No matter what your situation, putting

together a first aid kit is a must if you

want to keep yourself, your loved ones,
or your staff safe. Equipment used in
first aid can help to fully treat minor
injuries on the spot without needing to
go to the doctor, help to manage
injuries so damage is minimised later,
and even save lives.
CONTAINERS
A container is necessary to keep your
first aid items clean and in good
condition until you need to use them. A
first aid container should also keep first
aid supplies organised into separate
areas. This will help keep specific
categories of items, like bandages and
dressings, separate from other items,
making them easier to locate.
DRESSINGS
At the very minimum, a first aid kit is
used to treat minor wounds like cuts
and grazes. Having an assortment of
wound dressings in your kit is
important to deal with wounds in a
wide range of severities. Here are
some we recommend.
TYPES OF DRESSINGS
BURN DRESSING
A dressing impregnated with a
sterile water-based gel that
cools, soothes, and promotes
healing with antibacterial actives.
STERILE DRESSINGS
It’s always good to have some
sterile dressings in your first
aid kit to care for wounds
with a high risk of infection.
EYE PAD DRESSINGS
A round dressing with a strap
attached to it, designed to be
put over an eye and held in
place with the strap to
protect an injured eye.
STERILE LOW ADHERENT DRESSING
A double-sided dressing that
won’t adhere to the wound bed,
keeping it protected and
maintaining a moist environment.
STERILE FINGER DRESSING

A small dressing designed

to wrap about the finger.
PLASTERS
An assortment of large and small
plasters may be the most used
item in your first aid kit. Plasters
should ideally be hypoallergenic
and water-resistant. If you run a
food handling business and need
a kitchen first aid kit, you may
need blue plasters.
BANDAGES
Bandages can be used to hold
dressings in place, provide
added support, cushioning,
and protection, and compress
swollen soft tissue injuries.
CONFORMING BANDAGES

A lightweight bandage with flexibility

and stretch that easily hold dressings
in place and gently compress.
TRIANGULAR BANDAGES
A multifunctional woven or
non-woven bandage that can be
used to immobilise an injured
limb, bandage a wound, and
even as a makeshift tourniquet.
INFECTION CONTROL
Infection control is vital in first
aid. Ensure you maintain a
hygienic environment when
cleaning and treating a wound.
Keeping your hands clean and
cleaning wounds should be the
first step in dealing with injuries.
DISPOSABLE GLOVES
Disposable vinyl gloves protect
your hands from coming into
direct contact with bodily
fluids and prevent the transfer
of bacteria to an open wound.
STERILE SALINE WIPES

Sterile wipes can be used to clean

wounds before dressing them.
HAND SANITIZER
When you don’t have access to
a sink with running water and
soap, hand sanitiser is a good
way to disinfect your hands.
SALINE WOUND WASH
Use ampoules of sterile wound wash
solution to dislodge dirt and clean
wounds before dressing them.
BANDAGING AND DRESSING TOOLS
Tools and supplies to ensure you can
clean and properly dress wounds.
SAFETY PINS
Versatile and useful for fixing
and fastening bandages,
including triangular bandages.
MICROPOROUS TAPE
A porous tape that holds dressings
and bandages to the skin and is
easy and painless to remove.
TWEEZERS
For precisely removing grit
from wounds to thoroughly
clean them before dressing.
SCISSORS
Tuff cut scissors capable of cutting
through thick layers of fabric and
seatbelts as well as bandage rolls
and cutting dressings to size.
OTHER ESSENTIALS

First aid essentials that make an

excellent addition to any kit, helping to
deliver life-saving medical attention.
instant ice pack
An endothermic ice pack that
negates the need for a freezer.
Used to soothe painful soft tissue
injuries and reduce swelling.
foil blanket
A compact and insulating foil blanket
to help deal with exposure and keep
a casualty warm if they are in shock.
guidance leaflet
A leaflet showing how to carry out
essential first aid such as CPR can
be the difference between life and
death for someone. You may also
need an accident report book.
ONE-WAY RESUS VALVE
A valved face shield designed to
provide protection from direct skin-
to-skin contact when performing
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.