Emergency med kit longevity - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Aquaticedge · #1 12-19-2009, 01:46 AM

What is the longevity on the med packs in the back of these cars? I noted mine is still Sealed, never been touched and I doubt even removed since the car was new... should these things be renewed or leave well enough alone?

layback40 · #2 12-19-2009, 01:49 AM

All of the consumables should have a use by date on them. I would think twice about using 20 year old disinfectant.

strelnik · #3 12-19-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

All of the consumables should have a use by date on them. I would think twice about using 20 year old disinfectant.

Bandages pretty much lose their elasticity after about 10 years. The gauze might be ok.

Realistically, you may want topPut the package indoors as a collector's item and get a new one with things you might need.

Diesel911 · #4 12-19-2009, 10:47 AM

The location of the Fist Aid kit; exposed to the Sun by the Rear Window is worst place as far as long life goes.
It would be better off under the passanger seat, behind the Seat or in the Trunk.

Burnzy · #5 12-19-2009, 10:54 AM

I bought a neat little Red Cross kit and it fits perfectly in the compartment.It comes in a nice bright orange nylon zip up pouch and is VERY well stocked. I think it was about $20.00. I liked the kit so much I bought 4 of them. One each for the 2 cars, one for the house and one for the BOB.

whunter · #6 12-19-2009, 12:11 PM

Medical supplies.

Depending upon supplier, packaging, environment, maximum 3-5 year shelf life for gauze.

Jeremy5848 · #7 12-19-2009, 01:00 PM

Agreed. The original kit is by now a museum piece. Get the biggest kit that will fit in the space and replace it every 5 years or so. Personally, I have a much larger kit in a backpack and use the first aid compartment for binoculars and a bird book.

Sev · #8 12-19-2009, 01:04 PM

if you want to extend the life of the med kit, put it under the seat where it's not exposed to the sun. that first aid box should be used for napkins and tissues and stuff that you need but that won't fly and hit you in the head in an accident

SirNik84 · #9 12-19-2009, 01:13 PM

When I first moved out of my parents house in 2003 I was hanging a picture for a friend and the metal frame it was in cut my hand. having NOTHING in the house I opened the MB first aid kit circa 1984. the gauze was shot, and I wasn't going to use any of the disinfectant, but I was pleasantly surprised by the band aids. they were still in their wrappers, looking new. so I used 2 of them. they stuck to me so well I didn't need any of the medical tape or gauze like I would have to use with a modern band aid.

I remember band aids like this when I was a kid swimming at my grandmothers, they stuck and didn't come off. then some time in the late 80s early 90s I remember going to swim practice and having the band aids fall off in the pool and having to chase them down and fish them out. I think the glue on 80s band aids must had been phased out for some reason... Oh well. I still have the rest of the band aids in the MB first aid kit in my car. lol. planning on replacing everything else.

#10 12-19-2009, 01:50 PM

My 240D has the original kit, I wouldn't try to use it.

I put a modern kit in my 300D a few years ago.

79Mercy · #11 12-19-2009, 01:52 PM

I looked at some of the stuff in my 1979 280CE and they were good until like 1981.

Brandon_SLC · #12 12-19-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirNik84

... but I was pleasantly surprised by the band aids. they were still in their wrappers, looking new. so I used 2 of them. they stuck to me so well I didn't need any of the medical tape or gauze like I would have to use with a modern band aid.

I remember band aids like this when I was a kid swimming at my grandmothers, they stuck and didn't come off. then some time in the late 80s early 90s I remember going to swim practice and having the band aids fall off in the pool and having to chase them down and fish them out. I think the glue on 80s band aids must had been phased out for some reason...

Those ones that fall off are the "Ouchless" bandaids. They're for whimps.

When I was a kid, in the 60s we had real Band-Aids! Removing them often hurt worse than the original injury. They were also very effective at removing hair, often leaving a hairless rectangle where the Band-Aid was.

Aquaticedge · #13 12-19-2009, 02:35 PM

mmm Well, This has never been in the sun Afaik, it's in the compartment with the jack, filler neck etc. but I'll Hoist it out. see if mercedes wants it for their museum (yeah right lol)

micalk · #14 12-19-2009, 03:22 PM

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.

RML · #15 12-19-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

if you want to extend the life of the med kit, put it under the seat where it's not exposed to the sun. that first aid box should be used for napkins and tissues and stuff that you need but that won't fly and hit you in the head in an accident

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.