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First Aid - just like a spare tube
Riding over the years we have seen and experienced some cuts-n-bruises. You get that - but just like a puncture or broken chain you need to carry spares. I carry a small pack of wound pads, gloves, antiseptic wipes a bandage and mobile phone in case of something nasty happening. This post is to encourage the same. On the w/e we came across a group with one rider suffering a nasty head wound amongst other damage - we stopped and helped with first aid - instead of the sweaty t-shirt that was being used to stop blood loss we had sterile pads and bandages to keep the wound in place as they walked him out.
Where ever you are riding be self sufficient - CARRY SOME FIRST AID essentials and make sure you have your helmet on and done up.
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I'll see if I can dig up the first-aid kit list that we've found useful.
Betadine is a definite - wash off the wound from your camelbak and splash with betadine, can help prevent infection down the line.
Yes, agree. Panadol helps when its a long ride/walk out.
That's interesting, can't find anything in my mail or posts here that actually have a good recommendation for contents of a riders first aid kit.
I'll start. Maybe someone with more medical background can help with this
- Nurofen (Ibuporfen)
- Gauze bandage, long (at least a couple of metres. read up on snake bite treatment)
- Plenty of band aids
- Betadine
- Safety pins, 8-10
- Bandage tape
here's a list given to me from the Polaris (2-day) as a bare minimum:
• First aid kit, must contain minimum of crepe bandage, plaster strip, 6 x painkillers (eg paracetamol), sterile dressing, safety pins, antiseptic
I got myself a Cheap $30 St John's Hikers Kit and added/removed things as per needed.
You can get them online. https://secure.stjohn.org.au/nswshop/product-det...
You obviously don't need everything in that one, but I took out alot and put in extra compression bandages and elastoplast tape.
Its small and goes in my Camelbak on EVERY ride. (including races)
I have had to use it twice on serious head/facial wounds (luckily not my group) and its worked a treat.
Its not much good if you dont know how to use it though, So a First Aid course is always a good idea if you are keen.
ALSO a reminder that if you are out riding and injure yourself, and some nice guys stop to help, make sure you say thanks!
Ever since I had a big stack and slashed the inside of my arm deep enough that I could see the yellow fat oozing out, I have carried a first aid kit on every ride. Luckily my mate had one in his ute on the day I hurt myself so I was Ok. My torn calf muscle actually kept my mind off that anyway.
Can’t remember what the kit is called off the top of my head, but I bought it down at BA. Fits into my hydro pack easily and contains all the essentials.
you can get ones that pack down really small
recently had a mate break his wrist/arm in the middle of no where at a water crossing - it took two triangular bandages (we had two people with first aid kits) to get the arm comfortable and secure for the 5km walk out
first time my kit was used in the field - so very happy i had it
Completely agree Pietra.
After a bad stack at sparrow hill, my surgeon is convinced that having a good sling for the 2 hour walk out prevented a very bad injury from becoming a catastrophic one. The sling in question was provided by a friend as I didn't have one with me. I'll make sure that next time I go out ( probably April.....) I'll have a much better first aid kit !
link to more details
http://nobmob.com/node/9627
WARNING: not for the faint hearted.....
CB
Yep. I carry stuff every ride.
- betadine (small bottle) I've used this heaps
- steri-strips - there's about 6 in a packet - for gashes in knees, legs, arms, head
- 2 sterile pads
- smallish bandage - snake bites, holding on sterile pads + clip for securing
- triangular bandage - everything - broken arms, shoulders, dislocations - can carry stuff in it too.
- bandaids - 4
- tweezers (getting boy scouts out of horses hooves, and removing thorns)
- space blanket (half of one is enough) esp for summer riding.
- surgical glove (one's enough)
- pea-less whistle
- 2 business card with emergency contacts and (on back) blood group, allergies and anything else important (also handy for spacing brake pads from rotor if rubbing)
--- all in a waterproof jiffy bag
...Doesn't take up much room... doesn't weigh much...
It's incredible how many people still don't carry a first aid kit of some description or don't know the basics of first aid. If you're riding in a group it's good to establish early on who has a first aid certificate and who knows some first aid. My brother-in-law is an ambo and rides with a bunch of guys who left it up to him to supply the first aid knowledge. The first time they needed first aid was when someone went OTB and landed head first. Guess who stacked and was out like a light? Yep, my stupid BIL! Surprisingly, he still doesn't carry a first aid kit.
I'll add:
- a first aid certificate
- saline solution
- some type of anti-histamine tablets
- a CPR mask
- a box of matches
and the most important thing- some leafs from THE MIGHTY SCROLL (dunny paper).
Although I do carry more First Aid equipment in my "standard ride pack", my absolute "bare minimum pack" for a lone ride in the bush near my house (no matter how short) is a compression bandage and a charged mobile phone in a mini bum-bag. Those two items are more important to me than tube, repair kit, or pump. I can walk out with a flat, but if I get bitten by a snake.. it might not be just lots of pain, it could be life or death.
I'd rather sit, compress and ring, than try to walk out after being bitten.
I use to mountaneering a lot, you know, hight altitude, 2 / 3 days walk in to the area, 1/2 days climbing, and 1/2 days out. I always carried my first aid kit and luckily i never had to use it. When once i needed a pain releif tablet i proudly went to my kit and the tablets were a mixed powder with the anit histaminic, the anti diarrhea pills and some disinfectant cream. It didn't look very appetizing. Luckily the new paste was contained within the plastic bag and didn't spill like some banans i some times carry in the back pack when doing a longer ride
So the lesson is to have the first aid kit there and check it from time to time and not only when you need to use it or you may find some nasty surprise.