In general, a car first aid kit should contain the same essential first aid supplies found in a Regulation 3 first aid kit, but can include some additional items designed to help you deal with common travelling ailments, like anti-nausea medication, eye drops, painkillers, and antihistamines.
Unfortunately, road accidents are a common occurrence in South Africa, and can result in injuries ranging from mild scrapes to life-threatening wounds. In addition, medical emergencies like heart attacks and strokes can happen anywhere, including while travelling. Make sure that you’re prepared for any travel-related emergency by having a car first aid kit stowed in your vehicle at all times.
Recommended car first aid kit contents:
- Cetrimide solution for disinfecting wounds and preventing infection
- Gauze swabs for cleaning wounds and absorbing blood
- Cottonwool for applying cetrimide solution or providing cushioning
- Sterile swabs for cleaning wounds
- Plastic forceps to clean wounds and remove splinters or shards of glass
- Safety pins for securing bandages
- First aid scissors to cut clothing, bandages, and tape safely
- Triangular bandages to immobilise fractured limbs in slings
- Conforming bandages to wrap wounds and secure dressings
- Fabric roll plaster to secure wound dressings and bandages
- Anti-allergic tape for sticking directly to skin
- Box of plasters for covering minor scrapes, cuts, or grazes
- First aid dressing 3 for dressing medium-sized wounds
- First aid dressing 5 for dressing larger wounds
- Wooden splints to immobilise and support fractured limbs
- Latex gloves to protect both yourself and the casualty from infection
- CPR mouthpieces to deliver rescue breaths safely
(Purchase a Regulation 3 first aid kit containing all of the above items packed in a convenient nylon bag ideal for stowing in your vehicle’s boot.)
Optional extras for car first aid kits:
- Refresh eye drops to soothe tired eyes on long drives
- Painkillers to treat body aches or headaches associated with prolonged car travel
- Anti-nausea medication to deal with car sickness
- Antihistamines or allergy medications to ease allergic rhinitis or provide relief from insect bites and stings
- Antacids for alleviating indigestion due to eating fast foods while travelling
(Note: employers may not dispense medications or drugs to employees, so the above optional extras are only recommended for private car first aid kits.)
What is a car emergency kit?
A car emergency kit, also known as a roadside emergency kit, contains items that equip you to effectively deal with common vehicle problems and roadside emergencies, including engine trouble, flat tyres, medical emergencies, injuries, etc.
Car emergency kit contents:
- Car first aid kit to treat injuries sustained while travelling or as a result of a road accident
- Car jack for changing flat tyres
- Reflective warning triangle for slowing down oncoming traffic when your vehicle is stationary
- Jumper leads for starting a car with a flat battery
- Tow ropes for getting a broken-down vehicle to a mechanic
- Reflective vest for added visibility when administering first aid or changing a flat tyre on the roadside
- Safety gloves to protect your hands when lifting heavy items, pulling ropes, etc.
- Whistle to attract attention and help
- Torch or headlamp with spare batteries to help you see in poor lighting
- Q20 to lubricate engine parts or repel water
Make sure you’re prepared to treat travel-related injuries and emergencies by taking a first aid course.
Keeping a well-stocked car emergency kit and car first aid kit in your vehicle is a smart way to equip yourself to deal with roadside emergencies you may experience while travelling. However, a car first aid kit is only useful if you know how to use it. The best way to truly prepare yourself to help an injured motorist, passenger, or pedestrian is to take an accredited first aid course.
Our two-day First Aid NQF Level 1 course teaches you how to stop bleeding and dress wounds, administer CPR, splint fractures, treat heart attacks, strokes, and shock, deal with head and spinal injuries, and much more. You’ll also learn how to apply triage in a mass casualty event, which is unfortunately a common aspect of multi-vehicle road accidents. Contact us to find out more or download our course schedule to find suitable dates in your area.
