Getting Serious About First Aid Kits

[sam21fire]

Seems pretty expensive for what you're getting. If you buy the supplies at a local drug store they'd probably only cost you $10-12 max. Would you buy the waterproof bag for $20? You could put the contents into a couple of heavy duty ziplock bags (double bagged)...

[pg13]

thats the thing. i dont think i can get it all under the prices i can find.

edit: i mean yes i can buy a cheap med stuff from walgreens/wally world/etc but i dont think it would have the variety of this and are mostly bandaids which is nice but looking for more general and bigger bandages if the wound is bigger. though im also thinking of something like this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Physicians...d-Kit/14663341 or something similar. though im thinking off adding something for snake bites as we have lots of snakes out here in az

[Six-Shooter]

Small Swiss-army knife is handy. Blade, scissors, tweezers. I've used the blade to remove a bee stinger several times.

An alternative that I carry is a small multi-tool (along with a cycle-specific multi-tool). That way you get a blade, screwdriver, etc., plus a passable set of pliers instead of just tiny tweezers. Leatherman and Gerber make some truly tiny, yet functional, multi-tools.

I avoid Swiss Army knives because of the slick handles. Couple those with sweaty hands on a hot day and you have an accident waiting to happen. Where a folding knife is concerned, it's safer, imo, to use one with an ergonomic, non-slip handle. I'm partial to Benchmade knives.

[I_like_cereal]

I did not read the entire thread, but this is what I keep in my personal kit.
-Major wounds
Tampons x2 - Bullet wounds/deep puncture wounds
Feminine Napkins x2 - Use like an Israeli Bandage and takes up half the space
Clotting agent sponge x1
-Minor Wounds
Bandaids
Neosporin
Moleskin
Gauze
Tape
-General stuff
Straight razor
Pins
Gloves
Hemostats
Scissors
Advil and others
Pens/Pencils/Write in the rain pad
Gorilla tape

I am considering a tourniquet and thoracic needle for puncture lungs. However, I have string and a belt and an inner tube which will work for a tourniquet and if I need a lung reinflated I can jab my self with my knife and stick a pen in there to keep it open.

[Wuz]

A few thoughts...
1) Gloves and resuscitation masks are only useful if you're in a group. You're not going to catch a blood-borne disease or give CPR to yourself.
2) Sticking plasters {bandaids** are rather useless on the road. The surface area is smaller than most injuries encountered and the adhesive doesn't stick to sweaty body parts.
3) Do what the pros do. If you're not calling an ambulance, you're going to either treat the wound to continue on your journey or triage the wound so you can ride to a location to properly treat it.
Gauze + flexible wrap.
It will protect the wound & keep pressure applied.

I'm surprised no one mentioned an AED

[NightShift]

A few thoughts...
1) Gloves and resuscitation masks are only useful if you're in a group. You're not going to catch a blood-borne disease or give CPR to yourself.

True if, and only if, you ride in an area where you never encounter other people. Same thing with glucose and aspirin; you may not be diabetic and you may be in perfect cardiovascular health, but that doesn't mean the same is true of the people you meet.

I'm surprised no one mentioned an AED

If I can find a good deal I'll get one for my truck, but on a bike?

[Wuz]

If I can find a good deal I'll get one for my truck, but on a bike?

I only mention because the items listed here for a bike first aid kit seem to be for one kit for a mass of people rather than just a personal kit.
And AEDs are tiny compared to the big things from "ER" fame.

[flashpoint145]

Skip the tourniquets... you're pretty much deciding to sacrifice the limb if you use one, Direct pressure to the wound itself, using a sterile pad, is what the Red Cross recommends these days.

Incorrect, on account of wound management theory. I will say that one must have an advanced physiological knowledge of traumatic injuries to understand the cost/benefit risk analysis before using one though. With that, most people don't, thus not a good idea to have one.


Forceps are not necessary, nor are shears. Just carry stuff to stop bleeding. If someone's not breathing then they've been seriously ****ed up due to a brain injury and you can tell, but that is not likely to occur with the prevalence of helmets. Almost everywhere in America you will have an ambulance pull up 8 minutes or less after calling 911. Don't get crazy.

[Ace X]

I'm an EMT, and also do a lot of riding with the local fixed gear scene, so I've seen a good amount of crashes.

Here's what I carry in my backpack.
-Pocket mask for performing rescue breathing
-4X4 for wounds
-super glue for small cuts
-Ace bandage for jury rigging splints
-Aspirin (usually end up getting handed out for hangovers)
-And most importantly, GLOVES. Great for dealing with blood, adjusting greasy chains, etc.

I signed up for an EMT class at my local college & start Tuesday. Got the books a week ago & doing a lil studying before the class.

As for me I dont usually carry anything, but since I'm going for EMT I'm going to change that and carry some things that are on the quote above.

[Wolfvegas]

I just took first aid, go to the red cross they sell kits at cost

[vielfible]

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