๐จ In a disaster, no doctor can come.
A well-stocked first aid kit is vital โ and must contain much more than the standard DIN set.
1. The Disaster First Aid Kit (extended)
The normal DIN-13169 set is enough for everyday accidents. For disaster cases you need significantly more.
1.1 Wound Care (quantity for 2-4 weeks)
- Sterile wound compresses: 5x 10x10cm, 5x 5x5cm, 2x large format (20x20)
- Bandage packs: 10 pieces (various sizes)
- Plaster set: 50x waterproof, 20x large (knee/elbow), 10x finger bandage
- Leukoplast / adhesive plaster: 2 rolls (2cm and 5cm wide)
- Elastic bandage: 2x 6cm, 2x 10cm (for joints, pressure bandages)
- Triangular cloth / triangular bandage: 2 pieces (sling, splint, emergency bandage)
1.2 Disinfection & Medications
- Octenisept / Betadine: 2 bottles (wound disinfection)
- Disinfection wipes: 50 pieces (hands, instruments)
- Painkillers: Ibuprofen 400mg (2 packs), Paracetamol 500mg (2 packs)
- ASA (Aspirin): 1 pack (heart attack EMERGENCY! Chew if suspected)
- Antihistamine: Cetirizine or Loratadine (bee sting, allergies)
- Imodium / Loperamide: Diarrhea stopper (dehydrates quickly!)
- Electrolyte powder: For fluid intake during diarrhea/vomiting
1.3 Special Equipment
- Resuscitation mask / breathing cloth: For mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
- Emergency blanket (rescue blanket): 2 pieces (gold/silver, heat retention)
- Cold instant compress: 2 pieces (bruises, swellings)
- Tick tweezers / tick card: Tick diseases are dangerous
- Eye immediate rinse: Eye wash bottle (chemicals, dust)
- Charcoal tablets (Carbo medicinalis): For poisoning/overdose
- Thermometer: Measure fever (digital + analog as backup)
- Blood pressure monitor: Optional, but useful
1.4 Instruments & Aids
- Disposable gloves (Nitrile): 20 pairs (infection protection!)
- Scissors: Bandage scissors (blunt/sharp), small household scissors
- Tweezers: Pointed and flat (splinters, ticks)
- Scalpel or sharp knife: Only for first aiders with experience
- Sewing material: Needles, thread, wound closure strips (Steri-Strips)
- Adhesive tape (Duct Tape): Versatile (splint, bandage, repair)
- Gauze bandage / gauze strips: 5 rolls
2. Storage & Shelf Life
| Item | Shelf Life | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Sterile compresses | 5 years | Dry, dark, <25ยฐC |
| Plasters | 3-5 years | Cool, protect from moisture |
| Medications | 2-3 years | Dry, child-safe |
| Disinfectants | 3 years | Protect from light |
| Gloves | 5 years | Protect from sun/heat |
3. Checklist: First Aid Kit
- โ Wound compresses (sterile, various sizes)
- โ Bandage packs & plasters (waterproof, large format)
- โ Elastic bandages & triangular cloths
- โ Disinfectant (Octenisept)
- โ Painkillers (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, ASA)
- โ Antihistamine & diarrhea medicine
- โ Rescue blanket (2x)
- โ Disposable gloves (20x Nitrile)
- โ Scissors, tweezers, thermometer
- โ Notepad + pen (document symptoms)