All Purpose First Aid Kits

Everyone needs a first aid kit. The all-purpose first aid kit can be as varied as the ailments it's designed to treat. It comes in all sizes, styles and price ranges. It's a handy thing to have for any home or business. And you never know when it will help save a life.

When choosing the size of your all-purpose first aid kit, it's important to think about how it might be used. Typically, first aid kits come in the following size categories: 1-10 person, 10-20 person, 20-50 person, 50-100 person, and 100 person and up.

A 1-10 person first aid kit is generally all you'll need for your home, car, camping gear, motor home or boat. It contains just a few of the basics; painkillers, ointments, bandages, gauze pads, etc. A 10-20 person first aid kit is great for small offices, daycare facilities or restaurants. For larger businesses, warehouses, airports, schools, and the like, a 20-50 person first aid kit, 50-100 person first aid kit or 100 person and up first aid kit might be the most appropriate.

Generally you can find an all-purpose first aid kit in your choice of one of three styles: soft case, hard case and wall-mounted. The soft case first aid kit is typically smaller. It works well in a purse, under a car seat, in a glove box, suitcase or backpack. You might want a hard case first aid kit for rougher environments like a garage, car trunk or boat. And the wall-mounted first aid kit is perfect for a central location in a warehouse or other work environment.

The price of your all-purpose first aid kit will most likely be determined by its size and style. Prices tend to fall into the following ranges: under $25, $25-$50, $50-$100, $100 and up. A first aid kit for under $25 is fine for home use. Those in the $25-$50 price range are typically organized for quick, easy access. Kits in the $50-$100 and $100 and up ranges tend to include more specialized and advanced products like instant cold compresses, sting-free antiseptic wipes, trauma pads, burn relief and sterile eye pads.

No matter what size or style all-purpose first aid kit you choose, make sure it contains easy-to-follow instructions. And remember, no first aid kit is meant to be a substitute for seeking professional medical care.