The basics: How to make a first-aid kit, treat pink eye and take a pulse

You never know when you'll need to know these basic tips to help you through an uncomfortable situation.  A handy first-aid kit, basic eye care, and knowing how to take a pulse are all essential skills that can make a big difference.

You never know when you'll need to know these basic tips.

Putting together a first-aid kitKeep your first-aid kit is simple, and you'll find it is great to have on hand.  You can download a firt-aid manual and other useful information (such as family blood groups and contact details for your family doctor or clinic).

A household first-aid kit for routine emergencies should contain:

• Assorted Band-Aids and tape
• Sterile gauze dressings
• Sterile eye dressings
• Triangular, elasticated and crepe bandages; clips and safety pins
• Disposable sterile gloves
• Sharp scissors
• Tweezers
• Alcohol-free wipes to clean cuts and grazes
• Digital thermometer
• Skin-rash cream
• Antiseptic cream and liquid
• Insect bite or sting relief
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen (both available as a syrup for children)
• Antihistamine pills
• Calamine lotion for burns or rashes
• Distilled water
• Eyebath

Once you have one for the house, you'll find it is so convenient, that you'll opt to have on in your car as well.

When eye irritation leaves you begging for relief, follow these steps until you can get to a doctor for an eye evaluation.  Allergy, irritation or infection in the eye can cause a gritty sensation, itching, sharp pain or just a persistent feeling of "something in my eye". There may also be a discharge, causing blurred vision or leaving eyelids stuck together when you wake. Soothe the irritation as follows.

• Soak a clean flannel or cotton pad in cool, boiled water and hold it to the eye to relieve itchiness and clean away any discharge. Wash the flannel after use and between eyes, and don't share facecloths or towels until the infection clears up: pink eye is very contagious.
• Consult a doctor or pharmacist, who may prescribe an oral medication, cream or eye drops. If you wear contact lenses, stop until you're better.

Your pulse is your heart rate, and is measured in beats per minute. It's lower when you're at rest and raised by exertion. To take it, you need a watch or clock with a second hand, or a minute timer.

• Lay your index, second and third fingers lightly on the inside of the wrist, close to the base of the thumb. Alternatively, place the tips of the index and second finger on the neck to the side of the windpipe. Move them around until you feel the insistent rhythm of coursing blood.
• Count the beats for a full minute, or for 15 seconds multiplied by four. The normal adult pulse rate at rest is 60-80 beats for men, 65-85 for women. It's considerably faster in children.

Preparedness is key.