First Aid Items

[Divscotty]

Hey guys

Just wondering what you carry in a quick and dirty first aid kit for epic rides.

This weekend some tape that made impromptu stiches was very handy.

Sheila

[carlvoss]

Sterile gauze, tape and iodine wipes. I don't bother with small stuff - figure that can wait until I get back.

[mohaka]

That's a very good question, Divscotty. Makes me wonder about myself because I never bring any kind of 1st -aid when I go riding, even when I know it'll be a long one. But, I have decided to turn a new leaf and put together a kit. I will pack some tape, gauze, anti-biotic ointment, Ace bandage, and butterfly strips.
That should cover just about anything 'cept for major injuries like broken bones and dismemberment.

[Divscotty]

I carry a bandana I figure that might come in handy someday for more than washing up in a creek. Also some tape and triple antibiotic grease to keep infection out.

[jimilton80401]

How about some alcohol wipes, or if you have room, a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting wounds.
I also have a buddy who swears that superglue works great for wounds that are deep enough to require stiches.
I bought a small kit a few years ago that included a needle and suture, along with a diagram of the major arteries.

[riderx]

2 "large wound" bandages, a few regular size band-aids, a few butterfly stitches and a sample pack of Advil all put into a plastic baggie to keep things dry.

Not specifically for first aid, but fitting under the multi-use banner: a bandana (many, many uses), a pencil stub with 3 ft. of duct tape wrapped around it, and a few large zip-ties.

They total weight of these items is next to nothing, but their worth when needed is pretty high.

[Scott G.]

Brave Soldier Crash pack seems to have all the needs for basic first aid....anything other than that a cell phone might be an essential, but I don't want to get that debate fired up.:rolleyes:

[Blatz]

A product called Sterie Strips is very good to bring along. It`s basically steral tape that can pull a gash together. Many hospitals will use this instead of stiches. You can buy it at the drug store.

[JerseyDevil]

I bring a $5 kit I got from Nashbar. It has all the essentials to get you out of any situation that is less than traumatic. I also carry a Brave Soldier crash pad. They work great!

[Rotifer]

I used to carry a suture kit, they also work great for repairs. A friend of mine's dad is a Vet, he kicked down one night after I sliced my knee to the bone and had to ride out. A couple things I learned ... these things don't hurt (and they look cool) so immediate repair isn't necessary (there is a 12 hour window in which a deep cut must be sutured or it may not knit). You can close wounds with superglue but a cut in the right place may need deeper tissue layers closed as well, so it may not be a good idea unless you know what you are doing.

[Divscotty]

Sounds a little rough but i now carry those seri stips and duct tape. I figure duct tape should do about anything.

[wherd]

couple of different little sampler bottles of booze.

to numb the pain......

[mohaka]

Well, it's Nov. and I still haven't put together a kit.
If I chuck in a partial roll of duct tape that should suffice.
Thanks for the idea!

[Divscotty]

someone told me or I read somewhere. To take a pencil and wrap about 3 feet of duct tape onto it nice and compact.

[mohaka]

Roger that Diva,
Muchas gracias!

[gtheller]

there is nothing that can't be fixed quick w/ some good old duct tape, a stick, and some ty-wraps (those cool little plastic self clasping strips) some call them zip strips or zip ties. I carry about a dozen of them in a few sizes. remember they can be mated together to make a really long ty-wrap! i also strongly recommend bringing a cell phone on every ride, make sure you leave it OFF until you need it! i have not needed it yet ,but it has been close to being called to duty a few times! for myself and others i've met on the trail w/ some small emergencies.also i carry a handful of paper napkins to act as a gauze pad or in case nature calls!
and for about 99 cents you should pick up an emergency plastic poncho
it weighs almost nothing but could come in very handy if you were forced to camp out or someone was cold and going into shock. these little pieces of plastic retain quite a bit of body heat .
it is true that duct tape is no longer allowed to be used on duct work!
(new building code!) go figure
c ya
gt

[velarca]

The super glue works pretty well in minor cuts, and works better if you put a small piece of paper (napkin or tissue) on the cut and then soak the paper with the glue, it gives the "repair" some body, but use it only when you can see that theres no deeper damage,also carry some analgesic like aleve or tylenol, helps while the medics arrive and remeber to tell the medics what kind of remedy you used.