When travelling remotely, it’s important to be prepared for any emergency. Whether you’re heading off road for work or pleasure, being prepared with an appropriately stocked first aid kits will ensure you’re ready to handle any unexpected first aid situations that arise.
In this guide to 4WD first aid, we explain why it’s essential to have a first aid kit in your vehicle, what it should include and what the best 4WD first aid kit options are.
Do I need a first aid kit in my 4WD?
You should always carry a first aid kit in your 4WD, especially if you are going somewhere remote. The Australian landscape is vast, and travelling in remote locations can leave you vulnerable and isolated in the case of an emergency. When medical help is far off, having a first aid kit could mean the difference between life and death.
We recommend carrying a first aid kit in your vehicle even if you aren’t going off road. Having a fully stocked first aid kit on you at all times means you’ll be able to deal with any unexpected emergencies that arise.
What should a 4WD first aid kit contain?
Every 4WD first aid kit should contain the appropriate first aid items to handle off road emergency situations and outdoor injuries. This includes minor injuries – such as scrapes, insect bites and minor burns – as well as major injuries such as snake bites, broken bones, heavy bleeding and heat stroke.
The size of the first aid kit should be relative to the number of people on the trip, how long you will be away and the potential risks you will face. Larger groups may require several comprehensive kits to ensure there are enough supplies.
We recommend the following first aid contents:
- Range of wound dressings
- Gauze swabs
- Triangular bandages
- Crepe bandages
- Conforming bandages
- Snake bite bandage
- Burn gel
- Eyewash
- Non-adherent eye pads
- Instant ice pack
- Thermal blanket
- Splinter probes
- Forceps (tweezers)
- Scissors
- Safety pins
- Nitrile gloves
- First aid book (including CPR instructions)
- Notebook and pen
If you’re heading on a camping trip, there may be additional items you need to pack. Check out our guide “What do you need in a camping first aid kit?” for more information.
How to customise your kit
It’s important to consider the specific type and scale of risks you will face to ensure you have the correct medical supplies. In addition to the standard first aid supplies, we recommend customising your kit with specific items and additional supplies as appropriate.
For example, if you are going to be exposed to high levels of sunlight or heat on your trip, it’s important to include the correct items for treating sunburn in Australia – including sunscreen, burn gel, burn dressings and pain medication.
Snake bites, spider bites and insect stings are common in remote areas, so it’s important to ensure your offroad survival kit is packed with contents to deal with these.
Check out our guide to Australian insect bites and our article on how to treat a snake bite effectively for more information.
What is the best 4WD first aid kit?
Here are some of the best 4WD first aid kits we stock for off road purposes:
- Off Road Survival Kit
Our Offroad Survival Kit is ideal for adventure activities such as four-wheel driving, farming, camping and caravanning as well as work in remote locations. It’s our best selling first aid kit, with valuable extras such as a resuscitation mask, thermometer, instant ice pack and snake bite bandage with indicators.
- Vehicle Deluxe Kit
The Vehicle Deluxe Kit is a softpack survival vehicle kit designed for family and work vehicles with more than one passenger. It’s packed with extras to deal with burns, insect bites, skin wounds and more. The bag features a fold out design for quick and easy access to the supplies.
- Voyager Road Safety Kit
The Voyager Road Safety Kit is a comprehensive kit for roadside emergencies and is suitable for 1-10 people. In addition to the standard contents, it features a warning triangle and reflective vest to alert passing traffic when stopped on the side of the road.
- Truck and Plant Operator Kit
The Truck and Plant Operator Kit has been specially designed for the heavy transport and machinery industry and is appropriate for use as a remote 4WD first aid kit. It exceeds the national recommendations and is ideal for dealing with roadside emergencies as well as workplace and site injuries.
- Workplace Kit
The Workplace Kit 2 is a popular compact first aid kit which is suitable for small workplaces and vehicles. It features a grab-and-go first aid design with convenient fold out compartments and numerous storage pockets to improve organisation.
Where should a first aid kit go?
You should store your 4WD first aid kit in a safe, dry and accessible location. Ensure the first aid kit is properly secured so that it doesn’t become a projectile in bumpy off road situations. All vehicle occupants should know where the first aid kit is and be able to access it quickly in an emergency.
How often should first aid kits be restocked?
All first aid kits should be restocked every time items are used to ensure there is the correct number of supplies at all times.
Some of the kit’s contents may have an expiry date. If the items are past their expiry dates or are damaged in any way, they should be removed from the kit and replaced with new items. Keeping your kit up to date ensures you can provide effective first aid in an emergency.
Where to buy first aid kits online
LFA First Response stocks a large number of first aid kits, including offroad, trucking, school bus, camping, survival vehicle and survival workplace first aid kits. We also supply first aid kit refills and additional items for customising your kit.
Browse our best 4WD first aid kits or call us on 1800 681 544 to discuss your needs.
