In most disasters, whether it's a hurricane, a terrorist attack, or a city full of looters, people get hurt. Survival first aid is essential in these situations, but very hard to come by due to overcrowded hospitals. After food, water and shelter, medical supplies and a good book on first aid should be your next priority.
Fortunately, it isn't very expensive to assemble your own first aid kit. Consider all the most likely disaster scenarios, how many people will be with you, their health, and what types of medical emergencies might occur. Now examine the list below and make adjustments based on your personal situation.
Note: You can get the bandages and dressings together in one kit from The Ready Store for about $25. However, there are many important items that are not included in that particular kit. Those are listed below under “additional items.”
Now I don't expect everyone to immediately run out and buy all these items. I like to print lists and keep them on my desk so every weekend I can look for a couple more things and cross them off the list.
1-1/2″x1-1/2″ patch plastic bandage
1″x3″ adhesive plastic bandages
1″x3″ fabric bandages
2″x4″ elbow & knee plastic bandages
3/4″x3″ adhesive plastic bandages
3/4″x3″ fabric bandages
3/8″x1-1/2″ junior plastic bandages
Fingertip fabric bandages
Knuckle fabric bandages
Dressings:
1/2″x5 yard first aid tape roll
2″x2″ moleskin squares
4″x5″ instant cold compress
6″x11/16″ finger splint
Butterfly bandages
Emergency blanket
Injury Treatment:
2″ conforming gauze roll bandage
2″x2″ gauze pads
3″x3″ gauze dressing pads
4″x4″ gauze dressing pads
5″x9″ trauma pad
Eye pads
Medicine and Antiseptics:
Alcohol prep pads
Antibiotic ointment
Antiseptic towelettes
Aspirin tablets
Burn relief pack
First aid/burn cream packs
Ibuprofen tablets
Insect sting relief ointment
Non-aspirin tablets
References, Tools, Etc:
3″ cotton tipped applicators
First aid book
Scissors
Thermometer
Tweezers
Vinyl gloves
(Not included in The Ready Store kit.
Some of these are very advanced.)
Activated charcoal
Aloe vera
Antacids
Antibiotics
Antihistamines
Benadryl
Calamine lotion
Cotton balls
Decongestants
Dental tools
Eye drops
Forceps
Hemostats
Hydrocortisone cream
Hydrogen peroxide
Imodium A-D
Insect repellent
Instant hot pack
Instant cold pack
Iodine
Ipecac
Latex gloves
Mastisol
Needles
Oil of cloves
Paper cups
Rubbing alcohol
Safety pins
Saline solution
Sam splint
Scalpel
Smelling salts
Snake bite poison extractor
Soap
Sponges
Sun block
Super glue
Sutures
Tongue blades
Wound closure strips
If you can afford it, make two kits and keep one at home and one in your car. Keep track of expiration dates on medications and remember that most meds, depending on the season and climate, will expire several months sooner if they're kept in the car.
Recommended Books:
Backcountry First Aid and Extended Care
NOLS Wilderness First Aid
Where There Is No Doctor
