First Aid for Yourself & Others

Burns First aid for burns is easy. Place burned area in cold water for at least 10 minutes. Then get help. Dog, Cat or Rat Bite A bite from an animal can be dangerous. It could become infected. You must wash the bite well with soap and running water. Do it quickly. Then put on a bandage. You may need to seek medical attention if you need any stitches or a tetanus injection. Tell an adult.
Bee Stings Sometimes the stinger stays in the skin. With your fingernail, gently scrape it out. Do not pull it out as this may squeeze the venom sack.

Cuts and Scratches Small cuts, scratches and broken blisters need first aid too. Wash them with soap and running water. Then put on a dressing or plaster. Bad Bruises If a bruise is big or painful, get some ice. Wrap it in a clean cloth or dish towel and hold it on the bruise. Or, run some cold water on the bruise. Rest and elevate the area.

Sprained Ankle or Knee If you twist a joint badly and it hurts a lot, it's called a sprain. It usually happens with an ankle knee or wrist. You should not walk on the hurt leg. Get others to carry you or help you. If you are alone, wait for help, or hop on the good leg.

Nosebleeds Most nosebleeds are easy to stop. First of all, sit very still. Squeeze your nose together with your fingers. Then tilt your head forward. Stay like this until the nosebleed stops. If it doesn't stop get help.

Feeling Faint If you fee dizzy or weak, lie down on your side. Rest like that until you feel better. If you do not feel better, ask someone to get help.

Something in your eye Do not rub it. That will make it worse. Instead, shut your eye until tears start. Or put cold water on the eye. If there is no cold water, do this: Pull your top eyelid outwards and over the bottom one. Repeat this. If it doesn't work, get help.

Your Personal First Aid Kit

You should make your own first aid kit and have it ready for an emergency. You hope you won't have to use it, but it's good to know its nearby - just in case. Some store bought First Aid Kits don't have the right things in them for Scout Tramping or outside activities. Its better to make your own and then you control what is inside. Take this Personal First Aid Kit to every camp and daytime activity with Scouts. Always be prepared. Your First Aid Kit should be liteweight and compact. It should be easy to get to when you need it. Don't bury it at the bottom of your pack. Here are some suggestions for the contents of a first aid kit. Your Patrol could decide to buy the items in bulk and share them out amongst all the members of the patrol to save money.

Sterile Pads
Take about three or four pads of various sizes. Hold them in place with plaster strips or a bandage.

Plaster Dressings
Bandaids, Elastoplast. Have about 12 assorted sizes in a small container.

Antiseptic Solution
Dettol, Savlon. Pour some into a small plastic bottle. A glass one could break. Add a few drops to water when washing wounds.

Triangular Bandage
This is mainly used to support broken limbs. You could use your scarf in an emergency.

Antiseptic Cream
Take something which can be used on cuts, scratches, burns etc (or take a separate antihistamine cream). Remember this has an Expiry Date and should be checked often. Once it has been open it should be discard after three months. You should write the date of opening on the label when you open it.

Cotton Wool
Use this to clean wounds. Take a small amount.

Safety Pins
Three medium sized.

Tweezers
Take small tweezers.

Needle
Poked in a bit of cork is best.

Scissors
A small pair is safer than a single sided razor blade.

Adhesive Tape
One roll, 25 mm wide. Use to hold sterile pads in place. You can never have too much adhesive tape. It's great for emergency tent and pack repairs too!

Bandage
Two or three varying sizes

Card
With your name, address and telephone number on. List anything you may be allergic to, and add any medicine that you take.

Matches
For sterilising the needle. These should be in a small plastic container or bag.

Sunscreen
At least SPF15

Insect Repellent
Sometimes you can get a combined sunscreen and insect repellent.

Pain Killer
Paracetamol, Disprin, Neurofen (learn and know how to use these)