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A few years back, I cut myself on a broken glass. I scampered about my apartment looking for a Band-Aid. As an anesthesiologist and cardiologist, I had airway equipment to insert a breathing tube, medication for a heart attack, resuscitation equipment that included an automated external defibrillator (AED). But no basic first aid. Needless to say, that was rectified quickly. It brought me to thinking, though, about what is medically essential for monitoring our health and wellness—not a breathing tube—in addition to addressing minor household injuries.

We always hear about the wisdom of having canned food, extra bottled water, a flashlight, and other sundries in the event of a calamity. Similarly, there are certain medical items that everyone should keep on hand, regardless of age. Despite social media, smartwatches, smartphones and clever apps, first aid kits should hold some relatively inexpensive, but valuable, devices:

Oximeter: This probe with the little red light—often compared to E.T. The Extra- Terrestrial’sglowing fingertip—is an extremely valuable product. (Yes, I am dating myself with that analogy.) It measures our oxygen saturation, which reflects how well our lungs, and indirectly our heart, are ensuring that our organs are getting enough oxygen. In operating rooms in the 1980s, they were bulky, heavy and very expensive (over $5,000), but with time, they have become extremely portable (the size of an ear pod case) and reasonably priced (as little as $25). They also provide heart rates, and some can determine whether your heart is beating at a regular pace. With respiratory illnesses from seasonal flu to RSV loose, this is very valuable. It will help your doctor decide on whether you need to visit the office or more seriously, proceed to the emergency room.

Blood pressure cuff: In decades past, the monitoring of high blood pressure required frequent visits to the primary care physician, and the measurement was only reflective of one specific moment on one day. Perhaps a hectic bus ride, a challenge finding a parking spot, or a waiting room delay—not to mention “white-coat hypertension”—caused added stress, resulting in an elevated number. A blood pressure cuff should be in every home. Though some simply slip onto the finger, I personally believe that the best choice is designed for the upper arm. The most accurate recordings are obtained after resting in bed for a few minutes, lying flat with your legs uncrossed. And probably not watching a suspenseful movie or with the need for a bathroom visit. It is wise to check it a few times, one minute apart from each other—just for accuracy. Lastly, it never hurts to keep a log of what the readings are so that you can share it with your doctor.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is called the silent killer as it puts us all at risk of stroke or heart attack, and can even contribute to dementia. Checking it is an easy preventive measure and wise for all of us. When I was a medical student, first learning how to take a person’s blood pressure—in the days before automated machines—I convinced my mother to let me check hers. She always had low blood pressure, so when I found it was elevated, she reflexively said that I must be doing it wrong. My father, a physician, was called in to check, and that is how we diagnosed her hypertension.

Thermometer: Mercury in the glass thermometers have been replaced with newer devices to measure temperature. Their infrared technology can rapidly determine forehead temperature within a second with varied accuracy by product and measuring location, where the very middle of your forehead is best. A notable fever (temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) is important to track and perhaps seek medical attention over, depending upon other medical conditions, signs, and symptoms; including breathing problems, shivering and confusion, all signs of possible sepsis.

For those with children at home, early identification of a fever helps pediatricians. Rapid elevations in temperature, particularly in children of ages six months to five years old, can cause febrile seizures

Eyewash: We sometimes forget how easy it is to splash something into our eyes. Available over the counter, eyewash is worth having at your disposal. Just keep it in an easy-to-remember place. After all, the last thing you want with an irritated eye is a long search for the very product than can help you see better. Dangerous chemicals, splashes, and small foreign bodies are best to flush as soon as possible. Don’t touch the tip of the container to your eye, as it risks contamination. Discard it after such use. Finally, don’t confuse eye drops with eyewash; the former lubricate, whereas the latter cleanses eyes.

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