[Dear Prudence]

I see that folks have written each year since 2006 reminding us all to check our first aid kits for outdated meds. and completeness - as well as changing batteries in smoke/co2 alarms. I went through all the past posts and information at the Red Cross site and compiled what I hope is a complete list for everyone to use when checking their first aid kits. (Monk is a rerun tonight and I was bored, okay?) Please let me know if I've left something out or should add another item. I'm going to need a trailer for my Bambi to carry all of these items...

First Aid Kit for Prudence
81 mg. chewable aspirin
Ace bandages
Anti-diarrheal
Antiseptic wipes
Band aids (various sizes; including knuckle, knee, elbow, etc)
Bandaging tape
Benadryl liquid or tabs
Biohazard waste bag(s)
Blister bandages; mole skin
Breathing Mask (NIOSH-N95)
Burn cream – silvadine
Cold/hot compress
Cotton swabs
CPR barrier mask
Elemental sulphur to dust clothes for insects
Emergency blanket(s)
Emergency notification card
Eye wash and eye patch/bandage
First aid book/guide
Gas tablets/meds
Gauze rolls
Gauze pads
Hand sanitizer
Hydrocortisone – Neosporin
Magnifying glass
Mosquito repellent
Pencil/pen and notepad
Prednisone oral tabs
Prescription meds in original bottles and/or photo copy with admin. info. – put in plastic envelope next to fire extinguisher for easy access for all.
Rash/itch cream
Scissors
Steri strips//butterfly bandages
Sunscreen
Tampons or pads
Temporary filling replacements
Thermometer
Tongue depressors
Tweezers
Triangular sling with safety pins
Tylenol
Vinyl gloves

Recommended, but optional items:
Re-sealable Jack Daniels
Snake bite kit (depending upon area traveled)
Spider spray – brooms not recommended
And, of course, leeches in case we travel back in time to the middle ages through mid-19th century – or find a new age doctor.


The following are more emergency related items rather than first-aid items – but handy to have:
Rain poncho
Personal effects: toothbrush, toothpaste, Dr. Bronner’s soap, washcloth,
Tape – duct
Plastic sheet
Food bars
Water purification
whistle

4 bottled waters
Work gloves
Ear plugs

And for those of us who travel with our pets:
Red Cross pet emergency book
Oral syringe
Hydrogen peroxide
Suture kit for dogs

And the following quick guide (Thanks to Sugarfoot):

CANINE QUICK REFERENCE CARD

Normal Vital Signs


Temperature 100 – 103 degrees Fo

Pulse 80 – 140 bpm

Respirations 10 – 30 breaths per min

Common OTC Drug Dosages for Canines

· Benadryl 1-2 mg per lb, every 8 hours (65 lb dog, 2-4 25mg caps every 8 hrs)
· Aspirin 5mg per lb every 12 hours (1 tablet, 325mg per 65 lb dog every 12 hrs)
· Hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting: 1-3 tsp every 10 min until dog vomits
· Pepto Bismol 1 tsp per 5 lb every 6 hours (3-4 TBSP per 65 lb dog every 6 hrs)
· Kaopectate 1 ml per 1 lb every 2 hours (3-4 TBSP per 65 lb dog every 2 hours)
· Immodium 1 mg per 15 lbs 1-2 times daily
· Mineral oil (as a laxative) 5-30 ml per day . . . DO NOT USE LONG TERM