Australia is known for its unparalleled rugged outback. Although the land offers its share of adventures, none of these should be tackled without the proper first aid kit. Contrary to what you may think, a few bandages stuffed in your bag is not going to help when you’re in the bush. Even the smallest scratch or minor incident can turn into a serious problem, one that you may not be prepared for.
What to Look For!
If you plan on camping or backpacking, the right first aid kit is essential. So, what exactly should you be looking for? For starters, durability! Your kit is likely to get kicked, dropped, thrown, sat on and even wet from rain, that’s a lot of abuse. A first aid kit needs to be able to withstand abuse from you as well as environmental elements.
Labels – Everything in the kit should be clearly marked and easy to read, even by the light of a flashlight. Although it would be nice if all injuries were sustained during the day while the sun is shining, this is rarely the case. The pockets in the kit should be organized and clearly labeled as well so you can quickly locate exactly what you’re looking for.
Recognizable – Being able to quickly locate your first aid kit in the dark could save someone’s life. Scrambling around for it, especially at a campsite wastes valuable seconds. Choose one with a reflective strip.
Training Book – There should be a training book included to reference as a guide. Even those with a bit of training can find their minds blank when in a stressful situation.
Aluminum Blanket – It is quite troubling that all first aid kits don’t include an aluminum blanket. Even a hot summer night can’t keep someone warm who’s gone into shock. These blankets will help them retain their body heat.
CPR Card – Whether a person is choking or has stopped breathing, a CPR card is helpful to reference. Ideally, this will be waterproof so information is not lost from wet hands, rain, etc.
Scissors – The first aid kit that you choose should have scissors or shears to cut medical tape or bandages. Tweezers can also come in handy since you never know when you’re going to have a bee sting or sliver.
Gloves – When an incident occurs, it is rare that you will have the opportunity to wash your hands so a pair of sterile gloves is a must! It is always a good idea to opt for latex-free gloves in case the individual who is injured has an allergy.
Antiseptic Swabs – These will be needed for any open wound whether it be minor or severe. Make sure that you have plenty of bandages to go over the areas as well to reduce infection.
Eye Products – There is no such thing as a minor eye injury, they are all considered serious, this is a delicate part of the body. An eye patch is an essential component in a proper first aid kit. Saline is also important but be sure that you are aware of the expiration date on this and replace as needed.
Having the right first aid kit is one of those thing you can’t fully appreciate until you either need one and don’t have one or have one and feel very fortunate that you do. You wouldn’t go camping without food and water, you certainly shouldn’t go without a fully stocked first aid kit either.
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The first aid advice provided is current as at the 31 March 2011. We recommend that you undertake a first aid training course regularly to ensure that you stay up to date with the latest first aid techniques. We offer first aid training in a range of locations:
1. First Aid Training Brisbane
2. First Aid Course Townsville
3. First Aid Training Birkdale
4. First Aid Tanah Merah
5. First Aid Milton