Unfortunately, there isn’t one tool for all roadside emergency needs. But with a little planning and a smidgen of trunk space, an emergency roadside kit can often save the day.
Most people completely overlook putting together a first aid kit for their car, simply because it’s not something you’ll need to use every day. Although we never plan emergencies we can be prepared for them. It’s always good to be prepared when out on the road, for any situation, especially a medical emergency. A simple first aid kit can go a long way, preventing a minor medical issue from becoming a major one.
What Does a Good First Aid Kit Include?
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Vinyl gloves
- A Whistle
- Cotton Tip Applicators
- Antispetic Towelettes
- Alcohol Prep Pads
- Triangular Bandages
- Standard Adhesive Bandages
- Butterfly Bandages
- Sterile Gauze Pads
- Roll of Gauze
- Adhesive Tape
Other helpful items to include in the first aid kit for the car are a basic guide book for administering first aid, snacks such as crackers or granola bars and juice boxes, and a few other non-perishable foods in case you end up stranded on the road for an extended length of time. It’s also useful to be trained in CPR.
We also suggest you go the extra step and prepare a roadside assistance kit. We know many of our customers and fans have OnStar and eAssist but it never hurts to be too prepared. Some of the basic items include:
- 12-foot jumper cables
- Four 15-minute roadside flares
- Two quarts of oil
- Gallon of antifreeze
- First aid kit (including an assortment of bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic cream, instant ice and heat compresses, scissors and aspirin)
- Blanket
- Extra fuses
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Flat head screwdrivers
- Phillips head screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Vise Grips
- Adjustable wrench
- Tire inflator (such as a Fix-A-Flat)
- Tire pressure gauge
- Rags
- Roll of paper towels
- Roll of duct tape
- Spray bottle with washer fluid
- Pocket Knife
- Ice Scraper
Before you actually use your kit in an emergency situation, take some time to familiarize yourself with the items you’ve collected and how to use them properly. Also remember that the most important item is your own good judgment.
Can you think of anything else you would recommend in a first aid kit?
