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- $Unique_ID{BRK01856}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{The Complete First Aid Kit}
- $Subject{First Aid first-aid kit kits suggestion suggestions item items
- medication medications inflammation fever pain anti-indigestion indigestion
- remedy remedies anti-itch itch antihistamine antihistamines cortisone cream
- creams insect repellant repellants antiseptic antiseptics alcohol iodine
- adhesive bandage bandages tape gauze antibiotic antibiotics ointment ointments
- Elastic roller foot powder snake snakes bite scissors tweezers sun screen
- lotion manual emergency emergencies camp camping accident accidents hike
- hiking}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Protection from Ticks*0005202.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- A Complete First Aid Kit
-
-
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-
- QUESTION: We have a little cabin in the mountains where we love to spend our
- summers. The family also uses this site as a getaway all through the summer
- season. We want to be prepared for all emergencies, and are putting together
- a First Aid kit to keep on hand. Since we all do a lot of hiking around the
- area, we want to be especially ready for those type of problems. Can you
- offer some suggestions for items that should be included in the kit? Perhaps
- this information can also help your other readers.
-
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-
- ANSWER: Excluding prescription medications, which should always be taken
- along when you leave home and should be fresh and in sufficient quantity for
- your needs, a good First Aid kit for the circumstances you describe should
- include the following items. First priority is medications that can reduce
- inflammation, fever and pain. Acetaminophen and aspirin work for reducing
- fever, aspirin and ibuprofen will help bring down inflammations, and all help
- with pain. Next in line are stomach troubles, so put you favorite
- anti-diarrhea medication and indigestion remedies in next. If bug bites are
- frequent in your "neck of the woods" include anti-itch medications such as
- antihistamines and cortisone creams, and include an effective insect repellant
- in the supplies you take to the cabin. Be prepared for all the cuts,
- scratches and scrapes that may occur, and stock up on antiseptics (alcohol and
- iodine), adhesive bandages, tape gauze and bandages. Have your pharmacist
- recommend a good antibiotic ointment, to help protect against infections in
- the scraped areas. Elastic roller bandages in three sizes--2", 3" and 4"--are
- very practical for a number of uses, especially for the twisted ankles that
- may result from a misstep on a hike. You might also wish to add a medicated
- foot powder, if hiking is a principle activity.
- Depending upon the area of country you camp in, a snake bite kit may be
- useful. Also be sure to include a pair of sharp scissors in the kit as well
- as a small, pointed pair of tweezers, that is the approved method for removing
- ticks. Add a supply of sun screen to the kit, and don't forget to use it
- appropriately. If your knowledge of first aid is less than you might like it
- to be, add a good first-aid manual to the kit, where it may help indicate the
- correct procedures for emergencies. Tape a list of needed telephone numbers,
- emergency, medical, police and fire, to the inside cover of the kit, and place
- a second list near the telephone. You are now ready for all those emergencies
- we hope will never happen.
-
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-