First Aid Essentials
January 9, 2022 – In case of an emergency, it is important to have the basic supplies, such as water, batteries and flashlights on hand but don’t forget medications and medical supplies as well. Dr. Derek Heard, Phoebe Primary Care Physician, says having the right medical supplies and an emergency plan will ease the stress of dealing with a severe storm.
A well-stocked first aid kit is important for a number of situations and provides you with the supplies needed to be ready for most minor emergencies. First aid kits can be large, including every possible item you might need or they can contain basic items. Either way, according to Dr. Heard every first aid kit should include the following essential items:
- Antiseptic wash
- Gauze pads or roll
- Adhesive tape
- Scissors
- Ace bandage
- Instant cold pack
- Latex gloves
- Band-Aids
- Tweezers
- Over the counter medicine for cuts, burns and stings
- Pain Reliever
“What is included in your kit really depends on you and your family’s needs. You should have at least one-week supply of medication and a medication list. Be sure to include those special medicines family members may require, such as an EpiPen for severe allergies, supplies for those with diabetes, inhalers and extra oxygen. For those that use DME equipment that require electricity such as CPAP, Oxygen, Home Dialysis, there needs to be a contingency plan for use of those items,” said Dr. Heard.
For medications that need refrigeration a plan needs to be in place. Dr. Heard suggests speaking with your doctor or pharmacist about how those medications can be stored in case of power outages.
If you don’t want to put your own first aid kit together, you can buy them from The American Red Cross and at many drugstores. However, once you but it be sure to go through the items to be sure you know how to use them and add anything that you may need specifically for your family.
Written by: Derek J. Heard, MD
Phoebe Primary Care of Albany