First-Aid Essentials

Cuts and Abrasions

• Antibacterial soap
• Adhesive bandages (Band-Aids) of various sizes
• Roll of adhesive tape
• Sterile dressings (esp. 4"x 4" gauze pads)
• Roll of 4" gauze (to hold dressings)
• Pair of blunt-end scissors

Eye Injuries

• Prepared eyewash and eyecup

Burns (minor)

• Burn ointment or spray

Skin Problems

• Hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion (itches & rashes)
• Petroleum jelly
• Antifungal powder or spray for athlete's foot
• Sunscreen and sunburn spray for relief
• Insect repellent

Poison (swallowed)

• Syrup of ipecac (to induce vomiting, after consulting physician or poison-control center)
• Activated charcoal (to absorb poisons that shouldnÕt be regurgitated)
• Epsom salts (to speed excretion of poison)

Heat Exhaustion

• Sodium bicarbonate (mix a pinch with 1/4 teaspoon salt in quart of water, and drink)

Pain relief

• Aspirin or other over-the-counter pain reliever

Miscellaneous

• Surgical tweezers for removing splinters
• Cotton balls
• Elastic bandage for sprains
• Ice bag to reduce swellings
• Hot-water bottle and heating pad for aches and pains
• Aspirin and/or acetaminophen for pain relief and fever reduction
• Thermometer
• Sodium bicarbonate for bee, ant, and wasp stings