First Aid Kit (1 Viewer)

[sedge]

I'm prompted to ask this question here, by something said elsewhere by someone not a Funster, about something they class as an essential item which any normal/average household would own just as an ordinary every day part of their First Aid kit.

And since the vast majority of Funsters seem to me to be mostly normal and average I just thought I'd enquire.

That item is a blood pressure monitor.

Do you own one?

If you own one, was it purchased originally because of a health condition or problem, or did you have it anyway?

Finally assuming you have one - do you use it often?

 

[Puddleduck]

Yes I have one. It was bought on the advice of a medical specialist as I have a medical condition.

I use it when I am feeling off colour as I need to know about changes asap so I can get help. Generally it's used once a day, an hour after I take my medication but if I am ill then an hourly reading is required. The machine is calibrated at my GP surgery every six months.

Oh, you need the upper arm monitor not the wrist monitor and make sure the cuff is the correct size.

 

[Phill D]

Yes , have one...
bought as a result of wanting to monitor ( occasionally ) BP as i was prescribed medication and i did not think i needed it..

now use it still but only about once a month

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Stroppy Bird]

I have one of the Lloyds Pharmacy ones. Its the upper arm cuff one and was on offer for a tenner! I originally got it when I was on a bit of a fitness kick for a medical for work. I use it fairly regularly (once a month or so) just to keep an eye out for any impending problems. As it happens my blood pressure has pretty much always been fine and relatively low for my age (shame the rest of me seems intent on falling to bits as I'm getting older!). Still nice to have the regular reassurance though.

 

[mjltigger]

No chance. I'm not interested. There's enough going on in the world to worry about without that.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

Nope

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[maison]

Yes, we have one as a result of my wife's low blood pressure. It was bought as a diagnostic aid when she was suffering from light-headedness and general malaise.

Don't use it much now that we know what was wrong, but it was sometimes entertaining to see nurses or doctors trying to measure her blood pressure and thinking that their equipment was faulty as they weren't getting a reading on electronic units. Manual pumped systems utilising a stethoscope always got a reading, even if low.

 

[Hollyberry]

Yes I have one but I doubt it's accuracy now.
Bought it when I lived in Cyprus & neighbour fell off ladder onto concrete drive. Took 8 phone calls to get an ambulance ( and they both spoke Greek) while his wife kept phoning I managed to stop minor bleeding, keep him still,tried to keep him conscious etc

I decided to throw everything at a first aid kit in case anything similar happened again.

( his hip was broken, ambulance arrived and they did transport him on a proper board but on the way to the hospital they diverted across a field to pick up another injured person. As they hadn't strapped him in he was shaken up even more by the time they finally reAched the hospital)

 

[Granjan]

Yes I have one .... Somewhere? .....we have both had blood pressure problems in past .... husband still high and is on meds, we last used it when daughter was pregnant to check her low blood pressure. I am not certain it is accurate but think it gives a good indication, useful thing in my opinion ... Will have to find it!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DanielFord]

Yes I do have one, but I had a TIA, so my GP considered it important that I monitor my BP!

 

[CWH]

Don't have one, no reason to (so far! - long may it last )

 

[grumps147]

Don't have one, no reason to (so far! - long may it last )

Likewise ..

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Reallyretired]

My First Aid kit is huge and doesn't have a BP monitor. Don't say I've got to find room for something else

 

[Deleted member 29692]

 

[TheBig1]

i did have one due to medical issues and low bp. problem is my daughter borrowed it when she was last pregnant a couple of years ago.
must buy another

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jollyrodger]

Yes I have one ,since Oct 2000 and a sudden attack put me in hospital have lived with high bp ever since .monitored regularly by Dr and a weekly record of events .the latest one evev speaks to you

 

[pappajohn]

I have one...an upper arm jobbie as the wrist ones are worse than useless.

I Have a too powerful oil pump (high blood pressure) and take medication for it so it comes in useful as a check.

It does not reside with any first aid stuff....it is Not a first aid item.

 

[Baycott]

I have one. Bought it when Lloyds were doing them cheap. Used it for he first few months and haven't used it since. Thought it was a good idea at the time

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bertiebasset]

Nope, don't have one.

 

[REKERLY]

Yes we have one and it is carried in the van when we are travelling. We both have satisfactory BP at this time and just check approx monthly.

 

[Deleted34567]

Yes, I have one.
British blood pressure association approved model. Got it a few years ago when I was rushed into hospital with severe (stroke territory) blood pressure and severe hypertension. Spent a week in hospital and now monitor my BP weekly and take medication for it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[big bertha]

Have had a couple, the first one was a wrist one but upgraded to a Omron upper arm when it was on offer at half price a good few years ago. I was once diagnosed with HBP and took tablets for a few years, diuretics, beta blockers and various others but as soon as I dropped weight pressure went down. I now take note of bp when I remember as I have white coat syndrome.

 

[Minxy]

Yes , have one...
bought as a result of wanting to monitor ( occasionally ) BP as i was prescribed medication and i did not think i needed it..

now use it still but only about once a month

which ... the monitor or the medication????

 

[cliffanger]

We've had one for years - Cliff has high blood pressure, I have low. It's good to check it at home to avoid 'white coat syndrome'. I also love First Aid Kit!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Steveth]

Yes, we have used one regularly since 2002 when I first had heart problems. Monitor BP on regular basis.

 

[sedge]

You see this was my point in the other place where this comment was made.

I said for 64 years I have never had a single problem - however they like you to have low low BP when you are diabetic so when mine was around 128/ 60 something, I was put on a minimum dose of an ACE, got the cough changed to the min dose of an ARB. BP usually around 119/64 or 122/65.

It very recently increased, they've had to change my tablets as I also have another new little problem, but anyway because of the new tablets I was advised to get my BP done at the pharmacy weekly. I've been doing that. When I started the new tablets my BP shot up even more so they doubled the dose but BP didn't move. It's been 31 days exactly since I first changed the tablets I was taking to something different - and this person is absolutely appalled at my not having the means to do my BP at home.

Personally, my view is - unless you've actually HAD a problem, why would you buy one in the first place? I don't believe that normal people don't take their BP for the hell of it, why would they?

As far as I'm concerned - this is purely a temporary glitch which, if we can sort out some tablets that suit, should disappear again. I get seen at the hospital usually 6 monthly, though he said 4-5 months this time because of the BP and the other prob which this change of tablets should also sort anyway, so that's already another 'proper' check, plus I have various checks at the GPs every few months for asthma and diabetes when it's always checked, so it's not like it goes for a whole year without being done. Possibly now I'll also ask for one while I'm there with a bruised toe or whatever might occur in future.

The individual also thinks a thermometer should be in the kit. I've never had one of them either personally. As I said to them - neither of us has been 'ill' for years and years (I had flu in the 1980s or 90s, forget when) and I dunno if Pete ever has had anything feverish since we were both kids - I don't think so. (Nor did husband #1) Plus - I have never tried to get pregnant and never had any children - cos I think it would be useful to have one with kiddies, in which case, you'd still have it I presume wouldn't you?

OTOH of course I had a blood glucose meter just after they were ever on sale (long before they were available even to Type 1s on the NHS) even though it cost me nearly a month's salary, and I've had an electric toothbrush ever since I was first told I had periodontal disease which cost a lot comparatively - so I don't believe I ignore stuff that's important to ME.

If the problem continues and needs more monitoring then I WOULD invest in an Omron upper arm one - the M2 model is available at about £20 on Amazon but as far as I'm concerned - it's £20 for something that could lie around and not be used more than a few times, so why bother!

I've only 'liked' the ones that agree with my way of thinking - though all the other people I really also like - cos they got one anyway when they needed one!

 

[Chockswahay]

@sedge Just read this thread.......... you did ask do people here own one so of the course the answers are relevant to the question. However referring to the title of the thread 'First Aid Kit', no, a BP monitor is not part of a first aid kit.

First aid is exactly that........... 'first aid' until further medical treatment can be given. BP monitors are part of an ongoing medical treatment.

I agree with you, a BP monitor is useful for 'you' and anyone else with a BP related condition, otherwise, not needed

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Cal54]

Don't have one and probably never will unless the GP advises to the contrary.

 

[GJH]

Don't have one and probably never will unless the GP advises to the contrary.

That about sums me up as well

 

[scotjimland]

'm prompted to ask this question here, by something said elsewhere by someone not a Funster, about something they class as an essential item which any normal/average household would own just as an ordinary every day part of their First Aid kit.

why would anyone suggest that a BP monitor had anything to do with First Aid ?

I wonder if they also advise to keep a pregnancy test kit, condoms or the morning after pill .. .. ?

I have one because I am on high blood pressure medication.. very useful in the early stages when the doctor is trying to establish the correct medication and dose.. I kept a record between visits, taking reading morning and night.. this was invaluable for the doc.

Meds now sorted and I check about once a week..

High blood pressure known as the silent killer.. there are no signs or symptoms.. and it should be checked at least once a year at your annual check up..

Our surgery has a monitor in the waiting room that anyone can use.. passes the time if you are waiting a while..

On the topic of first aid kits.. the most important thing to know is CPR- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation. this can, and does safe lives everyday.. .. a sticking plaster won't..

if you haven't been trained at work or done a First Aid course I would urge to do so.. reading about it won't help.. you need to be shown and practice on a resuscitation dummy. (i think there are a few on here )

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}