Building a First Aid Kit
Everyone needs a First Aid Kit (FAK) for minor injuries and emergencies. Cuts, scrapes, blisters, and burns are quickly and successfully treated with a well-stocked FAK. In extreme cases, first response aid can have an impact on the overall outcome.
The contents of a First Aid Kit vary depending on the individual. Consider your requirements and situation. Improve your First Aid Kits as you gain experience. This guarantees that your gear fits properly and gives you the confidence to face problems.
It’s important to know how to use the gear listed here so go for training. Should you carry equipment you don’t know how to use? Consider that while you might not be able to use it it might help someone around who has the proper training.
Terminology
| Acroynm | Stands For | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IFAK | Individual First Aid Kit | IFAKs are small, portable first-aid kits. It has basic medical supplies for minor and life-threatening injuries. IFAKs are carried by military, police, and civilians. |
| BFAK | Basic First Aid Kit | BFAKs cure cuts, scratches, and blisters. It's portable. BFAKs may lack resources for major emergencies because they focus on basic first aid. |
| GFAK | Group First Aid Kit | Family, sports, and business use GFAKs. It can satisfy more people than an IFAK. Outdoor leaders use GFAKs. |
| TFAK | Trauma First Aid Kit | TFAKs address life-threatening bleeding, blocked airways, and chest traumas. Tourniquets and chest seals. Military and expert first aid EMS Kit practitioners use TFAKs. |
| OFAK | Outdoor First Aid Kit | Hiking, camping, and backpacking use OFAKs. Insect bite treatments, blister care, and outdoor water filtration kits are typical. The trip's setting, activities, and duration determine an OFAK's contents. |
EDC IFAK
A personalized IFAK gives you the feeling of preparedness and shows that you care about your and others' safety at home, work, and wherever else. This configuration is designed to be portable as an every day carry (EDC) item.
| Item | Quantity | Be Ready Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive bandages | Various | Plasters basically. Also called a boo-boo kit, this has various plasters to use. If you've got kids, carry some fun ones around too. |
| Sterile gauze pads | Few | You can never have enough gauze with you. |
| Medical tape | 1 Roll | Get something portable, nothing bigger than a 1.25cm x 5m roll. |
| Antiseptic wipes | Few | Used to clean around the wound or your equipment. |
| Scissors | 1 Pair | The Classic 58mm Swiss Army Knife is suitable for this purpose and covers the next item on the list. |
| Tweezers | 1 Pair | Useful for splinters and removing debris from wounds. |
| Disposable gloves | 1-2 Pairs | Go for 2 pairs in case one breaks, you have spare. Also useful so someone can assist you. |
| Safety pins | Few | Useful to have a few or learn to tie knots. |
| Emergency blanket | 1 | Many uses to the emergency blanket but can be used for casualties in shock, or for signaling. |
Standard First Aid Kit
Here is an example of a Standard First Aid Kit. Slightly larger than an IFAK but still one that can be taken on the go.
| Item | Quantity | Be Ready Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive Bandages | 20 | Plasters basically. Mix sizes. Good quality one won't lose their adhesiveness as quickly. Fabric ones are toughest. Include kid-friendly ones. |
| Sterile Dressings (Medium) | 6 | |
| Sterile Dressings (Large) | 2 | |
| Sterile Eye Pad | 1 | For eye injuries. |
| Triangular Bandage | 6 | Sometimes surprisingly hard to find. Most of the time, they will be at larger stores. |
| Safety Pins | 6 | You can use clips, but they might not be as secure. |
| Disposable Gloves | 3-4 | For your protection. Carry enough so that you and a buddy can work on a casualty. |
| Scissors | 1 | For this kit, a good-sized pair of scissors or, if you want to be fancy, trauma shears. |
| Tweezers | 1 | For removing splinters and wound debris. Use ones that are easy to hold and allow you a lot of control. |
| Alcohol Wipes | 10 | Useful for cleaning equipment like tweezers. Can be used for small cuts and wounds; will sting. |
| Medical tape | 1 roll | Consider one that doesn't cause allergies, since some casualties might be allergic to the glue. |
| Antiseptic Solution/Sodium Chloride | 2 | Useful for cleaning larger wounds. |
| Cotton Balls | 10 | Compress these down. Can be used together with antiseptic solution to clean wounds. |
| Face Shield/Pocket Mask | 1 | Only needed for mouth-to-mouth; no longer needed in Singapore for first aiders. |
| Notepad and pencil | 1 | Small notepads are useful for writing down information. Use normal pencils, not mechanical ones. Consider a Sharpie marker. |
| Hand Sanitizer | 1 | To sanitize your hands before helping the injured person. |
| Emergency Blanket | 1 | Keeps the casualty warm (in case of shock), dry, and visible. |
| Whistle | 1 | Useful for car first aid kits to notify traffic and attract attention. |
| Torch | 1 | Useful for nighttime outdoor situations. |
| Hi-Vis Wear | 1 | This is useful for car first aid kits to help keep you visible. |
US Army IFAK 2
The United States Army's IFAK 2 is distributed to combat personnel. The kit is designed for battle injuries and scenarios, and is a hybrid between an IFAK and TFAK. A useful reference for volunteer soldiers.
| Item | Quantity | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Tourniquet, Combat Application (C.A.T.) | 1 | |
| Bandage Kit, 4 1/2" Elastic/Compression, Vacuum Packed/Sterile (Israeli Bandage) | 1 | Similar to SAF's First Aid Device. |
| Bandage Gauze, Roller, Sterile | 1 | |
| One-way Valve Chest Wound Seal, Entrance/Exit Seals | 2 | |
| Mini-Sharpie | 1 | |
| Eye Shield | 1 | |
| Combat Medic Reinforcement Tape | 1 | This is reinforced duct tape. |
| Airway, Nasopharyngeal, 28fr, 12s, Sterile | 1 | Don't use unless you have had training in this. |
| Pair, Glove, Patient Exam (4ea) | 2 | |
| Tactical Combat Casualty Card | 1 | Used to indicate where the injuries are for communication down the line. |
| Strap Cutter | 1 |
Conclusion
This article shows how FAKs can be configured to meet different purposes. Your FAK can evolve with your expertise and needs to help you in emergencies.
A well-stocked FAK is important, but training is more important. We advise you to take certified first aid classes from reputable organizations since the knowledge and experience you learn will help you maximize your first aid equipment.
By combining a well-thought-out first-aid pack with extensive training, you can confidently tackle a wide range of medical situations, protecting your own and others' safety and well-being.
Resources
First Aid Training
First Aid Supplies
Disclaimer
This article and its linked pages give general guidance only and do not provide medical advice or first aid training. Consult a medical professional or take a first aid course to learn and use first aid skills properly.
The author and publisher are not liable for harm, loss, or damage caused by information misuse. This content is used at your own risk. In emergencies, see a doctor or first aid provider.
All information has been sourced from online sources or personal experience. Please contact SVxSV Admin if there are any inaccuracies, errata or outdated info.
Sources
IFAK II - US Military Issue Improved First Aid Kit Multi Cam/OCP. https://www.fortbraggsurplus.us/ifak2-multicam-ocp