Make your own first aid kit

A first aid kit is an extremely important piece of equipment that every home (as well as sports hall or gym) should own. The only problem is - people only realize how important a first aid kit is when they actually need one - and that's when they don't have one handy.

Here we will show you what you will need to assemble a first aid kit that will help you deal with the most common sports injuries.

What will this first aid kit deal with?

The Common Sports Injuries First Aid Kit will have you prepared for pretty much any situation. You will have the resource to deal with any minor cuts and bruises as well as twists (such as a twisted ankle) and even heavy knocks.

Assembling the first aid kit

Equipment

Adhesive tape - Used to stick dressings in place.

Disposable gloves - Ensure the highest amount of hygiene is in place. Prevent infection to or from first aider and injured sports person.

Frozen gel pack - Used to reduce swelling, bruising and inflammation. Much more cost affective than applying deep freeze sprays.

Scissors - Very handy to cut dressings such as bandages, slings and even sometimes clothes!

Safety pins - Used to hold slings and bandages in place.

Tweezers - Used to remove tiny hard to reach areas. For example a minute piece of glass.

Dressings

Adhesive dressings (sticking plasters) - These come in all shapes and sizes so get a variety of each. They are used very often for just about any minor cut, graze or bruise so ensure you replace any that you use.

Bandages - Used to protect wound dressings. Bandages come in a variety of types and sizes so ensure you have a 3-4 of each at all times.

Cling film - This is great for applying to burns as it keeps the wound away from open air, reduces the pain and prevents infection - just ensure the wound is cool before applying the cling film. Ensure you have one roll in your first aid kit.

Cotton wall balls - These are really cheap and great for cleansing wounds to prevent infection. Keep one full bag in your first aid kit.

Sanitary towels - these are great to use as a dressing pad.

Slings - Triangular in shape, these are used to support limb or ligament injuries. Keep 2- 3 at all times.

Sterile dressings - these are very important to prevent infection and cleaning a wound. Keep plenty of these.

Medication

Antihistamine tablets/cream - To reduce allergic reactions such as bee stings or stinging nettles.

Deep freeze spray - Used as a temporary pain relief and to help prevent swelling or inflammation.

Deep heat spray - Used as a temporary pain relief.

TCP - Used as an antiseptic to cleanse wounds.

Using the first aid kit

Please ensure you take every precaution when using this first aid kit. We strongly recommend you go on a first aid course - especially if you are responsible for others where sports take place - so you are knowledgeable of how to use this kit as well as what and what not to do. Sometimes a mistake in treating a sports injury can cause more harm.

It's always better to be prepared for any situation, even though we hope that you don't ever have to use it!