Having easy access to a well-stocked first aid kit is one of the best ways to be prepared for an emergency. With many accidents and injuries occurring on the road or near a car, it’s important to carry a kit filled with essential first aid items in your vehicle. Safety Dave is Australia’s trusted supplier of high-quality reversing cameras, TPMS, first aid kits and fire safety equipment. If you are looking for a car first aid kit or a defibrillator for sale, you will find an affordable option in our range to suit your needs and budget. Read on to learn more about the importance of carrying a first aid kit in your vehicle and the essentials that should be kept inside.
Why Carry a First Aid Kit in Your Car?
A first aid kit in your car allows you to treat injuries while you’re away from home, unable to access medical supplies or assist in a road accident or roadside emergency until professional help arrives. Not only enabling you to treat minor injuries that do not require trained medical assistance, but a car first aid kit can also help to keep a sick or injured person safe and comfortable until medical assistance is available.
What Should You Keep in Your First Aid Kit?
A well-equipped first aid kit should include everything from sanitiser to saline solution, medications, to first aid manuals. There are many first aid supplies that are very beneficial to have, some of these include:
- Adhesive plasters, and bandages in several sizes
- Sterile gauze pads
- Elastic bandages and safety pins or clips
- Adhesive, hypoallergenic tape
- Antibiotic ointment, antiseptic, and hydrocortisone creams
- Antihistamine for allergic reactions
- Antiseptic wipes and hand sanitiser
- Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, or other pain-relieving medication
- Insect bite relief pads
- Cotton balls, buds, and swabs
- Disposable gloves and face masks
- Instruments such as a digital thermometer, tweezers, and medical scissors
- Saline solution
- Large and small sterile dressings
- Sterile eye dressings
- Eye pads with bandages
There are some additional items that you may wish to consider carrying in your car that may be required for use in severe or life-threatening medical emergencies such as sudden cardiac arrest, choking, severe allergic reactions, and car accidents. Hot and cold compression packs, an Epi-Pen, and a portable AED/defibrillator are just a few examples.
First Aid Kit Tips
A first aid kit in your car is great way to be prepared for all kinds of medical situations, however, it is also important that you understand how to use the supplies inside. Here’s a few tips to help ensure appropriate use:
- Open wounds and skin contact can lead to infections and the spread of illness. Always sanitise your hands before starting any treatment, wear gloves and disinfect the wound or injured area before applying a gauze or bandage.
- In sever cuts and bleeds, it is vital that you apply pressure to the open wound to stop the bleeding as fast as possible before using a bandage.
- For broken bones or other traumas, immobilise the area and remove any excess weight or pressure.
- If a person is non-responsive or isn’t breathing, call 000 and begin CPR immediately. If you are ever in doubt about the seriousness of an injury, call 000.
- After using some of your essential items to address an emergency or injury, it’s important to replace those items as quickly as possible.
Whether you need to treat an injured child at a local sporting event, or you need to assist in the event of a car accident until help arrives, a first aid kit in your car can be a lifesaver. For the best first aid kits, Australia relies on Safety Dave. With a huge range of kits available at all different price points, investing in one of our first aid kits will give you the peace of mind that you can assist in a wide variety of medical emergencies. Shop online or reach out to our team for more information by calling 1800 072 338.