What Should You Have in Your Car First-Aid Kit?
A few basic first-aid supplies can help you be better prepared for minor injuries and unexpected situations on the road.
A practical vehicle first-aid kit should include supplies for personal protection, cleaning and covering minor wounds, basic bleeding control and a few useful tools. Keep everything together in a clearly marked container that’s secure but easy to reach.
A Small Kit Can Make a Big Difference
You don’t have to be heading out on a long road trip to benefit from carrying a first-aid kit. Minor injuries can happen while travelling, working around a vehicle, clearing snow or simply spending time away from home.
A vehicle first-aid kit isn’t meant to replace professional medical care. Its purpose is much simpler: to make sure you have useful basic supplies available when you need them.
What Should Be in Your Vehicle First-Aid Kit?
Disposable Gloves
Keep several pairs of disposable gloves in your kit. They provide a protective barrier when assisting someone who is bleeding or when dealing with bodily fluids.
Adhesive Bandages
Carry an assortment of sizes rather than only small bandages. They’re useful for covering and protecting minor cuts, scrapes and blisters.
Sterile Gauze Pads
Sterile gauze can be used to cover wounds and can be useful when applying direct pressure to help control bleeding while further assistance is arranged.
Roller Bandages
Roller gauze or similar bandages can help keep dressings securely in place when a standard adhesive bandage isn’t suitable.
Medical Tape
A small roll of medical tape takes up very little room and can help secure gauze, dressings and other first-aid materials.
Antiseptic Wipes
Individually packaged antiseptic wipes are a convenient addition for basic first-aid situations when normal washing facilities aren’t immediately available.
Tweezers
A basic pair of tweezers is useful for dealing with small, easily accessible splinters or surface debris.
First-Aid Scissors
Compact safety scissors can be useful for cutting gauze, medical tape, bandages or clothing when necessary.
Instant Cold Pack
An instant cold pack doesn’t require refrigeration and can provide temporary cold therapy for some minor bumps, bruises and sprains.
CPR Barrier
A compact CPR face shield or breathing barrier takes up very little room and provides a protective barrier if rescue breathing is required.
Emergency Blanket
A compact emergency blanket can help reduce heat loss while someone is waiting for additional assistance. It’s especially useful during colder months.
First-Aid Instructions
Keep a basic first-aid reference guide with your supplies. Taking recognized first-aid and CPR training can also help you understand how to respond when an emergency happens.
Don’t bury your first-aid kit underneath everything else in your trunk. Keep it secure but reasonably easy to reach, and make sure everyone who regularly drives the vehicle knows where it is.
Don’t Buy It and Forget About It
A first-aid kit is only useful if its contents are still in good condition when you need them. Check your kit periodically and replace anything that has been used, damaged or passed its recommended expiry date.
Check individually packaged supplies, gloves, wipes and other items while you’re at it. Keeping everything clean, organized and complete means your kit is actually ready when something happens.
Vehicle First-Aid Kit Checklist
Keep the basics together in one clearly marked, easy-to-find container and periodically check that your supplies are complete and in good condition.
A First-Aid Kit Has Its Limits
A vehicle first-aid kit provides basic supplies for minor injuries and initial assistance. It isn’t a substitute for professional medical care.
For a serious injury, significant bleeding, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness or another medical emergency, contact emergency services.
If an incident happens beside a roadway, avoid putting yourself in additional danger while trying to help. Traffic, poor visibility and road conditions can create hazards of their own.
Stuck? Stranded? Need a Hand?
A first-aid kit helps prepare you for the unexpected. And when the unexpected involves your vehicle, Jack’s 24 HR Towing is here when you need roadside help.