McKesson Instant Cold Packs, 5 x 7 Inch, 24-Pack

McKesson Instant Cold Packs, 24-Pack — cold therapy with no freezer required

If your kit doesn't have freezer access, a standard ice pack isn't an option — the McKesson Instant Cold Packs activate on the spot through an internal chemical reaction, no refrigeration or prep needed. This page covers what's in the 24-pack box, how it compares to other first aid supplies in the bandages and wound care collection, and what to pair it with for a complete sprain-response kit.

Jump to: Features · Specs · Compatibility · Comparison · FAQ

McKesson Instant Cold Packs (model 16-9702) are single-use 5 x 7 inch cold therapy packs that activate instantly when squeezed or struck, used for sprains, strains, and minor swelling without needing a freezer.

Key features

• Activates instantly through an internal chemical reaction — no freezer or ice needed
• 24-pack format keeps a busy station stocked for months
• 5 x 7 inch size covers ankles, wrists, elbows, and common swelling areas
• Long shelf life while unactivated — sits ready in a kit indefinitely
• No maintenance required, unlike a reusable gel pack that must stay in a freezer
• Works in vehicles, jobsites, and remote kits without power or refrigeration

Specifications

Use cases

• Sprains and strains on jobsites, gyms, and athletic fields where immediate cold therapy speeds recovery.
• Vehicle and fleet kits in the Vehicle First Aid Kits collection where a cold pack needs to sit ready without refrigeration.
• Facilities without a break-room freezer that still need reliable cold therapy on hand.
• Restocking a first aid cabinet from the first aid cabinets collection that's run low on cold therapy supplies.

Compatibility: what to stock alongside this cold pack

A cold pack is most effective as part of a full sprain-response kit. Pair it with the SAM Medical SAM Splint Medium for rigid immobilization, the First Aid Only 4-001 Triangular Bandage for a sling, and the AZEN Self-Adhesive Cohesive Bandage Wrap to hold a compression wrap in place. If the injury also broke skin, prep it first with a Curad Alcohol Prep Pad.

What this cold pack is not: it is not intended for burn care — for thermal burns, use a dedicated product like the Water-Jel Burn Dressing from the Burn Care collection, not a cold pack.

Cross-shop the first aid kit refills collection to keep cold packs, splints, and wraps on the same restock schedule.

Comparison: cold pack vs other sprain-care items on WC Safety

Here's how the cold pack compares to the closest injury-support items:

• Choose the cold pack for immediate swelling management on a sprain, strain, or bump.
• Choose the SAM Medical SAM Splint Medium when the injury needs rigid immobilization alongside cold therapy.
• Choose the AZEN cohesive bandage wrap to add compression after the cold pack has reduced initial swelling.

Our McKesson Instant Cold Packs review covers the no-freezer case in more depth, and the best vehicle and truck first aid kits guide covers kits built for exactly this kind of no-refrigeration scenario.

Compare sprain-care items on Amazon → McKesson cold packs SAM Splint Medium

Frequently asked questions

How many cold packs should I order for a station?

Order the 24-pack for any station that sees regular sprain, strain, or swelling incidents — given the single-use nature, a handful of activations per month adds up over a year, and 24 packs covers most facilities well.

Does this cold pack need to be stored in a freezer?

No — that's the entire point of an instant cold pack. It stays shelf-stable at room temperature until activated by squeezing or striking it, unlike a reusable gel pack.

Is this the right cold therapy item for a vehicle kit?

Yes — since it needs no refrigeration, it's one of the few reliable cold-therapy options for a vehicle first aid kit that sits in a hot or cold cab for months between uses.

What size kit or cabinet should stock this cold pack?

Any ANSI Class A or B kit or cabinet should include a cold pack line item — see the pillar guide which first aid kit do you need guide to size the right container first.

Should I buy this cold pack or the SAM Splint first?

Get both if the budget allows — they solve different problems: the cold pack manages swelling immediately, while the SAM Medical SAM Splint Medium provides rigid support for anything beyond a mild sprain.

Can I use this cold pack on a burn instead of ice?

No — cold packs are designed for sprains, strains, and swelling. For thermal burns, use a dedicated FDA OTC burn product such as a burn gel or burn dressing rather than a general-purpose cold pack.

Does this cold pack expire?

Follow the printed lot or expiration date on individual packs, and inspect for damage to the outer seal periodically — discard any pack that shows leaking or premature activation.

Is a cold pack required for ANSI Z308.1 compliance?

Yes — cold packs are a named item category in ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2021 fills for both Class A and Class B kits, decoded in the OSHA first aid kit requirements reference.

Can I order this cold pack in bulk for multiple stations?

Yes — order multiple 24-packs, or cross-shop a structured refill from the first aid kit refills collection that bundles cold packs with other required items.

How cold does the pack get once activated?

Specific temperature data isn't published on the manufacturer's listing; expect the standard cooling effect typical of instant chemical cold packs, sufficient for acute sprain and swelling first aid.

What should back up this cold pack in a complete sprain-care kit?

Add a splint like the SAM Medical SAM Splint Medium for immobilization and a sling like the First Aid Only 4-001 Triangular Bandage to support the limb while it heals.

Can I buy this cold pack as a single item instead of the 24-pack?

Check the current product listing for single-unit availability; this listing is for the 24-pack format, which is priced for ongoing single-use restocking.

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