Essential First Aid Items You Should Have In Your Car

Basic first aid is important to everyone. But if you are always traveling, it can be a vital tool for you because having knowledge and skills in first aid can help you or others you are traveling with if you get injured and there is no readily available medical care. It is vital, especially if you are traveling to a foreign country where seeking medical care can be expensive and scary.

You should ensure that your car has essential first-aid items and you have the skills and knowledge of basic first-aid. Fortunately, you can attend online first aid training in the comfort of your home, so there is no excuse why you don’t have first aid certification.

This article discusses some must-have essential items in your car and tips for using a first aid kit.

Essential first aid items you should have in your car

If you like traveling, the best way to prepare for emergencies is to have a well-stocked and ready-to-use first aid kit in your car. Emergencies can always occur whether you are the best driver or not. And not all emergencies can be due to accidents. Your child may suffer a mild sports injury when you go to watch a soccer game, and they may need basic first aid.

First aid kits allow you to treat injuries when you are on the road and unable to access medical supplies. So, what should be in a first aid kit?

What you should have in your first aid kit

You need medications and a first aid manual to have a well-equipped first aid kit. This section contains a checklist of essential first-aid items to help you create your own.

Purchase a box to put your first aid items

Buy a container or a box instead of a bag which can easily get squished in the car. The box should be transparent so you can have a clear view of the items inside. The container should also be lightweight and has handles, but never lock it because you’ll need quick access during emergencies.

Fill the container with essential items.

The first aid kit should take up less space but should be well-stocked. Here are some items you should stock in your car:

• Antibiotic ointment
• Gauze pads for wounds
• Adhesive Band-Aids for covering cats
• Adhesive tape
• Safety pins for closing bandages
• Cotton balls
• Vaseline
• Tweezers
• Antihistamine for allergic reactions
• Sunscreen
• Antiseptic and hydrocortisone cream for skin rashes and inflammation
• A digital thermometer
• Antiseptic wipes for hand sanitization
• Insect bite relief pads
• Cotton balls
• Cotton swabs
• Aloe Vera for mild burns
• Hand sanitizer
• A needle
• Pain-relieving medications like aspirin and ibuprofen
• Saline solution for cleaning wounds and eye washing
• Curved scissors for cutting clothing away from injury

If you travel with children, include pain relievers for children and infants and any prescribed medication. You can include the following:

• Child and infant sunscreen
• Benadryl spray
• Small bandages
• Baby wipes
• Syringe or medicine cup for administering medications

Items for serious injuries and emergencies

You should not forget items for acute medical emergencies like choking, cardiac arrest, severe allergic reactions, drowning, and car accidents. The item to stoke are;

• Synthetic gloves for severe wounds. The gloves will also prevent you from contracting common STDs like HIV.
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• You can snap cold and hot packs to activate their cooling or heating sensation.
• Plastic bag for disposing of contaminated items
• A CPR mask for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
• An Epi-Pen for severe allergic reactions

Easy-to-follow first aid manual

These items will not be vital if you don’t have a manual to guide you on what to do. There is a lot of first aid and CPR training, and you can’t recall all of them. That’s why you’ll need a manual.

Tips for using a first aid kit

After having a fully-stocked first aid kit, you need to know what to do and how to use the kit. Here are a few tips you can follow;

• Always disinfect: You never know the infection the person you are attending to might have. Therefore, it is important to always disinfect your hands and the injured area before bandaging the wound.
• Stop the bleeding: Do this by applying pressure on the open wound before applying the bandage.
• Immobile the injured area: If the patient’s bones are broken, ensure you immobilize the injured area and that there is no excess weight on top of it.
• Perform CPR if the person is non-responsive and not breathing
• Restock your first aid kit.

Related reading: Top Must-Know First Aid Tips For Mums

Conclusion

Basic first aid is important for those who love traveling and at home. It helps save lives during medical emergencies. As a traveler, emergencies can occur where you can’t access medical supplies. That’s why you need a fully-stocked first aid kit in your car.