Intelligent First Aid

Understanding what we are about and what drives us to be the best in our industry, is best summed up by the statement below.

“The fact that more than 1 million serious accidents occur each year in the United States demands more widespread knowledge of first aid. A great many lives have been saved each year by the prompt application of first aid and many more could have been saved had the principles of intelligent first aid been more generally known.”

While the statement above is certainly compelling, what makes it even more alarming is that it comes from the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1917. So how much better have we done in saving lives?

In 2006, US emergency rooms received more than 111 million visits with approximately 50% due to unintentional injuries. Even today, unintentional injuries remain the number one killer of Americans in ages 1-44 and the number one killer of children worldwide. 

If information like this has been available for well over 90 years, why haven’t we improved our approach to first aid and in saving lives?

To better understand the original intent and role in developing a system of victim care and transportation, the Department of Transportation, in the early 70’s, met with military medical specialists from each of the three branches (Army, Air Force and Navy), seeking their input and assistance in the planning  of this country’s Emergency Medical System (EMS).

The military model, utilized in Korea and Viet Nam, revolved around a ‘chain of survival’ and included three levels of care; basic life support, emergency care/transportation, and primary care. Each of these links is co-dependent on the other as often the number of victims and the ability of the medic/corpsman to reach everyone within the first 3-4 minutes made it necessary for some level of basic life support to be provided by non-professional responders or in military terms, ‘"all hands".

CHAIN OF SURVIVAL
	Military Model	Civilian Model
Basic Life Support	Every soldier, marine, etc	All Of Us
Emergency Care	Medic, Corpsman, etc	EMT, Paramedic
Primary Care	Field hospital, hospital ship, etc	Hospital ER’s

In 95% of all emergencies, bystanders are the first on the scene. In these cases, the first 3-4 minutes following an accident/injury are the most critical to maintain basic life support and to prevent further injury.

Our Approach

It is and has been the belief of the Company that the role of the first aid kit must evolve to a new form to fill this gap. The function of first aid kits must go beyond simply being a container or pouch filled with a myriad of medical supplies. The kits themselves must assist the user to recall essential information, act as a prompt or stimulus to overcome hesitation, and guide the user through those situations and conditions which cannot be adequately duplicated in classical training settings.

 

Dr. Maurizio Miglietta, Chief, Division of Acute Care Surgery and Trauma, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia, recently stated that “Administering rapid and accurate first aid is a critical and essential link in the management of injury victims. Given the high level of stress and anxiety experienced by those faced with an injury, there is no doubt that the use of audio and visual guidance can make a difference” 

Our Credentials

Based on experience in military medicine and product design, the principals of Intelligent First Aid have blended their expertise to develop innovative first aid tools for over 30 years. From participating with the Department of Transportation in the development of this country’s emergency medical services program to developing state of the art response systems for offshore oil and isolated construction sites, to user friendly kits for the home, they bring a unique and knowledgeable approach to the first aid business.

Augmenting this talent and experience, the Company also relies on its advisory group of trauma physicians, emergency room nurses, paramedics, firefighters, educators, and product specialists to ensure its products represent the most reliable and tested first aid kits on the market today.

 

First Aid 101

What defines a first aid kit?

By definition, first aid is the emergency care provided to an injured person prior to the arrival of professional medical services. A true first aid kit should be able to treat both common and emergency injuries, thereby containing the essential first aid supplies that go well beyond simple bandages and ointment. However, traditional first aid kits have a number of supplies, mostly related to cuts and scrapes and rarely have any instructional guidance.

What differentiates Intelligent First Aid kits from others in the marketplace?

The patented design of an Intelligent First Aid kit combines individually labeled and color-coded Care Packs with the necessary medical supplies and simple step-by-step instructions for managing the injury. The Talking First Aid™ kit adds another layer of technical guidance with audio directions that can pause or repeat throughout the treatment process. No other first aid kit in the marketplace is as comprehensive, and few offer any medical instructions whatsoever. With Intelligent First Aid kits, you get the exact support and medical supplies you need to help you through an emergency.

Are Intelligent First Aid’s instructional guides written to any specific standards?

Yes. All guidelines included in the first aid kits were provided to Intelligent First Aid by national first aid training agencies and trauma surgeons. Medical guidelines were written to and meet the standards set by the 2006 National First Aid Science Advisory Board.

Who should have a first aid kit?

It is strongly advised that first aid kits become a staple of all homes, schools and workplaces. The most at-risk for not having a first aid kit are homes or locations with children or older adults, as those age groups are the most prone to injury. Another prime target for first aid kits are residents of communities that can’t provide immediate access to emergency services. Regardless, the reality is that first aid kits should be readily available despite the situation or location. Safety must always come first.

Are the first aid kits meant to replace calling 911?

No. Always call 911 or seek professional help in an emergency in addition to using the kits. First aid kits are meant to provide immediate aid before the arrival of emergency personnel, which can take several critical minutes. Every second counts. Correctly managing the situation can have a positive effect on the victim’s outcome.

Are first aid kits approved for Flexible Spending Account reimbursement?

Yes. First aid kits and supplies are approved FSA items.

How do I purchase an Intelligent First Aid product?

Orders can be placed directly from the website (www.intelligentfirstaid.com) or by calling customer service toll free at 1-800-377-4544.

Why should I create an account?

Create an account with intelligentfirstaid.com to enjoy personalized services, including   

• * online sales and order status
• * reorder items from your account
• * create a wish list to email to your friends and family
• * unlimited address book
• * subscribe to our newsletter and receive promotional codes

What are the payment options when placing an order?

Intelligent First Aid accepts Paypal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards.

What are the shipping options?

UPS Ground, 3-Day Select, 2nd Day Air, Next Day Air Saver and Next Day Air.  All orders over $199 will receive free ground shipping if entire order is going to a single address in the continental US. International orders are shipped best way flat rate.

How is sales tax calculated?

Sales tax is charged only on orders shipped to destinations within the state of New Jersey.

What are Intelligent First Aid’s return and exchange policies?

Intelligent First Aid offers an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee on all purchases. Intelligent First Aid will refund the full purchase price of the product, not including shipping and handling. All returns must include an authorization code, which can be obtained by calling customer service at 1-800-377-4544. The customer service representative will provide instructions on proper return procedures. If payment was made prior to shipping, a refund will be processed within 5 business days of order cancellation.

How do I contact customer service?

Email customerservice@intelligentfirstaid.com or call 1-800-377-4544 between 9:00AM - 5:00PM Eastern M-F.

What is the privacy policy of Intelligent First Aid?

Intelligent First Aid will not sell, submit or otherwise supply any third parties with your personal contact information.

Do any of the medical products in the Care Packs have expiration dates?

The only items with expiration dates are the eyewash in the Eye Pack, sting relief in the Bites & Stings Pack and the antibiotic ointment in the Basics Pack. You can locate these dates on the item itself and on the outside of the pack. When the item expires, it is strongly recommended that you replace the entire Care Pack to ensure you have an updated, complete pack.

How long will the batteries last in the talking Care Packs?

The batteries, which activate the audio instructions, are guaranteed by the manufacturer for one year from the date of purchase. The average battery life, however, is 5+ years when the kit is stored with the audio switches in the off position. It is advised that you periodically check your batteries by activating the audio buttons.

How do I replace a used or expired Care Pack?

Replacement Care Packs are sold individually on the website (www.intelligentfirstaid.com) or by calling customer service at 1-800-377-4544. Replacement packs include all new medical supplies and new instruction cards.

What is the difference between a Care Pack and a Medical Supply Pack?

A Care Pack contains both the medical supplies and instruction cards. The medical supply pack contains only medical supplies and is available only for talking kits. Place the new medical supply pack inside the zip lock pouch along with the audio instruction card. Periodically check your batteries by activating the audio buttons. When batteries are low, replace the entire Care Pack.   

What is in a Basics Care Pack?

The Basics Pack contains general items that are commonly used to treat a number of injuries, such as bandage strips and antibiotic ointment. It also contains supplies that could be applied across multiple needs like cold packs and scissors.

Can the contents in the Care Packs be subjected to extreme temperatures?

The packs can withstand temperatures ranging from 10 degrees (F) to 120 degrees (F)

Are the visual instruction cards and talking packs available in languages other than English?

Yes. The audio and visual instructions can be customized to any language. Please contact customer service at 1-800-377-4544 to get more information.

What is found in the emergency instructional booklet?

This medical guidebook, included with every kit, provides information on additional emergency categories over and above what is referenced in the Care Packs. Examples include choking, seizures, acute asthma, poisoning, and dental injuries.