School should be a safe place for children to learn and grow. However, medical emergencies can occur. During those dire moments, being prepared with certain medical supplies could mean the difference between life and death. To promote safety in your school, here are a few of the emergency supplies that your school could benefit from having.

AED

Having an automated external defibrillator (AED) is one of the items that could make the difference between life and death. There have been multiple reports, in the past, about student-athletes who have suddenly collapsed during or after a game. It happened so quickly that there was little time to get them to the hospital. The use of an AED could have saved their lives.

Cardiac arrest occurs with little warning. While it may be difficult to believe that it could occur in young children, it’s better to be prepared in the event that it does. An automated external defibrillator can help give them a chance until an ambulance arrives.

Having to use an AED can be intimidating. Fortunately, most come with clear instructions. They also don’t require much effort, which can take away some of the anxiety associated with using one.

AEDs should be placed in the office, near gyms and stadiums, as well as throughout the school for easy access. Both students and school staff should be taught how to use the automated external defibrillator to better increase the chances of saving someone’s life.

EpiPen

Severe allergies can kill. While almost everyone suffers from some type of seasonal allergy, children with food allergies should be treated with great care. Sometimes even the scent of the allergen can be enough to send a child into a state of anaphylactic shock. Younger children are more susceptible to allergic reactions because many don’t fully understand their triggers and how to avoid them.

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To best way to protect students is by sending special instructions to parents, informing them of the allergy and asking them to avoid sending their children to school with those specific allergens. However, accidents happen, so it’s better to be prepared with an EpiPen in case a student is accidentally exposed to an allergen despite the school’s best efforts.

It is a safe and effective tool for saving lives during an allergic reaction. It’s vital that teachers and school staff have access to an EpiPen in multiple areas in the school. In regards to food allergies, the cafeteria is the biggest place where incidents can occur.

Food and Water

In the event of a lockdown or natural disaster, schools should have a large capacity of food and water stored away. For water, it’s best to be prepared with three gallons per person, per day and small paper cups to help ration it out.

It’s vital that you have enough water stored away in your emergency supplies. Humans can last longer without food than they can without clean water.

Food should be stored away as well. These food items should be non-perishable and should not need to be heated after being opened. Students with diabetes should be considered when storing food away. You don’t want items that will significantly affect blood sugar.

Bandages

Emergency supplies are not complete without a first aid kit full of bandages. Every kit should have the following types of bandages:

  • 4” x 4” compresses: 1,0000 per 500 students
  • Elastic bandages: 24
  • 8” x 10” compresses: 150 per 500 students
  • Butterfly bandages: 50
  • Triangular bandages: 24
  • Cardboard splints: 24
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Glucagon Shot

For students who suffer from diabetes, it may be vital to have a glucagon shot on hand. This could prevent them from going into a coma if they went into diabetic shock. When a diabetic student starts to experience shock, they should first have their blood sugar tested.

Although students who are experiencing diabetic shock should attempt to eat a sugary snack or drink first, if their blood sugar levels do not improve, a glucagon shot could be the only option. If the number is low, then they are susceptible to shock.

Sugary snacks can help spike their blood sugar again. However, a glucagon shot is the most effective. In the event that a student goes into a coma, a glucagon shot should be administered immediately.