Preparedness: A First Aid Kit

I've been meaning to do this post for a year! I put this super first aid kit together last year during my Spring Break after getting the inspiration from this blog post. I took the boys to Walmart and we started shopping! I love the way a tackle box can organize everything and make it easy to access supplies in a hurry.

Let me give you a tour!

Opening up the lid, I have all sorts of emergency supplies right on hand:

I have tools, like a stethoscope (I keep my good one at work, but I have this one here, plus another one in my car's first aid kit), and a digital blood pressure monitor (plus batteries). I keep my other blood pressure cuff in my car's kit.

I keep cleansing and disinfecting liquids up here: hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, betadine, eye wash, antibacterial cleaner, saline syringes, and then also aloe vera gel and petroleum jelly.

 Also tucked on top in this top compartment I have hand warmers, an ice bag, goggles, an emergency blanket, and a sling.

On the right side compartment on top I keep some tape, a tourniquet, some gauze, cotton balls, and a few saline syringes (which could be used to flush wounds or eyes).

On the left side is a digital thermometer with extra tip covers (what if I'm helping a group of people?), some bandage scissors, and a pen light.

With the lid closed, there are two other compartments on the sides.

On the left I have some glucose tabs and some sore throat lozenges, as well as my CPR mouth shield and an emergency airway.

On the right I have N95 respirator masks (which block out viruses and other airborne pathogens) and then some lighter face masks which are good for short time periods. I also keep gloves here for quick access.

Opening up the front compartment there are three cases.

The first case is for fever and pain. I keep my good temporal thermometer here, children's and adult's pain medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin), a mouth/dental pain kit, an ice pack, and dosage syringes.

The second compartment is for allergies, bites, and stings.

I keep bug bite/sting treatments here, along with seasonal allergy meds, and Conor's Benadryl and Epi-Pens (which I also keep in my car and my purse.)

An extra inhaler and even a snake bite kit is kept here.

The third case is for tummy and bowel problems. Antacids, anti-diarrheal, stool softener, laxatives, motion sickness, indigestion/heartburn medications, plus clean up and disposal supplies.

On the either side of the tackle box are two other compartments that I keep basic first aid supplies and wound management supplies in.

Plus, next to the case, I have a disposable gown and some other face masks slid into the space.

Also, some moleskin, which can be a lifesaver! (or at least a foot saver!)

In this case I keep a variety of sizes of bandaids, plus latex-free bandages. Also, different kinds of tapes, gauze, steri-strips, wraps, antibiotic ointment, and liquid bandage.

All of that slides right in!

On the other side, (sorry this picture is blurry!) I have other first aid supplies.

Cotton swabs, a razor, alcohol swabs,

a lighter, electrolytes, tissues, an Ace bandage, sutures,

 a scalpel, tweezers, scissors,

and some sterile gloves tucked on top.

 Having this kit brings me such peace of mind. Everything is gathered into one place, is organized, and is portable. There are a few other things I'd like to get (like a blood sugar monitor, for example), but I think it's pretty comprehensive overall.