First aid kit sales soar, but lack of basic first aid knowledge remains a concern, experts warn

Compression bandages, eye wash, plasters, and ice packs are all common items found in most first aid kits. These kits are part of a checklist created by authorities, listing the items you should have at home in case of a prolonged crisis. Many of us have acquired such kits as sales have seen a significant increase recently.

However, many of us are ill-prepared to use the contents of these kits, according to Teis Krag, Chairman of the Education Committee in the Danish First Aid Council. He explains that for many years, the focus has been on teaching people how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). As a result, there has been a trend of people neglecting general first aid knowledge in favor of learning CPR. Krag believes that people lack the skills to respond effectively to common incidents like falls, sprains, or seizure episodes, and there is a clear need for this knowledge.

This view is supported by Steffen Hogg Christensen, a first aid instructor at the Red Cross. He agrees that while equipping the public with knowledge about handling cardiac arrests is important, these are not common occurrences in our everyday lives. Therefore, more emphasis should be placed on dealing with common injuries that occur at home or during sports activities.

When accidents happen at home, the most frequent injuries are not the most severe ones. Rather, they are everyday incidents such as cuts from a kitchen knife or children falling during a backyard football game. According to Krag, cuts, wounds, and falls are the top three types of injuries that occur at home, and it is essential that people know how to handle them.

Biltema, a company that sells first aid kits, has seen a 190% increase in sales, selling 2,509 kits in June, compared to 862 in May. The Red Cross sold 250 first aid kits in one weekend, a significant increase from their usual annual sales of 1,000 kits. First-8 sold 3-400 kits in one weekend, compared to their usual daily sales of 10 kits.

While owning a first aid kit is beneficial, it does not automatically equip one with the knowledge to respond correctly when an injury occurs. This lack of training can have serious consequences if incorrect or delayed first aid is administered. For example, if one does not recognize the symptoms of a stroke, the delay in receiving the proper treatment can have severe consequences. A stroke, which is a bleed or clot in the brain, can cause symptoms such as a suddenly limp arm, leg or drooping mouth, or incoherent or unclear speech. If you or someone you are with experiences one or more of these symptoms, it is advised to call emergency services immediately.