Car first aid kit: These bandages are mandatory

According to a recent study, over 40 percent of respondents prefer to travel by car. The uncomplicated arrival and departure plays a major role, as he also knows. Before you go on your well-deserved vacation, the usual safety checks need to be carried out – such as checking the tire pressure or the engine oil and coolant levels. However, what is often forgotten is the first aid kit, which contains bandages that have an expiry date. In the event of a traffic stop, there is a risk of a fine. Aside from the fact that the functionality of expired wound plasters or compresses is no longer 100 percent guaranteed, the absence of individual products is also penalized. Below is a complete list of all the items that must be present in a first aid kit.

In the event of a traffic accident with injuries, a first aid kit in the car is vital. This is why there is one which, since the last update in February 2022, has stipulated which and how many dressing materials must always be carried in the vehicle. These include:

Triangular scarf (1x)
The (non-sterile) triangular drape is intended for treating and fixing 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 against infections when treating another person.

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

First aid scissors (1x)
In order to cut an injured person’s clothing or cut bandages to the correct size, it is mandatory to have scissors with you.

Wet wipes (2x)
To clean (unbroken) areas of skin, wet wipes must always be kept in the box. They are not suitable for disinfecting.

Ready-made plaster (14 pieces)
The complete set should consist of four quick wound bandages, two fingertip bandages, two finger bandages, 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). cm).

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

Face masks (2x)
Since February 2022, carrying two medical face masks (at least type 1) to protect against bacteria and germs has been a must.

Adhesive plaster (1x)
The absence of a large adhesive plaster (5 m x 2.5 cm, spooled up) in the first aid kit will also result in a fine.

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

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

Bandage pack (5x)
Sterilely packaged wound dressings for first aid, which are firmly connected with a gauze bandage, are also an integral part of the suitcase: one small (K, 3 mx 6 cm, compress 6 x 8 cm), two medium ones (M, 4 mx 6 cm, compress 8 x 10 cm) and a large (G, 4 m x 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) belongs in the box.

Another tip: Check the content regularly for completeness.

What many drivers don’t know: The first aid kit contains bandages that have a best-before date. If you get caught in a general traffic stop, you could face a fine if there are expired plasters or compresses in the suitcase. Therefore, you should keep an eye on the expiry date and get a replacement in good time. But why can associations expire at all? The reasons for this vary – some products simply lose their adhesiveness, while others are no longer sterile after a certain period of time.