How many band aids should I include in my emergency first aid kit? I may have created more questions than answers...

Years ago I backpacked in the Sierra's I would have in my supplies some first aid materials. A few band aids, maybe some gauze and a little medical tape. Hey I was younger and invincible, now that I'm older and have a survival kit by my door, what do I need and what should be in it? It depends on what your projected needs are, that's right I would say common sense can lead your way. For instance if you have asthma you will probably want to pack an inhaler. Prescription medication and treatments for various physical implications will dictate the inclusion of other items. When we build a list it

Wake up and write up your survival plan, include a
substantial first aid kit. 

tends to be all inclusive, when we fill the list with purchased items it's not so all inclusive, we edit as we push the cart through the store. I believe the type of event that is likely to occur should have a certain amount of influence as to what to have in a first aid kit. Living in an earthquake or tornado prone area tells us to have supplies to treat a broken bone, deep gashes in flesh, being knocked on the head or any thing caused by falling objects or glass.

A full Haz Mat suit is probably not needed in a
typical first aid kit, 

If you live in a flood prone area a life jacket may not be out of the question as well as hygienic supplies to clean the flood water off our bodies. Supplies to treat water born illnesses should be considered as well in a flood zone. Wild fire prone areas may include supplies to treat burns and smoke inhalation, a respirator may make sense in a first aid kit. All of that is true, however isn't there some first aid supplies that should be common to an evacuation kit? Band aids of different configurations, finger tip, knuckle and butterfly type, a lot of each 30-50 perhaps. Gauze bandages, big ones 4 inch square or a roll of 4 inch wide medical gauze. Different configurations of gauze, triangles and round for instance. Pack a large amount of gauze as well. Tweezers, medical gloves, first aid cream, Alcohol pads to clean wounds and a cpr barrier. We want to pack enough to keep a bad gash closed for up to a week, during a disaster the chances of being injured increase. If a finger is cut we would want to be able to change the dressing at least twice a day. If we break an arm we may not be able to set it but if we have a sling the arm can be made immobile. Click here for first aid advice from the Mayo Clinic for a broken bone.
    I believe the type's of injury's we may be confronted with will be cuts, sprains, dehydration and burns to name a few. Do we need a stitching needle and stitching thread? Probably not, butterfly bandages work well as does tightly sealed gauze and medical tape. We don't need surgical equipment, unless they are for a surgeon to use. Aspirin, Tylenol, Bug repellent and Sun screen will serve us well in an emergency.
    Commercially prepared first aid kits generally have a lot of supplies in them, however rarely would one be found that fit everyone's needs exactly. Most people I believe add special items to their first aid kits to make them more applicable to their needs. With a store bought first aid kit 80% of most people's needs will be met, will I need any more than that? Everyone must determine their needs then buy or prepare the first aid kit they require.

Commercially prepared first aid kits make sense as well.

    Thanks for reading, first aid is hard to plan for, it's impossible to know exactly when a disaster will strike, it's likewise as difficult to project what injuries we may encounter. I'd like to hear your comments, suggestions or stories, give some thought to first aid and put the thoughts into action.
jimandkate  
EmergencyKitsPlus.com 
First Aid Kits for Home or Away.