How To Pack A Scout First Aid Kit: Supplies To Include And Why

If you’re a Scout, you probably already know that an essential part of being prepared is properly packing a first aid kit. But, does your first aid kit have the correct supplies to handle any type of emergency? After reading this article, you’ll be able to answer that question! First though, what exactly is first aid? Here’s how the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it: “First aid is emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained.”

There are times when a sick or injured person only needs basic first aid. However, in more severe cases, they may need professional medical treatment. In situations like these, it’s vital that the items in your kit can keep the victim’s condition under control until they’re able to receive care from emergency services. We’ll be going over the first aid items that you should always carry shortly!

P.S. This article is a guest post collaboration with Eagle Scout and AOL recipient, Michael M 🙂

Before we get into first aid kit supplies, if you’d like a quick overview of the basics of first aid, check out this short video (1:55). It’s the first episode of an online first aid course, and it goes over the three main priorities of first aid — preserving life, preventing injuries, and promoting recovery.

Helpful Links: Additionally, the First Aid merit badge is required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Cole’s put together a handy guide walking through each of the requirements, so be sure to check that out before or after reading this article!

Now that we’ve got a good grasp of the basics, let’s talk about the tools of the first aid trade. That’s right, I’m talking about your trusty first aid kit! This is where you store all your first aid supplies, and it’s where you should turn to immediately if ever an injury occurs.

In this article, we’re going to go over all the essential items to put in your kit. We’ll also talk about basic first aid treatments and even the history of first aid in Scouting. Afterward, you’ll be better equipped with an understanding of how to pack and use your first aid kit, so that you’re ready to spring into action if ever there’s an injury on a troop outing. Now, let’s get to it! 😀

The History of First Aid Kits in Scouting

Fun Fact: Did you know that the very first first aid kits to ever exist were produced by Johnson & Johnson in 1888, and were intended to help railroad workers quickly treat wounds? However, through the start of the 1900s, the company saw the potential for a wider consumer base. A key member of the kits’ new target audience was our Scouting predecessors!

The original first aid kits supplied by Johnson & Johnson to Scouts were much simpler than the ones you see nowadays. In fact, they only had three types of items! These were their contents:

Triangular bandage
Compress
Two safety pins

Fortunately, the kits grew more sophisticated to meet the wide-ranging needs of BSA Scouts. They ultimately became a key part of the Scouts’ basic inventory, supplying individual Scouts with the tools to keep an injury from getting out of control. And as they say, the rest is history! 😉

Should You Buy a Premade First Aid Kit?

Now, let’s move on to a very important question: should you buy a prepackaged first aid kit? While you can certainly do so, it’s a good idea to build your own, or at the very least modify an existing kit! By creating your own kit, you’ll know that you’re prepared with every supply you might need for each emergency.

It’s also worth noting that premade first aid kits sometimes include items you’re not so likely to use. This can weigh you down during hikes, and get in the way of accessing the items you actually need. However, if you pack your first aid kit from scratch, you can customize it! This allows you to save space within your kit and prioritize the supplies you’ll use on a regular basis.

What To Include in a Scout First Aid Kit

Now for the very heart of this article — let’s talk about what should actually go inside your first aid kit! First, I’m going to give a list of the bare essentials to include. These should be in every first aid kit, at all times. After that, I’ll give you a list of items that are extremely useful, but which can be included or left out to suit the type of outing you’re embarking on.

Just like packing for a camping trip, you have choices to make when you’re building your first aid kit. However, there are some things you can’t go without! The list below shows the essential items for any and every first aid kit. This list may seem a bit lengthy, but try to think through how each item is absolutely vital!

Bandages: For many people, this is the first item that springs to mind when it comes to first aid! Bandages are intended to cover a wound, protecting it from infection or any further damage. They can also secure dressings to the skin, and they can even be used to bind a wound together.

Gauze pads: These are kept in place with first aid tape or a bandage wrap. They provide protection for a wound and can be used to administer topical cream. Gauze pads are also useful for absorbing fluid from an injury.

Gloves: These protect both yourself and the person you’re treating! By placing a barrier between your hands and the injury, you keep cross-contamination at bay and help prevent infection from spreading.

Sting relief: The purpose of this item is pretty much what its name suggests! It reduces the pain and itching that are known to accompany insect stings, providing relief for the person who’s been stung. Since stings are one of the most common injuries on a Scouting outing, this item is essential. However, its usefulness doesn’t end there! It can even lessen those same symptoms in the case of burns, scrapes, and bites as well.

Tweezers: These are a vital part of any first aid kit. They’re used to remove foreign objects from a wound, such as debris, splinters, or a stinger. Since they’re so small, they let you take out objects like these with a level of precision that other tools can’t offer.

Antiseptic wipes: These let you quickly cleanse open wounds, such as cuts, grazes, and scrapes. Both easy to use and reliable, they eliminate harmful bacteria without the use of soap or water.

Safety pins: A very common use for these is to keep a bandage securely fastened around a wound. They can also be used on fabric, keeping it from catching on surrounding objects or getting in the way.

First aid tape/Guaze: This item’s purpose is to fasten bandages or dressings to the skin. It can also be used to apply pressure and stop bleeding if laid over a bandage and then wrapped tightly around the wound. No matter how you look at it, it’s an essential addition to your first aid kit!

CPR masks: These prevent direct mouth-to-mouth contact, keeping you safe from viruses and germs if you have to administer CPR with rescue breaths. Thanks to their small size and lightweight, they’re easy to carry and a necessary addition to any first aid kit.

If you’re looking to purchase your own first aid kit, I’d highly recommend the Hard-shell Mini Kit on Amazon. It has all of the supplies we covered here except for the CPR mask. However, you should be able to get these for free to add in once you complete CPR and AED training with your troop. Stay safe out there!

Now that we’ve covered the bare essentials, let’s talk about some other items that would be smart to include. While these items aren’t required for every situation, I’d highly suggest you consider where you’ll be bringing your first aid kit, and assessing your need to pack each of them!

Moleskin blister covers: Great for hikes, these lessen the friction and pressure on blistered skin, helping to keep the affected area safe from further damage. This not only protects the blister that has already formed, but it also keeps new ones from appearing. In a pinch, bandaids can be used as an alternative but molskins have better adhesion.

Trauma shears: This item can be used to cut away clothing during an emergency. Stronger than bandage scissors, trauma shears can easily slice through tough and thick material. Even a leather jacket is no match for the powerful blades of trauma shears!

Large trauma pad: This item absorbs any fluid that drains from a wound. In doing so, it keeps weeping wounds under control and helps bring bleeding to a stop. Some varieties even have sealed edges that keep away threats like dirt and bacteria!

Emergency blanket: This item is designed to keep its wearer from losing body heat. It’s a very effective way to keep them warm, and it can even help prevent hypothermia! Its waterproof properties also keep out cold rain and brisk winds, further helping to keep the body warm.

Cotton swabs: These are meant to clean scrapes and cuts prior to bandaging. They can also be used to absorb fluids of all kinds. Cotton swabs see lots of use when it comes to treating injuries, so they’re wise to include in any first-aid kit!

To learn more about things you could consider adding to your first aid kit, be sure to check out this informative video (3:42) from a Navy corpsman showcasing and explaining the items he keeps in his kit!

Common Injuries To Prepare For

Alright, great! Now we know what sorts of items to pack in your first aid kit and why to include them. All of that said, it’s also important to have a good idea of what sorts of injuries a Scout can expect to encounter. Taking a look at these common injuries will really help us to Be Prepared!

Remember: if someone is seriously injured, it’s important to call emergency services right away. If you’re not sure what to do, get help from a trusted adult!

As a key part of the Scouting experience, Scout summer camp offers a clear picture of the most common injuries in the program. So, naturally, it’s the ideal place to find the information we’re looking for. And wouldn’t you know it, Scouts BSA itself has already collected the data we need! Here’s what the program has to say:

“The most common injuries reported at BSA summer camps are cuts, abrasions, and punctures. Most are minor and require little more than basic first aid.”

Pretty reassuring to hear, right? Still, keep in mind that certain injuries can grow more severe if you don’t tend to them properly. That’s why it’s so important to follow the right steps even in minor cases! Luckily, we’re about to discuss the proper first-aid methods for these common injuries. 😀

But before we do, let’s take a close look at the three types of minor injuries that Scouts BSA mentioned. As you’ll see, the biggest difference between these injuries is how you get them:

Cuts: These wounds are typically received from a woodworking tool such as a pocket knife. So, always be careful to follow the appropriate rules and guidelines when using these tools!

Abrasions: More commonly referred to as scrapes, these wounds are often caused by falling hard onto the ground while running or biking. The high friction associated with abrasions leads to a very unique kind of injury.

Puncture wounds: This is the type of wound where a sharp object pierces directly into the skin. Some common examples are stepping on a shard of glass or getting a splinter.

Now, let’s talk about the proper treatment for these injuries! Thankfully, the process of treating each of these minor wounds is very similar. As you can imagine, this makes it much easier to remember all the steps involved!

Here’s the correct procedure for treating cuts, abrasions, and puncture wounds! Note that there are only three steps, so the overall process is pretty simple:

Clean the site of the injury. You don’t need any special cleaning solutions for this. Water and soap will be more than enough! If the wound you’re treating is a cut or abrasion, that’s all there is to this step. However, if it’s a puncture wound or an abrasion where quite a bit of debris is in the wound, it’s important to remove any foreign objects from the site of the wound before you begin bandaging.

Apply topical antibiotics to small wounds. Antibiotic ointment or cream can help stop infection. However, for large or serious wounds, ask a medical professional before using any topical treatment.

Bandage the injury. This last step is extremely important to follow! As I mentioned above, bandages help protect wounds from bacterial infection and other dangers. Please note that bigger scrapes sometimes call for more than just a bandage! You may also need to apply absorbent gauze and pressure to stop the bleeding, depending on the size and nature of the injury.

Conclusion

As a Scout, it’s very important that you have a firm grasp of first aid. And of course, one of the most important aspects of first aid is your kit! After all, your trusty first aid kit is your go-to place in case of an injury, no matter how small or large the wound might be. To take good care of yourself and your fellow Scouts, stay prepared with this knowledge, because you never know what could happen!

I hope this article taught you a bunch about the ins and outs of packing first aid kits! Should you ever need a refresher, please don’t hesitate to come back here and brush up on your knowledge. If an emergency ever strikes, you’ll be so happy that you’ve kept your facts straight and your skills sharp! Thanks so much for stopping by! 😀 Next up, be sure to also read any of the following articles if they catch your interest:

That’s all for now! Make sure to share this article with a friend if you found it helpful and, until next time, we’re wishing you nothing but the best on your Scouting journey!

The History of First Aid Kits in Scouting

Should You Buy a Premade First Aid Kit?

What To Include in a Scout First Aid Kit

Common Injuries To Prepare For

Conclusion

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