Every aquatic facility needs to have a well-stocked first aid kit. Whether a simple abrasion or bee sting to something more severe like a burn from boiling water, chemical exposure, or a broken bone, it's expected for Lifeguards to have the tools they need to perform first aid.
What do you need for a complete first aid kit? We gathered information from the 2023 MAHC, ANSI/SEA Z308.1-2021, American Red Cross, and OHSA to create a quick guide to ensure your first aid kit meets the minimum requirements.
Supplies
- 50 Adhesive Bandage 1" x 3" (2.5 x 7.5 cm)
- 3 Adhesive Bandage – Large Fingertip
- 3 Adhesive Bandage – Knuckle
- 3 Adhesive Bandage – Butterfly
- 2 Adhesive Tape 2.5 yd (2.3 m) total
- 25 Antibiotic Application 1/7 oz (0.5 g)
- 50 Antiseptic 17 oz (0.5 g)
- 2 Burn Dressing (gel soaked)
- 4" × 4" (10 x 10 cm)
- 25 Burn Treatment 12 oz (0.9 g)
- 2 Cold Pack 4" x 5' (10 x 12.5 cm)
- 1 CPR Breathing Barrier
- 2 Eye Covering w/means of attachment 2.9' sq (19 sq cm)
- 1 Eye/Skin Wash 4 fl. oz total (118.3 ml)
- 1 First Aid Guide
- 1 Foil Blanket 52" x 84" (132 x 213 cm)
- 20 Hand Sanitizer 1/2 oz (0.9 g)
- 8 Medical Exam Gloves (non-latex)
- 2 Roller Bandage 2" x 4 yd (5 cm x 3.66 m)
- 1 Roller Bandage 4" x 4 yd (10 cm x 3.66 m)
- 2 Cohesive Elastic Wrap 3" x 5 yds.
- 1 Scissors
- 1 Splint 4" × 24" (10.2 x 61 cm)
- 4 Sterile pad 3" × 3" (7.5 x 7.5 cm)
- 8 Sterile pad 4" × 4" (10 x 10 cm)
- 1 Tourniquet (windless)
- 4 Trauma pad 5" x 9" (12.7 x 22.9 cm)
- 2 Triangular Bandage 40 x 40" x 56" (101 x 101 x 142 cm)
- 1 Blood Clotting Spray – 3 oz.
- Low-dose aspirin (81 mg x 4)
- Oral glucose tablet, a minimum of 20 g
- Hank's Balanced Salt Solution
- Biohazard bags
- Fluid Control Solidifier
- Bodily Fluid Clean-up Spill Kit
- Sharps Container
Keep It Stocked
Many aquatic professionals stock their first aid kits at the beginning of the season. Always have enough supplies to keep your first aid kit stocked to these minimum requirements. Keep a backstock of first aid items to keep your kit full. Buying all your first aid supplies before the beginning of the season is best. It will reduce the chance of running out of supplies, looking for supplies that may be out of stock, and additional shipping time.
Inspect Supplies
First aid supplies must be inspected regularly to ensure they are well maintained. Inventory inspections or checklists should be filled with your facility documentation. Staff should check supplies for expiration dates and deterioration to ensure they are fully stocked and ready when needed. First aid supplies should be stored in areas protected from moisture, extreme heat, and extreme cold. Ensure your first aid supplies are neatly organized and easy to find.
Signage
Make sure to communicate to your guests where they can obtain first aid assistance. All guests should be able to find first aid assistance easily, so be sure to keep in mind ADA Accessibility Guidelines.
Heather Brands serves as a Project Manager on the CHAMP (Counsilman-Hunsaker Aquatic Management Program℠) team. Heather maintains her American Red Cross certifications as a Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, Water Safety Instructor Training, and Lifeguard Instructor Trainer. She is also a PHTA Certified Pool-Spa Operator (CPO) and Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP). Heather brings over 18 years of aquatics experience in operations, programming, training, and management. With a background of work in private, public, and non-profit sectors, Heather has significant expertise in the best customer experience practices, marketing, and facility management.
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