First aid kits - a guide

A first-aid kit is an essential item to have with you at all times. Regardless of the location or the type and severity of the injury, being well-equipped ensures that you'll be ready for anything. And that means peace of mind. To be properly equipped, you need to ask yourself a few questions: what type of kit, for what type of activity? Who will be treated, and where will the kit be located? We answer all these questions in this article.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Fully equipped first-aid kit
2. Kits by activity
3. A customizable first-aid kit
4. Kit storage location
5. What is the best-before date for products?

• Choosing a ready-to-use kit

To make life simpler, first-aid kits are available that already contain 99% of the materials needed to deal with the little aches and pains of everyday life. It's an easy way to equip yourself with the essentials and keep them close at hand.

General first-aid kits

General" first-aid kits are for everyone, regardless of age, physical activity or location. They are truly an essential tool to have at home to deal with a wide range of everyday injuries. These cases or backpacks generally contain the following essential items:

- Resuscitation drape

- PE bag with snap closure

- Survival blanket

- Individual compress

- Eye compress

- Pack of bandages in various sizes

- Fastening tape

- Non-woven cloths

- Medical mouth mask

- Adhesive tape

- Wet wipe for cleaning unwounded skin

- Set of 4-piece gloves

- Cold compress

- First-aid clothing scissors

- First-aid instructions

• First aid kit for children

Do you have children? Then it's a good idea to invest in a kit designed specifically for these fragile little creatures, prone to repeated injuries. These kits feature specific equipment adapted to their smaller size, such as a survival blanket, eye compresses, compression bandages or a breathing mask. These kits, often decorated with attractive motifs, also feature stickers for distribution. Working in the same way as stickers, they each have an inspirational message to help children make the injury experience more positive.

There are hard plastic versions to keep at home, which can sometimes also be hung directly on the wall. You can also choose a portable, backpack-style format, so you can take it with you easily too. The contents of these kits don't really vary; it's more a personal choice linked to the practicality you're looking for.  And for parents with a toddler, there are mini kits with baby essentials for easy carrying around in the changing bag.

More generally, first-aid kits generally contain "dry", low-perishability materials. This is why certain items must be purchased separately and added to your kit, whatever it may be, such as :

• Disinfectant spray or liquid
• Anti-scald gel
• Cooling spray

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•  Activity kits

In addition to a general kit to always have at home, it is possible to equip yourself with kits specially designed for specific activities.

For example, there are :

• Vacation
• Special burns
• Sport and outdoors

• Put together your own first-aid kit

If you don't want to buy a ready-made kit, you can of course put it together with items you've selected yourself.

• Various bandages
• Wet wipes to clean uninjured skin
• Disinfectant spray or liquid
• Cold compress
• WS bandage 4 m x 6
• WS bandage 4 m x 8

• Where to store your first-aid kit?

To be prepared for all eventualities of injury, it's a good idea to have a kit in certain strategic locations. First of all, you should have one in your main living space, with easy access but away from the curious little hands of children who could injure themselves with certain items or swallow/choke on them.

Do you own a car? Don't hesitate to put a medium-sized kit in the trunk or glove compartment. If you have a problem on the road, you'll be well equipped to deal with it until the tow truck or emergency services arrive.

For sports enthusiasts, there are several types of kit to suit your sport. Even if clubs often have a fairly well-stocked first-aid kit, having the minimum in your locker means you can deal with an injury more quickly. In any case, check with your sports club or association to find out where the first-aid kit is located. Coaches and site managers are not always immediately available, and you need to be able to act quickly in the event of a problem.

At work. In your desk drawer or locker, always have the basics on hand for disinfecting wounds: disinfectant, gauze or absorbent cotton, bandages of various sizes and compositions. A small, fully-equipped kit is obviously a must.

In all cases, your first-aid kit should be kept in a dry place, away from heat, humidity and strong temperature changes.

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Product validity: check contents regularly

Some suppliers give an expiration date of 20 years for dressings. (For all other materials, shelf life varies.  However, this can be read on the product.  Overall, the first-aid kit should be checked and refilled once a year.

BONUS TIP

Whether it's a paper cut, a kitchen knife or a nail, you're a champion of everyday injuries. This wall-mounted plaster dispenser is for you! It contains a multitude of plasters in different sizes and materials, for a wide range of uses. Easy to use, your little wounds will thank you!

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