by Jerica Collins

Created on: April 13, 2007   Last Updated: April 27, 2007

It never hurts to be prepared for anything, especially when in outdoors where anything can happen. It also is always nice for first aid to have a little bit of knowledge about the human anatomy so if anything major happens you will have an idea where certain bones or organs are located. It may be a good idea to even practice bandaging or at least know how to do it otherwise you're really not going to know how to use them.

Your first aid kit should include:
Insect repellant-for obvious reasons
Salt tablets-when heat stroke or exhaustion occurs
Table salt-replacement toothpaste/heat stroke or exhaustion
Rubbing alcohol-for cleaning wounds
Bandages (different sizes)-for wrapping wounds, stabalizing a joint, slings, etc.
Aspirin-you never know when you're going to need it
Tweezers-take out splinters
Sanitary napkins-never know when you're going to need them
Medical thermometer-might need this
Sterile gauze dressings, individually wrapped (2" x 2" and 4" x 4")-for wounds
Piece of clean folded old bed sheet-work as a sling or for wrapping just about anything
Roll of 1/2" wide adhesive tape-help stabalize a joint, etc.
Oral antibiotics for infections-for obvious reasons
Nausea or vomiting tablets-you may end up needing these
Motion sickness tablets-for obvious reasons
Diarrhea medication-sometimes what you eat or come in contact with doesn't agree with you
Pepto Bismol-for traveler's diarrhea
Aromatic spirits of ammonia-to bring someone out of a faint
Mild antiseptic-definatly always good to have
Steristrips for cuts-holds edges of cuts together
Suturing kit-it doesn't hurt to know how to suture a bad wound in case you can't get somewhere right away
Snakebite kit-think of all those snakes out there and
Molesking-for sore feet
Baking soda-substitue toothpaste, can actually help stop a sweets craving
Distilled water-for drinking or rinsing wounds
Cotton applicators-for cleaning wounds
Petroleum jelly-put over wounds can prevent anything from getting in, put around ankles to keep ticks and other bugs from crawling up your leg
Thick blunt needle-never know what you'll need it for
Scissors-obviously with all these bandages and cloth you're going to need something to cut it with, as well as the thread and anything else.

Hopefully this long list of supplies will keep you well prepared for anything. Its also a good idea to keep garbage bags to use as emergancy ponchos. It would be wise to keep all these items in a case that fastens well and locks if there will be children around. It never hurts to keep a pocket size book about first aid and its always a good idea to take a first aid/CPR class so you are prepared for anything.

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