THE MERCK MANUAL MEDICAL LIBRARY: The Merck Manual of Medical Information--Home Edition
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Section

Accidents and Injuries

Subject

First Aid

Introduction
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The goal of first aid is to save life, to prevent an injury or illness from worsening, or to help speed recovery. First aid for cardiac arrest, choking, bleeding, minor wounds, and minor soft tissue injuries is discussed in this chapter. Other chapters discuss first aid for near drowning, heat stroke, low body temperature (hypothermia), serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), spinal cord injuries, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), poisoning, seizures, stings, bite wounds, burns, chemical burns of the eyes, fractures, frostbite, nosebleeds, sprains, and loose teeth.
Basic First-Aid Supplies

The medicine chest or first-aid kit should be kept well stocked. The following basic supplies are useful to have on hand:

  • Activated charcoal (a poison control center should be called before using)
  • Adhesive tape
  • Antihistamine
  • Antiseptic ointment (such as bacitracin)
  • Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • Chewable baby aspirin (in case of symptoms of a heart attack; a doctor should be called before using)
  • Cold pack or ice bag
  • Cotton-tipped swabs
  • Elastic wrap
  • First-aid manual
  • Gauze bandages in a roll, 2 or 3 inches (5 or 7 centimeters) wide
  • Sharp scissors
  • Soap or instant hand sanitizer
  • Sterile adhesive bandages in several sizes
  • Thermometer
  • Thin, plastic gloves
  • Tissues
  • Tweezers

Last full review/revision August 2007 by Justin L. Kaplan, MD

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