A Model For School First Aid

Published: August 29, 2016

While millions of children are shopping for school supplies, teachers and school districts are preparing lesson plans and policies for another school season here in the United States. Because our company was founded by a retired school teacher almost 70 years ago, we know a good first aid plan for the school classroom when we see one. We suggest you look at what the San Francisco Unified School District is doing. They are a good example of how a large school district manages its first aid supplies.

Who is responsible for the first aid supplies?
The central school supply warehouse stocks all of the first aid supplies needed to prepare a classroom. The school district has created all of the necessary order requisition forms necessary for teachers and administrators to request supplies. School site administrators or someone who is designated responsible for first aid supplies should order and track supplies at the beginning of the school year. Required supplies are all included in the approved school list that the district has designated. The central warehouse for the school will stock all of the supplies the designated person will need to order.

What supplies are needed?
The containers for the supplies include the classroom box, field trip fanny pack, and yard fanny pack. They should all be included on the order form along with the list of supplies. Once ordered, the supplies and kits should be assembled at the school before the school year begins.

These are the basic first aid supplies on the approved list that can be stocked in all of the kits. The classroom will use a plastic container while the field trip kit and yard kit will use a fanny pack. The same supplies go inside each of the various container/kit types. The supplies include:

20 Antiseptic Wipes (for would cleaning)
1 Box of 3/4" X 3" Bandaids
First Aid Instruction Card
10 3 X 3 Gauze Pads
10 Vinyl Disposable Gloves
20 packages of Hand sanitizer (not meant for wound cleaning)
1 Plastic container (fanny pack for a field trip or yard kit)
Tissues

How to maintain the first aid kit
Every classroom should have a first aid kit, a field trip kit, and a yard kit. The approved district first aid supply form will include a list of items and quantities. Maintaining the supplies is easy. Each teacher can replenish their supplies at monthly faculty meetings. A monthly checklist should be used to inspect supplies and order what is needed a week before the monthly meetings.

Questions and Policies
The district should have a comprehensive first aid policy so teachers and administrators know how they should respond in case of an incident. See our article "4 Tips for School First Aid Guidelines and Procedures" for information and links that can help you establish a policy. We like the model that the San Francisco Unified School District has established for their schools. Again, these are suggestions as examples but ultimately your school district should establish their own policies and procedures.

School First Aid Product & Accessories:
First Aid Kits for School
School Emergency First Aid Bag 200 Pieces
School First Aid & Active Shooter Emergency Kit

Additional Resources for School First Aid:
4 Tips for School First Aid Guidelines & Procedures
Where should Schools Keep First Aid Supplies
Back to School First Aid, Health & Safety

Contributing Expert

Mike Brinker

Mike Brinker has been working in the first aid industry for over 35 years. He has worked with thousands of businesses,groups, and organizations to provide a healthy and safe work environment. Mike helped create “Make-A-Kit”, the internet's only online first aid kit creation tool. He has also authored many helpful first-aid and safety-related resource articles found at the MFASCO Learning Center.

See all articles from Mike Brinker.