Sports First Aid Kit: Are You Prepared?

 by: Louise Roach

Do you have an active family?
Are your kids involved in soccer or little league?
What sports are high on your priority list ? running, golf, tennis?

American Sports Data, Inc. estimates:

If you pound the pavement, swing the club, or bat the ball, there is always the chance for injury.
Is your family prepared with a sports first aid kit that meets your needs?
Many commercially packaged first aid kits contain basic supplies.
Sure, they might offer limited help for simple emergencies.
But is your first aid kit prepared to handle your child?s rugby injuries or treat a sprained ankle on the soccer field?
How about your knee pain after a marathon?

The answer is to create your own customized kit that fits your family?s sports first aid needs.
Chances are you already have many of the necessary supplies on hand.
Here?s how you get started.

1. Evaluate your needs by the type of sports your family participates in. Is there the likelihood of bumps, cuts, and bruising that might occur in contact team sports?
Or are overuse injuries more prevalent such as runner?s knee, golfer?s tendonitis, or tennis elbow?

2. Decide what supplies best fit the type of injuries you have described, such as bandages and ointment for cuts; ice pack for pain and swelling; sunscreen for sun burn.

3. Find a roomy, insulated tote to carry your supplies. Why an insulated carrier rather than one of those little, plastic boxes that most first aid kits come in?
Because you need to carry at least one, preferably two frozen, reusable ice packs in your sports first aid kit.
Most kits only contain an instant, one-time-use, chemical ice pack.
This is usually not sufficient to numb pain or reduce swelling.
The best and most effective treatment for many injuries is to immediately apply a frozen ice pack for several 15 to 20 minute sessions.
This will help lessen pain, reduce swelling and treat bruising. And an insulated tote will keep your ice packs cold for several hours.

Here is a list of suggested supplies to include in your family?s sports first aid kit:

Information: First aid guide or manual

General: Matches, Scissors, Travel Toilet Paper, Anti-diarrheal, Antiseptic wipes, Tweezers, Needle (for splinters), Thermometer, Safety pins, Flashlight, Disposable gloves, Mouthpiece (in case of using CPR), Blanket, Plastic Zip-lock bags (to keep supplies dry), Tissues

Emergencies: Cell phone, Whistle, Personal alarm, Pepper spray, Emergency phone numbers, Maps (with directions to nearest first aid)

Pain and Swelling: Cold pack, Ibuprofen

For cuts, scrapes, blisters: Bandages of different sizes, Antibiotic cream or hydrocortisone cream, Mole skin dressing kit, Sterile gauze, Adhesive tape, Antiseptic solution, Non-stick gauze pads

Sun protection/heat exhaustion: Misting water bottle, Cold pack, Sunscreen, Lip balm, Aloe Vera lotion

Fractures, strains, sprains, pulled muscles: Neoprene joint braces, Compression bandage/ice wrap, Cold pack, Two triangle shaped pieces of cloth for a sling or tourniquet

Dehydration: Filled water bottle, Sports drink

Allergic Reactions: Calamine lotion, Epinephrine (for bee stings), Antihistamine, Recommended medications

Insect Bites: Epinephrine (for bee stings), Insect repellent, Cold pack (reduces swelling of bug bites)

Assemble your supplies and customize your family sports first aid kit for each event or outing.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation.
Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious injury.

About The Author

Louise Roach is a health and fitness editor, marketing specialist, and product development consultant. She helps others find pain relief through the use of SnowPack Cold Therapy products.
Learn more about the benefits of cold therapy at http://www.snowpackusa.com/. Sign up for *free* health/fitness e-newsletter at: http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash/.

snowpack@ix.netcom.com



Why Using Noise Reduction Headphones With an MP3 Player Is Better Than Earbuds

Why Using Noise Reduction Headphones With an MP3 Player Is Better Than Earbuds


 by: Lee Blue

MP3 players and portable CD players usually come with the standard ?earbud? headphones. Earbuds fit into the ear like a hearing aid and are lightweight and portable. Their advantages, however, stop there. When it comes to the quality of the music you are listening to, that quality can be greatly diminished due to the inability of earbud headphones to filter out the noises that you are not interested in listening to; such as the voices, car engines, train noises, and barking dogs that may be all around you when you are out in public.

One of the great advantages of MP3 players, such as iPods, and portable CD players is that you can take them with you wherever you go. Sometimes the very reason for bringing them along on an outing is so that you can entertain yourself while you are engaged in other activities, such as jogging, riding on the subway, or waiting...

Why Using Noise Reduction Headphones With an MP3 Player Is Better Than Earbuds
Hearing aid > Why Using Noise Reduction Headphones With an MP3 Player Is Better Than Earbuds

Ultralight Backpacking List - 3 Days Under 10 Pounds

Ultralight Backpacking List - 3 Days Under 10 Pounds


 by: Steve Gillman

Here's an ultralight backpacking list, an example of what I typically take on a weekend hike. We're all different in our needs and skills, though, so please don't take it as a recomendation. My list, with weights (not including what I wear to start):

*GoLite Breeze Backpack: 12 ounces

*Western Mountaineering Bag: 17 ounces

*Nylon Tarp: 17 ounces

*Frogg Toggs Rain Jacket: 7 ounces

*Groundsheet: 2 ounces

*Sleeping Pad: 4 ounces

*Bathroom Supplies: 3 ounces

*First Aid Kit: 3 ounces

*Knife, Lighter, Etc: 3 ounces

*Hat: 1 ounce

*Gloves: 1 ounce

*Poly Vest: 4 ounces

*Socks, 2 pair: 2 ounces

*T-shirt, long sleeve: 6 ounces

*Camera: 5 ounces

*Light: 1 ounce

*Water: 16 ounces

*Raw Sunflower Seeds: 16 ounces

*Fudge-dipped granola bars (8): 16 ounces

*Tortilla Chips: 16...

Ultralight Backpacking List - 3 Days Under 10 Pounds
Hearing aid > Ultralight Backpacking List - 3 Days Under 10 Pounds

Ultralight Backpacking List - 3 Days Under 10 Pounds

Ultralight Backpacking List - 3 Days Under 10 Pounds


 by: Steve Gillman

Here's an ultralight backpacking list, an example of what I typically take on a weekend hike. We're all different in our needs and skills, though, so please don't take it as a recomendation. My list, with weights (not including what I wear to start):

*GoLite Breeze Backpack: 12 ounces

*Western Mountaineering Bag: 17 ounces

*Nylon Tarp: 17 ounces

*Frogg Toggs Rain Jacket: 7 ounces

*Groundsheet: 2 ounces

*Sleeping Pad: 4 ounces

*Bathroom Supplies: 3 ounces

*First Aid Kit: 3 ounces

*Knife, Lighter, Etc: 3 ounces

*Hat: 1 ounce

*Gloves: 1 ounce

*Poly Vest: 4 ounces

*Socks, 2 pair: 2 ounces

*T-shirt, long sleeve: 6 ounces

*Camera: 5 ounces

*Light: 1 ounce

*Water: 16 ounces

*Raw Sunflower Seeds: 16 ounces

*Fudge-dipped granola bars (8): 16 ounces

*Tortilla Chips: 16...

Ultralight Backpacking List - 3 Days Under 10 Pounds
Hearing aid > Ultralight Backpacking List - 3 Days Under 10 Pounds

Coping With Hearing Loss: A Writer's Story

Coping With Hearing Loss: A Writer's Story

 by: Connie Briscoe

Oddly enough, I've come to think that losing my hearing was one of the best things to ever happened to me, as it led to the publication of my first novel.

I believe that no matter how tough things get, you can make them better. I have my parents to thank for that. They never allowed me to think that I couldn't accomplish something because of my hearing loss. One of my mother's favorite sayings when I expressed doubt that I could do something was, "Yes, you can."

I was born with a mild hearing loss but began to lose more of my hearing when I was a senior in college. One day while sitting in my college dormitory room reading, I noticed my roommate get up from her bed, go to the princess telephone in our room, pick it up and start talking.
None of that would have seemed strange, except for one thing: I never heard the telephone ring! I wondered why I couldn't hear a phone...

Coping With Hearing Loss: A Writer's Story
Hearing aid > Coping With Hearing Loss: A Writer's Story

Advertising Made Easy, and Cost Effective

Advertising Made Easy, and Cost Effective


 by: Lorae Le Roux

Advertising made easy, and your wallet will love it too!

In today's market, anyone in business knows that advertising is the backbone to the success, and without it, you are "dead in the water".
Even with the greatest product on the planet, a product that you know everyone needs and wants. Without advertising, it's just an idea, going nowhere.

Whether you advertise online or offline, it can become a grueling and expensive experience, with no guarantees.

I'm sure that there is not a business out there that has ever done any kind of advertising, that hasn't lost a bunch of money, advertising their hearts out.

Advertising is elusive.
Excitement builds because you spend large amounts of money place your ads, guaranteeing you lots of exposure, and sales through the roof.
You think that you can't miss, that this...

Advertising Made Easy, and Cost Effective
Hearing aid > Advertising Made Easy, and Cost Effective

Unleash the Power of Listening

Unleash the Power of Listening


 by: Barbara White

A vital skill in becoming an effective communicator is the ability to listen. Listening skills are not taught in school, and sadly are largely undeveloped skill in many people. To listen effectively is a powerful skill that can be learnt and practiced. You will gain more respect and esteem through listening rather than through talking

It?s funny how sometimes you associate a certain phrase with someone. I knew someone called Ray and what I remember about him the most was when he was listening to someone talk he would keep saying ?I hear you? I would wonder whether he was saying that because he heard, but disagreed with what the person was saying, or if it was a noncommittal filler

There is however a great difference between hearing and listening. Hearing refers to the physical dimension of the sound waves striking the ear and the brain processing them into meaningful information. Listening,...

Unleash the Power of Listening
Hearing aid > Unleash the Power of Listening

myhearingaidarticles.com, all rights reserved where applicable
Hearing aid
This page loaded in 0.02549 seconds.