Auto Medical Supplies - Reasonable Rascal

reasonable rascal
Assuming we are aiming for basic care here I recommend the following minimum
items be carried in every vehicle. Note that I said MINIMUM:
1. Gloves! Medium will fit *most* people though some of us with larger hands may
need to stock larger sizes. Barriers as your first line of protection.
2. Disinfectant handwash. Alcohol or benzalkonium chloride based gelled
disinfectant. Even with gloves on you may suffer rips, etc, or have blood or
other body fluids splashed beyond the reach of your barrier protection.
3. Dressings. I recommend a minimum of 2 ABD pads, 2 4" roller gauze and a large
handful of 4x4" gauze pads. Even non-sterile beats nothing. If
packaged then no less than 10 packs of 2 sterile 4x4" pads. I carry a fair deal
more than this, but note I suggested this as a minimum.
4. Triangular bandages. No less than 1. Quick compression bandage if needed to
control severe hemorrage and they are long enough to reach all the way around
most torsos if need be. Handy way to put pressure on a head wound, multiple
uses.
5. Flashlight. If you don't you know darn well the accident will happen after
dark. Keep this seperate from your regular car flashlight, which gets used
regularly and perhaps not replaced. You can't treat what you cannot see.
6. Blanket. Even a disposable plastic/foam emergency blanket to stop wind, hide
the victim from unkind or overly curious eyes, etc. Know that whatever you use
you will most likely not get returned. Just the nature of the beast, and you may
not *want* it returned.
7. Bottle of irrigation solution. Even plain water. Just be sure to have it. 250
ml minimum. Gasoline in the face, or on the victim? Wash them off immediately.
Avoid chemical burns in addition to traumatic injury.
8. Bladed instrument such as a sheepsfoot blade style pocket knife (blunted tip)
or trauma shears. You need to be able to cut clothing to expose serious
hemorrhage, or cut a restraining belt, or clothing that is pinched/snagged and
entrapping the victim.
There you go. The minimum you need to carry in each and every vehicle. Virtually
all of these would be used at every accident that results in any injuries
whatsoever. Tape? Nice, nearly essential, but you can do without it if need be.
Gauze bandages? Must have as stated for stopping bleeding, etc. The blanket to
shelter the victim, keep them warm if in danger of shock (who wouldn't be!).
Barrier devices (gloves) to protect from infectious disease exposure, the
handwash for the inevitable minor surface contamination. An instrument to expose
and free the victim, fluid to provide that essential first flushing away of
threatening contaminants, and the means to minimally secure dressings so as to
keep them in place and provide pressure to control bleeding if required.
RR

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