Life with Chronic Conditions: Basic First Aid Preparedness

You most likely know how to respond if you, or the person in your charge, should have an emergent/urgent situation relating to your/their chronic condition. However, what if you are driving and come upon an accident? Would you know how to stop bleeding? Do you know CPR? What about a basic first aid kit-do you have one at home, car, or work?

 

Today’s post is all about helping you feel empowered, trained and equipped for emergent situations.

 

For starters, the Red Cross offers a variety of first aid classes on-line and in person. Check their website for classes near you or to train yourself on-line

 

RESOURCES TO LEARN BASIC FIRST AID

10 Basic First Aid Procedures

You are the Help Until Help Arrives: Free web based training program, which includes “Stop the Bleed.” This is a joint program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, FEMA, and the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

Mayo Clinic First Aid Guide

 

FIRST AID KITS

While there are lots of commercial products available, these are often expensive, may not contain the best quality of items and have lots of items you’ll never use. Further, when you are dealing with chronic conditions, you want to make sure that the first thing that goes into your kit are items needed for your emergent medical needs.

 

Containers: Depending on where your kit will be housed, can determine the type of container you’ll need. If it’s for home use, a sturdy box is fine, but for camping you’ll want to make sure the container is water resistant or water proof. Below are various items you can consider:

-       Tupperware: Yards sales are great places to pick up Tupperware containers. These are air tight and keep contents secure and dry.

-       Rubbermaid bins and food storage containers. These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes

-       Tool & tackle boxes

-       Sewing kits

-       Drawstring bags: These are often “give aways” but they can be easily re purposed

-       Altoids and other small tins for kits to tuck in a purse. These can hold band-aids, over the counter pain meds, sample packets of Neosporin, alcohol wipes etc.

-       Empty first aid bags are available at places like Amazon.

-       Ziploc storage bags

-       Fanny pack

-       Toiletries kits

 

Contents: As already noted above, where you’ll be housing your kit and your emergent medical needs will determine what you want in your kit. Where you live can also make a difference-having a tick remover is a must for where I live. Stock your kit over time, buying items of good quality that work for you and your family.

 

• Mayo clinic first aid kit

• Red Cross Make a First Aid Kit 

• CDC’s Must-Haves for Your First Aid Kits 

 

First Aid Guide: You can purchase guides from places like Red Cross, but you can also bookmark or use App guides. Consider the Mayo Clinic website.

 

Check dates and supplies: As you use supplies, replace them. Check every six months to see if items are outdated. Make sure items, like tweezers and scissors, are returned to the kit and not used elsewhere.