First Aid Kit: How to make one #BePrepared
by Millcreek Canyon Camps
Friday, April 20, 2018
Source: Facebook Post by Millcreek Canyon Camps
We love the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. As adult leaders, we’re responsible to teach Cub Scouts how to be responsible for not only themselves, but those around them. One of the best ways to begin teaching this is by helping Cubs create their own first aid kit and then teaching them how to safely use it. We’ve put together a simple and cost-effective way to create a portable kit because every child should come to camp prepared. We’ll give you a step by step process of what you need for a kit as well as some fun suggestions to help get your Cubs even more excited to make them. Here’s what you’ll need:
Resealable Sandwich Bag
Resealable sandwich bags are the perfect size to fit a variety of supplies for a first aid kit.
Resealable sandwich bags work so well with a portable first aid kit. They allow different sized objects to fit into them depending on the activity you are participating in. They will keep first aid supplies clean and dry. And most importantly, they can be easily replaced. Add Color! While it’s fine to simply write your pack number of the bags, we recommend that you invite your Cubs to color their bags using different colored Sharpie markers. Have them draw their favorite animal, a campsite, or any other crazy thing that may pop into their head. This will get them excited to not only have a first aid kit, but to also fill it and use it.
Bandages
While there are many different types of bandages, my favorite for summer camp are the "Flexible Fabric". They allow for great breathablity on cuts & scrapes.
There are so many different sizes to choose from when it comes to bandages! Each pack should decide what size of bandages depending on the activities you’ll be participating in. I personally prefer using fabric bandages for most activities and cuts. Decorate! While it’s fun to buy character bandages, they’re pricey. Try adding stickers to them so that each Cub chooses what kind of fun bandage they want to use. Remember to only remove the outer wrapper. The bandage will not be sterile if the white underside covers are removed.
Alcohol Swabs
While bandages are important in keeping a wound clean, alcohol swabs are what actually clean the affected area.But let’s be honest, alcohol on any sort of wound isn’t fun. There are alternatives that will clean cuts just as good as alcohol but don’t cause that burning sensation. One in particular is called benzalkonium chloride. This does come as a swab, but sometimes can be a little more expensive than alcohol swabs.
Cotton Swabs
Cotton swabs are able to clean better than the alcohol swabs depending on the type of wound.
Cotton swabs are great for many things. Sometimes it can be difficult to completely clean cuts & scrapes, but a cotton swab can really help when wetted down by an antiseptic (i.e. alcohol) or even just water. Secondly, cotton swabs are great for applying bacitracin or Neosporin.Keep ‘em Clean! Wrap cotton swabs in plastic wrap to protect them from being dirty by the other items in your first aid kit.
Bacitracin
Neosporin is an alternative, but be sure to check that the person isn't allergic to either before applying to the affected area.
As mentioned before, alcohol swabs are for cleaning out wounds. Bacitracin will continue to wounds after the alcohol has dried up. This will be the most expensive part of the kit and so we recommend that you purchase 1 tube for the entire pack. We recommend that you apply this with cotton swabs.
Gloves
One box of gloves will be more than enough for your first aid kits. Hold on to the extras for other activities like first aid practices.
Gloves are great to have when performing first aid. While it’s nice to have them, they are certainly not required to protect yourself and a wounded Cub Scout from spreading disease or pathogens. By simply being cautious in how you handle the different swabs & bandages and everything will be just fine.
Remember that if you come prepared, there will be less worry and stress, especially if all of your Cubs have the tools to handle those small abrasions or, as we like to call them, stories. Now you are #BePrepared.