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BobKilcoyne (talk | contribs) Dust- and damp-proof containers: maintain link to current Scout Association guidance and avoid reference to archived page |
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A '''first aid kit''' or '''medical kit''' is a collection of supplies and equipment used to give immediate medical treatment, primarily to treat injuries and other mild or moderate medical conditions. There is a wide variation in the contents of first aid kits based on the knowledge and experience of those putting it together, the differing first aid requirements of the area where it may be used, and variations in legislation or regulation in a given area.
The international standard for first aid kits is that they should be identified with the [[International Standards Organization|ISO]] graphical symbol for first aid (from [[ISO 7010]]), which is an equal white cross on a green background.<ref name=ISO>{{cite web|url=https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iso:grs:7010:E003|title=ISO 7010 - E003|access-date=25 August 2018|archive-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504141646/https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:grs:7010:E003|url-status=live}}</ref>
Standard kits often come in durable plastic boxes, fabric pouches or in wall mounted cabinets. The type of container will vary depending on the purpose, and they range in size from wallet-sized through to a large box. It is recommended that all kits are kept in a clean dust- and damp-proof container,<ref>[[The Scout Association]], [https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/incidents-and-illness/first-aid-kits-and-accident-books/first-aid-kits/guidance-on-first-aid-kits/ Guidance on first aid kits], accessed
Kits should be checked regularly and restocked if any items are damaged or are out of date.
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<gallery>
File:ISO 7010 E003 - First aid sign.svg| ISO First Aid Symbol
File:
File:Flag of the Red Cross.svg| Symbol of the [[Red Cross]]
File:Star of life2.svg| [[Star of Life]]
</gallery>
The ISO only endorses the use of the green background and white cross, and this has been adopted as a standard across many countries and regions, including the entire EU. First aid kits are sometimes marked (by an individual or organization) with a red cross on white background, but use of this symbol by anyone but the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]] (ICRC) or associated agency is illegal under the terms of the [[First Geneva Convention]], which designates the red cross as a protected symbol in all countries signatory to it. One of the few exceptions is in North America, where despite the passing of the First Geneva convention in 1864, and its ratification in the United States in 1881, [[Johnson & Johnson]] has used the red cross as a mark on its products since 1887 and registered the symbol as a U.S. [[trademark]] for medicinal and surgical plasters in 1905.<ref>{{cite web|title=USPTO record for Johnson & Johnson's Red Cross mark|url=http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=71013666&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch|publisher=tsdr.uspto.gov|access-date=6 May 2015|archive-date=4 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404082200/http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=71013666&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch|url-status=live}}</ref>
Some first aid kits may also feature the [[Star of Life]], normally associated with [[emergency medical services]], but which are also used to indicate that the service using it can offer an appropriate point of care. Though not supported by the ISO, a white cross on red background is also widely recognized as a first aid symbol. However, for very small medical institutions and domestic purposes, the white cross on a plain green background is preferred.
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Common kits may contain:
* Thermometer
* Adhesive dressings
* Antiseptic solution (most commonly [[povidone iodine]] or [[hydrogen peroxide]])
* Bandages
* Cotton balls or [[Cotton swab|swabs]]
* [[Emergency blanket]]
* [[Gauze sponge]]
* Gloves
* [[Hand sanitizer]]
* Ice pack
* [[Saline solution]]
* [[Tweezers]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=First aid kit: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia |url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001958.htm |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=medlineplus.gov |language=en |archive-date=2022-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118193941/https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001958.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Trauma injuries===
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*[[Bandages]] (for securing dressings, not necessarily sterile)
**Gauze roller bandages – absorbent, breathable, and often elastic
**[[Elastic
**Adhesive, elastic roller bandages (commonly called '[[Cohesive bandage|Vet wrap]]') – very effective pressure bandages and durable, waterproof bandaging
**Triangular bandages – used as slings, tourniquets, to tie splints, and many other uses
*[[Butterfly closure strips]] – used like stitches to close wounds, usually only included for higher level response as can seal in infection in uncleaned wounds.
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*Burn gel – a water-based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anaesthetic such as [[lidocaine]] and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as [[tea tree oil]]
*Anti-itch ointment
**[[Hydrocortisone]] cream or injection
**[[antihistamine]] cream containing [[diphenhydramine]]
**Calamine lotion, for skin inflammations.
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==Improvised uses==
Besides the regular uses for first aid kits, they can be helpful in wilderness or survival situations. First aid kits can make up a part of a [[survival kit]] or a [[mini survival kit]] in addition to other tools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies|title=What Do You Need In A Survival Kit?|access-date=25 August 2018|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809024046/http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Workplace first aid kits==
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|access-date = 2006-08-28
|url = http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9806
|archive-date = 2009-11-16
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091116002010/http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9806
|url-status = live
}}</ref> While providing regulations for some industries such as logging,<ref>{{cite web
|last = 29 CFR 1910.266 App A
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|access-date = 2006-08-28
|url = http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9863
|archive-date = 2009-08-15
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090815222455/http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9863
|url-status = live
}}</ref> in general the regulation lacks specifics on the contents of the first aid kit. This is understandable, as the regulation covers every means of employment, and different jobs have different types of injuries and different first-aid requirements. However, in a non-mandatory section,<ref>{{cite web
|last = 29 CFR 1910.151 App A
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|access-date = 2006-08-28
|url = http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9807
|archive-date = 2009-12-23
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091223184530/http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9807
|url-status = live
}}</ref> the OSHA regulations do refer to ANSI/ISEA Specification Z308.1<ref>{{cite web
|last = ANSI/ISEA
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|date = 2006-01-25
|access-date = 2009-08-25
|url = http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/fire/documents/0006/6170_6H.pdf
|archive-date = 2011-08-13
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110813064454/http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/fire/documents/0006/6170_6H.pdf
|url-status = live
}}</ref> which specifies the contents of several different-sized kits, intended to serve groups of differing size.
In general, the type of first aid facilities required in a workplace are determined by many factors, such as:
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{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
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*[http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh2-HealthKit.aspx How to make your own first-aid kit], [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]
*[http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit/anatomy Red Cross' Anatomy of a First Aid Kit]
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