I recommend putting your own kit together vs. buying a kit & against carrying anything you do not know how to use.This is often cheaper than the 'ready-made' kits,allows you to customize your kit to your situation & skills & ,perhaps most importantly,serves as a self-assessment of skills.
Josey has an excellent point about the feminine pads:as good as ABD pad & a helluvalot cheaper.I go with Playtex kitchen gloves instead of disposable gloves:these latter don't store well,particularly if your kit is exposed to heat,etc. I like to go modular:a bandage kit,medicine kit,etc.
But the first thing you need is knowledge.Take all the first aid/paramedic/nursing courses you have available in your area & can afford.
(Hints:sometimes employers can be pursuaded to contribute to your course fees as they can get insurance breaks for having certified first aid/medical people on staff.Can't hurt to ask.You might also get a tax deduction under 'continuing education':ask a good tax consultant.)
I recommend the following books:
Any & all Red Cross handbooks. 'Where There Is No Doctor' & 'Where There
Is No Dentist'.'Ship's Medicine Chest & First Aid At Sea'.'Survival Medicine' by Ragnar Benson;while I have reservations on this one it's got some good ideas & suggestions. The Special Forces medical manuels. Any nursing & paramedic texts you can lay your hands on
lder ones are OK as the basic principles do not change.
NOTE!! emergency care & extended care are NOT the same! I read an article in one of the nursing journals about how nurses(of which I am one) should respond at emergency situations.One paragraph strongly implied the nurse should take charge regardless of any personell at the scene.I thought "Like Hell!".My training is hospital-oriented while the EMT/paramedics are trained in on-scene stabalization.
NOTE! the expiration dates on medications is conservative & obviously dependent on storage condition.My rules of thumb are if it's kept in the house you should be OK for an extra 6 months,if it's kept in the care you lose 6 months, & "When in doubt throw it out".