FIRST AID SUPPLIES

by Carol Basel

There are no hard and fast rules regarding the necessary supplies needed for a first aid kit. However, there are some items which are considered standard:

A completion Card from an accredited First Aid/CPR class

Pocket size First Aid Manual

Several pairs of LATEX FREE gloves (extras in case of holes or multiple victims

CPR Mask/Shield also LATEX FREE

Alcohol swabs

Small bottle of saline solution

Antiseptic wipes

Assorted band aids

Gauze Pads

Surgical pads (sanitary napkins work well for large wounds or severe bleeding)

Several rolls of gauze in various sizes, especially the large 4.5” size

Antibiotic ointment

Large and small Ace bandages

Shock blankets

Cold packs

Several triangular bandages for immobilizing limbs or holding compression bandages in place

Adhesive tape

Scissors (strong enough to cut away clothing, if necessary)

Tweezers

Hazardous waste bag

Antibacterial wipes or wash to clean hands afterwards

Other handy items include:

Bee Sting Kits

Bug bite patches

Cleansing compress cloths

Glucose tablets or tubes

Betadine swab sticks

Extra triangular bandages

Small bottle water

Aspirin

We must consider the nature of the type of injuries we might encounter at a motorcycle accident scene. These could be as minor as road rash or a much more major injury. Try to envision one of these accidents and think about the type of items you might need to care for the victims. It isn’t possible to carry everything that you will need for every type of injury. Only you can decide how large or how small your first aid kit should be.

Once you have compiled your own First Aid Kit, don’t forget to change out tapes and ointments, gloves and medications periodically (at least twice a year). The extremes of weather, both hot and cold, take a heavy toll on items in first aid kits. You might also consider putting items like cold packs and other leakable items into individual Ziploc bags to prevent them from leaking onto other items in your kit. Of course, all the first aid items should be kept in a waterproof container for protection.