First Aid Kits

To be able to adequately administer first aid to a casualty you may need to use a first aid kit. The required contents of a first aid kit will be determined by many factors including the environment in which the kit is to be used, the number of people the kit is needed for and whether the environment has a low, moderate or high risk of injury. For example, a workplace with heavy earth moving equipment will require different first aid supplies than a household first aid kit.

In all States and Territories, there is Occupational Health and Safety legislation that requires every workplace to have and maintain a first aid kit that meets the needs of the environment. This will often be the responsibility of the designated workplace first aider.

First aid kits should be stored in a cool, clean and dry location out of reach of children that is readily accessible in an emergency. All first aid kits should be checked regularly to ensure all items are present and in good working order and expiry dates are current. Within the workplace, all staff should be informed of where first aid kits are stored and all family members should be aware of the location of first aid kits in the home and car.

Ideally, all homes, cars and workplaces should have an adequate first aid kit that meets their needs. However, if a first aid kit is not readily available do not hesitate to commence treatment and improvise where possible until medical assistance arrives.

First aid kit contents vary according to their particular use. For example, a first aid kit for a farm will contain a few different items to a first aid kit for a city-dwelling family.

A basic first aid kit should contain:

Triangular bandages