How many drivers have a first aid kit in their car, but do not know exactly what it contains or whether its materials are still suitable for use? From January 1, 2027, the first aid kit in cars acquires specific specifications and drivers will have to check what they already have in their vehicle or obtain a new, complete kit.
About the changes that are coming, as well as the medical supplies it includes and that may prove critical in a traffic accident or an injury, until the ambulance service arrives, the secretary general of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, Manolis Katsarakis, spoke on the program “104.9 Health Secrets” of Tania Mantouvalou.
16 different items and not just “anything at all”
The new first aid kit can no longer be just any medicine kit that has been forgotten for years in the trunk. As Mr. Katsarakis explained, the ministerial decision that has already been published defines specific contents, with 16 different medical technology items, in some cases even in more than one piece.
“The kit includes, among other things, elastic bandages of various sizes, dressings for wounds and burns, fixation bandages, retention materials, a thermal blanket, cleaning wipes, masks and first aid instructions. Therefore, it is not enough for there to be ‘a gauze and some alcohol’.
The prescribed list has specific quantities, since, as the secretary general of the PFS characteristically mentioned, six wound dressings may be required and not one, so that the kit can actually be used in an emergency situation.
The marking the consumer should look for
Drivers should pay particular attention to the outer packaging. According to Mr. Katsarakis, the kit should bear the marking DIN 13164:2022, while the individual medical technology products, such as sterile gauze pads, should bear the CE marking.“The packaging should also be suitable for the conditions in which it may be found inside the car and protect the materials from dust and external conditions”.
Mr. Katsarakis advised consumers to be careful regarding the point of purchase, noting that not all stores have the necessary license for the sale of medical technology products. “For this reason, the safer choice is to obtain the kit from a pharmacy, or a specialized medical technology supplies store”.
The old first aid kit may no longer be sufficient
For those who already have a first aid kit in the car, the first check should concern its contents. “It is not enough for the box to be there: it must be ascertained that it contains all the prescribed items and in the required quantities, but also that the materials have not expired or deteriorated. It is good to choose kits with products that have a long shelf life, about four to five years, so that their replacement is not soon required”.
Why we should not put medicines in the kit
Another point that requires attention is temperature. The interior of a car, especially during the summer months, can develop very high temperatures, something that may affect the suitability of certain products. As Mr. Katsarakis explained, the prescribed first aid kit does not include medicines.
Any medicines that a passenger may need during a trip should not be put in the kit and remain permanently in the car. “The kit should be in an easily accessible place, but as protected as possible from direct exposure to heat, such as in the glove compartment or under the seat. At the same time, due to temperatures, the condition of its materials should be checked at least every two years”.
The materials that can help until the ambulance service arrives
In a serious traffic accident or an injury, some of the kit’s materials may prove particularly useful until emergency help arrives. As the secretary general of the PFS mentioned, an important role is played by the materials for applying pressure and limiting bleeding, the elastic fixation bandages and retention materials, while the appropriate bandage for supporting an injured limb may also be useful.
“The problem, however, is that many drivers do not even know what they have inside their first aid kit. One of the most frequent mistakes in providing first aid is that the citizen is called upon to use materials they do not know.
The existence of different types of gauze and dressings can create confusion at a critical moment. For this reason, drivers should have read the instructions in advance and know which material is used for bleeding, a burn, a wound or a sprain”.
The instructions included in the kit should be in the Greek language, Mr. Katsarakis pointed out, stressing that products made available in Greece must bear the prescribed Greek labeling.
By January, the check of the old kit
With the start of the mandatory implementation of the new framework on January 1, 2027, drivers should have obtained the prescribed first aid kit. Until then, as also follows from the recommendations of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, it is a good opportunity to open the car’s old first aid kit and check what it actually contains, whether the materials have expired, and whether it meets the new specifications.
Because a car first aid kit has no value simply because it is inside the car. Its value becomes apparent when, at a critical moment, it needs to be used.