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