An emergency first aid kit differs from a general first aid kit in much the same way that a sector-specific kit, such as one designed for catering or education, would differ. This is because they serve different purposes, with an emergency first aid kit designed to provide a higher level of care, potentially for a longer period of time.
Additionally, because emergency first aid kits may be needed in situations such as natural disasters, fires, or car accidents, their supplies differ from those in a standard kit.
In this article we will discuss what is needed in an emergency kit, how it may differ depending on the incident or your location and what definitely shouldn’t be included amongst the contents.
Differences between emergency and standard first aid kits
The differences between an emergency and standard first aid kit primarily comes down to their purpose, contents and usage. For example, you’ll find more trauma supplies in an emergency kit than you would in a workplace first aid kit.| Emergency First Aid Kits |
General First Aid Kits |
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| Purpose | Treat both minor and life-threatening injuries over prolonged periods of time. |
Treat minor injuries as they happen. |
| Contents | Generally, the HSE or British Standard recommended contents as well as those designed for life-threatening situations, such as a tourniquet or haemostatic dressing. |
HSE or British Standard recommended contents. |
| Usage | Emergency evacuations, natural disasters, car accidents, isolated areas, etc. |
Workplace, home, schools, etc. |
| Storage location | In a “go bag”, the car boot, by an evacuation point. | Somewhere easily accessible and in a workplace, clearly labelled. |
What to include in your emergency first aid kit
When creating an emergency first aid kit it is important to consider what scenario you may need to use the supplies in. For example, our Emergency Trauma Kit contains supplies for general first aid, trauma first aid and burns treatment, while our Emergency Evacuation Kit contains general first aid, burns first aid and evacuation equipment such as whistles and hi-vis jackets.
Emergency first aid kit essentials
There are some first aid essentials that should be in an emergency first aid kit. These essentials will ensure that you are able to provide both basic and emergency first aid preparing you for whatever situation you may find yourself in.Basic first aid supplies
- Adhesive dressings
- Sterile gauze pads
- Microporous tape
- Sterile wipes
- Tweezers
- Clothing cutters
- Safety pins
- Assorted sterile bandages
- Triangular bandages
- Gloves
- First aid manual
Other first aid supplies
- Tourniquet
- Trauma dressings
- Foil Blanket
- Burn gel or dressings
- Eye wash
- Face shield
- Instant cold packs
Recommended
The items you choose to include in your emergency first aid kit may differ depending on where you are, whether the kit is for personal or work use and the purpose for its creation. These items may also be branching out from essential first aid to ensuring you have everything necessary to stay safe in an emergency situation. Below are some recommendations for what could be added.
Recommended first aid supplies
- Splints
- Hand sanitiser
- Tissues/wipes
- Snake bite kit
- N95 mask/face mask
Personal items
- Medication, painkillers, etc.
- Prescription backups for example inhalers and EpiPens.
- Personal hygiene products
- Entertainment for children
Other items for an emergency kit
- Torch – preferably battery powered or wind up
- Radio – same as above
- Medical history and emergency contact lists
- Duct tape
- Whistle
- Glow sticks
- Extra batteries
- Swiss Army knife
- Non-perishable food
- Bottled water
What should not be in a first aid kit?
While the contents of a first aid kit may vary, there are also minor differences in what should be excluded, depending on whether the kit is for workplace or personal use.
As a general rule, first aid kits should not include:
- Medication – painkillers and prescription medication should not be kept in a workplace first aid kit. Some people choose to store painkillers in their personal kits, but this is not a standard addition.
- Needles – These items should not be included in first aid kits, as they are intended for personal use and should only be used by individuals who are properly trained.
- Scalpels – Scalpels should only be used by medical professionals in first aid situations.
- Excess first aid supplies – Overstocking your kit with unnecessary supplies can take up space, potentially limiting the number of essential items.
- Flammable materials – Especially if the emergency situation is a fire, as having too many flammable materials on you can be a safety risk.
- Out-of-date supplies – These can be a risk to casualties, particularly if expired medications or compromised materials are involved.
Choosing the best first aid kit for emergency preparedness
Choosing the best first aid kit for emergency preparedness will depend on how and where you plan to use it. This is because most emergency preparedness kits are tailored to specific environments and scenarios.
Where is it going to be used
An emergency evacuation kit in particular will require enough supplies to potentially last up to 72 hours depending on the type of scenario. Whereas a home first aid kit will include items that are suited to dealing with immediate pain until help can arrive.
What’s in the kit
The contents of an emergency first aid kit vary depending on who will use it and the scenario it is designed for.If you are purchasing a pre-made kit it will generally have all of the essential items listed above and potentially some of the additional ones, however you may need to supplement it with your own essentials to create the ideal emergency preparedness first aid kit. This is particularly relevant if there are medications that would need to be added to your kit.
Portability
Many emergency first aid kits are designed for travel or evacuation, so ease of transport is a key consideration. This often includes a grab-and-go design, such as a strap for carrying over the shoulder or attaching to a backpack if the kit doesn’t fit inside.Conclusion/CTA
Having a properly stocked emergency first aid kit is a vital part of staying prepared, whether at home, at work, or on the move. Your kit should include essentials such as sterile dressings, plasters, bandages, gloves, scissors, antiseptic wipes, and a resuscitation face shield, along with any medication you may require if the kit is for personal use. Including a first aid guidance leaflet can also be extremely helpful in an emergency and is a legal requirement from HSE if the kit is for a workplace.Remember to check your kit regularly to replace used or expired items. Being prepared not only ensures peace of mind, but it can also make all the difference in emergency situations.
By Sarah Mason