Emergency med kit longevity - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

whunter · #16 12-20-2009, 12:14 AM

Expiration dates are put on sterile medical supplies because manufacturer testing has proved the packaging is compromised = they are no longer sterile after this date.

Most medical materials (e.g., drugs, fluids, disinfectant solutions, catheters, sutures, etc.) are imprinted with an expiration date. Beyond this date, the manufacturer does not guarantee the sterility, safety, or stability of the item.

I use expired supplies in craft projects, or trash them...

Quote:

Originally Posted by micalk

Expiration dates are for liability purposes. As long as packaging is intact, contents should be fine for things like gauze. You have to look at risk-benefit for the other items. There are ammonia vials in there, and even if they went bad wouldn't be harmful to at least try. Same with disinfectant. Same with pain relievers. It may not be as effective as fresh, but the chances of it hurting you are negligible.

I read about a study where the Army (?) tested some sort of antidote (mustard gas?) that was 30 years past its expiration date and it was found to be still effective.

Reminds me of someone's sig - I'm not a doctor, but I'd be happy to take a look.

davidmash · #17 12-20-2009, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RML

There is a thought. You make a sudden stop. Everyone is OK except that the first aid kit flies out and hits someone in the head. So you need the first aid kit to treat the laceration on the back of the head from the first aid kit.

At least it will be handy

suburbanviking · #18 12-20-2009, 07:59 AM

I work in the biotech field and know that companies have data that is often far past what the "official" expiry dates state. For different reasons (business, legal, etc) expiration dates are not always increased to match current data because of risk/reward, diminishing returns curve, legal, or other business reasons.

Funny, my wife throws things out the DAY after they expire. Knowing what I know, I am the total opposite. Unless it is biological in nature (milk, eggs, etc). But unless most items are exposed to extreme conditions (sun, hot, freezing, etc) they should be fine for a while after their expiration date. Effectiveness is a gradually declining curve after expiration; not a cliff dropoff.

Diesel911 · #19 12-20-2009, 11:03 AM

Anything different from a "cool dry place" changes the length of time something can be stored.

whunter · #20 12-20-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbanviking

I work in the bio-tech field and know that companies have data that is often far past what the "official" expiry dates state. For different reasons (business, legal, etc) expiration dates are not always increased to match current data because of risk/reward, diminishing returns curve, legal, or other business reasons.

Funny, my wife throws things out the DAY after they expire. Knowing what I know, I am the total opposite. Unless it is biological in nature (milk, eggs, etc). But unless most items are exposed to extreme conditions (sun, hot, freezing, etc) they should be fine for a while after their expiration date. Effectiveness is a gradually declining curve after expiration; not a cliff drop-off.

IMO:
Common sense, concern for your own health safety would lock away the old first aid kit as a museum show piece.

IMO: Only a suicide would voluntarily use medical supplies listed 3 year life, twenty five + years after they expired, left in the sun, climate -40F to +135F.

winmutt · #21 06-27-2011, 02:40 PM

Mine's so old it comes with Bayer's special sauce, a hypodermic and a wood saw.

Seriously if you ever plan on using go ahead and replace it!

vstech · #22 06-27-2011, 04:26 PM

I love the renewal card that's in there...
mine has annual renewal certificates in it... readers digest or something... I ought to go dig it out and see what it says...

vstech · #23 06-27-2011, 04:27 PM

you eeeediot!
you opened the bag!
now the kit is woorthleeees!

anybody know what that's a quote from?

Zulfiqar · #24 06-27-2011, 04:48 PM

Why do mercedes think its good to put in stich needles in their first aid kit in the car?

Mark DiSilvestro · #25 06-29-2011, 08:51 AM

My US-market 240D has a Johnson & Johnson first aid kit in a white plastic box, while my Euro-delivery 240D had a German first-aid kit, in a nifty blue German storage-case. Unfortunately, it got incinerated when that car was stolen from the new owner and torched!
At least my '84 Euro 300TD still has it's original German kit in a vinyl pouch, stored out of direct sun next to the emergency-triangle, in the right cargo-bin. Not that I plan on using anything from it, except for maybe a band-aid.

Happy Motoring, Mark

TylerH860 · #26 06-29-2011, 01:34 PM

I remember my grandmother using the first aid kit from the 1985 500SL on me after a playground accident.. My guess is it was around 10 years old at the time. The kit is still in the trunk.

tbomachines · #27 06-29-2011, 02:16 PM

I've got 2 full kits from the 300SDs...never opened either of them and probably never will unless I get really curious. The one from my 300E was removed before I owned it, but I have a "survival" first aid kit in the trunk, full with a shovel, waterproof matches. Along with the subwoofer, amp, jugs of antifreeze, oil, socket and wrench sets, not much room left...hmm