The Basics of Using First Aid Kits for Cars

A first aid kit is a necessity for any place, and a car is no exception as there are many injuries sustained on the road. Read on to find out about the basics of using first aid kits in cars.

What is the best first aid kit for cars?

Short Answer: Don’t ever leave home without the Survival Vehicle First Aid Kit.

• Designed specifically with weight, space and safety it is all you need in your car
• It has been highly recommended ‘as the best first aid KIT for cars’
• A colour coded labeling system makes it easier to identify contents and their use
• Just like other Survival first aid kits, it is waterproof and durable

Are cars’ first aid kits mandatory?

Yes, they are indeed mandatory to have in your car.

Cars are the most accident prone all over the world, with fatal car accidents happening in Australia - especially with the age range of 26-39.

Having a first aid kit in your car will allow you to be prepared to treat any minor injuries on the road with the medical supplies in the kit.

The quicker an injury is dealt with, the higher the chance there is for the victim to survive.

How do you make a car first aid kit?

Considering the fact that first aid kits come in all sorts of sizes, it makes putting together a car first aid kit very straightforward.

In order for the kit you are making to be comprehensive, the most essential items will have to be added to the kit.

Once you have obtained the first aid kit itself, there are a variety of emergency medical supplies you will have to collect. A few are listed below:

• Saline 
• Blankets 
• Gloves 
• Tweezers

Remember to check the expiry date when purchasing the necessary items, and regularly monitor when they need to be restocked or refilled.

Making your own first aid kit will ensure you train yourself how and when to use it as well.

What should be included in a car first aid kit?

When it comes to a car first aid kit, it is best to keep in mind that what it contains is the most basic of items that will help when on the road.

It could range from bandages, shears, plastic bags and everything else that is required to treat minor wounds.

Here are the contents of the Survival Vehicle First Aid KIT as an example:

• 1 First Aid Booklet
• 1 CPR Card
• 1 Bandage shears (stainless steel)
• 2 Cotton gauze swabs
• 50 Adhesive dressings
• 5 Hydrogel sterile sachets
• 2 Eye pads
• 1 Emergency blanket
• 2 Nitrile gloves
• 1 Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• 1 Fever scan trip
• 3 Plastic bags
• 1 Notepad and pencil
• 2 Pressure bandages
• 2 Saline (30 ml)
• 6 Safety pins
• 1 Resuscitation shield (inclusive of 1 pair of gloves and skin cleaning wipe)
• 4 Skin cleaning wet wipes
• 1 Triangular bandage
• 1 Splinter probe (5 per pack)
• 1 Tweezer
• 1 Wound dressing
• 1 Wound closures
• 1 Non-adhesive wound dressing, sterile, 7.5cm x 10cm
• 1 Non-adhesive wound wound dressing, sterile, 5cm x 5cm

Everything is relatively easy to find at a glance, as it is organized exactly for this reason.

Whether it is a trailer, caravan, or a motorhome this kit will help you with any emergency on the road.

You can find out more information about the Survival Vehicle First Aid KIT here.

However, it is important to note that any personal medication and emergency numbers will need to be included as well, because:

• This will help a healthcare professional
• This will ensure medicines that cause allergies are not given
• Your loved ones will be informed immediately

What regulations guide first aid kits for cars?

If a car is being used at the workplace, there are certain regulations that need to be followed in order to eliminate any dangerous risks.

These risks in particular will have to be discussed at length, due to the harm they could cause:

• Environmental factors
• The use of the vehicle
• The nature of work

Environmental factors

The environment plays a massive role when traveling in a car, especially in terms of how the weather is, the condition of the road and not forgetting the traffic that is ever present.

All of the above are major contributions to the way anyone’s journey on the road will play out - it will depend on these circumstances.

The Use of the Vehicle

The location of the vehicle when it is not in use and the capacity of it are important to note down as well.

A vehicle is prone to cause problems when it’s not used frequently, which is why the capacity of it and how it is maintained need to be monitored.

The Nature of Work

There are a number of factors that cause car accidents and injuries, such as the distance traveled, specific routes, the speed used and which period of the day, too.

Driving at high speeds during the night hours is never recommended as they are two of the most common causes of accidents with severe casualties.

Related Questions:

Does Australia have any legal requirements for first aid kits in cars?

The answer is yes, Australia does indeed have legal requirements for company vehicles - just like other countries in Europe do.

An accommodating first aid kit is required by law for workplaces to be prepared for any sort of emergency in the company vehicle.

Treating common injuries with the first aid kit could stand the chance to curb any further complications.

The health and safety of employees at any workplace have to be top priority for employers.

Planning the code of practice on first aid in the workplace is highly recommended, and you can find out more here.

What is the first thing to do in a car accident?

Australian authorities will have to be notified if you have been in a car accident that falls under the below categories:

• Dangerous
• Death of a person
• Serious illness or injury of a person

If you are in a stable position, here are a couple of steps to follow that will help:

• Assess the situation
• Call the authorities
• Move to safety
• Speak to witnesses and gather information
• Contact your insurer

After assessing your injuries, check other passengers and if they have been injured - if it’s minor or severe.

Additionally if there’s major car damage police assistance will be needed to

• Make sure the road is not blocked
• Gather further details about accident
• Report the incident

A list of the best emergency radios has been covered here, purchasing one is highly recommended for any workplace.

A trip to the mechanic for a check-up before any long trip is important to remember, too.

Conclusion

Fatal car accidents happen across Australia, and it is for good reason that it is a legal requirement to have a first aid kit in your car.

Knowing what to do after an accident is important as well, and this was covered along with what a first aid kit for cars

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