First aid kit

Rock · Post by **Rock** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:05 am

Been looking for a larger kit for the panniers. The last wreck I had (Buell ULY) I realized how useless my issued "blowout kit" was.
Good for sucking chest wounds lousy for jacket rash. (The skinning of elbows from nylon and armor as you bounce down the highway) NOTE: I'd rather have jacket rash any day of the week than jackass rash (commonly known as road rash)

Saw this on sale:

http://www.lapolicegear.com/efa-fa142-trauma-kit.html

after more looking around this looks like more bang for the buck:

http://www.lapolicegear.com/adventure-first-aid-2.html

Zim · Post by **Zim** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:03 am

Looks nice, but would probably switch out the hot stone massage set for more useful items.

I should really carry a first aid kit with me more since I keep crashing in the woods.

Pattio · Post by **Pattio** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:12 am

'hot stone massage' is actually a pretty good metaphor for crashing your dual-sport.

Rock · Post by **Rock** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:17 am

Zim pic for the other kit, please..

Zim · Post by **Zim** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:58 am

Rock wrote:Zim pic for the other kit, please..

Goddammit, do I have to do everything?!

1–4 People. Above that I see someone stabbing their foot with a sword, someone squirting water from a bottle, Boushh, and a posing backacker.

Groove · Post by **Groove** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:37 am

I carry a $17 two-person first aid/trauma kit on the KLR (since riding with MATPOC):

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/p ... a&i=414579

Supply List:
• 2 Bandages, Butterfly Closure
• 2 Dressings, Gauze, Sterile, 2" x 2", Pkg./2
• 1 Bandage, Elastic, Self-Adhering, 2"
• 2 Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 4" x 4", Pkg./2
• 4 Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1" x 3"
• 1 Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3" x 4"
• 3 Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
• 2 Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"
• 2 Gloves, Nitrile (Pair), Hand Wipe
• 11 Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped
• 1 Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
• 3 Safety Pins
• 1 Comp. Guide to Wilderness & Travel Medicine
• 2 Ibuprofen (200mg), Pkg./2
• 2 Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25mg)
• 1 Aspirin (325 mg), Pkg./2
• 1 After Bit Wipe
• 1 Tape, 1/2" x 10 Yards
• 1 Dressing, Petrolatum, 3" x 3"
• 6 After Cuts & Scrapes Anesthetic/Antiseptic Wipe
• 2 Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use

Pintgudge · Post by **Pintgudge** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:38 pm

Riding with Matpoc brings thoughts of trauma care?

Rock · Post by **Rock** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:07 pm

Pintgudge wrote:Riding with Matpoc brings thoughts of trauma care?

yes...... like riding with other folks here

Them - I'll take it easy
Translation - Good luck keeping up jackhole......

Rock · Post by **Rock** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:16 pm

Pintgudge wrote:Riding with Matpoc brings thoughts of trauma care?

yes...... like riding with other folks here

Them - I'll take it easy
Translation - Good luck keeping up jackhole......

Groove · Post by **Groove** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:58 pm

Rock wrote:
Pintgudge wrote:Riding with Matpoc brings thoughts of trauma care?
yes...... like riding with other folks here

Them - I'll take it easy
Translation - Good luck keeping up jackhole......

I was thinking about the time we were riding at the first Dirty Weekend, when MATPOC charged ahead and we found him in the middle of a dirt road with a dislocated shoulder and a helmet full of Vermont.

MATPOC · Post by **MATPOC** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:05 am

Groove wrote:I carry a $17 two-person first aid/trauma kit on the KLR (since riding with MATPOC):

I resent that comment, All I needed is a bottle of Ibuprofen, Mook's first aid kit only had couple pills which only helped for couple hours.

One thing we proved that day was that Ibuprofen does not go bad even 6 years after it expired

Bigshankhank · Post by **Bigshankhank** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 6:17 am

Back when I was a certified Divemaster, we had to build our own first aid kit specific to diving-related injuries (cuts and stings mostly). Way cheaper to buy a pelican case and some foam and individually buy what you need rather than a pre-built one. Then again, the convenience of a pre-made kit has its virtues.
FWIW when I rode with MATPOC, no injuries were recorded.

JoJoLesh · Post by **JoJoLesh** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:47 am

add some "quick clots" that, e-tape, knife, some cordage, and a bandanna can do a lot.

Vitiare · Post by **Vitiare** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:11 am

This is a very interesting topic. I'm a fan of EDC stuff, so I've been thinking about a good FAK for the bike that I can carry.

Here's what I have right now:

3 antiseptic towelettes
9 alcohol swab/ prep pads
4 regular bandaids 1 x 6
1 butterfly bandage (probably need more of those)
10 1"x 1/2" curad bandages (need less of those)
4 ibuprofen
2 extra strength "non aspirin"
2 knuckle bandages (different shapes)
1 razor blade
3 safety pins
1 3x3 square of moleskin

Everything is stuffed into clear ziplock bags and crammed into a red plastic case (the kind that you find in the gift shop of some place near a pool or beach that's designed to keep your cigarettes dry)

I've attached a section of paracord to the case (mostly because the cord that came with it was shit and there's ALWAYS a need for paracord)

The kit fits nicely in the tail of the bike and combined with a flashlight I have in my tank bag and the buck knife I carry in my pocket, I think I have a decent kit.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Zim · Post by **Zim** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 12:34 pm

Vitiare wrote:Thoughts? Suggestions?

A first aid kit in your tank bag instead of in the tail will be more accessible. Especially if the bike is laying on its seat latch side, in a ditch, and you have an owie that you would like to take care of.

rolly · Post by **rolly** » Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:26 pm

Depends. I wouldn't expect my tankbag to remain attached to the motorcycle in any event serious enough to use a first aid kit, so finding it might be more difficult.

EIF · Post by **EIF** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 5:12 am

Just looked through my supplies on the KLR. Realized I need painkillers and duct tape. I have a cute little pediatric 1st aid kit as well as a few odds and ends in a small specimen cup. But really, what more do you need than painkillers and duct tape?

Rock · Post by **Rock** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:00 am

My plug is for these: No Rinse Bathing wipes

http://www.hdis.com/personal-care.html? ... turer=1285

Aside from being a quick way to freshen up, they are also great for debriding yourself at the side of the road.

JoJoLesh · Post by **JoJoLesh** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:53 pm

^
These are nice to have. I should keep a small pack on da bike. I do like to keep a box on either side of the bed.

Vitiare · Post by **Vitiare** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 3:55 am

Rock wrote: Aside from being a quick way to freshen up, they are also great for debriding yourself at the side of the road.

You have to deal with dead, decaying skin tissue a lot while you ride?

What the hell are you, a zombie?

Rock · Post by **Rock** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 4:47 am

Vitiare wrote:
Rock wrote: Aside from being a quick way to freshen up, they are also great for debriding yourself at the side of the road.

You have to deal with dead, decaying skin tissue a lot while you ride?

What the hell are you, a zombie?

my last crash, my fingers went through the sides of my glove so i had some road rash there also jacket rash from bouncing around (read first post)

as far as being things, I am a golem-like being, hence the name
Rock

SomeMook · Post by **SomeMook** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:29 am

MATPOC wrote:
Groove wrote:I carry a $17 two-person first aid/trauma kit on the KLR (since riding with MATPOC):
I resent that comment, All I needed is a bottle of Ibuprofen, Mook's first aid kit only had couple pills which only helped for couple hours.

One thing we proved that day was that Ibuprofen does not go bad even 6 years after it expired

I'll make sure all my painkillers are fresh this go round.

The Shifty Jesus · Post by **The Shifty Jesus** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:57 am

Couple other suggestions if there is room:

Instant cold pack
Cold Spray or Benzocaine Spray for rash
Transpore Tape
Splinting Material
Emergency Blanket
Hello Kitty Bandaids

cjp · Post by **cjp** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:23 am

I made my own IFAK, starting with this MOLLE pouch, which I currently have on the outside of my panniers, both for saving space, and accessibility. I know right where it is and don't need to dig through the saddle bags. Even more importantly, someone else who doesn't know my packing routine doesn't need to dig for it, since its outside.

Current contents:

Israeli trauma / compression bandage
( http://www.countycomm.com/israelibandage.html )

Stolen from those big public first aid kits you have at your job:

Nitrile gloves

A couple 2-pill packets of:
Ibuprofen
Adult Asprin ( can mitigate myocardial infarction under way)
Acetomenofen
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl - allergic reactions / bee stings etc )
Pseudoephedrine (for making meth, or incase I get congested)

Cold compress

Triple antibiotic packets (Neosporin)

Hydrocortisone packets

Sterile wipes

Duct-tape wrapped around the pill bottle (not shown in picture). There is pretty much no reason to carry medical tape that I can think of. Duct tape is cheaper, does the job just as well, and can also be used to fix parts on your bike. You can also use it to make non-sterile closure strips on a laceration if needed.

clean bandana. This can be used to stand in for gauze if needed, to apply pressure, or to absorb. It is also strong enough to tie to a limb on its own, so it replaces both gauze and wrap/tape for some applications.

superglue

selection of small band-aids for fingers/knuckles, etc.

http://www.countycomm.com/pocketfirstaid.html

( I have a couple of those in my glove compartment, and in an under-the-seat bike kit that I'm building so I'll always have some minor capabilites, even if I'm not out camping with my luggage.

amonia inhalant capsules.

tweezers ( http://www.countycomm.com/tweezer.html )

I thought about adding shears, but I always have a knife on me, so it seems sort of redundant.

I need to stock it with some home made bandages still:

Take an old sheet, or buy one from good will. Bleach it. Cut it into 3" strips, about 2 feet long. Roll up, put a rubber band around them. These along with the bandana should meet all the bandaging needs of the things a reasonable non-professionally trained EMT, type person could ever realistically deal with before professionals are needed. Thats also what the sterile trauma bandage above is for.
The extra length can be used to make a sling, to tie a limb to a body for immobilization, or for splinting. I have tire levers in my tail bag, and wrenches, that can all be used for the rigid part of the splint.

If you have the space, a SAM Splint is an excellent addition:

Since the pouch I got is a little bigger than I needed, I added some general emergency / EDC items in the back, including:

fire starting kit, emergency shock blanket, water purification tablets, small signal mirror.

http://www.countycomm.com/firefixins.html

http://countycomm.com/microsignalmirror.html

Some of the items I've added have a bit of cost to them, but things like the mirror and fire starters etc are really beyond the scope of a regular IFAK. I seriously recommend raiding your place of employment's first aid kit, unless you are morally opposed to it. Just for the individual pill packets and triple antibiotic packets etc, its worth it. I don't take asprin for anything else, so why buy a full bottle? (not that its expensive, but its wasteful). Take 4 packets from a public kit, and in 2 years when they expire, take 4 new ones.

GeekGrl · Post by **GeekGrl** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:00 am

I was going to point out the value of adding Hydrocortisone, and cjp's kit post mentions it ...

I would go a step further, though, and have a tube of it, not just a couple packets. If you need it whilst out on a long (multi-day) ride/camping, a couple packets won't last long. A small tube doesn't take up much more space in your kit but adds a lot of usage.

Same with the Neosporin (or generic antibiotic cream), I'd add a tube of it, since if you're far from anywhere but have a couple scrapes those packets won't last long.

... another note about the little packets of stuff (pills, creams, etc.) ... don't forget to REPLENISH them after use ... its another reason I go for actual tubes of things, less likely to be without it on the next trip!

cjp · Post by **cjp** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:46 am

GeekGrl wrote:a couple packets won't last long

I have about a dozen of each actually.

Still not a ton, but a decent amount, and the packets lay flat and store better in one of the internal pockets in my pouch than a tube does.

But yeah, a wee dose is almost as useless as none at all. The 4 packets each are just the pills for now.

Oh btw, when are you at Wayward usually? I have something to drop off for you.

GeekGrl · Post by **GeekGrl** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:17 pm

cjp wrote:
GeekGrl wrote:a couple packets won't last long
I have about a dozen of each actually.

Still not a ton, but a decent amount, and the packets lay flat and store better in one of the internal pockets in my pouch than a tube does.

But yeah, a wee dose is almost as useless as none at all. The 4 packets each are just the pills for now.

It certainly depends on how much space you have in your kit -- and a dozen packets should be enough for most circumstances. I go through a lot of it since I'm super sensitive to bug bites ...

cjp wrote:Oh btw, when are you at Wayward usually? I have something to drop off for you.

Oh, goodie! Email sent ...

Vitiare · Post by **Vitiare** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:31 am

cjp wrote: Current contents:

Israeli trauma / compression bandage
( http://www.countycomm.com/israelibandage.html )

That thing is freakin ingenious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMRklQkfDLE

The Shifty Jesus · Post by **The Shifty Jesus** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 5:24 pm

Rock wrote:My plug is for these: No Rinse Bathing wipes

Damn. I didn't know they made unisex ones.

I guess I can stop washing myself with vagina wipes now.

Merlyn · Post by **Merlyn** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:43 pm

If I had a first aid kit it would contain:

Duct tape
Ibuprofen
(a goodly bit of) Gauze
Assorted band-aids
Quick Clot (more effective than cauterizing with a hot iron, and nearly as uncomfortable!)
Tourniquet
Some 550 cord
A few Percocets, in case I actually ever NEED the superglue and duct tape. If I am damaged that bad, Advil ain't going to cut it.

That's enough to improvise most things, and doesn't take up much room. I was going to add superglue, but sealing a wound bad enough to need stitches is usually a bad idea - either you are going to get to a hospital pretty quick, in which case it's unnecessary, or it's going to be a while, in which case it's begging for a bad infection due to you sealing trash up in the wound.

Merlyn

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First aid kit

First aid kit