What should be in a Aussie Shed First aid kit?

[BobL]

I went to a first aid refresher course this evening and it got me thinking about what sort of things should be in a Aussie shed first aid kit.
We have 2 medium sized first aid kits at our place - one for the station wagon and one in the house, plus I have a small one in the Van, but nothing in the shed.

I went on line and had a look at what was available at a place like St Johns.
They have all sorts of kits e.g.
Kiddies, Ladies, Outdoor, CPR, "Leisure", Off Road, Workplace Vehicle, Bites and Stings, and Low and medium risk workplace kits.
I'm not sure if any of these really suit a shed.

So my poll is what items do you think should be in a First aid kit that would be suitable for an average Shed?
Add more ideas for contents in any posts.

[michael_m]

Well the likely injuries are going to be cuts, abrasions and crush injuries, with also a possibility of thermal burns, chemical burns, inhalation of noxious substances, objects in the eye; and a lower (but possible) probability of amputations or major trauma to the head or circulatory system.

I would add things like a 2L bottle of water (if no running water available), plastic bags, and in a power-machine shed something like the surf lifesaving shark kit - with towels to soak up large quantities of blood and heavy bandages.

There's probably no point in having paracetamol or light bandages for sprains and strains, as they are not critical problems and can be dealt with by going to the house first aid supplies.

[Cliff Rogers]

Beer.

[Ironwood]

I used to have a basic first aid kit for the shed, it didnt ever get used. All the stuff in there ended up looking pretty 2nd hand after about 5 years.
I have a pair of tweezers in a drawer for getting out splinters, thats about all I really use, any small finger cuts just get a bit of electrical tape wrapped around until I go up to the house at the end of the day.

I am normally very careful in the shed and dont get many injuries, but $#!* does happen, like when I chopped the end off a finger on the jointer. That was just a matter of grabbing the nearest bit of clean rag to stop the blood flow, turn off the machines, lock the shed, then drive the 1/2 hour to the hospital with the rag still wrapped around the finger. In all honesty, I think even then, if I had a well stocked first aid kit in the shed I would not have opened it.

In the poll I just answered triangular bandage, as for a decent injury, I think that is about all I would use to get myself to medical help. Anything else more urgent than the electrical tape, I would go up to the house and use the well stocked St Johns kit in the cupboard.

[springwater]

Music

[Sturdee]

In addition to the usual band aid etc a telephone, either mobile or landline extension, to call for help is a must.


Peter.

[issatree]

I certainly don't have a F A Kit in my shed, but I do have Loctite 401, & that is what I use for all my cuts, if I ever get one. Yes, I have a couple of clean Towels. Been using S/Glue for many years, never ever had a problem, dries in seconds, don't have to worry about getting Plastic from Band Aids all over my work. House is only a few steps away.

[dabbler]

It’s important to remember that in most cases a first aid kit is for other people to administer first aid to you. Visability, position and access are just as critical as contents.

[Master Splinter]

A small tupperware container, a ziploc plastic bag, an old towel and one of those instant cold packs.

Then you can pop the severed body part in the bag (after first blowing off the sawdust), activate the ice pack, drop it into the tupperware container, add some water and pop the bagged bit into the cold water. Then you can dial triple zero while you hold the towel around whatever bit is leaking.

While you're waiting, you should clean off any blood on the machine - apparently it's very good at causing rust...maybe add a can of WD-40 to the list above...

NB. When collecting the missing bit, make sure you don't pick up that four month old sausage end (that the dog didn't eat after all) by mistake.

[BobL]

Plastic bag is a good idea.
I already keep a good supply in the shed but they won't be exactly sterile.

. . . . NB. When collecting the missing bit, make sure you don't pick up that four month old sausage end (that the dog didn't eat after all) by mistake.

Any accessible meat or bone wouldn't last 4 seconds with my dogs. When I cut up frozen bones with my bandsaw the dogs lick the bandsaw and floor area around the bandsaw clean, they probably wouldn't hesitate a finger either.

[keltrader]

If you are a one man shop and you don't want to die when it all goes south, have a mobile phone in your pocket.

[BobL]

If you are a one man shop and you don't want to die when it all goes south, have a mobile phone in your pocket.

Yep, much smarter to have it in your pocket than in the first aid kit.

BTW the poll is on what should be in the kit.

[crowie]

Sorry Bob, Only ever have a few bandaids & tweeters....
If the cut is a good one, I have a hanky in my pocket to wrap it & head to the house....
So far, that's all that's been needed...cheers, crowie.

[BobL]

Sorry Bob, Only ever have a few bandaids & tweeters....
If the cut is a good one, I have a hanky in my pocket to wrap it & head to the house....
So far, that's all that's been needed...cheers, crowie.

No need to apologise. I don'r have anything in my shed. Hopefully the poll will raise a bit of awareness if nothing else.

[shanesmith80]

Duct tape, fixes everything.