Randybb

What do you bring with you on a trip, in case of a crash or other injury? Anything you've had with you that was especially useful or a waste of space?

indyfabz

I don't carry anything other than something that can cover up and/or stop the bleeding from a relatively minor cut. Something like a few band-aids or a small roll of medical tape and a couple of small gauze pads.

10 Wheels

I always carry a 6-8 oz Cola for an energy boost, should i need one.

kpfeif

A couple of big patches of Tegaderm are indispensable. It's basically stick-on replacement skin. Classic use is to cover up road rash, which it's fabulous for. I've also used it to treat saddle sores/chafing (it's great for that, slick on the outside and breathable) as well as blisters. You can leave it on for days at a time and it makes it so wounds don't scab over and crack, stick to bandages, or rub on clothing. Wonderful stuff.

fietsbob

Neosporin type ointment gets applied on Saddle_butt hot spots to stop the sore from blooming.

Doug64

I usually carry three 4x4 gauze pads, roll of vet wrap, small roll of"kling" badage, wound closure kit, tape, small irrigation syringe, tweezers, assorted band aids, moleskin, antibiotic ointment, pair of nitrile gloves, Tylenal capsules, benadryl capsules, and 2 epi- pens (allergic to bee stings). Vet wrap is great substitute for both roller gauze and an ace bandage. It can be purchased at your local farm feed store or medical supply. The only difference is the cost.

My wife wouldn't let me use my wound closure kit on this one that happened during a tour last summer it was just above the achilles tendon.


Vet wrap also comes in assorted colors.

GP

A piece of Moleskin for a toe blister.

Bicycle365

This is what I carry on most trips. I have heard the opinion that if it's small enough for a band-aid, you can probably do without one. And , if it's too big to fix with a band-aid you probably won't have what you do need.
I still carry this + some emergency GuPacks for stuck/cold/bonked and 1 MtHouse meal if REALLY Stuck/Cold/Didn't get to the store on time.

Most useful = anti-diarrheal pills. Because on a self contained bicycle tour thats a particular kind of hell.
Least useful/least used = Fire Starter , I do carry a regular lighter and it's never been so wet I could'nt use it. (yet)

staehpj1

I don't carry much. Other than something serious like a severe bleeding situation most treatment can usually wait until the next town. Also most treatment could be done with improvised items in an emergency.

I used to carry a lot more, but almost never used the majority of it, so these days about all I carry for first aid is:

• Ibuprofen
• Benadryl
• Bandaids
• Gauze pads
• Steri-strips (wound closure)
• I eliminated the tape and rely on the strip of duct tape in my repair kit.

For the most part items carried for other purposes than first aid are handy in treatment. Duct tape, soap and water, clothing items, and paper towels or napkins actually suffice pretty well until the next town. If the injury is serious and the next town is far or the injured person can't ride it isn't hard to flag down help.

Even with that minimal list, most items on the list can probably be considered convenience or comfort items. I might eliminate the whole list, but since the whole deal is only 2 ounces I continue to carry it.

If I were going to be in the back country for a extended period the list might be different. Another exception might be an epi-pen if you are likely to need it due to some particular allergy.

Louis Le Tour

That looks like a really sensible first aid pack. I'll copy it if you don't mind!

skimaxpower

This is a great short list. BENADRYL is the most important. I can save a life in case of allergic reaction (it's also a great sleep aid if you have a long plane/train trip.)

Honestly, if you get into a situation that this list cant address, you should probably go visit a Dr Clinic or at least make a trip to the drug store.

staehpj1

By the way, if the person affected has trouble swallowing it or is incapacitated, I am told that placing Benadryl under the tongue is a good way to go. If someone is known to have severe reactions to something (like bee stings for example) carrying an epi-pen is probably smart, but if caught in need of and without one, Benadryl just might save your life.

pdlamb

I picked up a light hiking first aid kit a while back to stick in my bar bag. I don't think the things I haven't had to use are a waste of space, I prefer to think of them as insurance.

rumrunn6

as I sit here working off my St. Pat's buzz, I wonder if a shot or two of medicinal alcohol would be good to carry

Leebo

A shot? I usually got a full Klean Kanteen of bourbon. Ya know, for sterilization and such. Emergency fire starter too.

dh024

Last year, I remember reading an account of a mountain biker from the small mountain community where my parents live in British Columbia -- this guy was unaware that he had any bee sting allergies, but found out the hard way about 45 mins down a secluded trail when he stirred up a hornets' nest and was stung multiple times. I don't remember why he had Benadryl with him (I recall it was serendipitous) but he immediately had breathing problems and thought he would not make it, so he swallowed Benadryl and got through it. After resting, he was able to pedal back home and get treatment. I believe he remarked that the medical staff thought his life was saved by the Benadryl.

Doug64

That is mostly true. However, sometimes an urgent care clinic or even a drug store can be a couple of days riding or longer away. While it is possible to ride for a couple days with some injuries, having the right items to prevent infection is critical. As staehpj1 noted, using dish soap and water will help, but having a syringe for really getting in and irrigating the wound with that dish soap will go a lot further toward infection prevention. It is a very small , light item. I was in an accident a few years ago, and all our water bottles had sports drink in them. Now I always keep one of my bottles with just plain water.

MassiveD

Soldiers carry trauma kits often in multiple places. I assume those are mostly for bullet wounds which are probably not all that close to what the average major bike accident looks like. Is there anything like that that would apply?

I just carry the abrasion, small wound, and allergy stuff, and not much of that. I have never needed a pain kiler while cycling.

If you are going to be where there is poison ivy, I would consider getting the ivy wash, it really works.

andrewclaus

No kit in the world will help if you're in a panic. A cool head is the most important thing you can have. A little training goes a long way.

And prevention is always the best cure. If you stay well hydrated and rested, the likelihood of an accident decreases. "Accidents always happen after lunch," a mountaineering friend of mine says, meaning that's when you're on the descent, you're a little fatigued, and your attention starts wandering to what you're going to do next.

My kit depends on the season and place and a few items are for personal needs. For instance, on summer trips I tend to have fungus problems like athlete's foot, so I carry antifungal cream, sometimes. I never get headaches or joint pain, so I don't carry Vitamin I like most do. I never have digestive problems so I carry nothing for that. My typical kit is a few bandaids, some triple antibiotic, a single-edged razor blade, a few tabs of Benedryl of course, tweezers, all in a snack-sized ziplock, weighs an ounce or two. Some items elsewhere on my bike could share duty--tape, needle and thread, dental floss, nitrile gloves, lighter, bandanna, water bottle, shelter and insulation, even a tent pole and/or foam pad which I hope I'll never need for first aid.

rumrunn6

I've suspected this for years so it's good to hear it from someone else. Think it's worth repeating.

Booger1

A knife,so I can cut up a shirt to stop the bleeding.....