During an emergency, whether it is a traumatic injury or medical illness, first aid providers are bound by the equipment they have to use at the time of the emergency. It doesn't matter if you are a Doctor, Nurse, Paramedic, or basic first aid provider, if you don't have your tools of the trade your care is limited to what you have.

Most commercial businesses including restaurants, shopping malls, stores, and hotels have a first aid kit on the premises and many of them are required to have them. Many lay persons also carry some type of kit in their cars and have them at home. These kits can be purchased in most stores or online and many are made for specific areas such as home, car, boat, office, or restaurant. You can also make-up a kit on your own buy buying the specific supplies which will save you quite a bit of money compared to buying a ready made kit. You can use any type of bag or container to hold the supplies that you need.

Below is a first aid kit checklist to help you buy and maintain your kit:

Absorbent Compress
Adhesive Bandage
Adhesive Tape
Antibiotic Treatment
Antiseptic Swab
Antiseptic Wipe
Antiseptic Towelette
Bandage Compress 2 inch
Bandage Compress 3 inch
Bandage Compress 4 inch
Burn Dressing
Burn Treatment
CPR Barrier
Cold Packs
Eye Covering
Eye Wash
Gloves
Roller Bandage 4 inch
Roller Bandage 2 inch
Sterile Pad
Triangular Bandage

Having a kit is important but equally important is knowing how to use all the supplies in it. Medical professionals are trained to use all of the supplies in the kit but lay persons should take a basic first aid course to learn how and when to use the supplies and equipment at their disposal. To find out more about a first aid course in your area contact your local National Safety Council chapter or visit the American Heart Association website to find an instructor in your area.

Rick Church is a Paramedic and co-owner of CPR Guys, LLC in Auburn, NY. Our first aid kit checklist meets the ANSI Z308.1 - 2003 standard http://www.cpr-guys.com/first-aid-kit-checklist.html.