In an emergency situation you may have to act quickly, so it’s important to be
familiar with your first aid kit and know what to use for different injuries.
First aid kits are usually in a green box with a white cross and should be easy
to find.
The contents of first aid kits in workplaces or public places should be guided
by your first aid needs assessment. For more information about what should
be in your workplace first aid kit, please read our Workplace first aid kit
buying guide. For more information on first aid kits for schools, please read
our First aid equipment for schools page.
For your home or car, you can buy a first aid kit or put the items together
yourself in a waterproof, clean container.
The following items are the basic
contents of a first aid kit, with
explanations of what to use when:
Sterile dressings
Wound dressings
Dressing pads attached to a roller bandage are the most useful bandage. They
are easy to apply and so are ideal for an emergency.
Types of wound dressings include:
sterile wound dressing
sterile eye pad
sterile pad
fabric plasters
waterproof plasters.
Adhesive dressings or plasters
These are made from fabric or waterproof plastic and can be applied to small
cuts and grazes. If you work with food, you’ll be required to use blue
plasters. Gel plasters can be used to protect blisters.
Types of adhesive dressings or plasters include:
clear plasters
blue catering plasters
gel blister plasters.
Browse wound dressings
Browse plasters and adhesive dressings
Bandages
Roller bandages
These are used to support injured joints, limit swelling, maintain pressure on
wounds and secure dressings in place.
Types of roller bandages include:
conforming roller bandage
open-weave roller bandage
support roller bandage
self-adhesive bandage.
Triangular bandages
These are made of cloth and can be folded to make bandages or slings. If they
are individually wrapped and sterile they can also be used as dressings for
large wounds and burns.
Tubular bandages
Gauze tubular bandage is used to secure dressings on toes and fingers and is
applied to the injury with a special applicator. Elasticated tubular bandages
can be used to support injured joints such as the elbow or knee.
Browse roller bandages
Browse triangular bandages
Browse tubular bandages
Protective items
Disposable gloves
If available, gloves should be worn whenever you dress wounds, handle
bodily fluids or other waste materials. Latex-free gloves should be worn
where possible as some people are allergic to latex.
Protection from infection
A plastic face shield or pocket mask can help protect you from cross infection
with the casualty when giving rescue breaths.
Browse protective prods
Additional items
Cleansing wipes: to clean the skin around the wound
Gauze pads: to use as padding, or as swabs to clean around the
wounds
Adhesive tape: to hold dressings in place or to hold the loose end of
bandages
Scissors: used to cut bandages or sticky tape or someone’s clothing if
you need to get to a wound.
Pins and clips: to fasten loose ends of bandages
Aluminium blanket: used to help retain body heat in survival,
emergency and first aid situations.
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