Every school bus carries a first aid kit, and most carry a body fluid cleanup kit beside it. Nobody thinks about either until a student has a nosebleed or is sick on the bus, and that's when a driver finds an empty box with a broken latch. A short checklist and a monthly look keep that from happening.
Here's a practical school bus first aid kit checklist, what usually goes in the cleanup kit, and how to keep both stocked.
Who sets the list
Your state does. Most states write the contents into their school bus rules, and they differ. California, for example, sets how many units a kit needs by the bus's seating capacity. Pennsylvania requires a removable, moisture-proof body fluid cleanup kit on every school bus, mounted where it's easy to reach and labeled. Many other states follow the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures. Start from your state's list, then add what your drivers actually use.
The first aid kit
| Item | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive bandages | A box, mixed sizes | The item used most |
| Gauze pads and compresses | Several of each size | For cuts and nosebleeds |
| Roller bandage and adhesive tape | 1–2 rolls each | To hold dressings |
| Triangular bandage | 1–2 | For a sling |
| Scissors and tweezers | 1 each | Blunt-tipped scissors |
| Non-latex gloves | Several pairs | Some states let these sit in the cleanup kit instead |
| CPR mouth barrier | 1 | Some states let this sit in the cleanup kit instead |
| Cold pack | 1–2 | Single-use |
Tip: Seal the kit with a numbered plastic tag. A driver can see at a glance whether it's been opened, and only an opened kit needs a full check.
The body fluid cleanup kit
- Non-latex gloves, at least one pair.
- Absorbent powder that turns a spill into something you can sweep up.
- A scoop and scraper, or a small hand broom.
- Disinfectant and towelettes or wipes.
- Two or more plastic bags with ties, for the waste and the used gloves.
- Optional: a face mask, an apron and an extra change of gloves.
A monthly check
- Look at it on every pre-trip: the kit is there, mounted and sealed.
- Open it once a month, or whenever the seal is broken, and check each item against your list.
- Replace anything used, damaged or out of date, such as gloves gone brittle or wipes dried out.
- Re-seal it with a new numbered tag, and write the date and your initials on the check sheet.
- Keep spares in the shop, so a kit is never short for a day.
Good to know: First aid and cleanup kit requirements differ by state, and some districts and contracts ask for more. Check your state's school bus rules for the exact list and how it must be mounted.
Doing it in FleetCommander
Which buses have one. On a school bus's record, tick First-aid kit under the safety equipment, with the Fire extinguisher and the others.
The checks. Add First aid and cleanup kits present and sealed as an item on your pre-trip template on Inspections › Templates. For the monthly check, Manage › New template with the Type set to Monthly and the items above under Vehicle components inspected. A failed item opens a defect, and managers are told. See the Inspections guide and our free pre-trip inspection checklist.
The spares. Keep refill kits, gloves and absorbent under Parts with a Minimum quantity, and Low stock is flagged before you run out. See the Parts guide.
Ava (Beta), the assistant in the app, answers Any open defects on Bus 104? or Can I see the low stock parts?. More on her page.
Related reading
Questions people ask
- What should be in a school bus first aid kit?
- Usually adhesive bandages, gauze pads and compresses, a roller bandage and tape, a triangular bandage, scissors and tweezers, non-latex gloves, a CPR mouth barrier and a cold pack. Your state sets the exact list.
- What is a body fluid cleanup kit?
- A separate kit for cleaning up vomit, blood and other body fluids on the bus: gloves, absorbent powder, a scoop or scraper, disinfectant and plastic bags for the waste.
- How often should a school bus first aid kit be checked?
- Look at it on every pre-trip, and open and check it at least once a month, or whenever its seal has been broken.
- Who decides what goes in the kit?
- The state's school bus rules, in most states. Districts and contracts can ask for more.