Medical kits are a systematic way of keeping the first aid equipment and supplies in one place. The contents and equipments inside a kit will vary from the knowledge of individual to individual putting them in one kit, the medical needs of the region where it might be used, and the regulations and legislation in the area. Although the ISO symbol recognized internationally for first aid kits is a white cross on a green background, many people do not comply with the standards as they set up the kits individually. But an international sign is good when it comes to recognizing a kit for a person requiring help. Medical kits can be assembled as well as they are also commercially produced. They can be assembled in plastic boxes which are very durable, fabric pouches or even cabinets mounted on the wall. The size and type of the container usually vary depending on the purpose. A well stocked medical kit within easy reach is every home's necessity. If you decide to make a medical kit on your own, choose your container properly that should be easy to open, roomy, portable and durable.

Contents of a medical kit

The contents of commercially available medical kits will be nearly the same for all but if you yourself are assembling your own kit, then it will depend on your choices and priorities. The kits are handy when it comes to treating minor injuries. But its contents will vary according to the region specific needs.

Breathing and respiratory problems:
Artificial respiration is an important medical aid when it comes to treating someone short of breath. In those times, the medical kit should contain an infection barrier suitable.
€ Pocket Mask- used to provide rescue breaths in times of cardiac arrest.
€ Face shield- protection of your face from any sort of flying objects or road debris.
Advanced medical kits may even include such items as:
€ Bag valve mask
€ Stethoscope
€ Sphygmomanometer (for blood pressure)
€ Manual aspirator

Trauma injuries:
These injuries that might include burns, bone fractures or bleeding are the main functions of medical kits.
€ Adhesive bandages- also called as band-aids are useful for treating minor injuries. Moleskin is a kind of band-aid used to treat blisters.
€ Dressings- they are sterile and directly applied to wounds. They include sterile eye pad, gauze pads which are also sterile, non-adherent sterile pads etc.
€ Bandages- for securing these dressings and they need not be sterile. Some of them are roller gauze bandages, elastic bandages, triangular bandages etc.
€ Butterfly closing strips- they are like stitches for closing the wounds.
€ Saline- used for wound cleaning.
€ Soap- when used with water, it cleans the wounds superficially.
€ Antiseptic- sprays, wipes or creams used to reduce the risk of infection.
€ Adhesive tape
€ Hemostatic- for promoting clotting in case of severe bleeding.
Personal equipments for protection:
€ Gloves- they are used to prevent infection when treating someone. They are mostly disposable and single use.
€ Goggles- for protecting the eyes.
€ Surgical mask- for preventing airborne infections.
€ Apron

Instruments:
€ Scissors
€ Tweezers
€ Lighter- for sanitizing purposes
€ Alcohol pads- basically used for sanitization of skin
€ Torch
€ Thermometer
€ Cotton swabs

Medication:
Some medicines like pain killers, antibiotics, gels and creams are also kept for tropical emergency use.

Before using a medical kit

Proper and adequate knowledge of the working of each item in the kits should be known or read before put to use. These kits should be placed at places which are out of children's reach but can be reached easily by adults. Checking of kits from time to time must be ensured so that the missing items or the items that have crossed their expiry date can be replaced. You must remember when using a medical kit on a person, you are dealing with the life and health of an individual, so be very careful!