How to Build a First Aid Kit for Your Car

Although a car makes our daily activities easier, it also comes with risks and dangers, including accidents, injuries, and symptoms of illness that require immediate attention. 

In all of these cases, it is possible and advisable to act before the person receives specialized medical care. And the best tool for doing so is a first aid kit. This small but important resource can even save lives. 

That is why it is so important for drivers to put together one that contains the most essential supplies. So whether you have your own car or drive for a vehicle fleet, here is how to build a first aid kit. 

What is a first aid kit?

A first aid kit is a set of medicines and other medical supplies used to give first aid to someone during a medical emergency. It is important to stress that it is for first aid only, because it is meant to address the situation until professional medical services can be reached. 

What should you consider before building a first aid kit for your car?

Many stores and pharmacies sell ready-made first aid kits. Although they are a good place to start, it is worth checking them to make sure they contain everything you need to carry in a car. 

In any case, if you decide to buy one, ideally you should add whatever supplies are needed to complete it. Keep in mind that first aid refers to the first actions and measures taken after someone suffers an injury, an accident, or a sudden onset of illness. 

For vehicles, the kit should contain what is needed to treat minor wounds or control bleeding. In the Dominican Republic, there is still no regulation requiring drivers to carry a first aid kit in their car, nor are there rules about what it should include.  

However, the new 2017 Traffic Law does include first aid training as part of road safety education. Internationally, some countries and organizations do have standards that suggest what this kit should look like and serve as a guide for building one, such as the Red Cross and the DIN 13164 standard (German Institute for Standardization). 

Contents and features of a first aid kit

1. The kit's container, box, or case should be made of a sturdy, waterproof material. That way, the contents stay protected from impacts and other accidents. For a car, the suggested size is about 30 cm wide x 15 cm high x 12 cm deep. These dimensions fit everything you need and are also convenient for storing the kit in the car. 
2. Basic first aid manual.
3. Disposable gloves.
4. Triangular bandages.
5. Skin cleansing wipes.
6. Large and medium compression bandages.
7. Sterile gauze pads
8. Micropore-type medical tape to secure bandages.
9. Adhesive bandages.
10. Cotton.
11. Hydrogen peroxide.
12. Syringe.
13. Scissors.
14. Rubbing alcohol
15. Pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and antihistamines.
16. If someone with a specific medical condition regularly rides in the car, include the basic medications for their condition.

Finally, remember to check your first aid kit regularly to make sure its contents are in good condition. If anything has expired or is damaged, replace it. 

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