Knowing the basics of first aid allows you to have emergency preparedness in any situation. Something could go wrong at any time, whether you’re at home, out hiking or in a restaurant. That’s why it’s so important you know how to handle yourself and others in case of an emergency.

One of the essentials of emergency preparedness is learning CPR. If you don’t already know it, take classes at a local community college or a YMCA. Classes like this are always being offered because it is a part of first aid that is very crucial to learn. You also might be able to find free CPR lessons offered at different times of the year. Also, you cannot use the same type of CPR on babies as you would adults. So, you will need to learn both types of this life saving technique to truly be schooled in emergency preparedness.

Another thing you’ll want to do for emergency preparedness is to have a first aid kit with you at all times. It’s wise to keep one in your house and in your car. First aid kits can contain sterile gauze, adhesive tape, adhesive bandages in several sizes, elastic bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, sharp scissors and other items. You will also want to have a list of emergency numbers handy at all times as well. Being prepared means that you will have a greater chance at surviving any disaster that befalls you or your family.

There isn’t much you can do to prevent an emergency from occurring but equipping yourself with the necessary first aid items will help you to react in a timely and organized fashion if something does happen. Emergency preparedness is incredibly important because not only will it make you feel more secure, but it could end up saving your life or the life of someone you love.

ght (c) 2009 Jonathan Perez

There is absolutely no way of knowing when something tragic may come upon us. Regardless, what’s crucial is that we are prepared for these occurrences. When it comes to these happenings we need some assistance. But it’s not intelligent to try to get help then. When this happens, we can definitely look at them as being emergency situations.

The emergency situations should be supported by the emergency Supplies.So we can understand the importance of such emergency supplies.Because we can feel the benefit of having adequate Emergency Supplies.

Just like the Emergency Supplies , First Aid Kits have equal importance in our life.The fact that there is always the possibility for injuries and accidents that you wouldn’t have thought would happen.No matter the injury is serious or simple,we have to provide the immediate actions to save from the critical situation.For that we should have First Aid Kits with us.At critical situations we have to make use the First Aid Kits before calling a doctor.This will give sudden and partial relief to the injured people.It will help the doctor to make his duty easy.

Whether you think so or not, it’s fascinating to know how first aid kits and emergency supplies got there start.The First Aid Kits should be kept not only in home,but it should be there in office,vehicles and in any other public places.The emergency supplies can be medicines.We know urgent medicines are very important to a patient’s life.So we can consider it as a very important and emergency thing.We have to be prepared with the urgent medicines before the disaster strikes.

There may be some that are a little unsure about what exactly is in their first aid kits.What is the first aid kit consist of?The kit has different components in it for different type of injuries.And these types will depend on the person who assembled it and the actual purpose of the kit.Anyway these kits have some common components.Those are the items to control bleeding and some common medicines etc.We can say that it is a collection of emergency supplies.

Let us check out the different first aid kits available.Those are Home first aid kits,Car first aid kits,children first aid kits,sports first aid kits,business first aid kits etc.Even though the names are different all of these kits have unique objective.All of these are kept with an intention of providing safety.Let us know briefly about these first aid kits so that we have clear idea about its usage.

In daily life we have to be prepared for dealing with the every day cuts, burns, injuries and illness at home, work, or at play.It is very usual in home.So we need home first aid kits. Accidents at home should be treated soon otherwise it may lead to death.The items in a home first aid kit should be easily accessible.Because the common people in home may need to use at accidents,not the trained people.It should be accessible at any time.

Now let us check different emergency supplies.The emergency supplies are the things you may not even consider as important.But those are actually the emergency supplies.Those are water,food,first aid kits,personal items, clothing, communication, disinfectant, child care supplies, disabled related supplies etc. Keep these apart and classified as emergency supplies.Because no one predict the time of need.

There are other things that may be contained within an emergency kit, for example things such as the list of drugs that some has been prescribed by their physician to take and paperwork that’s extremely important and sensitive.Emergency reference materials should be kept.Fire extinguisher is very important in all the places.Fire starters and igniters, such as matches, must always be kept in something that won’t allow them to get wet.We have to remember one thing that the most safe thing is to avoid accidents rather than keeping all first aid kits and emergency supplies.

   Experience gained from past disasters has shown that it can take up to 72 hours or more to mobilize a significant relief effort during an emergency.  Therefore everyone needs to be preparing to cope on his or her own for at least the first 72 hours – that’s 3 days – of an emergency.

   Of course common sense dictates that we should be prepared for any emergency situation, however the fact is that only a few of us are ready for even the smallest crisis, let alone one of larger significance. 

   One obvious advantage of being prepared – it allows emergency workers to focus on people in very urgent need of their help. To support their efforts, the rest of us must to be prepared to look after ourselves for at least 72 hours.

   The San Francisco area is exposed to a wide variety of hazards, both natural and man-made. The path of destruction that Hurricane Katrina left in its wake across the southern U.S. in August 2005 and the widespread flooding of 2007 – 2008 have provided a horrific reminder of the importance of being prepared for disasters. Unfortunately no part of our country, or North America for that matter is immune to a natural or a man-made disaster.

   Earthquakes, power outages, floods, fires, severe storms and acts of terrorism are just some of the potential emergencies. Many of these emergencies have been deadly in the past. Being prepared can save lives and can help to reduce the impact of a disaster on you and your family. 

Why prepare your family? 

   Imagine for a moment that you have no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service. Imagine that all the businesses are closed and you are without any kind of emergency services. What will you do until help arrives?

   What will you do if your local authorities issue and emergency evacuation order?  Remember, in such a circumstance there will be no stores open for you to acquire anything, the store personal will be evacuating also!

   If you have not prepared beforehand for either of these events, both you and your family may have a very difficult time when a disaster strikes your hometown. 

   While governments are working hard to keep citizens safe, we all have an important role to play in emergency preparedness and response. By being prepared to take care of yourself, you allow community resources to be used more effectively during an emergency and you help keep your own family safe at the same time. Very simply put, emergency preparedness must begin at home.

Start to plan today!

   As neither man-made nor natural emergencies can be predicted; therefore it is imperative that we are all prepared well in advance of the disaster.

I cannot over stress this point.  

   Prepare your emergency kit and your family – so in the case of a major emergency like a flood or blackout – you are ready to take care of yourself and your loved ones for at least 72 hours. You should be prepared to live without running water, electricity, gas, telephones and assistance from safety services for at least three days following a disaster. 

What do you need? 

   You need to have an “Emergency Kit” in your home, ready to go at a moments notice.

   Your family Emergency Kit is comprised of two separate parts, a First Aid Kit and a Go Bag.

   Your own 72-Hour Emergency Kit should be tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family. Store your emergency supplies in an easily accessible if evacuation is required. Items may be stored in a 32-gallon trashcan, suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, footlocker or individual pack.  

Your First Aid Kit 

   In any emergency situation, you or a family member may be cut, burned or suffer other injuries. It is imperative that you keep basic first aid supplies handy so you are prepared to assist when someone is hurt. Medical help may not be available during or immediately after a large-scale disaster.

My personal list of items that should be in your First Aid Kit: 

Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes

Gauze pads and bandages

Butterfly Closure bandages

Sterile dressings to stop bleeding (Blood stopper)

Elastic Wrap

Instant cold pack

Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect

Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection

Burn ointment

Sting Relief Pads (for insect bites)

Sunscreen packets

Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant

Cotton tips

Scissors

Tweezers

At least two pairs of disposable gloves

A First Aid Instruction Guide

Hygiene kits

Flashlight or brightstick 

Medicines such as Aspirin or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication  

Your Go Bag:

   A major component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Every household should pack a Go Bag — a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation order. 

   Your Go Bag may be assembled or purchased as a ready-made kit for convenience. Your Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy backpack or suitcase on wheels.

   The Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year as an emergency evacuation order can occur at any time of the year. 

   Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each is tagged with the name of the person it was packed for. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work.  

Items that should be in your Go Bag:

The prescription medications you take every day such as insulin or heart medication.

All prescribed medical supplies such as glucose or blood pressure monitors

Drinking Water

Non-perishable food such as food ration bars or Meal-in-a-Box

Manual can opener

Plates, utensils and other cooking supplies

Flashlight and extra batteries or Hand-charged Flashlight

Pocketknife or Multifunctional Tool

Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries

Whistle

Waterproof Matches

Water filtration bottle

Duct Tape, permanent marker, and paper

Cable Ties

Light Stick

Rope or twine

Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls

Heavy work gloves

Disposable lighters

Phillips Screw Driver

Standard Screw Driver

Folding Shovel w/Sheath

Trash Bags

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Personal Hygiene kit

Shave Kit

Maps

Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, gloves and a warm hat

Emergency Survival Sleeping Bag

Rain Ponchos

Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes

List of emergency contact phone numbers

List of allergies to any drug or food

Copy of health insurance and identification cards

Extra prescription eyeglasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items

Prescription medications

Extra keys to your house and vehicle

Disposable camera

Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities.

Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.

   Remember that if you have to leave your house due to an evacuation order, you will be living and sleeping somewhere else for a while. It is therefore a good idea to add some activity items to the kids Go Bag.

Some suggestions may be a couple of favorite books

Crayons, pencils and plenty of paper

A puzzle

A favorite toy such as a doll or action figure

One or two board games

A deck of cards

A Favorite stuffed animal or puppet

Favorite blanket or pillow 

   I sincerely hope that this article will provide the incentive for you to get prepared for an emergency now.  Don’t put if off for another day.  The safety and well being of your family is at stake. 

Allan Wright

First Aid Kit Products

No one knows when disaster may strike, but getting prepared beforehand will help you survive. No matter whether it is natural disaster in a local area, like an earthquake or hurricane, or man made disaster, terrorist attack and fire, you require having disaster survival kits with proper emergency supplies. The disasters will force you vacate your neighborhood, place of work or school or will detain you to your house.

Having the right first-aid kits, survival kits, and emergency supplies ahead of time is just like having spare tire in a trunk of the car: You think not to have the flat tire, but it is good to know that the spare tire is there, ready for the use to keep you going. The emergency preparedness is necessary now.

What is the disaster survival kit?

Disaster survival kits are one type of kit that you and your family fill with necessities for the survival in an event of disaster and these include food, water, clothing, first aid supplies, bedding and tools and some emergency supplies.

Why prepare for a disaster?

The hope of something “disastrous” taking place will scare us all. However, reality is, there is the chance that all of us can be involved in a disaster and emergency. The services like water, gas, electric, and telephones can be cut off. In an event of large disaster, the emergency staff will be very busy helping people in need of the immediate medical and rescue attention, and will not assist you.

Events of 11th September, Hurricane Katrina, Mumbai terrorist attack in India as well as shocking Tsunami in Indonesia as well as surrounding regions have affected us emotionally, physically, and morally. Thus, preparation for all kinds of disasters should be the fact of life. So why leave it on fate and take a chance that you and your loved ones will suffer unnecessarily during and after the disaster?

The emergency preparedness experts have designed the disaster survival kits that have the most reliable disaster food, water, communication, and shelter, lighting, as well as sanitation supplies accessible so they are prepared when and where you require those.

Choose an easy method to keep the items stored and ready while you need it is to divide between two or more easy to carry containers, like camping backpack or duffel bag. Place canned foods in dry place where the temperature is very cool.