It
is current first aid practice not to recommend the administration of any
medications. This includes seemingly innocuous things like Aspirin and electrolyte
replacement preparations unless the first aider had been specifically trained.
Given that you will be in an extremely remote area, it would be advisable
to contact your GP and obtain some prescription drugs prior to your departure.
These can be administered with advice from a Doctor from the Royal Flying
Doctor Service by radio.
In
the Outback you will be in extremely remote areas, sometimes days from medical
assistance. It is therefore imperative that you carry adequate first aid
equipment. Off the shelf first aid kits are simply unsuitable. The Victorian
Tourism Operators Association have a suggested guide to the contents of
a First Aid Kit within their accreditation guidelines. It was put together
by Mark Somers, Clinical Instructor with the Metropolitan Ambulance Service,
Melbourne It is as follows:
4
20cm X 20cm dressing pads
moderate/large wound dressing
2
10cm X 10cm dressing pads
moderate/small wound dressing
4
10cm crepe bandages
to retain dressings/snakebite/sprains
10
pairs disposable gloves
barrier device to prevent cross infection
1
shears
for cutting clothing and bulky dressings
1
resuscitation mask
barrier device for mouth to mouth
1
safety glasses
barrier device for mouth to mouth
4
triangular bandages
dressing retention/slings
1
emergency shock blanket
to prevent loss of body heat
1
5cm hypo-allergenic adhesive tape
non-allergenic tape for sensitive skin
1
notepad and pencil
to record accident and treatment at the time
1
Current first aid manual
For reference
1
Pkt assorted sticking plasters
Minor cuts and abrasions
1
Pkt assorted knuckle shapes
Minor cuts and abrasions
4
Eye pads
Emergency eye cover
2
Non adherent burns dressing
For burns after cold water
2
15cm crepe bandages
To secure universal dressing
2
5cm crepe bandages
To retain small/medium dressing
2
2.5cm crepe bandages
To retain small dressing
1
2cm Hypo-allergenic adhesive tape
Secure dressings
4
Gauze swabs
Wound cleaning
1
Kidney dish
To hold dressings/instruments/antiseptic
1
Pkt cotton buds
General wound cleaning
6
Disposable towels
General cleaning
1
5cm scissors sharp/blunt
Cut dressings/bandages
10
Safety pins
Secure bandages and slings
1
Length of dressing strip
Cut to size dressings
1
Pair splinter forceps
Removing fine foreign bodies
10
0.9% normal saline irrigation solution
For eye irrigation
5
Premixed antiseptic solution
Single use for cleaning minor wounds
1
Antiseptic powder
Replaces creams for hygiene reasons
1
Anti-histamine cream
For insect bites
1
Set of 6 air splints
To immobilise fractures, sprains and strains
1
Electronic thermometer
To assist in assessing casualty
5
Disposable thermometer covers
Barrier device against cross infection
1
Torch
For casualty assessment
1
Advanced resuscitation device
Resuscitation
1
Chemical cold pack
For the treatment of strains and sprains
Allergies
Ampoule of Adrenaline and disposable syringes
Phenergan®Claratyn®
