When we think of the items that should be kept in vehicle first aid kits, a few common wound care supplies come to mind:

Antiseptic cleansing wipes Plastic adhesive bandages Butterfly closure strips Antibiotic ointment Burn relief cream

Since the purpose of an automobile first aid kit is to be prepared for unexpected situations, you may want to ensure that your vehicle is stocked with these less obvious safety supplies to ensure preparedness in different types of emergencies:

First aid tape, cotton tipped applicators and gauze in a range of sizes: While the basic wound care supplies mentioned above are important to keep in any vehicle first aid kit, having gauze in a variety of sizes as well as other wound care supplies provides the ability to treat wounds of varying severity. Instant cold compresses: An instant cold compress is a small pack that becomes extremely cold and acts as an ice pack when activated. An instant ice pack can be used to alleviate swelling when ice is not available, as is usually the case in roadside emergencies. Emergency blanket: Emergency blankets use reflective foil to trap body heat and maintain optimal body temperature in cold environments. Emergency blankets can be life savers in the event that you get stranded with no heat in frigid winter temperatures. Disposable gloves: Disposable gloves such as latex gloves, vinyl exam gloves or disposable nitrile gloves protect against the spread of germs when administering or receiving first aid. Gloves help prevent the spread of germs from the hands to a wound and vice versa in an emergency situation.

A vehicle first aid kit may not be something you think about often, but having the right medical supplies on hand to deal with unpredictable circumstances is an important part of vehicle safety. While we recommend keeping a complete first aid kit in your vehicle to prepare for emergencies, we also hope you never have to use it!

Pet first aid kits are an essential part of the survival of pets during emergencies. The importance of preparing for calamities, not only for yourself and family, but also for your pets has been underscored after a lot of dead pets were found in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which hit several areas in the southern parts of the United States. A lot of dogs, cats and even other exotic animals were left in the streets on their own as humans evacuated because of the said hurricane. It was a sad story but truly, you and your animal will have a better chance of surviving big disasters and emergencies only if you plan ahead.

Assembling your pet first aid kit is one of the first things you should do to help ensure the survival and happiness of your pet during emergency situations. Remember that pets are more sensitive than humans when it comes to feeling catastrophes or natural disasters, so there is a big possibility that they will react violently or restlessly before, during and even after the calamity. Because of this, you need to include pet safety products such as lighted collars, possible motion activated dog tags, and even pet carriers. Of course, you also need to provide emergency survival pet food and water for your precious pooches, cats, or birds. It is important that you check the food and water supply of your pets regularly to ensure that they are good when disaster strikes. We would recommend that you keep at least a three day supply of emergency food and water for your pet, just like is recommended for your emergency kit.

Apart from food and water, your pet first aid kits should also contain blankets, chew sticks, and even playthings to help them cope during emergency situations. If you will be staying in evacuation centers, it is a good idea to bring along poop bags and/or WAG bags to maintain the sanitation of the place. In case your evacuation place does not allow animals inside for sanitary reasons, you need to make a back-up plan about where your animal can stay. An alternative shelter and/or pet carrier for your pet is essential for its survival, so do not forget about it.

A good pet first aid kit and a three day supply of food and water are really important if you treat your pet as a member of your family. You will be glad you prepared in advance.

If you are cat owners, you may have to encounter emergency situations pertaining to your kitty. Your cat may fall ill anytime unexpectedly or meet an accident which would require you to act as her vet and treat her on urgent basis. In such emergency situations, mostly, you do not have the time to get across your vet.

For this reason, every cat owner needs to have the basic first aid knowledge and know-how to manage such situations. It is absolutely imperative to equip yourself with this knowledge because sometimes it may prove deadly for your cat if she is left untreated in emergencies. Here are some of the common emergency issues and their treatment.

Your kitty may break its bone while climbing, jumping or in a road accident. It is not recommend setting the broken bone yourself. All you need to do in this situation is to stop the bleeding if any with ice or cold water and take her to the vet for proper treatment.

Choking is also common issue amongst cats. If your cat gets choked, open her mouth gently and see if you can see the object. You must remember not to tilt her head backwards. You can remove the object if it is visible with the help of a tweezer or your own fingers. Make sure you do not push the object as it will aggravate the situation all the more. You should hold her upside down and press on her chest using your hands. In case you are able to remove the object, it is still advisable to take her to the vet to be on the safe side.

Getting an electric shock is also a serious issue. Some kitties bite electric wires while playing with them. It may produce burns on her tongue or palate of her mouth. It may cause breathing problem or pain in her mouth. You must remember that you should not touch your cat if it touching an exposed electric wire. You need to turn of the current first and then put your cat away from it with the help of a wooden stick. Take her to the vet.

If your cat encounters eye injury and the eye is bleeding, just wipe the blood with wet cloth. You must not let your cat go on rubbing her eyes. It is also advisable to not apply any medicine without consulting the vet.

A first aid kit is not just a set of items that you store in your washroom and contains only band-aids, alcohol and analgesics, it is something more. There are various types of First Aid Kits, the most common is the one stored inside the house.

What do we mean if we have a complete set of first aid kit? What is that for and how or when to use it? What comprises each first aid kit? These are the questions we ask ourselves when we consider buying one for our home.

A first aid kit is a set of supplies and equipments for giving first aid, hence the name. A variety of equipments are in it like:

• Bandages – to control bleeding

• Regular strength pain medications

• Gauze

• Disinfectants – like alcohol and Povidone iodine

• Personal protective equipments – like gloves

• Breathing apparatus – to protect you from performing the expired air resuscitation, EAR and cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR

Moreover, the typical contents and most commonly used are the dressings which should be sterile. This comes in different types like sterile eye pads; adherent or non-adherent pads and burn dressings. These are sterile pad soaked in a cool gel. Bandages can be non-adhesive; examples are gauze roller, which should absorbent, breathable. The elastic type are the ones usually used for sprains and pressure bandages. Adhesive elastic roller types are very effective when it comes to applying pressure. They are also very durable and waterproof. Triangular bandages are commonly taught in Basic First Aid Course that was used as slings, tourniquets and to tie splints. Adhesive bandages are the straight adhesive type such as band-aids, sticking plasters. Butterfly bandage types are actually the two common examples as well.

Instruments that should be present in your First Aid bag are the hypoallergenic tape because you don’t want the patient to develop “Urticaria” or itchiness with reddish skin markings. Trauma shears can basically be used for cutting clothing and general use. An irrigation syringe can be used for cleaning wounds. Rubber suction bulbs are good for clearing the airways and can be applied to an unconscious patient.

Equipments like Personal protective Equipments or PPE are important. This is especially in emergency cases where in hazardous materials can even hurt the rescuer. An example would be in organophosphate or insecticide poisoning. Eyecups, gloves, CPR mask or a face shield, sterile eyewash, emergency blanket, thermometer, penlight and even instant acting cold packs.

Certain medications should be in your bag like antimicrobials. This would include antibiotic ointments and anti itch ointments. Examples would include Hydrocortisone cream, Antihistamine cream such as Benadryl and Calamine lotion among others. You also need pain killers or analgesics. These are essential for the fever to disappear. Examples are Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory drug, which is most of the time more valuable than the latter drug. Aspirin, for some, is also applicable. Diphenhydramine, which is anti-histamine, can lessen the allergic reaction seen in few patients. Aloe Vera gel can be used for a variety of injuries like burns, sunburns and dry skin.

Burn gels are water based gels, which acts as a cooling agent and often has mild anaesthetic components. A good example is Lidocaine with antiseptics components like that of tea tree oil. Epinephrine auto-injector is also commonly included in this first aid kit, especially if you are in wild nature trips such as summer camps. This epinephrine injector is used for anaphylactic shock, which is commonly known as severe allergic attacks. Thus, activated charcoal and syrup of ipecac are electively placed in first aid kits because it is for poison treatment. A haemostatic agent that is called QuikClot is sometimes included especially in military kits; this is mainly to control severe and profuse bleeding.

If ever you are trapped somewhere and you do not have anything else but your first aid kit you and you are wondering what you can do. Well, the first thing to do with your first aid kit would be to call help. It would also be helpful if you have a basic first aid manual, which can guide you in any type of situation. This is really necessary because in emergency cases, we get to panic easily. When this happens we cannot think straight. A manual will be able to help us go through it. It would also be advisable to list down the pages for specific cases. Just take note of the more possible accidents.

Moreover, keep a number of your family and friends, as well as emergency hotlines on your mobile or near your landline. Make sure the numbers are visible to your children as well. Just let them know the importance of these numbers and when to place a call to these numbers.

Thus, there are also some things you should know about the contents of your first aid kit. For an instance alcohol pads as well as ointments that are “petroleum-jelly based” can be utilized as a type of fire starter in an alarming emergency situation. It can also be utilized as a lubricant for adhesive tapes. Aside from this, for particular mechanical devices and bandages, it can also be utilized for repairs. These alternative uses of these things can help set your mind on the items you need and can only be used in the wilderness.

First Aid Kits are important in every household. There are also first aid kits for pets, children, travel, disaster and soft sided situations among others. Having one doesn’t mean that you are waiting for an accident to happen. Accidents are a fact of life, so whether we like it or not, it is always best to be prepared.

Most emergency survival kits you see in stores are designed for outdoor trips. While they would certainly do as well, they would nevertheless cost more than it should. Here are a few tips to make your own budget-friendly emergency home kit.

One Kit Per Person

To ensure that every person’s need is covered, it’s best to have one emergency kit per person.

For maximum safety and protection, consider basing your emergency home kit on a 72-hour period prior to receiving help. Lastly, every emergency home kit must be capable of meeting any type of disaster or emergency, whether it’s natural or man-made.

Food and Water

Medication can only go so far. To stay alive in any emergency, you’ll need sustenance. Include a sufficient amount of Aqua Blox water boxes – at least a gallon of water per person per day, but you may need more depending on climate conditions. Remember also that shelf life for Aqua Blox is five years. Bottled water, water purification tablets, and water storage bags should also be included.

As for food, carbohydrate-rich foods are your best bet because they’re effective in replenishing your energy. Canned goods are always useful as they require little to no preparation.

Clothing and Shelter

Instead of thermal blankets, you’ll be a lot dryer, warmer, and safer with 2 large-sized garbage bags per person. Wool blankets would be better while sleeping bags, albeit bulky, are the best. Include one set of working clothes and boots.

First Aid

Bandages of all types, adhesive tape, gauze pads, various kinds of antiseptics, analgesics, and antibiotic ointment are the basics of first aid. Be sure to take note of special medication needs of your loved ones such as diabetic medication or a spare pair of eyeglasses for those visually impaired.

Tools

Include flashlight, matches, camping stove with fuel or burner if possible. Forks, spoons, and various sizes and types of knives (not just for culinary use) would be handy. Swiss army knife sets, screwdrivers, and a hammer and pry bar would definitely be helpful.

Special Needs during Emergencies

Your emergency home kit will naturally differ in terms of content and size if you have an infant with you. Because their immune system is not as strong as those of adults, you need to be extra careful in choosing the right foods, medicine, and supplies to ensure their health and safety. Last but not the least, remember to have an emergency home kit ready for your pets, too!

This hospial provide health and medication for patients, according to their illness or needs that any given patient may have at the moment. We have an emergency room for the different treatments that any population may request, we attend anything from minor surgery, to major surgery, seriously illnesses and wounds, women in labor, c-sections, newborns, people involve in serious accidents, orthopedic, infectious diseases etc.. As any hospital work, we work 24 hour, doctors pay a morning visit and an evening visit to our patients who are hospitalized, and there are at least one to two nurses in the wind all the time. Volunteers are needed to assist the staff with various daily tasks that they are developing. This is an excellent placement for pre-med and nursing students, where they will be able to witness a operations and surgeries. It is an opportunity for volunteers to learn how to assist in simple treatment of patients and futhermore to witness medical techniques and learn how health care systems function in a developing country.

Volunteers can assist by doing following tasks:- People with high aptitude of service, and are responsible and willing to work with the spirit of cooperation with our staff. Volunteers must be of age 20 or above with minimum education of undergraduation.

Volunteers with the following special skills are preferred for the placement:- Doctor Nurse Medical Student Pre-Med Student Emergency Medical Technician Wilderness First Responder First Responder Standard First-Aid Health & Hygiene Training HIV/AIDS Awareness Training Public Health Physiotherapy Wilderness First-Aid

What is the purpose of this organization?   San Jose Hospital provides health care and medication for patients in response to their unique needs and various illnesses. We have an emergency room that provides a variety of different treatments: from minor to major surgery, treating serious injuries, treatment of infectious diseases, pre- and post-natal care for both women and newborns, orthopedics, etc. The hospital operates on a 24-hour schedule. Doctors pay a visit our patients once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and there are at least two nurses on the wing at all times.

 

What community(s) does this organization assist?   We serve several communities in the Carazo deparment. Just to mention a few: Caseres, La Boquita, La Trinidad, Buena Vista, San Gregorio, Veracruz de Acayo, Tupilapa, and Huehuete. People also come to San Jose Hospital from other departments.

 

Basecam Centers welcomes all the interested volunteers from around the world to volunteer and make a difference. If you are interested in this placement then please contact us for the details:

 Email: info@basecampcenters.com

Website: www.basecampcenters.com

Address 186 Princess Street Kingston, Ontario Canada, K7L 1B1

Phone: 613.541.7862

Toll Free : 866.646.4693

Fax: 613.541.1604

   Experience gained from past disasters has shown that it can take up to 72 hours or more to mobilize a significant relief effort during an emergency.  Therefore everyone needs to be preparing to cope on his or her own for at least the first 72 hours – that’s 3 days – of an emergency.

   Of course common sense dictates that we should be prepared for any emergency situation, however the fact is that only a few of us are ready for even the smallest crisis, let alone one of larger significance. 

   One obvious advantage of being prepared – it allows emergency workers to focus on people in very urgent need of their help. To support their efforts, the rest of us must to be prepared to look after ourselves for at least 72 hours.

   The San Francisco area is exposed to a wide variety of hazards, both natural and man-made. The path of destruction that Hurricane Katrina left in its wake across the southern U.S. in August 2005 and the widespread flooding of 2007 – 2008 have provided a horrific reminder of the importance of being prepared for disasters. Unfortunately no part of our country, or North America for that matter is immune to a natural or a man-made disaster.

   Earthquakes, power outages, floods, fires, severe storms and acts of terrorism are just some of the potential emergencies. Many of these emergencies have been deadly in the past. Being prepared can save lives and can help to reduce the impact of a disaster on you and your family. 

Why prepare your family? 

   Imagine for a moment that you have no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service. Imagine that all the businesses are closed and you are without any kind of emergency services. What will you do until help arrives?

   What will you do if your local authorities issue and emergency evacuation order?  Remember, in such a circumstance there will be no stores open for you to acquire anything, the store personal will be evacuating also!

   If you have not prepared beforehand for either of these events, both you and your family may have a very difficult time when a disaster strikes your hometown. 

   While governments are working hard to keep citizens safe, we all have an important role to play in emergency preparedness and response. By being prepared to take care of yourself, you allow community resources to be used more effectively during an emergency and you help keep your own family safe at the same time. Very simply put, emergency preparedness must begin at home.

Start to plan today!

   As neither man-made nor natural emergencies can be predicted; therefore it is imperative that we are all prepared well in advance of the disaster.

I cannot over stress this point.  

   Prepare your emergency kit and your family – so in the case of a major emergency like a flood or blackout – you are ready to take care of yourself and your loved ones for at least 72 hours. You should be prepared to live without running water, electricity, gas, telephones and assistance from safety services for at least three days following a disaster. 

What do you need? 

   You need to have an “Emergency Kit” in your home, ready to go at a moments notice.

   Your family Emergency Kit is comprised of two separate parts, a First Aid Kit and a Go Bag.

   Your own 72-Hour Emergency Kit should be tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family. Store your emergency supplies in an easily accessible if evacuation is required. Items may be stored in a 32-gallon trashcan, suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, footlocker or individual pack.  

Your First Aid Kit 

   In any emergency situation, you or a family member may be cut, burned or suffer other injuries. It is imperative that you keep basic first aid supplies handy so you are prepared to assist when someone is hurt. Medical help may not be available during or immediately after a large-scale disaster.

My personal list of items that should be in your First Aid Kit: 

Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes

Gauze pads and bandages

Butterfly Closure bandages

Sterile dressings to stop bleeding (Blood stopper)

Elastic Wrap

Instant cold pack

Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect

Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection

Burn ointment

Sting Relief Pads (for insect bites)

Sunscreen packets

Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant

Cotton tips

Scissors

Tweezers

At least two pairs of disposable gloves

A First Aid Instruction Guide

Hygiene kits

Flashlight or brightstick 

Medicines such as Aspirin or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication  

Your Go Bag:

   A major component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Every household should pack a Go Bag — a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation order. 

   Your Go Bag may be assembled or purchased as a ready-made kit for convenience. Your Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy backpack or suitcase on wheels.

   The Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year as an emergency evacuation order can occur at any time of the year. 

   Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each is tagged with the name of the person it was packed for. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work.  

Items that should be in your Go Bag:

The prescription medications you take every day such as insulin or heart medication.

All prescribed medical supplies such as glucose or blood pressure monitors

Drinking Water

Non-perishable food such as food ration bars or Meal-in-a-Box

Manual can opener

Plates, utensils and other cooking supplies

Flashlight and extra batteries or Hand-charged Flashlight

Pocketknife or Multifunctional Tool

Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries

Whistle

Waterproof Matches

Water filtration bottle

Duct Tape, permanent marker, and paper

Cable Ties

Light Stick

Rope or twine

Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls

Heavy work gloves

Disposable lighters

Phillips Screw Driver

Standard Screw Driver

Folding Shovel w/Sheath

Trash Bags

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Personal Hygiene kit

Shave Kit

Maps

Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, gloves and a warm hat

Emergency Survival Sleeping Bag

Rain Ponchos

Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes

List of emergency contact phone numbers

List of allergies to any drug or food

Copy of health insurance and identification cards

Extra prescription eyeglasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items

Prescription medications

Extra keys to your house and vehicle

Disposable camera

Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities.

Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.

   Remember that if you have to leave your house due to an evacuation order, you will be living and sleeping somewhere else for a while. It is therefore a good idea to add some activity items to the kids Go Bag.

Some suggestions may be a couple of favorite books

Crayons, pencils and plenty of paper

A puzzle

A favorite toy such as a doll or action figure

One or two board games

A deck of cards

A Favorite stuffed animal or puppet

Favorite blanket or pillow 

   I sincerely hope that this article will provide the incentive for you to get prepared for an emergency now.  Don’t put if off for another day.  The safety and well being of your family is at stake. 

Allan Wright

First Aid Kit Products

ns, pets can become sick or injured at any time. Broken bones, cuts, poisoning and bite wounds are only some of the possible emergencies that your pet might encounter.   According to pet doctors in urbane scrubs, first aid can greatly improve a pet’s condition and prognosis.  For example, broken bones can sever ligaments and arteries of they are not properly splintered; the pet’s body can absorb deadly toxins if you don’t induce vomiting immediately; and seizures and shocks can occur if you don’t stop the bleeding on time.  A lot of things can happen from the time of an accident or injury and the time that you bring your pet to a pet emergency clinic. Aside from keeping a first aid kit for your pet handy, it is imperative to take a pet first aid class to learn the basics of pet CPR, basic first aid skills, and the Heimlich maneuver for pets.  Some pet stores and many animal rescue organizations offer pet first aid courses.

Basic first aid kit for pets

A basic first aid kit for pets should include the following supplies: cotton swabs, gauze pads, four rolls of gauze, two rolls of bandages, hydrogen peroxide (3%), Betadine, two bottles of wound wash saline, three instant cold packs, one large blanket, one small blanket, tweezers, forceps, stethoscope, muzzles, medicine droppers, antibiotic ointment, scissors, medical tape, duct tape, three wire coat hangers for splinting, six washcloths, two hand towels, and one gallon of water.  Medications to be included in a basic first aid kit include buffered Aspirin, Pepto Bismol, Mylanta Gas, Benadryl, Activated Charcoal, Milk of Magnesia, Glycerin Suppositories, and Mineral Oil.  In addition to supplies and medicines, you should always have emergency numbers included and easily accessible or visible in the first aid kit.  Numbers you should include are your veterinarian’s phone number, 24-hour emergency vet clinic hotline, and pet poison control phone number.  In the event of a pet emergency, pet owners should always call a veterinarian and keep the first-aid supplies on hand. In a lot of emergency cases, there is no time to run to the pet store to save your pet.           

Special cases

For pets who require medication to survive or who have chronic illness, pet owners should always keep two day’s worth of medication on-hand inside the home kit and in the car.  Chronic illnesses and critical conditions in need of medication may include heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, and others.

Required skills

It is almost useless to keep first aid supplies and medications without knowing how to administer first-aid.  To save a pet’s life, you should know basic first aid skills such as stopping a bleeding by applying pressure on the wound, flushing and disinfecting a wound, administering pet CPR, examining a pet’s vital signs and knowing what values are normal, making a splinter for an injured tail or limb, learning the Heimlich maneuver for pets and knowing how to handle a choking emergency, understanding how to use and make a muzzle from scratch, and knowing how to induce vomiting in the event of food poisoning.         

Rush to the hospital. Is this always feasible during the hours of emergency? At the same time in small injuries you need not visit to a doctor that you can manage yourself. But in both the situations you must keep the first-aid box ready so that whenever required you can just get the essential things at the right time.

Especially if you have kids at home keeping the first-aid box is a must. Every time they come with cuts on their knees and elbows. At least the primary treatment has to be done at home. If the cut is deep and severe you will have to immediately carry the little one to the nearest hospital and over there also you will find the preliminary nursing is nothing but the first aid. The first-aid kit is a godsend during emergency.

The necessary things the first-aid kit should contain are something you must know very well. Also make it a habit to check it regularly that you have all the necessary accessories placed in order. It always happens that when you are in dire need for the thing, it’s not there.

The basic essentials first

Cotton, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic lotion, adhesive tape and band-aids come in the top priorities of the first-aid kit list. Whether it’s a cut or a burn or a swell you will need these accessories immediately. Also keep finger splints made of aluminum; a pair of synthetic gloves and disposable latex. They are important. Don’t forget scissors, soap, eyewash, thermometer, needles and sterilizing agents. If you have to do primary bandage to stop bleeding, all these will be required instantly. Where will you hunt for them when the patient is in extreme pain and needs to be attended?

Medicines must for first-aid kit

If you are through with the first-aid basic accessories then check out for the medicines to be stored in it. Medicines over here are definitely some basic medicines like an antihistamine, an antiallergenic, a pain-killer, vomiting and stomach ache control medicine, anti-diarrhea and anti-dysentery medicines etc. You can keep a bottle of cough syrup and some vitamin tonics along with the kit. They are helpful may be not in emergencies but as regular needs.

The real emergency tools

Apart from medicines and accessories, you have some most essential things to keep in the first-aid kit. A mobile and of course all emergency phone numbers of hospitals, doctors, ambulance, medical store, pathological labs and places related to medical treatment. You have everything in the first-aid kit but without this basic information you can’t move your patient a single inch. And the first aid treatment will go in vain without further care at the right time. Beware!