First aid kit

For other uses, see First Aid Kit (disambiguation).
Large and small first aid kits used by the British Red Cross for event first aid, in the internationally recognized safety green with a white cross. These kits also feature the red cross, which is a protected symbol under the Geneva Conventions and may only be used by the Red Cross or military.

A first aid kit or medical kit is a collection of supplies and equipment used to give immediate medical treatment, primarily to treat injuries and other mild or moderate medical conditions. There is a wide variation in the contents of first aid kits based on the knowledge and experience of those putting it together, the differing first aid requirements of the area where it may be used, and variations in legislation or regulation in a given area.

The international standard for first aid kits is that they should be identified with the ISO graphical symbol for first aid (from ISO 7010), which is an equal white cross on a green background.[1]

Standard kits often come in durable plastic boxes, fabric pouches or in wall mounted cabinets. The type of container will vary depending on the purpose, and they range in size from wallet-sized through to a large box. It is recommended that all kits are kept in a clean dust- and damp-proof container,[2] in order to keep the contents safe and aseptic.[3]

Kits should be checked regularly and restocked if any items are damaged or are out of date.

  1. ^ "ISO 7010 - E003". Archived from the original on 4 May 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  2. ^ The Scout Association, Guidance on first aid kits, accessed 11 June 2024
  3. ^ First Aid Manual 8th Edition. St John Ambulance, St Andrews First Aid, British Red Cross. 2002. ISBN 0-7513-3704-8.