What supplies should be in a basic first aid kit?

A good first aid kit helps to lower the impact of an injury before getting proper medical care.

A basic first aid kit should include dressings, such as

• crepe bandages
• triangular bandages (to use as a sling)
• surgical tape
• adhesive dressing strips (like Band-Aids)
• dressing pads
• gauze, alcohol and antiseptic swabs

Other supplies in your first aid kit should include:

• eye pads
• sterile saline tubes
• a disposable cold pack
• a shock blanket
• a disposable resuscitation face shield
• paracetamol/ibuprofen (pain-relief medicines)
• antiseptic cream

Your kit should also contain:

• a notepad, pen and permanent marker
• sharp and blunt stainless-steel scissors and tweezers
• disposable gloves
• safety pins
• rubbish bags to put waste in
• a first aid booklet

Keep all these items in a bag or box. It doesn't have to be expensive or designed especially for first aid supplies, but it should be:

• large enough to keep all the items
• identifiable as a first aid kit
• made of material that protects the contents from dust, moisture and contamination

You can also buy first aid kits from organisations like St John Ambulance Australia. Some other places also sell first aid kits, like:

• pharmacies
• service stations
• large retail outlets
• motoring organisations
• charities

How do I customise my kit?

Once you have assembled a basic first aid kit, you can customise it according to its intended use.

For use at home

You can add extra items to your first aid kit, according to:

• the number of people in your home
• their ages
• their needs

For sport

You or your child may enjoy playing sport. To prepare your first aid kit for sport, you can add specific supplies, such as sports strapping tape.

For babies

If you have a baby, you can stock your first aid kit with extra items such as:

• a digital thermometer
• basic pain-relief medicines (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen)
• a plastic dosing syringe
• cleansing wipes

For known medical conditions

If you need to take medicine or use equipment for a medical condition, you can keep them in your first aid kit.

This might include an asthma inhaler or an adrenaline autoinjector (brand names are EpiPen and Anapen).

For the car or caravan

Extra supplies you can include in a first aid kit for a motor vehicle include:

• burns sheets
• burn gel
• a biohazard bag

For camping

If you are camping or hiking, some things you can add to your first aid kit include a:

• disposable poncho
• compass
• whistle
• torch and batteries
• glow stick
• snake bite kit

For use at the beach or on a boat

If you are going to the beach or a body of water, you may want to include vinegar in your first aid kit. This can be poured over some types of stings.

If you are on a boat, include a whistle and glowsticks in your first aid kit, in case of an emergency.

How do I use the items in my first aid kit?

If you buy a first aid kit, spend some time getting to know where everything is kept. Then if you need to use it you can quickly find the items you need.

It's also important to know how to use the items in your first aid kit before you need them.

For example:

• dressing pads cover and pack bleeding wounds
• non-stick dressings cover wounds and burns
• shock blankets help control body temperature
• elasticised roller bandages give support for sprains and strains
• triangular bandages can be used as a sling for injured limbs, or as a pad to control bleeding or protect injuries
• disposable resuscitation face shields protect you during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
• sterile saline tubes or sachets are used to flush debris from eyes and clean minor cuts and grazes

If you are not sure what the items in your first aid kit are used for, you can:

• read your first aid booklet
• take your first aid kit to a pharmacy and ask the staff for advice
• take a first aid course

While first aid kits can be used to manage minor injuries, more serious injuries usually need a trip to hospital.

Where should I keep my first aid kit?

Keep your first aid kit in a safe and dry place that you can easily get to. Everyone in your family or workplace should know where it is, and it should be easily accessible by adults.

First aid kits that are kept in your car, caravan or boat should be secured so they don't become projectiles.

How do I maintain my first aid kit?

Well-maintained first aid kits are always ready to use. Make sure you:

• replace items as soon as possible after they are used
• check the kit after each use or at least once every 12 months
• check that items are in good working order, have not become unusable and haven't gone past their expiry date
• check that sterile items are still sealed

Should I do a first aid course?

Taking a first aid course will teach you how to use the items in your first aid kit. Many organisations around Australia offer a variety of first aid courses.

There may be fees associated with these first aid courses. Some of these courses can be done online.

First aid kits for the workplace

Accidents can happen in your workplace. You can help create a safe workplace by making sure that it is first aid-ready.

For more information about Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace, go to Safe Work Australia. This document gives guidance on first aid kits in the workplace.

Resources and support

To learn more about first aid courses, go to:

• St John Ambulance Australia, or call 1300 ST JOHN (1300 360 455)
• Australian Red Cross, or call 1800 733 276
• CareFlight website

You can find out more about what to do in an emergency by visiting healthdirect's First aid advice page.

If you prefer a language other than English, these resources available in other languages:

• the Government of South Australia's Emergency Kit Checklist factsheet
• St John Ambulance Australia's First Aid Facts

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.