First aid kits

[Elixer]

Hello School Nurses! Hope everyone's doing well in the first few weeks back to school.

Im wondering if you have any ratio for student to first aid kit in your school. How do you determine how many first aid kits should be sent during field trips, day trips and overnight/few days trips?

Appreciate any info.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Well, I have 4 field trip First Aid kits on the ready. I usually sent one per grade (our grade size here range from 75-95) when they venture out as a group on public transit (I teach in an urban school). If they are taking a bus, I usually sent one kit on each bus going (usually 1-2 per grade then). This has worked pretty well for me.

On some trips, our grades break out into some groups (20 or so) heading out on public transit to different places. For these trips, I have a few mini first aid kits on the ready. Basically a quart sized zip-lock with band-aids, alcohol wipes, some gauze, petroleum, etc. Something the teacher in charge of the group can stick in his/her bag.

Jen

[AdobeRN]

I have a recess box for each grade level filled with bactine, bandaids, gauze & gloves - the team leader for the grade takes it out with them during recess. For field trips I do what previous poster does - most of the time they break out into groups so I have a few mini Ziplock bags filled with Antibacterial wipes, gauze, bandaids & gloves. Teachers will carry students inhalers & Epipens or any scheduled medication to be given.

Overnight trips - our 5th graders go to science camp for 3 days each fall- I get to tag along on that trip. I usually give the teachers a ziplock bags filled with the wipes, bandaids & gloves. Those students with severe allergies/asthma - I get the parents to have the doctor write a note that it is ok for the student to carry their own Epipen/inhalers for the duration of the trip - the camp property is large I just would not be able to get to a student in crisis quickly. If parents are unable to get the doctors note - adult chaperones or the teachers hanging with the group will carry students inhalers/EpiPens.

[Elixer]

Thanks for the infos!

I decided to buy 8 large first aid kits for 3-5 days trips/tour and 5small ones for day trips. We have 6-7 groups heading out for tours next month and each group bring 1 large kit. That should be plenty.

Thanks nurses!