I have had many inquiries over the past month or so as to
what I would recommend your first aid kit should contain.
This is a very general question, to which, in an article such
as this I can only give very general advice. Below are some
suggestions as to what I would keep in a “General Use”
kit. This would serve areas such a household, office, or even
a car kit. Kits for special purposes (sporting events, specific
industrial areas) could be built around a general purpose
kit such as this.
FIRST AID KIT
HOUSEHOLD & GENERAL USE.
Miscellaneous.
LATEX GLOVES (1pr.)
TORCH
SPARE BATTERY (2)
HEAVY DUTY SCISSORS (1) – For removal of clothing in
order to treat affected area
PENCIL
NOTE PAD
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
FIRST AID MANUAL
Wound Treatment / Cleaning / Closure.
BETADINE 200MLS
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE – Excellent for wound cleaning mixed
1 part H.P., to 3 parts water. The local (chemical) name for
this is H2 O2. I would not recommend this be kept in your
car as it forms gas bubbles in the heat, then tends to explode
in your car!
AQUA (500ml.) – Bottled water is ozone sterilized, therefore
excellent for wound cleaning & irrigation, cooling of
burns etc.
DRESSING PACK (1)
SMALL SCISSORS (1)
COTTON BUDS (1 Pk.)
CREPE BANDAGE 5cm (1)
CREPE BANDAGE 7.5cm (1)
STERILE DRESSING (2)
GAUZE SWABS (2 Pk.)
COTTON BALLS (2 Pk.)
MEDIPORE TAPE (1)
TISSUES (1 Pk.)
ASST. BANDAIDS
ASST. SAFETY PINS
BUTTERFLY CLOSURES / STERI –STRIPS. (2)
STERI-STRIPS . (1Pk.)
EYE PAD (1)
EYE SHIELD (2)
NON-STICK DRESSING (3)
COLD & FLU TABLETS (4) , & / or SYRUP.
PANADOL (6) & / or PANADOL SYRUP FOR CHILDREN
ASPIRIN (6) – I tend not to use this for analgesic,
rather as a blood thinner if any one is suspected of having
heart related chest pains. Naturally you should seek urgent
medical attention as well as give the Aspirin tablet!
CHARCOAL TABLETS
CALAMINE LOTION
HYDROCORTISONE CREAM 1.5% - Use sparingly for insect bites,
stings. Do not use for suspected skin fungus irritation
PHENERGAN CREAM – skin irritations and rashes
DIPHENHYDRAMINE TABLETS OR SYRUP – This is essential
for the treatment of allergic reactions, and is an ingredient
in many cough and cold formulas. As soon as a reaction is
suspected, the recommended dose should be given to the patient
(depending on age), then seek medical attention. This medication
is sold at supermarkets and drug stores under the name of
“Benadryl” or “Ikadryl”.
SUNBLOCK (1)
ORAL REPALCEMENT SALTS – Essential for athletes or just
long hot days. Local band names are “Oralit”,
“Pharolit”, or “Pocari Sweat” sachets.
INSECT REPELLANT (1)
VINEGAR (1) – This is the recommended treatment for
jelly fish stings or other marine creature bites / stings.
The patient should also seek medical attention as some of
these bites can have severe reactions hours after the initial
exposure.
NORMAL SALINE .9% - For eye washes. This can be purchased
at pharmacies or opticians.
Contact numbers that you would be wise to keep handy might
include the following. Other personal numbers such as office
& school numbers could be added to this list. Please feel
free to cut out this information and stick it on your fridge
door, or above your telephone!
Poisons Information Center (Australia) : 001-612-9845-0000.
(There is no locally available information service specifically
for poisons information).
I would like to give you a number for a reliable community
ambulance service, but up to date no such service exits. I
have called the number in the yellow pages several times,
and I don’t seem to be able to get an appropriate response
in any language. Until this changes, the best numbers to call
for emergency assistance would be Intl. SOS or BIMC.
It goes with-out saying that you can have all your cupboards
full of first aid supplies, but it is completely useless if
you do not know how to use it. Another point to ponder, is
that even if your are a trauma surgeon, all your skills and
knowledge are irrelevant if you are not the major care giver
to your family. How many of us entrust our children to house
maids and nannies, some of who have not been educated beyond
primary school. Having been raised in a village environment,
many are ignorant to the perils of electricity or other aspects
of twentieth century technology.
A friend of mine tells a near tragic story of her pet dog
who had somehow managed to find and latch onto a fallen electricity
cable. As my friend lifted her gaze she saw not only the dog
who was firmly stuck to the high voltage electricity, but
the maid running frantically across the yard to retrieve the
dog, followed by my friends son, who was chasing the maid.
Had they all connected it would have been a tragic and deadly
version of a pumpkin pull. All would have surely died if this
horrified mother had not screamed at them to stop. Unfortunately
the dog died, but a near tragedy was averted by this lady’s
quick reaction. Had this lady not been at home , I dread to
think what the outcome would have been. It’s worthwhile
to take some time out to inquire just how much your house-staff
are aware of health and safety. Perhaps you could even invest
in a first aid course for those who take care for you and
your loved ones.
Until next edition……….stay happy, stay
healthy and stay young!
Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse / Midwife, and
mother of three, who has been living and working in Bali for
past 15 years. She has assisted many traveller (... and others)
either as a flying medical escort or just a voice on the end
of the phone! Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns
that your may have. Her e-mail contact is info@chcbali.com
