There are many practical reasons to have a comprehensive first aid kit in your home and with you on the go. Having emergency medical supplies handy at all times helps reduce the effects of injury and might even save a life.
While most people keep bandaids and antiseptics on them in the event of an incident, other supplies should be included. Here are three overlooked items to include in your first aid kit.
Pain Relievers
Pain isn’t just an inconvenience resulting from an injury – intense pain might actually exasperate wounds. While bandages are great for limiting blood loss and chances of infections, pain relief medicine is essential for keeping a victim calm and alert.
Keep single-dose ibuprofen and acetaminophen in your kit to ensure a less-traumatic experience. Remember to consider what medicines are harmful to others, especially if the individual is young, old, or on conflicting medications.
Gauze and Scissors
In the event of a severe injury, you must limit blood loss. If your body hemorrhages too much blood, your other organs are at risk of failure. Basic tourniquets buy a victim more time, but it’s better to use medical-grade gauze.
These items effectively limit blood loss and are easy to use. Just don’t forget a pair of shears so you can adequately cut gauze before applying. Trust us – this is an oft-forgotten supply in many first aid kits.
Saline Solution
Infections are potentially more harmful than physical injuries and require more invasive medical intervention. Saline is a simple mixture of salt and water, and the solution effectively cleans wounds.
The substance washes out dirt and debris, and it’s safe on all body parts, including the eyes. Plus, it’s completely non-toxic. Pour some saline on gauze to ensure more protection for nasty infections.
The advantage of portable equipment is that you can easily safely store the gear in cars or other areas around the home. Most first aid kits you find in stores come packed with many essential supplies that work great in an emergency. Consider these overlooked items to include in your first aid kit in the event that your pack doesn’t have them.
