You’ll find it in every household, every office, and even on public transportation. You probably go weeks to months at a time without thinking about it, but it’s always there when you need it most. Anyone can use it, but it helps to receive training for it. What is it?

If your guess was a crayon, you were close. The answer we’re looking for is a first aid kit.

First aid kits aren’t just recommended—they’re often mandatory. These kits are required to be stocked with the basic essentials and to have their supplies replaced with regularity. On top of this, first aid is more than a kit: it’s a skill to practice. In this article, we will go over different kinds of kits, what goes in them, and some first aid best practices.

What is the Purpose of a First Aid Kit?

It’s all in the name: this is the first aid that a person will receive after sustaining an injury, a wound, or any kind of physical harm. You may think that taking care of the wounded is the responsibility of first responders, such as emergency medical services, and you’re absolutely right. However, there can be a significant gap in time between calling 911 and the emergency services arriving. During that time, the person who sustained the injury will still be in pain and/or bleeding and will need to receive immediate medical attention. First aid kits are made available to treat the injured and wounded until first responders arrive and take over.

What are the Kinds of First Aid Kit?

First aid kits come in two classes, based on the number of supplies and the care it can provide:

Class A First Aid Kits: Simple kits with basic medical products that treat minor cuts, abrasions, and burns. These are recommended for low-risk environments, like households and offices.

Class B First Aid Kits: Upgraded kits with a larger variety of medical supplies to treat workplace injuries. These are recommended for high-risk environments, like warehouses and construction sites.

Beyond the two classes, there are additional varieties of first aid kits available for specific purposes. For instance, burn care kits are popular in environments where there is a high risk of sustaining burns. Trauma kits could be considered extreme first aid kits, as they contain supplies to treat life-threatening injuries.

First aid kits are typically made from high-strength plastic or heavy gauge steel. The kits are manufactured and tested to be resistant to various weather conditions, dust, and corrosion.

What Goes in a First Aid Kit?

The American Red Cross has provided a list of essential items to keep in a first aid kit:

Item	Image	Purpose
2 Absorbent Compress Dressings (5" x 9")		Stops bleeding and covers wounds
25 Adhesive Bandages in assorted sizes		Stops bleeding and covers wounds
1 Adhesive Cloth Tape (30' x 1")		Adheres bandages together, holds dressings
5 Antibiotic Ointment Packets (1g each)		Treats minor cuts, burns, and abrasions
5 Antiseptic Wipe Packets		Cleans wounds, scrapes, and cuts
2 Packets of Aspirin (81mg each)		Mild to moderate pain relief
1 Emergency Blanket		Keeps people warm during emergencies
1 Breathing Barrier with a one-way valve		Prevents disease transmission for safe CPR
1 Instant Cold Compress		Reduces pain and swelling
2 Pairs of Large Nonlatex Gloves		Handles biohazardous substances
2 Hydrocortisone Ointment Packets (1g each)		Treats irritated skin and burns
1 3" Gauze Roller Bandage		Stops bleeding and holds dressings in place
1 4" Roller Bandage		Stops bleeding and holds dressings in place
5 Sterile Gauze Pads (3" x 3")		Cleans, dresses, and preps wounds
5 Sterile Gauze Pads (4" x 4")		Cleans, dresses, and preps wounds
Oral Thermometer, non-mercury and non-glass		Reads people's body temperature
2 Triangular Bandages		Holds dressings in place or supports limbs
Tweezers		Grabs and handles tiny particles
Emergency First Aid Guide		Provides instructions on using the first aid kit

The contents of a first aid kit should be replaced upon the expiration date, every six months, or as needed.

What are Some First Aid Best Practices?

A first aid kit may have most everything you’d need in an emergency, but it’s only as good as the people who use it. As was mentioned earlier, first aid isn’t just a product category, it’s a lifelong skill. If you have a moment, go over the items in your first aid kit to remind yourself what they’re used for. The less time you need to spend remembering how to use a kit, the quicker you can treat the individual needing help.

You can customize your first aid kit if you need to attend to special needs. For instance, if one or more people in your area have a peanut allergy, stock your kit up with a few EpiPens. If there are diabetic concerns, load your kit with insulin and glucose packets. Basic kits serve general purposes, so feel free to tailor your kit to your area’s specific needs.

Furthermore, get trained in emergency response. Take a class on administering CPR, or how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), or how to apply a tourniquet. This way, you can provide immediate treatment for the injured as everybody waits for the emergency crews. Just remember that when somebody’s life is on the line, a few seconds to minutes can make all the difference.

Finally, form a disaster plan. You cannot account for all the possibilities, but if you outline step-by-step instructions for when things go south, you’ll save yourself from a heap of trouble. Besides, in emergency situations, people trust in those who know what they’re doing (or at least look like they know what they’re doing).

Final Thoughts

First aid kits are essential for any home, workspace, and even for public transportation. They won’t replace a hospital, but that’s also the point: they provide basic medical care until the professionals come and take the reins. You should familiarize yourself with the contents of a kit and what they’re used for. Additionally, you should build your first aid skills so you can provide adequate aid during those first few, critical minutes. You’ll be a hero to your friends, family, and coworkers, and who knows, you may even save a life.

For further reading on our medical supplies, take a look at our article going over our selection of antiseptic wipe products and their recommended uses.