This year's earthquakes around the world and the start of the hurricane season should have heightened our awareness of disaster preparedness. It's not surprising that demands for first-aid kits from pharmacies are on the increase, especially from schools and workplaces.

The ready-made, one-size-fits-all first-aid kits available at most pharmacies are basic and convenient for those who just want to have something, anything, in the event of an accident. However, you may ask your pharmacist to custom-build one for you. You can also build one for yourself after getting advice from the pharmacist about items to include, based on generic requirements of every kit, plus your individual circumstances and risks related to your activities. This is much cheaper when compared to ready-made kits.

The container to house the ingredients is important. It should be sealable and waterproof, such as a canvas bag with zipper and compartments, a square hard-plastic container with locking lid and handle, a cosmetic bag, a 'zipper' plastic bag or a clean tool box. Label it, 'First Aid'.

Here are the basic requirements of most first-aid kits:

First-aid manual or book which tells how to use 'items in case' of emergency. Bookstore, Internet or a pharmacist may help. Write in the emergency numbers to call. Include the medical history of people who might use the kit - allergies, vaccination, special health issues, and how to treat, are things to note.

At least two pairs of sterile gloves to prevent body-fluid contact.

Hand sanitiser, alcohol and/or hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting.

Gauze pads of various sizes, to cover wounds or clean wounds with disinfectant.

Adhesive tape to secure gauze.

Crepe bandage (support for sprains and to apply pressure).

Adhesive waterproof plasters (various shapes and sizes).

Sterile saline eye wash (500ml) to flush debris from eye or clean wounds.

Triangular bandage to make arm sling or bind splints.

Scissors, tweezers (remove splinters from flesh) and safety pins.

Disposable instant cold pack (when activated packet becomes ice-cold for application to swelling).

Anti-itch cream like hydrocortisone, diphenhydramine or calamine.

Garbage bag with seal to dispose of medical waste.

Aspirin for symptoms of heart attack, oral painkillers for adults and children, allergy medications, antacids for acid stomach, diarrhoea medication and rehydration fluid, burn gel (water-based cooling agent), smelling salts and blanket to maintain warm temperature in cases of shock are good extra items to include in the kit. You may include items to suit your individual health requirements (asthma, heart failure, angina, etc). Items in a first-aid kit will last as long as their expiry dates.

Better to say: "Here it is", than "Where is it?"

Dahlia McDaniel is a pharmacist and final year doctoral candidate in public health at the University of London; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.