first aid bag

Starting With An Empty First Aid Bag In The Workplace

Imagine, at your place of employment, a scenario in which a fellow employee tripped over a cord in the office. Losing their balance, they fell and hit their head on a file cabinet. The accident caused a severe head wound on the forehead of the employee in the form of a deep gash resulting in severe bleeding. Would you, or those around you, have known what to do if this emergency had been real?

Medical emergencies are exactly that and, as such, cannot be predicted. Therefore, it is important that not only employees have the skills necessary to respond to medical emergencies in the workplace, but to have the proper tools available when responding. One such tool is a first aid kit and it starts with an empty first aid bag.

When selecting an empty first aid bag, to hold the needed first aid supplies, it is important to select the bag that is most appropriate to the workplace environment. The features that need to be considered when selecting an empty first aid bag would be its physical features, ease of use and durability.

Physical Features

The size of the empty first aid bag should take in a number of considerations. Those considerations include a bag that is large enough to meet the needs of the number of employees in the workplace. A bag that is 10″W x 7″H x 4″ should be sufficient for a number of workplace environments.

It is also important to choose an empty first aid bag that can be easily carried. Not all emergencies occur within the proximity of where the first aid kit is stored.

Also, the physical features of the empty first aid bag should take into consideration where the bag will be stored. The bag should be stored where it is easily accessible and yet out of the way so that it will not walk off. Determining its place of storage is an important factor in selecting the right size.

Ease Of Use

When selecting your empty first aid bag another consideration is the ease of use. During emergencies, time is of the essence. Therefore, a bag that holds the first aid items in place using zippered pockets or lifting straps may be the best choice.

Also, the empty first aid bag should be securely fastened with large, securely fastened handles for ease of carrying. In addition, in accessing out of the way areas, a good idea is to purchase an empty first aid bag that is equipped with a large shoulder strap.
Ease of use should also take into consideration the construction of the inside of the bag. Questions to ask would be how many compartments it has to segment out the various first aid items and are the compartment readily available once the bag has been accessed? Also, are there loops or other features that allow for scissors, tweezers and other tools to be easily stored?

Durability

Finally, you get what you pay for. Therefore, it is important to purchase an empty first aid bag that is within your budget, but is of sufficient quality to provide durability and protection for the first aid supplies.

Also, because the empty first aid bag is designed for mobility, the bag should be made of light weight material. Also, it would be a good idea to purchase a product that is waterproof.

First Aid Bags For Additional Convenience And Organization

A first aid kit is essential for home and car use. You can assemble your own kit by collecting assorted supplies and placing them in a plastic shoebox or other container. If you are the ultra-organized type however, you might want to look into the variety of first aid bags on the market today. These first aid bags were originally manufactured for early response teams, but are now available in individual sizes for use in the home.

The really attractive feature of these first aid bags is the ease with which you can find items quickly. Instead of the jumble of a typical box, these first aid bags are set up in a binder style, with supplies contained in individual compartments of “pages”. There is a wide variety of sizes, shapes and uses for these first aid bags – from the smallest for the car and bicycle, to the larger sizes that are handy for camping and marine use. The kits are fully stocked, and you can buy refills as supplies are used.

What Is Included?

Depending on the style of first aid bag that you choose, everything is included! Even the smallest size contains supplies for almost any kind of cut or abrasion, pain and fever medications and a first aid manual. The larger kits include tools such as tweezers, scissors and thermometers, as well as burn treatments and hot and cold packs.

Because the first aid bags are stocked in such a compact manner, you can fit a plentiful supply into a smaller space. How convenient for fitting under car seats and into backpacks! You can also buy first aid bags designed specifically for the outdoors, which are perfect take-alongs for hiking and camping. There are also kits created for household use and smaller kits for car and office. Since the first aid bags are fairly inexpensive, it is a wise idea to keep a bag wherever you or your family might be spending a significant amount of time.

All first aid kits should be stocked with the essentials: plenty of bandages of assorted sizes and shapes, and antibiotic ointment for cuts and abrasions. A thermometer and tweezers are always good to have on hand, and anti-itch cream and hot/cold compresses also come in very handy. Medications should include pain relievers, decongestants, antihistamines and stomach medications. Of course, a first aid manual is also an essential. Being prepared for an emergency, by having a first aid bag easily accessible, can help keep your family safe while they are enjoying activities together.