Vehicle First Aid Kit
With a little forethought, you will realize the importance of having first aid kit in your vehicle. In fact, every vehicle you
drive on a regular basis should have a comprehensive first aid kit as part of your emergency vehicle supplies. You can purchase a
ready-made first aid kit for your vehicle, which is certainly better than nothing, or you can build your own, more complete kit.
The American Red Cross recommends that the following items be included in your vehicle first aid kit. This is a minimal list
and is follower by recommendations for additional items.
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
- 5 antibiotic
ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- 1 blanket (space blanket)
- 1 breathing
barrier (with one-way valve)
- 1 instant cold compress
- 2 pair of non-latex gloves (size: large)
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately
1 gram each)
- Scissors
- 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
- 5 sterile gauze
pads (4 x 4 inches)
- Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)
- 2 triangular bandages
- Tweezers
- First aid instruction booklet
Additional Recommended Items
Although a basic first aid kit has a few items that will help you treat injuries, they are generally
geared for minor cuts, headaches and so on. In today’s environment, it is becoming more likely that you will eventually be faced
with a situation that will force you to react and treat to a serious injury. This could be caused by a traffic accident, terrorist
attack or natural disaster and it may involve a member of your family. Adding the following items to your first aid kit will
help you treat more serious trauma injuries.
o Hot and Cold Packs
o Additional Non-Latex Gloves
o CPR Mask
o Trauma/Surgical Scissors
o Tourniquets
o Hemostatic Dressings (Quick Clot, Celox, Everstop, Etc.)
o Gauze Bandage Wraps
o Self Adherent Cohesive Bandages
