First aid for at home and on the road
An accident is in a small corner. Often a first aid kit is literally the first aid. But what exactly should be in such a first aid kit? And how do you get that? An overview from the home box to the dressing set plus.
In the Netherlands, the Oranje Kruis is the organization that deals with First Aid in the event of an accident. The Cross has therefore drawn up guidelines for exactly what materials should be in a first-aid kit. And also what kind of box they belong in. Because four types are distinguished for private use: home, traffic, recreation and plus.
At home
The box intended for home use should contain the following products:
-
1 assortment of wound plaster (minimum 15 strips)
-
1 triangular cloth/triangle bandage
-
1 ideal bandage of 5 meters x 8 centimeters
-
1 roll of adhesive plaster of 2 centimeters thickness
-
1 bottle of disinfectant (the cheapest solution for this is oxygen water, but that can only be kept for half a year after opening)
-
2 wound care kits
-
2 pairs of gloves (for extra hygiene)
-
1 splinter tweezers for removing splinters and thorns
-
4 sterile gauzes/compresses (also use these to clean wounds. Never use cotton wool for this)
-
1 schematic first aid instruction
-
1 character removal set
-
1 bandage scissors
-
2 wound dressings of 8 x 10 centimeters
Furthermore, it never hurts to keep some paracetamol on hand. It has an analgesic and antipyretic effect and is not harmful to the stomach.
Also a list of important phone numbers, such as the doctor, the poison control center, the dentist or the burn center is very useful. Of course you can supplement the first aid kit with products that you find important. Always keep the kit properly filled: replace products after use.
In traffic
The Orange Cross recommends expanding the first aid kit for use on the road with the following products:
-
1 extra pair of gloves
-
2 extra sterile gauzes/compresses
-
1 extra wound dressing
-
an aluminum blanket
Please note that it is mandatory in many countries in Europe to have a first aid kit in the car, including Belgium, Germany, Austria and many Eastern European countries.
Recreation set
In addition to the first aid kit for home use and in the car, there is also the recreation set. Always handy to have nearby at the campsite, but also on the beach or on bike rides. Compared to the home situation, this should include:
-
at least 18 strips of wound plaster
-
1 extra triangular cloth/triangle bandage
-
1 extra wound care kit
-
2 extra sterile gauzes/compresses
-
1 extra wound dressing
-
an aluminum blanket
-
2 sterile greasy gauzes/compresses of 5 x 8 centimeters
Bandage set plus
If you want to be on the safe side, go for the bandage set plus. This first aid box is suitable for all three situations above and contains the following additional products compared to the box for home use:
-
an aluminum blanket
-
at least 18 strips of wound plaster
-
an extra triangular cloth/triangle bandage
-
an extra wound care kit
-
an extra pair of gloves
-
2 extra sterile gauzes/compresses
-
2 sterile oily gauzes/compresses of 5 x 8 centimeters
-
an extra wound dressing
It is also recommended to put a safety vest in the car. This is an orange, fluorescent jacket, which will certainly make you more noticeable at night when you have to be on the side of the road.
Especially for athletes
Especially for athletes there is the First Aid for Sports Accidents box, developed by the Oranje Kruis and sports umbrella organization NOC*NSF. The first aid kit comes in four variations and contains similar products to the various first aid kits for private use, but also razor blades, a respiration mask, an insulating blanket and cold packs for the direct treatment of muscle tears and swelling.