First Aid Kit Supply List

Here are some essential items for a well-stocked first aid kit:

1.​ Assorted adhesive bandages: (various sizes) for cuts and scrapes.
2.​ Sterile gauze pads: (multiple sizes) for larger wounds and to absorb blood.
3.​ Adhesive tape: to secure dressings.
4.​ Antiseptic wipes or hand sanitizer: for cleaning hands and minor wounds.
5.​ Triple antibiotic ointment: to prevent infection in minor cuts and scrapes.
6.​ Pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen) for pain and fever relief
7.​ Scissors and tweezers: for cutting tape/gauze and removing splinters.
8.​ Disposable gloves: (non-latex) to protect against bloodborne pathogens.
9.​ Emergency blanket: for warmth and shock.
10.​CPR face shield/mask: for hygienic CPR delivery.

Emergency Numbers

●​ Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911

●​ Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
●​ Trusted Neighbor/Family Member Emergency Contact: (You would insert a trusted
contact's number here)

CPR

General Principles: Perform CPR if a person is unresponsive, not breathing, or only gasping.

Adult CPR:

●​ Symptoms: Unresponsiveness, no breathing/gasping, no pulse.

●​ Treatment:
1.​ Call 911.
2.​ Begin chest compressions: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest (at least
2 inches deep, 100-120 compressions per minute).
3.​ Give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions (if trained and able, ensuring
head tilt-chin lift).
4.​ Continue until EMS arrives or the person responds.

Infant CPR (0-12 months):

●​ Symptoms: Unresponsiveness, no breathing/gasping, no pulse.

●​ Treatment:
1.​ Call 911 (or have someone else call while you start CPR).
 2.​ Begin chest compressions: Use two fingers in the center of the chest, just below
the nipple line (about 1.5 inches deep, 100-120 compressions per minute).
3.​ Give 2 gentle rescue breaths after every 30 compressions (covering both nose
and mouth with your mouth).
4.​ Continue until EMS arrives or the infant responds.

Choking

Adult Choking:

●​ Symptoms: Inability to speak, cough, or breathe; grasping at the throat; blue lips/skin.
●​ Treatment (Heimlich Maneuver):
1.​ Ask, "Are you choking? Can you speak?" If not, stand behind the person.
2.​ Place your arms around their waist. Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly
above their navel. Grasp your fist with your other hand.
3.​ Perform quick, upward abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or the
person becomes unconscious.
4.​ If unconscious, begin CPR.

Infant Choking (0-12 months):

●​ Symptoms: Inability to cry or make noise; weak or no cough; blue lips/skin.

●​ Treatment:
1.​ Support the infant face-down on your forearm, head lower than chest.
2.​ Give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
3.​ Turn the infant face-up, supporting the head. Give 5 quick chest thrusts (like CPR
compressions, but sharper) using two fingers on the breastbone.
4.​ Repeat 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the infant
becomes unconscious.
5.​ If unconscious, begin CPR.

Severe Allergic Reactions

●​ Symptoms:
1.​ Skin: Hives, itching, flushing.
2.​ Respiratory: Difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in throat, swelling of
tongue/lips.
3.​ Circulatory: Dizziness, lightheadedness, rapid pulse, sudden feeling of
weakness, loss of consciousness.
●​ Treatment:
1.​ Call 911 immediately.
2.​ If the person has an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), help them administer it
without delay.
3.​ Have the person lie down with legs elevated if they are feeling dizzy or weak.
4.​ Loosen tight clothing around the neck.
 5.​ Monitor breathing and be prepared to perform CPR if necessary.

Heat-Related Emergency

This section covers general heat-related issues like heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heat
stroke is addressed separately due to its severity.

●​ Symptoms:
1.​ Heat Cramps: Muscle spasms, often in legs or abdomen.
2.​ Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, clammy skin, nausea, vomiting, fatigue,
dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, faintness.
3.​ Fainting: Brief loss of consciousness.
●​ Treatment:
1.​ Move the person to a cooler place (shade, air-conditioned room).
2.​ Have them lie down and elevate their feet slightly.
3.​ Loosen or remove tight clothing.
4.​ Apply cool, wet cloths or sponges to the skin (forehead, neck, armpits, groin).
5.​ Give sips of cool water or a sports drink (if conscious and not nauseated).
6.​ If symptoms worsen or do not improve within 30 minutes, seek medical attention.

Heat Stroke

This is a life-threatening emergency.

●​ Symptoms:
1.​ Body Temperature: Extremely high body temperature (104°F/40°C or higher).
2.​ Skin: Hot, red, dry, or moist skin (sweating may have stopped).
3.​ Mental Status: Confusion, disorientation, slurred speech, seizures, loss of
consciousness.
4.​ Other: Rapid, strong pulse; rapid, shallow breathing.
●​ Treatment:
1.​ Call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
2.​ Move the person to a cool place.
3.​ Begin active cooling measures immediately while waiting for EMS:
■​ Immerse in a cool bath or shower (if conscious and able).
■​ Sponge with cold water.
■​ Place ice packs on the armpits, groin, and neck.
■​ Fan the person.
4.​ Do NOT give fluids if the person is unconscious or confused.
5.​ Monitor vital signs until EMS arrives.

Frostbite

●​ Symptoms:
 1.​ Skin: Waxy, pale, cold, numb, or hard skin (may appear white, grayish-yellow, or
bluish).
2.​ Feeling: Numbness, tingling, or aching.
3.​ Later (after warming): Blisters, swelling, pain, blackening of tissue.
●​ Treatment:
1.​ Move the person to a warm environment.
2.​ Gently remove any wet or restrictive clothing or jewelry.
3.​ Do NOT rub the affected area. This can cause more damage.
4.​ Warm the affected area gradually:
■​ Soak in warm (not hot) water (100-105°F / 37-41°C) for 20-30 minutes, or
until the skin becomes red and soft.
■​ If warm water is not available, use body heat (e.g., place affected hands
under armpits).
5.​ Once thawed, cover with loose, dry, sterile dressings.
6.​ Seek medical attention, especially if blisters develop or there is significant
pain/numbness.

Hypothermia

●​ Symptoms:
1.​ Shivering: Uncontrollable shivering (may stop in severe cases).
2.​ Mental Status: Confusion, disorientation, slurred speech, drowsiness, poor
coordination.
3.​ Physical: Cold, pale skin; slow, shallow breathing; weak pulse; clumsiness.
●​ Treatment:
1.​ Move the person to a warm, dry place.
2.​ Remove any wet clothing and replace it with dry, warm layers.
3.​ Wrap the person in blankets, towels, or dry clothing. Cover the head.
4.​ Provide warm (not hot), non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks if the person is
conscious and able to swallow.
5.​ Apply warm compresses to the neck, chest, and groin.
6.​ Monitor breathing and be prepared to perform CPR if necessary.
7.​ Seek medical attention for severe cases or if the person is unresponsive.

Broken Bones

●​ Symptoms:
1.​ Pain: Severe pain that worsens with movement.
2.​ Swelling and Bruising: Around the injured area.
3.​ Deformity: Visible deformity or angulation of the limb.
4.​ Inability to Move: Difficulty or inability to move the injured part.
5.​ Grinding Sensation: A grinding or grating sensation (crepitus) if moved.
●​ Treatment:
 1.​ Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.
2.​ Immobilize the injured area: Use a splint (e.g., rolled newspaper, stick, or a
sling for an arm) to prevent movement. Pad the splint for comfort.
3.​ Apply ice: To help reduce swelling and pain (wrap ice in a cloth, do not apply
directly to skin).
4.​ Elevate the injured limb: If possible, to reduce swelling.
5.​ Control bleeding: If there is an open wound, apply direct pressure with a clean
cloth.

Advocacy for Disaster Preparedness

Beyond just having a first aid kit, there's a lot we can do to make sure our homes, schools, and
communities are ready for anything. At home, I can start by helping my family create an
emergency plan, discussing things like evacuation routes, a meeting point, and who to contact.
We could also work together to assemble a 72-hour emergency kit with enough food, water, and
supplies for everyone. It's not just about big disasters; even a power outage can be a challenge,
so having flashlights and a battery-powered radio is smart.

In school, I could suggest that our student government or a relevant club dedicate some time to
preparedness. We could organize an "Emergency Preparedness Week" to raise awareness,
share tips in morning announcements, or even set up a display with information on what to do
during different emergencies like fires or severe weather. For the community, I think attending
local emergency drills or preparedness workshops would be a great start. Sharing information
on social media or talking to neighbors about the importance of being ready could also make a
big difference, encouraging everyone to take steps to protect themselves and those around
them.