If you hear the words natural disasters, what comes first into your mind? Are they hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, floods, fire, and the like? Yes, you have said it! Unpredictable as they are, such disasters are staggering and overwhelming that it can place us in an instantaneously frantic mode. They usually come uninvited and without warning.
Furthermore, just like in one snap of a finger, natural disasters can easily destroy our homes and our lives. That is why being prepared and geared up for such natural disasters are very vital for our survival on such a terrible event.
With this, having a Natural Disaster First Aid Kit is one of the solutions for the course of preparation on the aforementioned calamities. The Natural Disaster First Aid Kit is a parcel of basic medical supplies and emergency equipments set in advance so as to be used during natural disasters. Usually, the Natural Disaster First Aid Kit does not really put a stop to the injury and harm caused by such disasters, but it can help you endure the after shocks of the said events.
Natural Disaster First Aid Kit has vital equipments that will contribute to your survival and sustain you for a period of 72 hours after the disaster. It should be placed in an area where it is easily accessed. Normally, the kit contains items such as the following:
- First aid manual
- Bandages
- Dressings
- Medicines
- Instruments
- Equipments
For Bandages, your first aid kit should be composed of some of the following:
- Elastic Bandages (Pressure Bandages) – usually utilized for sprains
- Gauze Roller Bandages – should be breathable, absorbent and elastic
- Triangular Bandages – used in tying splints, for tourniquet and sling purposes
- Elastic, Adhesive Roller Bandages – excellent for pressure, should be durable and water proof
- Adhesive Bandages – sticking plasters, band-aids and the like
- Butterfly Bandages – for the knuckles
- Straight Adhesive Bandages
For Dressings, this should always be sterile because it will be placed directly on the wound. Your first aid kit should have some of the following:
- Pads
- Sterile Gauze Pads
- Burn Dressing (pad that is sterile and soaked in a cooling gel)
- Sterile Eye Pads
- Sterile Non-adherent Pads
For the instruments inside your first aid kit, it should have some of the following:
- Trauma Shears – good for cutting clothing
- Hypoallergenic Adhesive Tapes
- Tweezers
- Lighter – can be used to sterilize pliers or tweezers before using them
- Rubber Suction Bulb – used in clearing the air passageway of unconscious patients
- Irrigation Syringe – used for cleaning wounds
For the equipments inside your first aid kit it should have some of the following:
- PPE or Personal Protective Equipment – CPR Mask or face shield and non-late disposable gloves
- Flashlight
- Plastic cup or Eye cup
- Sterile Eye Wash – saline (used in cleaning wounds if tap water is not available)
- Sterile non-woven swabs
- Instant-acting chemical cold packs
- Space Blanket or Emergency Blanket – lightweight, made up of plastic foil
- Penlight
- Thermometer
- Alcohol rub or Hand sanitizer – you can also use antiseptic hand wipes
The medicines that your first aid kit should contain are the following:
- Antimicrobial or Antiseptics – Benzalkonium Chloride, Povidone Iodine Wipes, Alcohol Pads, Antibiotic Ointment (with petroleum jelly base)
- Fever reducers or Painkillers – Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Aspirin
- Anti-itch ointment – Antihistamine Cream (Benadryl), Hydrocortisone Cream, Calamine Lotion
- Burn Gel
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Antihistamine – Dyphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Poison Treatments – Ipecac Syrup, Activated Charcoal
- Epinephrine Auto-injector – Epipen, treatment for Anaphylactic Shock
- QuikClot – controls severe bleeding
Other useful things to store for cases of natural disaster are as follows:
- Water (which can last for at least 3 days)
- Iodine tablets (will serve as a water purifier)
- Canned goods or Non-perishable food
- Knife
- Cable saw
- Candles
- Sewing kit
- Fish hooks
- Soap
- Toilet paper
- Insect repellent
- Pen
- Paper
- Maps
- Compass
- Signal Mirror
- Money
- Can opener
- Extra Batteries
- Portable TV or Radio
Aside from this, you also need to set up an emergency shelter and an evacuation plan with the people close to you. You need to organize this so that if ever a natural disaster should come, you would know what to do and where you can all meet up. As for your important documents, you need to collect all your important papers and plan if you would rather take them with you or have it placed inside a safety deposit box.
Moreover, it’s best that you have a photograph of your belongings. This is basically for insurance purposes. As for your pets, you need to also know what you can do with them; many shelters do not accept pets.
Another important thing is to set aside some cash, most of the time, there are problems with ATM machines after disasters. It is best to have some cash ready, just in case a disaster occurs.
For those who can afford it, if there are already indications in the news that there may be an earthquake or a big hurricane coming to your side of the world, fill up your gas tank. It is best to always be prepared.
As we all know, as humans, we are powerless from stopping natural disaster from intruding our lives. However, we do have a choice on lessening its after effects by coming in prepared. By just planning and getting prepared ahead for these kinds of alarming situations, we may not only impede injuries but we can also save lives.
