Expired IFAK stored in hot vehicle?

[GC7]

I have one of these that has been stored for almost 6 years now in a vehicle that gets cold in winter, hot in summer.

GP IFAK Level 1 – Elite First Aid – Drop Leg Individual First Aid Kit

The GP IFAK is the perfect first aid kit for any vehicle. Attach the panel to you headrest with the adjustable buckle, grab the handle and GO!

elitefirstaidinc.com

I know the meds/wipes/salves/etc are probably not good anymore, but what about the bleedstop or the bandage/gauze? Nothing in there has been used so it's all still in the factory shrinkwrap and such.

 

[JEVapa]

I have one of these that has been stored for almost 6 years now in a vehicle that gets cold in winter, hot in summer.

GP IFAK Level 1 – Elite First Aid – Drop Leg Individual First Aid Kit

The GP IFAK is the perfect first aid kit for any vehicle. Attach the panel to you headrest with the adjustable buckle, grab the handle and GO!

elitefirstaidinc.com

I know the meds/wipes/salves/etc are probably not good anymore, but what about the bleedstop or the bandage/gauze? Nothing in there has been used so it's all still in the factory shrinkwrap and such.

Nothing wrong with it. Expiration dates are like speed limits...merely suggestions. The only things that usually go bad are the alcohol wipes...they dry up. Bandaids can get funky, but you can open one and see. In fact, you can open one of each of the wipes to see. Or squish it back and forth in your fingers to see if it's still liquid or leaks. If it's all dry rotted and falling apart, then maybe but I'm betting it absolutely fine.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

I've got shit in my home first aid kit that's probably 20 years old or more. I know that's not the same as a car. But, it's for emergencies. I doubt I'm gonna care if a bandage or ointment is old in an emergency. Valid questions, but I'm guessing it's all fine.

 

[HoLeChit]

I have a big bag that’s full of first aid crap for me and the dog that I’ve had riding around in various vehicles/boats since 2013. Goes everywhere with me. A lot of it has been swapped out or used up, but it’s pretty rare to run across something that’s no good. Like said above, usually alcohol wipes or similar garbage. I’ve just replaced that stuff with gauze pads and alcohol or betadyne. Bug sting kits/wipes with Benadryl. I would use peroxide more but my understanding is that freshness is the key to efficacy with peroxide.


Tbh, if you were shot, would you care if your Israeli H bandage was expired or even still packaged? I honestly wouldn’t, as long as it worked.

 

[CS Boomis]

Hell, if you can just find an old red bottle of Methiolate. That’s what my mom used to cauterize us kids with and I’m pretty sure it was left over from the Ark..

 

[Ndenway]

Got a lot of old gauze & tape & few needles and cat gut in my house kit, few bottles of the red mercurochrome