First aid kit for cars: These dressings are mandatory

According to a recent survey, over 40 percent of respondents prefer to travel by car. The uncomplicated arrival and departure plays a major role, as the . Before setting off on a well-deserved vacation, the usual safety checks must be carried out – such as checking the tire pressure or the level of engine oil and coolant. However, the first aid kit, which contains bandages that have an expiration date, is often forgotten. If you are stopped by a traffic police officer, you may be fined. Aside from the fact that the functionality of expired plasters or compresses is no longer 100 percent guaranteed, the lack of certain products is also punished. Below you will find a complete list of all the items that must be in a first aid kit.

This belongs in a first aid kit for the car

In the event of a traffic accident with injuries, a first aid kit in the car is vital. For this reason, there is a which, since its last update in February 2022, specifies which and how many first aid supplies must always be carried in the vehicle. These include:

Triangular scarf (1x)
The (non-sterile) triangular bandage is intended for the treatment and fixation of injuries to the hands, elbows, knees or shoulders.

Disposable gloves (4 pairs)
Also included in the suitcase are medical gloves, which are worn to protect yourself from infection when treating another person.

First aid brochure (1x)
In this brochure you can read again the most important first aid measures that you learned in driving school.

First aid scissors (1x)
In order to cut the clothing of an injured person or to cut bandages to the correct size, it is mandatory to carry scissors.

Wet wipes (2x)
Wet wipes must always be kept in the box for cleaning (undamaged) skin areas. They are not suitable for disinfection.

Ready-made plaster (14 pieces)
The complete set should consist of four wound dressings, two fingertip dressings, two finger dressings, two plaster strips (12 x 2 cm each), four plaster strips (1.9 x 7.2 cm each) and four plaster strips (2.5 x 7.2 cm each).

Fixation bandages (5x)
A total of five bandages for securing wound dressings and bandages belong in the first aid kit: two small ones (4 mx 6 cm) and three large ones (4 mx 8 cm).

Face masks (2x)
Since February 2022, it is mandatory to carry two medical face masks (at least type 1) to protect against bacteria and germs.

Adhesive plaster (1x)
The absence of a large adhesive plaster (5 m x 2.5 cm, wound up) in the first aid kit is also punishable by a fine.

Compresses (6x)
They are used to protect wound surfaces and to help stop bleeding: Sterile compresses (10 cm x 10 cm).

Rescue blanket (1x)
In order to protect injured persons from possible hypothermia as well as wetness and wind, it is mandatory to carry a rescue blanket (210 x 160 cm).

Bandage pack (5x)
Sterile wound dressings for first aid, which are firmly attached with a gauze bandage, are also an integral part of the case: one small (K, 3 mx 6 cm, compress 6 x 8 cm), two medium (M, 4 mx 6 cm, compress 8 x 10 cm) and one large (G, 4 mx 10 cm, compress 10 x 12 cm) packet.

Bandage cloth (1x)
To cover large injuries such as burns, abrasions or open fractures, a bandage cloth (60 cm x 80 cm) should be kept in the box.

Another tip: Check the contents regularly to ensure they are complete.

That’s why the first aid kit has an expiration date

What many drivers don’t know is that first aid kits contain bandages that have a best-before date. If you are stopped at a traffic checkpoint, you could be fined if you find expired plasters or compresses in the kit. You should therefore keep an eye on the expiration date and get replacements in good time. But why do bandages expire in the first place? There are different reasons for this – some products simply lose their adhesive properties, while others are no longer sterile after a certain period of time.

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More information can be found here.