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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

to wonder what is the point of my first aid box?

24 replies

ellifino · 08/05/2011 12:02

A while ago I decided we ought to have a first aid kit.

We take it on car trips and camping. And at home it lives in the cupboard in the kitchen.

It had antiseptic wipes, plasters of all sizes, basic medicine, steristrips, thermometer... umm, I can't remember, all the usual first aid stuff. It's quite a big kit.

So, the other morning a couple of 12 yo boys were roller skating down the big hill outside our house. One hit a pebble and face-planted into the pavement. They looked around for the nearest adult and found dh heading off to work.

He brought them straight in. I reached for the first aid kit... and... realised the only possible thing to do was give the kid a clean muslin and take him home for his mum to sort out. She probably took him to the doctor (at least I hope she did. He needed a couple of stitches and all the gravel taken out of his face).

So, what IS the point of a first aid kit?

OP posts:

Flisspaps · 08/05/2011 12:05

Because you might actually come across someone who needs more than a clean muslin?

StealthPolarBear · 08/05/2011 12:05

I don't understand the question, sorry. Presumbly you'd use the thermometer if you suspected someone had a temp, the plasters & antiseptic wipes on cuts.

Birdsgottafly · 08/05/2011 12:06

Exactly what you used it for; to clean up wounds and apply dressings, if appropriate. It keeps everything together at easy reach. Unless you are trained to do so you should not be doing anything more complex to a random stranger.

Flisspaps · 08/05/2011 12:06

Posted too soon.

Because you might actually come across someone who needs more than a clean muslin - someone who could do with an antiseptic wipe/sling/bandage.

Far handier to have and not need than to need and not have !

GooGooMuck · 08/05/2011 12:06

maybe you should also have a sewing kit?

Goblinchild · 08/05/2011 12:08

Do you have children of an adventurous nature?
I have to refill my kit regularly, and somehow DS has survived.
DD is more cautious but has used many of the medications in it.

Birdsgottafly · 08/05/2011 12:08

Or were you hoping for a instrutual video on surgery similar to the one's used by DR Nick on the Simpsons and was woefully dissapointed that there wasn't one? or an opportunity to use it?

Original poster

ellifino · 08/05/2011 12:16

I think my realisation was that anything more than some savlon and a band aid and I would be off to the doctor anyway. So what's the point of having a kit full of steristrips and slings?

OP posts:

Birdsgottafly · 08/05/2011 12:21

First aid kits have standard contents and you could be carrying one whilst camping/walking so would not have transport to get to a doctor straight away, also the best thing that you can do is to keep a wound clean so the sterile strips are essential.

Goblinchild · 08/05/2011 12:22

I'm a teacher with first aid training and a teenage boy. I need and have used the majority of items in our first aid.
Tweezers, antiseptic, plasters, Melolin wound dressings, and that was yesterday. Why would I rush off to the doctor for every rise in temperature, bout of cold and sniffles, cut, splinter, sprain or dose of cystitis?
What a waste of as doctor's time if I can deal with small problems, I do.
Perhaps you don't need one, that's really a question that only you can answer.

backwardpossom · 08/05/2011 12:24

Maybe you should get training in how to use the slings/steristrips etc rather than asking what the point in them is. Having had first aid training with the Red Cross, I can tell you that they're extremely useful.

Original poster

ellifino · 08/05/2011 12:41

Yes, I think that is exactly the point backwardpossom.

There was me feeling all clever and safer that I had taken the precaution of getting a first aid kit. And then when faced with a bloodied child I was completely useless.

Anyway, am feeling a bit fragile for aibu so was stupid of me to have posted. Sorry chaps. Am offski.

OP posts:

backwardpossom · 08/05/2011 13:29

Yes, have experienced the feelings of uselessness and it's not pleasant. Don't be too hard on yourself. Really, I would recommend a basic first aid course - I did it out of necessity for my job, but it's been useful at home with my very 'lively' DS and idiot DH. :)

FutureNannyOgg · 08/05/2011 13:41

I used mine last night, on myself. Steristrips, antiseptic, dressing, tape. I felt ever so smug and prepared. Or I would have been if I wasnt bleeding everywhere and feeling a bit sick.

moonmother · 08/05/2011 13:43

I'm a mid-day superviser at my Ds's school, last week we had a days First Aid Training with the St Johns Ambulance.

Up until I did the training, all I had was usual general medicines, antiseptic cream, Arnica and plasters in my First Aid cabinet .The first thing I did Friday morning was go out and get all the essential things I will need to put in it.

I would recommended doing a course too, most first aid is commonsense, but I learnt a lot of useful tips that with 2 Dc's in the house , may actually mean I can treat them at home rather than make an needless trip to A+E.

Goblinchild · 08/05/2011 13:44

'So, what IS the point of a first aid kit?'

I don't think any of us were wanting to make you feel useless, we were just answering the question.

I could have asked
'So, what IS the point of a sewing machine kit?
or
So, what IS the point of a make-up kit?

because I don't know or care how to use either of them.

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 08/05/2011 13:47

I have a massive first aid kit. and me and my husband have both had first aid training in the past. So a first aid kit is a very good idea when you know how to use it.

I suggest a first aid course. I think everyone should go on one, tbh.

suburbophobe · 08/05/2011 17:49

I have one too.

Better to have and not need, than to need and not have, in my book!

Flisspaps · 08/05/2011 18:58

I hadn't even considered that you might not have done a first aid course. In that case, the point of the box does get a bit lost. Definitely do a course, even a 1 day Appointed Persons course will be useful (should you ever need to do any more First Aid!)

unsurevalentine · 08/05/2011 20:09

The bandages come in handy on Halloweon

dizzyblonde · 08/05/2011 20:15

With the injuries you describe the only thing to do would be to cover them with a dressing soaked in water(preferably sterile but not essential) and take to minor injuries unit. Grazes etc a first aid kit is fine. Funnily enough the one thing we don't carry on a front line ambulance is plasters. Perhaps we should consider it as we get called out to paper cuts because they 'hurt'.

Sirzy · 08/05/2011 20:18

Even if it is an injury which is going to require further treatment that doesn't mean that FIRST aid is not needed. FIRST aid is just that the aid before you get further help (if needed).

Knowing first aid is a vital skill (especially for parents!) and isn't always about the contents of a box but also about having the skills to help as needed.

There again, as a first aid trainer I can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to know at least basic first aid!

redexpat · 08/05/2011 20:22

My sister contracted cellulitis (sp?) when she fell off her bike at uni and the friend that cleaned her small wound up didn't have any disinfectant. She was hospitalised and then discharged in a wheelchair. That's what can happen if you don't have one. Be prepared!

schroeder · 08/05/2011 20:22

I used to think it was a waste of time having a first aid kit in the car, stuff stayed in there for years, until the savlon went out of date .

Then one day I managed to wack dh in the face with the boot of the car and cut his nose-first aid kit to the rescue

Flip