5 reasons you need a car first aid kit when driving
In an era where most people own a mobile phone, you'd be forgiven for thinking you don't need a first aid kit when driving. Although mobiles allow you to dial 000, they don't provide immediate assistance. Here are some reasons to carry a first aid kit when driving.
Immediate wound care
If you're in a car accident, you may suffer from a wound. Similarly, if you love hiking and other outdoor activities, there's a risk that you'll injure yourself. Whether you encounter a small cut or you have a large wound, you need to give your injury the right attention.
Having a first aid kit in your car means you can provide yourself with immediate wound care. Being able to flush a wound and bandage it reduces your risk of infection. If the accident is serious enough for you to call on the emergency services, you may also be able to apply pressure to a wound and prevent significant bleeding.
Keeping yourself warm
If you're facing an emergency at night, you'll find yourself battling against dropping temperatures. Should your accident occur when there's heavy rainfall, you're at risk of developing hypothermia.
To reduce your risk of hypothermia, make sure your car medical supplies include a warming blanket. They're also useful when someone is suffering from shock. As such, they're an essential life-saving measure.
Stopping snakebite problems
When you love spending time in the wilderness, there's always a risk that you'll face a snake-related emergency. Up to 18 people per 100,000 people encounter a snake bite each year. Depending on the type you're bitten by, you may find yourself battling some serious toxins. Depending on the type of snake you encounter, your bite could even prove deadly.
With a first aid kit that focuses on snakebite care, you can isolate the wounded area. This means you'll reduce the likelihood of the bite's toxins spreading. As a result, you'll give yourself more time to seek emergency medical care and an effective remedy. If you're unsure as to how toxic the snake was, call 000 for immediate assistance.
Tackling irritating itches
No matter where you are, there's always a risk that an irritating insect will bite you. If that insect has the power to make you itch, your car journey will soon become miserable.
Some first aid kits contain anti-itch creams. They're designed to provide temporary relief that stops you from itching. If you itch less, you're less likely to encounter an infection. To decrease those irritating itches even further, try using an anti-histamine too.
If you're aware that you're allergic to a particular type of insect, make sure you wear your medical ID too. Anaphylaxis can strike at the most inconvenient times. By wearing a medical ID, you make it easier for the person treating you to save your life.
Managing roadside emergencies
Each year, around 20,000 Australians suffer from a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. If you find one on the roadside, having the right medical supplies could help you save a life.
Comprehensive first aid kits often include resuscitation masks and cards. Using the information on the cards and the mask itself, you can perform CPR. Doing this gives the person you're treating a stronger chance of surviving their arrest.
With the right first aid kit in your car, you make a lot of situations safer. At Medibc, we sell first aid kits and medical supplies that suit all kinds of scenarios. Whether you love spending time in the wilderness or you're just seeking the essentials, we can help. To learn more about our kits, contact us.
Car, Ute, Truck & 4WD First Aid Kits
Roadside-ready kits for everyday drivers, tradies, heavy vehicles, and 4WD adventurers.
