I have recently found myself assessing our home and the amount of time before professional medical attention could be administered. Have you ever done this? On average it takes about 5 minutes to get back to our house if you are out on the property, 10 minutes for an ambulance to arrive after being called, and another 10 minutes to make it to the closest hospital. In total that is just shy of 30 MINUTES. Did you know that a human can hemorrhage and bleed out in just 5 minutes?
All joking aside, a first aid home assessment is pretty simple, just answer the following questions.
How many people live at your home?
What types of animals and how many reside at your property?
What are common injuries currently faced?
On a weekly basis we deal with heavy equipment, power tools, and sharp objects often. Due to this, statistically our chances of an accident are much higher than your average household. Additionally, we have two cats and fifty chickens who also fall under our responsibility. If a veterinarian cannot make it to you for four hours after you call them, then what is your game plan? While I would love to talk about every possible aspect of first aid preparedness I will just briefly touch on people and mostly focus on our livestock.
Multiple organizations recommend keeping first aid kits in your vehicle and home. They even have specific types of pre-made kits readily available online. Options such as these will work in a pinch for your basic first aid needs. https://amzn.to/3wssupM
There are even easy ready to go options for pet first aid if you would like something simpler on hand! https://amzn.to/3fgGNbf OR https://amzn.to/3fhMm9a
For our home we keep more on hand due to the amount of time that will likely pass before medical attention can be received and because we cannot be running to the vet every time a chicken has a cough or a sprained leg. Airway, breathing, and circulation are the first steps of first aid. Observation of these three areas will move you forward in how to administer aid. With that in mind here is a list of what I have in a go-box for our first aid response.
Tool Box with Handle - https://amzn.to/3uiArwh
Medical Scissors - https://amzn.to/3hPvCYQ
Vetericyn Plus for Poultry - https://amzn.to/3oJlz93 (Use it to clean, debride, irrigate, and moisturize wounds.)
Manna Pro Hen Healer - https://amzn.to/2TgaFvS (Temporarily protects and helps support healing of minor cuts, lacerations, scrapes, and sores.)
Blue-Kote - https://amzn.to/2SnMD1m (Treatment of surface wounds, abrasions, and ringworm. This antiseptic is highly effective against pus-producing bacteria and common fungus infections.)
Povidone Iodine Solution - https://amzn.to/3yzNDjS (Used on the skin to decrease risk of infection.)
Vet Wrap - https://amzn.to/3fhcZLO
Epsom Salts - https://amzn.to/3hNm7t9
Electrolyte and Vitamin Supplement - https://amzn.to/3oIf5az
Oregano Oil - https://amzn.to/3fKi4ee
Syringes, 23G 1 INCH - https://amzn.to/3ugSN0z
Syringes, 30G 1/2 INCH - https://amzn.to/3fILOZe
Several Sizes Syringes - https://amzn.to/3bQ1MQ2
Burn Cream - https://amzn.to/3bPCLoh
Trauma Kit with Quickclot - https://amzn.to/2TeIU6V (Response to deal with major injuries, typically life-threatening, and to keep someone alive until expert medical care can be reached.)
Wound Seal Powder - https://amzn.to/3hPwpsM (In combination with manual pressure to the wound, the powder quickly forms a strong scab that completely covers the wound and stops the bleeding.)
Additional items I have had recommended to me are:
Stethoscope - https://amzn.to/3ffCsFj
Theracyn - https://amzn.to/3bPBGNf (One-step wound, ear, and eye care solution.)
Chick Hobbles - https://amzn.to/3fi5IeG
Splayed Leg Spacer Pack - https://amzn.to/3fLnOop
Banixx - https://amzn.to/3oJXzTa (Successfully treat wounds, fungus, horse scratches, rain rot, ringworm, abscesses, thrush, white line disease, bacterial infections, fungal infections, fly bites or just some itchy skin on your pets.)
Prozap - https://amzn.to/3wmb2Do (An oil based ready-to-use insecticide for control of flies, lice, sheep keds, mosquitoes and ticks.)
Tweezers - https://amzn.to/3ugNTRt
Corn Starch - https://amzn.to/3vkXBn1
Needles - .5mmx15.8mm and 22x3/4
Thermometer - https://amzn.to/34drtpy
Puppy Pads - https://amzn.to/3vgeLlS
Flys-Off Ointment - https://amzn.to/3fggq57
And there you have it, a list of medical care items to get you going and add to your existing stock!
This is by no means an all inclusive list as there should be an emphasis on plants, climate, insects, and animals specifically at your home.
PLEASE, share any additional products or must haves in the comments below. There is always room for improvement when it comes to safety and medical aid.
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