When it comes to traffic safety, many drivers focus on the technical correctness of the vehicle, tires, and mandatory winter equipment. However, an often neglected but vital piece of equipment is first aid. And while the car pharmacy in Serbia covers only basic aid, the Greeks are introducing novelties that you should know about if you plan to go on vacation by car, for example.
In Greece, drastic novelties and expansions in content are being introduced starting June 18, while in Serbia, the last significant changes regarding the content of the car pharmacy came into force with the Rulebook on technical conditions for vehicles in road traffic, making the so-called Type B car pharmacy mandatory as of August 19, 2011. Since then, the content has not been significantly changed.
A prescribed Type B car pharmacy must contain:
-First bandage (sterile): 10 cm x 5 m, with one pad (min. 12 x 10 cm) – 2 pieces
-Sterile gauze: 1/2 m each (80 x 50 cm) – 2 pieces
-Sterile gauze: 1 m each (80 x 100 cm) – 2 pieces
-Sterile gauze compress: 10 x 10 cm – 5 pieces
-Adhesive plaster on cloth: 2.5 cm x 5 m – 1 piece
-Plaster tape (various dimensions): 12 pieces – 1 piece
-Triangular bandage: size 100 x 100 x 140 cm – 2 pieces
-Safety pin: – 5 pieces
-Scissors: with a rounded tip – 1 piece
-Disposable PVC gloves: – 2 pairs
-Pendant-mask for giving artificial respiration: – 1 piece
-Thermal blanket (isothermal foil): – 1 piece
-Elastic bandage: 8 cm x 5 m – 2 pieces
-First aid instructions and list of contents: – 1 piece
For not possessing a correct and complete car pharmacy, the fine for individuals in Serbia is 3,000 dinars. However, if it is determined in a traffic accident with injured persons that the lack or defect of the pharmacy affects the possibility of providing first aid, the fine can be drastically higher, from 10,000 to 50,000 dinars.
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What the Greeks are introducing as new
Greece has decided to significantly modernize its car pharmacy after almost 50 years (since 1978). The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has introduced a more comprehensive list, recognizing the need for better preparedness.
The old Greek pharmacy was similar to the one previously mandatory in Serbia, with basic elements like cotton wool, gauze, and plasters. However, as of June 18, Greek drivers must have a far more extensive set of medical supplies.
Key novelties in the Greek car pharmacy, which are missing from the Serbian one, include:
-A thermal rescue blanket that reflects heat more efficiently (>90%) and provides better prevention of hypothermia and shock, compared to a more general thermal blanket.
-A set of adhesive plasters of different sizes (14 pieces), allowing for more precise treatment of minor injuries. In the Serbian pharmacy, there is only plaster tape and a set of plasters, but the specifications are not as detailed.
-Sterile bandages in specific sizes (6×8 cm, 8×10 cm, 10×12 cm) with an integrated pad for direct pressure on the wound, adapted to different sizes of injuries. In the Serbian pharmacy, “first bandage” and “sterile gauze” are listed, but not with this level of precision in dimensions and purpose.
-Specialized burn dressing/sterile gauze (60×80 cm) – dedicated to covering large burns and abrasions, which is extremely important for this type of injury. In the Serbian pharmacy, we do not have a specific dressing for burns.
-Wound compresses (6 pairs 10×10 cm) for cleaning and packing deep wounds.
-Elastic bandages in two widths (6 cm and 8 cm) and 4m in length, precisely defined for bandaging limbs and the torso.
-Special first aid scissors with a blunt tip (atraumatic), for safe cutting of clothing. Serbian scissors are only “with a rounded tip.”
-More pairs of medical gloves (4 pieces vinyl/nitrile, large), which strengthens the biological protection of the rescuer from blood-borne diseases.
-Wet wipes for cleaning intact skin, useful for hygiene and disinfection before or after an intervention.
-Medical face masks (2 pieces) for respiratory protection, important for both sides (the rescuer and the injured), especially nowadays. The Serbian pharmacy only has a mask for artificial respiration.
-Detailed first aid instructions with pictograms, which facilitates a quick and correct reaction.
Compared to Greece, whose car pharmacy is now adapted to more modern challenges and contemporary first aid protocols, Serbian regulations seem outdated, writes Euronews.
Although our pharmacy meets the legal minimum, the lack of specialized bandages for burns, a larger number of gloves, medical masks, and more precisely defined instruments can make it difficult to provide adequate help in more complex situations.
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Source: Nova.rs; Photo: Printscreen X