Posts Tagged "water safety"
First Aid Kit for Aquatic Activities
Spring and Summer are coming soon, which means all sorts of swimming, boating, and other water-based activities to cool down under the hot sun. It’s important that every troop have a water safety kit (or two!) with them when playing in, on, or around the water. This does vary a bit from a traditional first aid kit with some specific items. For girls of all ages, this can be turned into a fun meeting activity in preparation for a water-based outing in building their own mini kits or assisting in putting together the main troop kits.
To put together smaller, personal water safety kits, buy large packages for the contents in the kit. Portion out any liquids in smaller, travel size containers.
Case
- Durable in extreme hot and cold
- Waterproof
- Sized for personal or group needs.
Contents
- Adhesive bandages, assorted sizes.
- Adhesive tape.
- Liquid soap.
- Cold packs.
- Disposable latex gloves.
- Roller gauze, assorted sizes.
- Elastic bandages.
- Scissors.
- Sterile gauze and pads, assorted sizes.
- Topical sting relief.
- Sunblock (SPF 15 or higher)
- Triangular bandages.
- Tweezers.
- Sugar packs.
- Resuscitation mask.
- Reusable plastic bags.
- First aid reference guide, such as American Red Cross’ First Aid Fast
or American Red Cross’ Sport Safety Training: Injury Prevention and Care Handbook
.
Include the following additional items in delayed-help environments
- Emergency space blanket.
- Flashlight and spare batteries.
- Nylon cord.
- Insect repellent.
- Knife.
- Water purification tablets.
- Waterproof container of matches.
- Splinting materials.
- High energy food bars.
For more, read Basic Water Rescue
Water Safety Guidelines
I’ve been meaning to post more first aid tips for troops. These first aid tops are helpful for outings and to teach the girls. Older girls can practice some of these techniques to learn.
Everyone should follow safe procedures when in, on, or around the water. The following are general water safety guidelines. All aged girls should review these guidelines before any water activities, even swimming.
- Learn to swim. Learn boating, general first aid, and CPR skills. Contact your local Red Cross for information about swimming, first aid, and CPR courses.
- Check with your local Red Cross, the U.S. Coast Guard, state boating officials, and other organizations about boating courses. Take a course before engaging in any new activities on the water.
- Know what to do in case of a water emergency.
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when around water or when boating.
- Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts.
- Know how to prevent accidents, recognize hazards, and care for injuries.
For more, read Basic Water Rescue
