Are your AED and First Aid kits stocked? How do you know if you have the right supplies? When an emergency strikes, of course you want to have had good training, like a CPR or First Aid class. But it’s critical to have the right tools available, too.
In this post, we’ll cover the essential items to have on-hand in your AED and First Aid kits. While many situations call for standard supplies like gauze and alcohol, it’s a good idea to tailor your kits to your location and/or population. We’ll talk more about this later in the post.
Stocking your AED case
If you have an AED unit at your location, we recommend keeping a few items with it. Either store these things in the AED carrying case, or put them in a resealable bag and attach it to the case. These items are going to be essential in using the defibrillator effectively and providing a rapid response.
Supplies to keep with your AED
Latex or other protective gloves
Using an AED requires touching the victim and possibly encountering disease or infection. One of the first steps in responding to an emergency is making the scene safe for everyone. Personal protective equipment (PPE) ensures your safety and health.
CPR mask
Like gloves, a CPR mask is important for protecting your health. A CPR mask contains a one-way valve and acts as a germ barrier between you and the victim. Giving rescue breaths during CPR increases a victim’s chances of survival, while using a mask reduces your risk of exposure to disease.
Scissors
When using an AED and performing CPR, the victim’s chest must be exposed. Scissors allow you to quickly cut the clothing off of the person and get to work.
A razor
AED pads must make direct contact with a victim’s skin for the defibrillator to work. If someone has a lot of hair on their chest, you’ll need to remove some of it so the pads can touch the skin. Of course, a razor is the quickest and simplest way to do this.
A cloth
When a heart attack strikes, many victims get very sweaty. The towel allows you to dry the area where the defibrillator pads will be placed so they make direct contact with the skin.
Pediatric pads
While children aren’t usually the ones who need an AED, sometimes they do. Sadly, cardiac arrest happens to even the smallest victims. If your location serves kids (e.g., school, church, day camp), we highly recommend keeping pediatric pads with your defibrillator. These pads are smaller and designed to deliver a lower dose of electricity to children ages one through eight.
Stocking your First Aid kit
It’s just plain smart to keep a First Aid kit in your home and vehicle. And for many businesses, having a First Aid kit is an absolute necessity. Based on location and the people your kit will serve, your First Aid supplies will vary.
Focus on the items necessary for treating accidents you’ve already experienced, as well as accidents that are common for your location or environment. For example, the First Aid kit in a chemical lab should contain items used to treat powder and liquid burns, plus eyewash for chemical splash.
Standard supplies for a First Aid kit
- PPE (gloves, face mask, eye covering, gown)
- Hand sanitizer
- CPR mask
- Antibiotic ointment
- Ace bandage (compression bandage)
- Ice pack
- Heat pack
- Adhesive bandages (multiple sizes)
- Sterile roller gauze
- Gauze squares (4” x 4”)
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Sling
- Eyewash
- Tweezers
- Tape
Extra items for a First Aid kit based on environmental or population risks
- Tourniquet
- Splints
- Burn blanket
- Abdominal wound bandage
- Hemostatic dressing
- Trauma scissors
- Naloxone nasal spray (please contact us for more information about using this life-saving drug)
Ready to build your custom AED and First Aid kits?
All the products listed above are available through CPR Plus, and of course, we’re ready to train your team on how to use each one. Get in touch with us today for AED kits, First Aid kits, and safety classes.