First Aid Kits---Gloves and Masks

If we are dealing with people's injuries during an emergency, then we need to protect ourselves (and them) by wearing gloves and masks. These can easily be found in stores and on the internet, and are usually sold in bulk. The gloves and mask pictured here are disposable, which is important, so that you could help several people and not compromise their health with cross-contamination.

There are many things to consider when purchasing gloves. There are latex and vinyl, so if you have an allergy to one type you can get the other. Some are powdered, which makes it easier to put on and remove; and makes the gloves more comfortable to wear. Others are not powdered, which is more important in a critically sterile environment.

Masks come in several different forms. It depends on what your emergency scenario might be for you to decide which kind of mask you might need--or you could have a variety. Masks can be molded latex or paper, or they could be a cotton pad that wraps around the ears (like in the picture). There is fluid resistance and the bacterial filter efficiency to be considered.