Editing First aid kit (section)

== Contents of first aid kits==
[[Image:Laerdal Pocket Mask Case.jpg|thumb|A [[pocket mask]] in its case]]
[[Image:Sparadrap 2.jpg|thumb|right|Adhesive bandages are one of the most commonly used items in a first aid kit.]]
[[Image:Tweezer-plastic.JPG|thumb|Plastic tweezers]]
[[Image:Disposable nitrile glove.jpg|thumb|right|[[Disposable]] gloves are often found in modern first-aid kits.]]
Commercially available first aid kits available via normal retail routes have traditionally been intended for treatment of minor injuries only. Typical contents include adhesive bandages, regular strength pain medication, gauze and low grade disinfectant. 

Specialized first aid kits are available for various regions, vehicles or activities, which may focus on specific risks or concerns related to the activity. For example, first aid kits sold through marine supply stores for use in watercraft may contain seasickness remedies.

===Airway, breathing and circulation===
First aid treats the [[ABC (medicine)|ABCs]] as the foundation of good treatment. For this reason, most modern commercial first aid kits (although not necessarily those assembled at home) will contain a suitable infection barrier for performing [[artificial respiration]] as part of [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation]], examples include:
*[[Pocket mask]]
*[[Face shield]]

Advanced first aid kits may also contain items such as:
*[[Oropharyngeal airway]]
*[[Nasopharyngeal airway]]
*[[Bag valve mask]]
*[[Aspirator (medical device)|Manual aspirator or suction unit]]
*[[Sphygmomanometer]] ([[blood pressure]] cuff)
*[[Stethoscope]]

Some first aid kits, specifically those used by event first aiders and emergency services, include bottled oxygen for resuscitation and therapy.

===Basic items===
Basic items on a first aid kit consists of:
* [[Adhesive bandage|Adhesive dressings and bandages]]
* Antiseptic solution (most commonly [[povidone iodine]] or [[hydrogen peroxide]])
* Cotton balls or [[Cotton swab|swabs]]
* [[Emergency blanket]]
* [[Gauze sponge]]
* [[Glove]]s
* [[Hand sanitizer]]
* Ice pack
* [[Rubbing alcohol|Alcohol]] 
* [[Saline solution]]
* [[Tweezers]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=First aid kit: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia |url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001958.htm |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=medlineplus.gov |language=en |archive-date=2022-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118193941/https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001958.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Trauma injuries===
Trauma injuries, such as bleeding, bone fractures or burns, are usually the main focus of most first aid kits, with items such as bandages and dressings being found in the vast majority of all kits.
*[[Adhesive bandage]]s (band-aids, [[sticking plaster]]s) - can include ones shaped for particular body parts, such as knuckles
**[[Moleskin]] – for blister treatment and prevention
*[[Dressing (medical)|Dressing]]s ([[sterilization (microbiology)|sterile]], applied directly to the [[wound]])
**Sterile [[Human eye|eye]] pads
**Sterile [[gauze]] pads
**Sterile non-adherent pads, containing a non-stick [[teflon]] layer
**[[Petrolatum]] gauze pads, used as an occlusive (air-tight) dressing for sucking chest wounds, as well as a non-stick dressing
*[[Bandages]] (for securing dressings, not necessarily sterile)
**Gauze roller bandages – absorbent, breathable, and often elastic
**[[Elastic bandage]]s – used for sprains, and pressure bandages
**Adhesive, elastic roller bandages (commonly called '[[Cohesive bandage|Vet wrap]]') – very effective pressure bandages and durable, waterproof bandaging
**Triangular bandages – used as slings, tourniquets, to tie splints, and many other uses
*[[Butterfly closure strips]] – used like stitches to close wounds, usually only included for higher level response as can seal in infection in uncleaned wounds.
*[[saline (medicine)|Saline]] – used for cleaning wounds or washing out foreign bodies from eyes
*[[Soap]] – used with water to clean superficial wounds once bleeding is stopped
*[[Antiseptic]] wipes or sprays for reducing the risk of infection in abrasions or around wounds. Dirty wounds must be cleaned for antiseptics to be effective.
*Burn dressing, which is usually a sterile pad soaked in a cooling gel
*[[Adhesive tape]], [[hypoallergenic]]
*[[Hemostatic]] agents may be included in first aid kits, especially military, combat or tactical kits, to promote clotting for severe bleeding.

===Personal protective equipment===
[[File:First aid 19.jpg|thumb|right|A waterproof [[Pelican Products|Pelican]] first aid kit]]
The use of [[personal protective equipment]] or PPE will vary by the kit, depending on its use and anticipated risk of infection. The adjuncts to artificial respiration are covered above, but other common [[infection control]] PPE includes:
*[[Medical glove|Glove]]s which are single-use and disposable to prevent cross infection
*[[Goggles]] or other eye protection
*[[Surgical mask]] or [[N95 mask]] to reduce the possibility of airborne infection transmission (sometimes placed on patient instead of caregivers. For this purpose the mask should not have an exhale valve)
*[[Apron]]

===Instruments and equipment===
*[[Trauma shears]] for cutting clothing and general use
*[[Scissors]] are less useful but often included (usually to cut medical equipment off or smaller)
*[[Tweezers]], for removing splinters, amongst others.
*[[Lighter]] for sanitizing tweezers or pliers etc.
*[[Alcohol (chemistry)|Alcohol]] pads for sanitizing equipment, or unbroken skin. This is sometimes used to debride wounds, however some training authorities advise against this as it may kill cells which bacteria can then feed on
*Irrigation [[syringe]] – with catheter tip for cleaning wounds with sterile water, saline solution, or a weak iodine solution. The stream of liquid flushes out particles of dirt and debris.
*Torch (also known as a [[flashlight]])
*Instant-acting chemical cold packs
*[[Hand sanitizer|Alcohol rub]] (hand sanitizer) or [[antiseptic]] hand wipes
*[[Thermometer]]
*[[Space blanket]] (lightweight plastic foil blanket, also known as "[[emergency blanket]]")
*[[Penlight]]
*[[Cotton swab]]
*Cotton wool, for applying antiseptic lotions.
*[[Safety pins]], for pinning bandages.

===Medication===
Medication can be a controversial addition to a first aid kit, especially if it is for use on public.  It is, however, common for personal or family first aid kits to contain certain medications. Dependent on scope of practice, the main types of medicine are life saving medications, which may be commonly found in first aid kits used by paid or assigned first aiders for members of the public or employees, [[painkillers]], which are often found in personal kits, but may also be found in public provision and lastly symptomatic relief medicines, which are generally only found in personal kits.

'''Life saving'''
*[[Aspirin]]<ref name=tpm/> primarily used for central medical chest pain as an anti-platelet
*[[Epinephrine autoinjector]] (brand name Epipen) – often included in kits for wilderness use and in places such as summer camps, to temporarily reduce airway swelling in the event of anaphylactic shock. Note that epinephrine does not treat the anaphylactic shock itself; it only opens the airway to prevent [[suffocation]] and allow time for other treatments to be used or help to arrive. The effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) are short-lived, and swelling of the throat may return, requiring the use of additional epipens until other drugs can take effect, or more advanced airway methods (such as [[intubation]]) can be established.
*[[Diphenhydramine]] (brand name Benadryl) – Used to treat or prevent anaphylactic shock. Best administered as soon as symptoms appear when impending anaphylactic shock is suspected. Once the airway is restricted, oral drugs can no longer be administered until the airway is clear again, such as after the administration of an epipen. A common recommendation for adults is to take two 25mg pills. Non-solid forms of the drug, such as liquid or dissolving strips, may be absorbed more rapidly than tablets or capsules, and therefore more effective in an emergency.

'''Pain killers'''
*[[Paracetamol]] (also known as acetaminophen) is one of the most common pain-killing medications, as either tablet or syrup.
*Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as [[ibuprofen]], [[naproxen]] or other [[NSAID]]s can be used as part of treating pain from injuries such as [[sprain]]s, [[Strain (injury)|strain]]s and bone fractures.
*[[Codeine]] is both a painkiller and anti-diarrheal.

'''Symptomatic relief'''

* Anti [[diarrhea]] medication such as [[loperamide]] – especially important in remote or third world locations where dehydration caused by diarrhea is a leading killer of children
* [[Oral rehydration therapy|Oral rehydration salts]]
*[[Antihistamines|Antihistamine]], such as [[diphenhydramine]]
*Poison treatments
**Absorption, such as [[activated charcoal]], [[Enterosgel]] and [[Atoxyl]].
**[[Emetic]]s to induce vomiting, such as [[syrup of ipecac]] although first aid manuals now advise against inducing vomiting.
*[[Smelling salts]] ([[ammonium carbonate]])

'''Topical medications'''
*Antiseptics / disinfectants
**Antiseptic fluid, moist wipe or spray – For cleaning and disinfecting a wound. Typically [[benzalkonium chloride]], which disinfects wounds with minimal stinging or harm to exposed tissue. Can also be used as an antibacterial hand wipe for the person providing aid.
***[[Povidone iodine]] is an antiseptic in the form of liquid, swabstick, or towelette. Can be used in a weak dilution of clean water to prepare an irrigation solution for cleaning a wound.
*** [[Hydrogen peroxide]] is often included in home first aid kits, but is a poor choice for disinfecting wounds- it kills cells and delays healing
**[[isopropyl alcohol|Alcohol]] pads – sometimes included for disinfecting instruments or unbroken skin (for example prior to draining a blister), or cleaning skin prior to applying an adhesive bandage. Alcohol should not be used on an open wound, as it kills skin cells and delays healing.
**Medicated antiseptic ointments- for preventing infection in a minor wound, after it is cleaned. Not typically used on wounds that are bleeding heavily. Ointments typically contain one, two, or all three of the following antibacterial ingredients (those containing all three are typically called 'triple-antibiotic ointment') [[neomycin]], [[polymyxin B]] sulfate or [[bacitracin]] zinc.
*Burn gel – a water-based gel that acts as a cooling agent and often includes a mild anaesthetic such as [[lidocaine]] and, sometimes, an antiseptic such as [[tea tree oil]]
*Anti-itch ointment
**[[Hydrocortisone]] cream or injection
**[[antihistamine]] cream containing [[diphenhydramine]]
**Calamine lotion, for skin inflammations.
*[[Antifungal medication|Anti-fungal]] cream
*[[Tincture of benzoin]] – often in the form of an individually sealed swabstick or ampule, protects the skin and aids the adhesion of adhesive bandages, such as moleskin, [[Band-Aid]]s, or wound closure ('butterfly') strips. Benzoin swabsticks are very prone to leaking and making a mess when kept in portable first aid kits; ampules are a more durable option. If swabsticks are used, it is advisable to keep them in a sealed zip lock bag.