Stocking your own first aid kit

First aid kits are awesome. If you have one, you've used it. If you have kids, you've used it a lot. It's as much of a staple to my household as the fridge, as a matter of fact it's on top of it.
A standard first aid kit is great, and you can buy pretty extravagant first aid kits at pretty reasonable prices if you shop around. A standard first aid kit should contain the following:

*one flashlight (electric torch) with batteries or hand crank.

*spare batteries

*one pair trauma shears (EMT shears/pennycutters)

*two pairs nitrile exam gloves

*one biohazard waste bag (any sturdy, sealable plastic bag will do)

*one SAM splint (Structural Aluminum Malleable)

*two triangular bandages

*four 4"x4" gauze pads (lint/surgical sponges)

*two rolls 4" gauze (roller bandage/cling)

*ten adhesive bandages (sticking plasters) (Elastoplast/Band-aid type)

*one roll 1/2" medical adhesive tape

*two 5"x9" abdominal pads

*one pocket face mask (key chain-style CPR mask)

*one bottle 81 mg chewable aspirin

*two 6" elastic bandages (Ace bandages)

*six safety pins

*six alcohol prep pads

*six povodine iodine prep pads

*one pen

*one notebook

*inventory list

Now that you have this wonderful staple, it's time to get creative!
Take everything, and I mean everything into account! EpiPens, rescue inhalers, spare medications; any chronic illnesses or afflictions you or a family member may sufer from.
Look in your own back yard. In my backyard, I have a major fault line, a nuclear power plant and a thriving metropolis. Thus, people in my neck of the woods are well prepared if they have the following:

Earthquake Kits-
*A couple of weeks worth of water

*A wind up radio with a power supply

*Self inflating life preservers

*A couple of weeks worth of Instant meals (MRE)

*Canned Food

*Manual can opener

*Battery operated cell phone charger

*2 Butane Lighters

*Waterproof Matches

*Water purification tablets and/or manual water filter pump

*Sterno Emergency kit, with folding stove and burners

*Lots of toilet paper (which would be a commodity in an economic collapse as well)

*Tooth Brush/tooth paste

*$400 in $10 bills and 2 $10 rolls of quarters

Nuclear Fall out-
Everything in your earthquake kit plus:

*Geiger Counter- There will be pockets of massive radiation, it's good to know where they are.

*Soap. The first thing you need to do when your in a safe zone is take a shower.

*Several Disposable Jumpsuits

*Full Face Respirator

*Tape

*Industrial Grade Rubber Gloves

A well stocked first aid kit is awesome, but being prepared for anything is smart. Don't be paranoid, be logical. Obviously in the event of a nuclear mishap, your going to get the hell out of town as soon as possible, there is no reason to go overkill on it. In an earthquake, you may not have the opportunity to get out of town.
Take into account whats in your backyard. Chemical plants, nuclear reactors, train tracks or any major chemical transport route.
Take into account where you live and what is common: earthquakes, tornado's, floods, hurricanes, tropical storms, blizzards and, I forgot to mention, I live in a Tsunami zone as well.

Learn more about this author, Galen Daugherty.
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