Every driver must know that car first aid kit is not just a formality, but a vital element of road safety. Since 2021, a new GOST has been in force in Russia, which has significantly changed the list of necessary medications and dressings. Now the kit contains fewer drugs, but more means to stop bleeding, which is dictated by modern medical statistics.
The presence of a complete set is checked by traffic police inspectors when stopping a vehicle, and it is also required when passing a technical inspection. Missing or incorrect filling may result in a fine, but the main thing is the risk of not providing timely assistance to a victim of an accident. Order of the Ministry of Health clearly regulates exactly what items should be in your car.
In this article we will analyze in detail what exactly is included in the standard set, how to correctly distribute the contents among the compartments and what expiration dates need to be monitored. Understanding these nuances will help you avoid problems with the law and possibly save your life.
Current list of funds according to the new GOST
The main document regulating the composition of a first aid kit is GOST R 55530-2013, which came into full force after the transition period. The key change concerned medications: painkillers, antipyretics and heart medications were excluded from the list. The logic is simple: in an emergency situation, a person without medical education can make a mistake with the dosage or harm the victim by giving a medicine that is contraindicated for him.
Now the main emphasis is on hemostatic agents and dressings. This is due to the fact that road traffic accidents most often involve injuries that require immediate stoppage of bleeding. The composition includes tourniquets, bandages of various widths and sterile napkins with fastening. Also a must have are scissors for cutting clothing to gain access to the wound.
It is important to note that manufacturers can equip the first aid kit with additional equipment, but the minimum set must be strictly observed. For example, kits with cooling packs or additional antiseptics are often found. However, the basic list, approved by law, is the mandatory minimum for any Category B vehicle.
It is worth mentioning separately tourniquet to stop arterial bleeding, which replaced the classic rubber band in modern sets. This device allows you to quickly and efficiently clamp the vessels of the extremities, which is critically important in the first minutes after an accident. Its presence is now a mandatory requirement.
Classification of dressings
Dressings make up the lion's share of the contents of any car first aid kit. They are necessary to protect the wound from infection and absorb secretions. The standard set includes bandages of different widths: from narrow (5 cm) for fixing fingers or small wounds, to wide (10-14 cm) for extensive injuries to the torso. All bandages must be sterile and individually vacuum packed.
In addition to bandages, the kit includes sterile gauze wipes. They are used to apply to the wound before bandaging. The wipes come in different sizes, which allows you to choose the best option for a specific injury. To secure bandages and napkins, the first aid kit must have a roll of adhesive plaster that holds securely even when the car is moving.
Particular attention should be paid to the quality of packaging. If the vacuum packaging of the bandage is broken or damaged, the sterility of the material is considered lost. It is strictly forbidden to use such products to treat open wounds, as this can lead to serious infection. Always check the integrity of packages upon purchase and during regular inspection.
- 🩹 Sterile bandage 5m×5cm - 2 pieces
- 🩹 Sterile bandage 5m×10cm - 2 pieces
- 🩹 Non-sterile bandage 5m×10cm - 1 piece
- 🩹 Sterile bandage 7m×14cm - 1 piece
- 🩹 Rolled adhesive plaster – 1 pack
Proper use of dressings requires skill. It is necessary to bandage the limb from the periphery to the center, slightly pulling the bandage, but without tightening the vessels. Each turn should overlap the previous one by half or two-thirds of the width. This ensures uniform pressure and secure fit of the bandage.
Store bandages and wipes in a sealed bag inside the first aid kit, even if the original packaging is intact, this will protect them from moisture and dust in the trunk.
Means to stop bleeding
As already mentioned, the modern standard relies on effective control of blood loss. The first aid kit must include a hemostatic tourniquet. Unlike the old rubber bands, modern models are equipped with a plastic collar and lock, which allows you to control the compression force and application time. The time of application of the tourniquet must be recorded on a note, which is placed under the tourniquet or attached to the victim’s clothing.
The kit also contains sterile wipes with hemostatic impregnation or simply large sterile wipes to create pressure on the wound. The principle of operation is simple: in case of severe bleeding, you need to place a napkin directly on the wound and press firmly with your hand or apply a pressure bandage. This helps stop venous and capillary bleeding before doctors arrive.
The blunt scissors included in the kit are intended exclusively for cutting clothes. In an emergency, seconds count, and tearing the victim's clothes off may be dangerous or impossible due to pain and muscle spasms. The scissors should be sharp enough to cut thick fabric of jeans or jackets, but have rounded ends so as not to injure the skin when working carefully.
⚠️ Attention: A tourniquet is applied only in case of arterial bleeding (a pulsating stream of scarlet blood). For venous bleeding, a tight pressure bandage is sufficient. Application of a tourniquet without indications can lead to necrosis of the limb.
Additional tools and resources
In addition to basic dressing materials, a first aid kit for a car should also contain auxiliary items. These include a device for artificial respiration "Mouth-Device-Mouth" or similar. This device is necessary to ensure hygiene during resuscitation measures and to protect the rescuer from contact with the victim’s biological fluids.
Another important component is non-sterile medical gloves. They protect the hands of the person providing assistance from possible infection through blood or other body fluids. The standard set usually includes one pair, but experienced drivers recommend having a spare. Gloves must be strong enough not to tear when coming into contact with sharp edges of metal or glass.
Some manufacturers include the blunt-tipped scissors already mentioned, but you can also find other tools, such as safety pins for securing bandages. However, the main list of GOST is limited to the minimum necessary for survival. The driver buys all other items (antiseptics, painkillers) and puts them in the first aid kit at his own request and necessity.
Is it possible to store a first aid kit in the glove compartment?
Technically it is possible if there is enough space and the temperature does not exceed permissible standards. However, it is better to place the first aid kit in an easily accessible place so as not to waste time looking for it in an emergency. The glove compartment may be locked if there is an impact.
Storage rules and expiration dates
The shelf life of a car first aid kit is 4.5 years from the date of manufacture. However, this does not mean that you can forget about it on the shelf for all this time. Individual components, such as sterile bandages and wipes, have their own shelf life, which usually coincides with the shelf life of the entire kit. But if you opened the first aid kit and broke the seal of the packaging, the time frame may be reduced.
Storage conditions play a critical role. The temperature should be in the range from minus 40 to plus 50 degrees Celsius. Air humidity should not exceed 75%. The trunk of a car, especially in summer, can heat up to critical temperatures, which negatively affects the properties of the rubber band and the sterility of the materials. Therefore, it is recommended to place the first aid kit in a special fixed place, protected from direct sunlight.
Check the condition of the packaging regularly, at least once every six months. If you notice that the bandage has turned yellow, the packaging is swollen or damaged, such a component must be replaced. Also keep an eye on the expiration date so that you don’t find expired materials at a critical moment.
| Component | Quantity (pcs) | Shelf life (years) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemostatic tourniquet | 1 | 4.5 | Check elasticity |
| Sterile bandage 5x5 | 2 | 4.5 | Vacuum packaging |
| Sterile wipes | 2 | 4.5 | At least 16x14 cm |
| Band-Aid | 1 | 4.5 | Roll 1x250 cm |
| Scissors | 1 | - | No expiration date |
☑️ Checking your first aid kit before a long flight
Driver fines and liability
According to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the absence of a first aid kit or its non-compliance with established requirements is a violation. For this, a fine of 500 rubles is provided (Part 1 of Article 12.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). Although the amount seems small, the lack of a first aid kit can become an obstacle when passing a technical inspection of a car, without which it is impossible to obtain an MTPL policy.
The traffic police inspector has the right to demand to see a first aid kit when stopping a vehicle. If the packaging is broken, the deadline has expired or required elements are missing (for example, there is no tourniquet or scissors), this is equivalent to the absence of a first aid kit. Therefore, it is important not only to buy a box, but also to monitor its contents.
In addition, in the case of an accident where the victim was not provided assistance due to lack of funds, this can be regarded as an aggravating circumstance, although legally the obligation to provide first aid is enshrined in the traffic rules, and the presence of a first aid kit only provides the technical ability to provide it.
⚠️ Attention: Buying a first aid kit “on the roadside” from private sellers often leads to the purchase of an uncertified product. Ask the seller for a receipt and a certificate of compliance with GOST R 55530-2013 to avoid problems with the inspector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add my own medications, such as painkillers, to my first aid kit?
Yes, the law does not prohibit supplementing the standard set with any medications at your discretion. However, only the basic list according to GOST is mandatory. You use additional medications at your own peril and risk, taking into account contraindications.
What to do if the first aid kit has expired?
Expired sterile materials should not be used, as they may become infected. The tourniquet loses elasticity and may not compress the vessel. It is necessary to purchase a new kit or replace individual expired components with new ones.
Is it necessary to have a fire extinguisher along with a first aid kit?
Yes, according to traffic regulations, every car must be equipped with a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a warning triangle. The absence of any of these elements is a violation of traffic rules.
Where is the best place to store a first aid kit in your car?
The optimal place is a special pocket in the trunk or a fixed compartment where the first aid kit will not move when moving and will not be exposed to direct sunlight. It should be easily accessible but protected from damage.
The main goal of the new composition of the first aid kit is maximum efficiency with a minimum set of tools that can be used by a person without medical education.