Build Your Own First Aid Kit

This great advice comes from our friends at Badlands Off-Road Adventures and was seconded by Brad Davis, the city of Malibu's emergency services coordinator and CERT leader. 

In preparation for an outing or expedition, as well as for when the bad thing happens here in Malibu, you need to make sure everyone has a first aid kit. If you don't have one, build one now! If you have a first aid kit, make sure it is in good order. This is a good time to look at the contents and replace expired drugs and damaged supplies. If your CPR credentials have expired, see if you can take a class for free that is sponsored by the city of Malibu.

In addition to your main first aid kit, you want a smaller kit for side trips without the vehicle. Plus, you may want to make up a "boo-boo bag" for Advil, IBU, Aleve (or your favorite NSAID), bandages, anti-acid tablets, splinter kit, etc. for the headache, scrapes and bruises that do not warrant breaking out the big box.

Update Expired Drugs

Heat is hard on drugs, bandages and other items in your first aid kit. So is riding around for a year or more in your off-road vehicle. Packets break and dry out; Bottles leak; drugs expire, etc. It would be a good idea to inventory your drugs and update ones that have expired or show signs of deterioration. Epinephrine should be clear. If not replace it. Replace all damaged supplies. Take the time to type up a list of drugs and when they expire in each of your first aid kits. The list makes it so much easier to check for expired drugs in the future. Make sure the batteries in your headland/flashlight and watch are fresh. This is a good time to refresh yourself with what you actually have in the kit and where it is located. Keep eight double A batteries in your bag or car.

First Aid Kit vs. Survival Kit

Many find the first aid kit a convenient and logical place to store small survival items—matches, whistle, signal mirror, knife, compass, etc. It may be ok to have survival items in the kit if you have room. If you decide to include survival items, make a hard separation of your survival items from your true first aid items so they do not get in the way.

Build Your Kit

The best kits are ones you build yourself with the tools, equipment, and supplies you know how to use. You can start with a commercial kit, however, and supplement the contents. You want the kit to be as waterproof as possible and you should try to segment the supplies into separate areas or small bags based on categories of need. In the attached list you can see the suggested categories. Feel free to make modifications. One item that merits inclusion on top of every smaller bag (or sub section) is gloves for personal protection. They will be handy and a visible reminder to wear them no matter which bag you go to first.

First Aid Kit

• A water proof case or bag
• Field Guide of Wilderness & Rescue Medicine
• SOAP Notes (or Injury / illness documentation forms)
• Note book & pencil
• List of drugs in the kit & expiration date
• Copy of doctor’s order for prescription drugs carried in the kit

PERSONAL PROTECTION

• 4 (at least) pair non latex Gloves (also put a set in each of the other sections)
• Ear plugs
• Purell hand sanitizer

TOOLS

• Headlamp / Penlight
• Watch
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• 60 cc syringe
• Suction bulb
• Oral / digital thermometer
• Sterile scalpel blade
• Fine hemostat x 2
• Blood pressure cuff
• Stethoscope
• Sterile needles for splinters
• Pocket rescue mask

WOUND CLEANING KIT

• Tooth Brush - new
• 2 4x4 inch sterile gauze dressings
• 2 2x2 inch sterile gauze dressings
• 1 small bottle of tincture of benzoin

WOUND DRESSING KIT

• 2 4x4 inch sterile gauze dressings
• 2 2x2 inch sterile gauze dressings
• First Aid Cream
• Neosporin
• 1 2x2 mole skin for blisters
• 6 Band-Aids
• 1 roll 1 inch flexible tape
• 1 roll “vet” wrap
• 1 small tube Providone iodine ointment
• 1 small bottle liquid soap
• 2 inch elastic bandage

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK KIT

• Epinephrine
• 1 cc syringe x3 or Epi pen
• 4 tablets Benedryl

LARGE WOUNDS / FRACTURES

• Large Triangular Bandage
• Xeroform gauze dressing
• Sam Splint
• 4 Diaper pins
• 4” & 6” Ace bandage
• Burn sheet (100% cotton t-Shirt fresh from dryer kept in plastic bag)
• Large dressing (Sanitary Napkins / diapers work well)
• Handful of big plastic cable ties
• Duct Tape

In addition, make a mental note of all the other stuff you have in the vehicle to make a splint (tent poles, tarps, ropes, blankets) or can be used to stabilize someone prior to transport. 

MEDICATIONS – Nonprescription

• Tylenol aka Acetaminophen (Pain, Fever)
• Advil aka ibuprofen (Pain, Fever, Inflammation)
• Aspirin (Pain, Fever, Inflammation)
• Aleve aka naproxen (Pain, Fever, Inflammation)
• Allegra-D
• Imodium
• Benadryl
• Stool Softener (e.g. Colase)
• Syrup of Ipecac
• Liquid activated charcoal
• Cake mate
• Dramamine (motion sickness)
• Cough & cold preparations
• Sun block
• Chap Stick 

MEDICATIONS – Prescription

(Talk to your doctor)

• Antibiotic tablets
• Antibiotic eye ointment or drops
• Epipen
• Prednisone
• Albuterol Inhaler
• Medication for severe pain
• Steroid cream
• Diamox (if going to altitude)

Malibu CERT classes are free throughout the year.  The City of Malibu has developed its own, specialized team of CERT volunteers. The team meets regularly at City Hall and trains to support the activities of the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), as well as to be available to support the volunteer needs of associated agencies, such as the Sheriff's and Fire Departments.

For more information, contact Brad Davis at 310-456-2489 extension 260 or bdavis@malibucity.org.

Stay Safe!