Human First Aid Kit:
The Human First Aid kit is intended to provide first aid and comfort to human competitors. The list is short because at most Pony Club activities there are trained medical personnel to tend to first aid needs. This Human First Aid Kit is intended for taking care of the simplest of cuts/scrapes when further care is not indicated. It is also acknowledged that some of the materials in the Equine First Aid kit would suffice for use by humans (such as gauze bandaging, scissors, adhesive tape) however medicated products from the Equine First Aid Kit are not intended for human use.
Additional items can be added to the kit, such as:
- Tweezers
- Instant cold compresses
- Human digital thermometer
- Antiseptic wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Aloe Vera cream/sunburn cream
- Blister bandages
Rule 6c of the 2007 Horse Management Rule Book, states: "Prescribed Medications: If a competitor is to take prescribed medication during competition, the medication must
be noted on the USPC Medical Release Form." The amplification states: "During a Pony Club competition, any competitor risks disqualification from further participation in the activity if they are found to be: 1) Taking a prescribed medication that is not listed on the USPC Medical Release Form, or 2) In possession of, or under the influence of, illegal drugs. If a competitor is to take prescribed medication(s) during competition, it is the responsibility of the competitor, parent/guardian, and/or chaperone to ensure the medication(s) is taken properly. In situations when the competitor and all team mates are young, the team chaperone or parent/guardian should inform the CHMJ of any health related conditions that may be affected by the activity, so the HM Staff is aware of any concerns. Competitors and/or their parent/guardian must make appropriate arrangements to have medications available when needed. HMJs or organizer(s) may not take possession of, or administer, any medications. Competitors with severe allergies must make appropriate plans for emergency medications (e.g., Epi-Pen), so the medication is immediately available and all team members are aware of the location of such medication.
Accordingly, items that should not be included in the team Human First Aid Kit are:
- Over-The-Counter medications like aspirin, decongestants, allergy relief, etc.
- Prescription pharmaceuticals, including inhalers and epinepherin autoinjectors.
Some definitions to be aware of:
- Expiration Date
- The date for a drug estimated for its shelf life with proper storage in sealed containers away from harmful and variable factors like heat and humidity. The expiration date of a medicine is based on data, called accelerated stability data, from testing by the manufacturer, that show the product will be good for a particular period of time.
Drugs have half-lives and as they mature, they can experience changes in
their potency and become stronger or weaker. No expiration date on a package means the product contains no 'real' antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic or antifungal ingredients in the pharmaceutical sense of the word. Items that should have an expiration date are tagged Expiration Date ALERT!
- Shelf Life
- Shelf life specifies the period of time which a product can be stored, under specified conditions, and remain in optimum condition and suitable for consumption. It is also the length of time that a given item can remain in a salable condition on a retailer's shelf. Items that might have a shelf life are tagged Shelf Life ALERT!
- The "/" symbol
- In medical terminology "/" means "or" so the topical agent you use needs to say on the packaging that it is either antibacterial, antimicrobial, or antibiotic (or any combination of the three).
- Antibiotic
- "Literally means 'pertaining to against life'. "An antibiotic is a drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. They are relatively harmless to the host, and therefore can be used to treat infections. Antibiotics are not effective in viral, fungal and other nonbacterial infections, and individual antibiotics vary widely in their effectiveness on various types of bacteria." (excerpted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibiotic)
- Antiseptic
- "An antiseptic is a substance that kills or prevents the growth and reproduction of various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses on the external surfaces of the body. The objective of antiseptics is to reduce the possibility of sepsis or infection by germs. Antibacterials have the same objective but only act against bacteria. Antibiotics perform a similar function, preventing the growth or reproduction of bacteria within the body. Disinfectants operate on nonliving objects such as medical instruments." (excerpted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiseptic)
- Antimicrobial
- "Literally means 'pertaining to against microbes'. An antimicrobial is a substance that that kills or slows the growth of microbes such as bacteria (antibacterial activity), fungi (antifungal activity), viruses (antiviral activity), or parasites (antiparasitic activity). Antimicrobial is a general term for something that kills or interferes with bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites."(excerpted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiseptic)
- Antibacterial
- "Literally means 'pertaining to against bacteria'. In its broadest definition, an antibacterial is an agent that interferes with the growth and reproduction of bacteria. While antibiotics and Antibacterials both attack bacteria, these terms have evolved over the years to mean two different things. Antibacterials are now most commonly described as agents used to disinfect surfaces and eliminate potentially harmful bacteria. Unlike antibiotics, they are not used as medicines for humans or animals, but are found in products such as soaps, detergents, health and skincare products and household cleaners." (excerpted from: http://www.tufts.edu/med/apua/Q&A/Q&A_antibacterials.html)
Requirements:
- One kit per team
- Easily accessible
- All printed expiration dates current
- Sufficient supplies for all team members
- Labeling: Everything should be labeled with team initials. Loose items like band-aids should be in a bag or container labeled with team initials or name.
Band-aids:
- Should be: at least a dozen band aids. Box should be labeled with team initials.
- Good tip: Stock the Human First Aid Kit with a large selection of band aid sizes and shapes. Band-aids made especially for blisters are always useful. Store them in a ziplock plastic bag labelled with team name.
Expiration date ALERT! No Expiration Date = No Active Ingredient
Triple antibiotic cream:
Triple antibiotic ointment is effective protection against infection from minor cuts, burns and abrasions and other first aid emergencies.
- Should be: Must contain the words ‘antibiotic’ on the label. Must have a current expiration
Latex/vinyl gloves (3 pair): Can be latex or vinyl. Must be at least three pairs.
- Shouldn't be: taped together. Should not be dish washing gloves, they are too clumsy to be useful.
- Good tip: Check for cracks and holes. Put them in zip-lock bag for easy access. Vinyl gloves are usually a good choice since some people are allergic to latex.
Shelf Life ALERT!
Sunscreen: Can be spray, lotion, roll-on, etc. Can be individually packaged.
- Should be: at least half a bottle or at least one individual pack per team member.
- Good tip: Store in a ziplock plastic bag to avoid spills. Aloe Vera gel is helpful to have on hand as well to treat sunburns and minor cuts and scrapes.
Shelf Life ALERT!
Bug spray (human): Can be spray, lotion, roll-on, etc. Can be individually packaged.
- Should be: at least half a bottle, or at least one individual pack per team member.
- Good tip: Store in a ziplock plastic bag to avoid spills.
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