes used to debride wounds, however some training authorities advise against this as it may kill cells which bacteria can then feed on
Irrigation syringe – with catheter tip for cleaning wounds with sterile water, saline solution, or a weak iodine solution. The stream of liquid flushes out particles of dirt and debris.
Torch (also known as a flashlight)
Instant-acting chemical cold packs
Alcohol rub (hand sanitizer) or antiseptic hand wipes
Thermometer
Space blanket (lightweight plastic foil blanket, also known as "emergency blanket")
Penlight
[edit] Medication
Medication can be a controversial addition to a first aid kit, especially if it is for use on members of the public. It is, however, common for personal or family first aid kits to contain certain medications. Dependant on scope of practice, the main types of medicine are life saving medications, which may be commonly found in first aid kits used by paid or assigned first aiders for members of the public or employees, painkillers, which are often found in personal kits, but may also be found in public provision and lastly symptomatic relief medicines, which are generally only found in personal kits.
Life saving
Aspirin[2] primarily used for central medical chest pain as an anti-coagulant
Epinephrine autoinjector (