A first aid kit isn’t a one size fits all. Kits come in all shapes and sizes for all kinds of purposes. When deciding on the best one for you, look at who might need and for what injury.
Family Type
A young family or retired couple will have different needs for a first aid kit to a retired couple. If you have small children, you will want to plenty of band-aids and small bandages for their spills and scrapes. A thermometer is also an important inclusion in a first aid kit with babies and toddlers in the house to monitor high temperatures.
Activity Type
First aid kits can be customised to a particular activity. If you are bushwalkers, you may want a kit that can handle stings and bites. For families that go camping or caravanning regularly, you may need a kit that is designed to stay in the van or camper trailer, ready to treat any injuries sustained on holidays. If you go boating, you may want to invest in a waterproof kit that can stay onboard, so it’s never left behind.
An off-road first aid kit contains items that can handle an emergency when medical help may be some distance away. Being able to treat a major trauma and bleeding may give you some peace of mind when you are miles away from help.
Modules, add-ons and additional items are available to meet requirements such as burns kits and eye injury kits.
Waist bag kits are also available leaving the owner with their hands-free to treat a victim. Those people with a medical background will often carry an extensive first aid kit in the car because they have the knowledge to use more equipment than someone with basic or no first aid training.
Kits for our Furry Friends
Our furry four legged friends shouldn’t be forgotten. Just like us, pets suffer injuries too. Dedicated pet first aid kits are available for use pre and post vet care.
Where the First Aid Kit Is Needed
The type of first aid kit will be determined by where it is kept.
Workplace
The type of activities undertaken at a workplace will dictate the type of kit required. A factory or workshop that undertakes high-risk activities should have a first aid kit capable of handling a severe medical emergency. If you work in an office, then a kit for low risk activities will suffice. Large first aid kits can be housed in metal boxes and attached to a wall so it’s always accessible to everyone in an emergency. Many offices and shopping centres now have defibrillators for use on heart attack victims.
Hospitality kits are filled with high visibility blue strips and plasters and items to treat burns, cuts and bruises that can occur in hotels, restaurants and cafes.
Check your first aid kit satisfies Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and WHS Regulations requirements.
Motor Vehicle
Soft kits are available for keeping in a car glove box, under the seat, boot or storage compartment. A first aid sticker on the back window will alert others to the availability of the kit in case of a car accident.
Whatever your first aid kit requirements, choose one, familiarise yourself with the contents and how to use them. If you need a refresher first aid course, visit your state's provider.
St John Ambulance (WA)
St John Ambulance NSW
St John Vic
Queensland First Aid
First Aid Darwin
St John (Tas)
St John SA
HIF Ambulance Cover
We hope you will never need to call an ambulance, but if you do you will want the fees covered. Check out HIF’s Ambulance Cover for details of benefits in your state.