Every driver is required by law to have a first aid kit in their car.
But few people ever stop to think about what’s actually inside it — or whether it would really help in a serious accident.
The standard mandatory car first aid kit is designed more for minor injuries or temporary care until emergency responders arrive.
In the event of severe trauma, however, it often falls short:
• It doesn’t include a tourniquet to stop massive bleeding,
• There’s no pressure bandage,
• Nothing for burns.
🩸 What a real car first aid kit should include
🔴 Essentials (must-have)
• Tourniquet – The fastest and most effective way to stop massive bleeding from a limb.
• Pressure bandage (Israeli or similar) – Suitable for minor to major bleeding, easy to use.
• Emergency (isothermal) blanket – Lightweight, inexpensive, and crucial for preventing shock and hypothermia.
• Nitrile gloves – ideally at least two pairs – Protects against contact with blood and bodily fluids. Two pairs mean you can assist again or pass one to another responder.
• Compressed gauze – For bleeding in areas where a tourniquet can’t be applied (groin, neck, armpit).
🟠 Recommended additions
• Trauma shears – For quickly cutting through clothing to access wounds.
• Burn dressing or gel – Useful in case of fire or burns from airbags or the dashboard.
• Small kit for minor injuries, to keep everything in one place:
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Fabric adhesive tape
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Antiseptic wipes
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Bandages or pre-cut plasters
🟡 For the extra prepared
• Chest seal – A special dressing for open chest wounds (pneumothorax). These injuries are rare in car crashes, but if they happen, a chest seal can be life-saving.
🚗 Where to keep your car first aid kit
A common mistake is storing it in the trunk — sometimes even under the spare tire.
In a crash, you might not be able to reach the trunk at all, losing precious seconds.
The best solution is a pouch attached to the back of the headrest:
• Always within reach,
• Doesn’t take up space,
• Can be accessed instantly by a passenger without leaving the car.
🧠 Think ahead
The legally required kit is just the bare minimum.
If you truly want to be prepared, put together your own IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) with items that make sense — from stopping major bleeding to treating minor cuts and scrapes.