A basic first aid kit should include the following:
Cotton wool and sterile gauze
Waterproof adhesive dressings in various sizes
Butterfly sutures, Steristrips or plasters that pull the edges of a cut together
Sticking plaster, bandages and crepe bandages for sprains
Special, non-stick sterile dressings for burns
Small scissors, tweezers, safety pins
Clinical thermometer
Disposable needles and syringes (5 ml is the most useful size)
Sterile needles with sutures for stitching
Skin disinfectant e.g. cetrimide, chlorhexidine or iodine tincture
It is advisable to carry disposable syringes and needles in case one needs to have an injection in countries which do not use disposables, as the risk of a serious infection, hepatitis or AIDS, from improperly sterilized or shared needles and syringes is considerable.