"You carry a personal first aid kit?" my coworker asked.
"Well you needed it didn't you?"

The first reaction to my pulling out a personal First Aid kit is that I would carry one. That is usually followed up closely with acknowledgement that it is indeed a wise thing to carry as its sometimes needed.

The concept of a personal First Aid kit that a person would carry upon their person isnt all that strange. The purpose of first aid is to attend to health accidents and needs and those don't always strike at a convienent time. Many companies sell kits for your car or home but do you spend all of your time in your car or home? The benefit of having a small kit on you at all times is that it is with you at all times.

I'll show you how to make a personal First Aid kit that will fit in your jeans pocket or a small purse and that will be far superior to any store brand one.

First of we need a suitable container. I've used several different sizes and types over the years but the one I have found that works the best is an Altoid brand mint tin. Measuring at roughly 3 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 3/4" it will easily fit in the front pocket of blue jeans or khakis. Better yet it can fit in most cargo pants side pockets. Its stiff metal case will make sure nothing is bent or breaks in your pocket. Even better is that it will fit snuggly inside of a purse. Altoids are sold pretty much in every supermarket and in a variety of colors to match your preferences.

Even though it seems small it can fit an amazing amount of first aid items inside. The following is a list of everything that can fit within a small Altoid tin.

1 fingertip band aid: These hourglass shaped band aids are made for your fingertip. The wide areas wrap around your finger and to each other to keep the band aid in place.

1 knuckle band aid: This "H" shaped band aid has gaps to give extra room for you knuckle to bend.

2 medium band aids

2 small band aids

2 butterfly band aids: Small but tought band aids, you want to apply one end on one side of the wound and then pull firmly and attach it to the other side. These are for deep cuts and wounds.

1 alcohol swab: Rubbing alcohol is a great disenfectant of germs and should be used on any wound prior to applying a band aid.

1 sting relief medicated pad: A swab with Benzocaine will help with insect bites.

1 hydrocortisone cream packet: At 1/32 oz size Cortaid, this cream will help with areas that have a rash or are itchy.

1 triple antiobiotic: 1/32 oz size of Neosporin for those cuts that have questionable germ exposure.

1 burn cream packet: 1/32 oz size of Benzalkonium chloride and/or Lidocaine. This helps with burns.

1 menthol pain relieving gel: A Ben Gay type cream to help with muscle aches.

2 Pebto-Bismol tablets: Pebto is a great all around digestive system aid. Heart burn, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

2 Benadryl: Even if you do not have allergies the anti-histamin will help with swelling of the body caused by reactions.

1 Blistex packet: Personally I only notice chapped lips until after they are cracked and need attention.

1 pair of tweezers: Nothing like getting out a splinter and not leaving it in to work itself out days later.

1 vial of artifical tears: One small single dose of tears is great for dry days and they are contact safe in case you don't have re-wetting drops.

1 packet of misc pain relievers: Ibeuprofen, Tylenol, and asprin. Don't forget some asprin as it will reduce swelling, Tylenol will help with a fever, and Ibeuprofen is good for muscle pains.

First off YES all of these really do fit in an Altoid can. I've packed and reworked this kit many times to fit as many needs as possible and each time something new came up I worked in a new ingredient. Everything listed is in 1 use serving sizes. They will attend to one person's needs.

So where do you find the parts to put in? Start with an existing commerical first aid kit or one you already have. Does it really need all 30 band aids in it? You can take those and break them up into smaller ones for your glove compartment, purse, backpack, anywhere that you go to.

For the individual sized packets of medications head over to Walgreens. They are a great source for first aid and almost everything listed above can come in small individual packets. Airports are also a great source because they cater to travellers and need to keep everything in small sizes and doses.

Keep all the extra doses of all your first aid kit parts together in your main household kit. Be very sure to replace used parts. A first aid kit does you no good if its partially empty and you are missing needed ingredients.

Even if you do not have allergies or live in a dry climate to need artifical tears its a good idea to carry all the listed items. The purpose of this kit is to be a universal kit to cover as many accidents as is possible. I myself don't have allergies but I've come to the rescue of coworkers that do. You'll make lasting friends saving someone from the after effects of an el diablo fire burrito lunch with your pebto bismol tablets.

Disclaimer: The above medications are listed are safe for most of the population. However be aware of any warnings on the packages of medications and follow any directions and advice of your doctor.