First Aid Kits

I was riding home along Commercial Street this evening when I came across a poor chap, a hi vis hybrid rider who made me look scrawny, who had been knocked off his bike by a hit and run driver. A very pleasant Scottish lady cyclist had also stopped. The rider was scratched and in shock. We helped him up and checked his wounds. Luckily, other than the shock, they appeared superficial.

As chance would have it, last week I was in a meeting when the chap I was meeting with pulled out some corporate goodies as a present. A small road atlas of the US was interesting but useless. A ball point pen joined my collection (does anyone buy them any more?). I thought that the small first aid kit was a curious gift but thanked him for it and later slipped it into my cycling bag.

This evening I was glad of the gift. I pulled it out and found a sterile wipe and plaster that served to clean and cover the worst of the grazes. The fallen rider recovered and we were able to leave him to ride home and get properly cleaned up.

Tomorrow I shall buy a better first aid kit and keep it permanently in my bag. If anyone has any suggestions for a ready made package or what should go into a custom built one, I would be glad to hear.

This is actually something I have never thought of, I have a bag full of stuff to repair my bike but nothing to repair myself.

After a quick google search I found this, and it's BOGOF!

http://www.firstaidwarehouse.co.uk/xpp-cyclists_first_aid_kit.html

Morrisons do their own brand self-adhesive dressings; large enough to cover road rash without getting the sticky bit on the graze. Cheap, don't need tape to secure them, very useful.

and dibs on the ballpoint pen.

Thanks both of you. That first aid kit - with the "buy one get one free" offer looks really good. I also like the fact that it has gloves in it. Luckily the Scottish lady tended the guy's wounds but it is not really the wisest thing to do without some protection.

Will, the ball point pen is yours when I next see you. I suspect the mini road atlas of the US has already gone for re-cycling.

After a quick google search I found this, and it's BOGOF!

http://www.firstaidwarehouse.co.uk/xpp-cyclists_first_aid_kit.html

Hmm...

Needs a trauma dressing or two, trach kit and at least one speculum. Then I'd buy the bastard.

Its important that you know exactly how to use anything in your kit, I would also recomend CPR, and "First Responder" courses to any member of the public, the first is free from the redcross and should be taken yearly to stay up to date, the seccond is the first course of any EMT/ Paramedic training program can be found for free and probably only needs to be taken once. Its better to know this and not need it, then need it and not know it.

in a small bag in my bag i have:
1 Ace bandage
4 packets of Gauze
Mdical tape
2 verity packs of plasters
4 pairs of plastic gloves (don't want to touch some ones blood with out them)
2 Breath blockers (for mouth to mouth recessataion with out sharing germs)
2 packs of seccond skin (for treating burns, and road rash)
a small bottle of iodine
4 packs of neosporin anti-biotic ointment
2 packs of "anti-bite"
4 packs of disinfecting hand wipes
tweezeers
A sharp pair of scissors
a 12in piece of cloth
4 safety pins
a packaged sterile survival blanket

I have never had to use a bunch of the stuff in there, but its all usefull and bundles up quite small in a water proof bag, inside I keep everything in clear ziplocks with like things (i.e all the plasters in one, gloves in another, neosporin in another, ect)

Things to remember:
Never approach a casualty unless the situation is safe to do so.
NEVER under any circumstances remove some ones helmet.
Never move any one if they may have hit their head, neck or back.
Never move any one who cannot move them selves.
People in shock do not know how bad they are hurt, make them sit down and rest.
Check for breathing, if not check if airways are obstructed.
Check for a pulse.
Check for bleeding.

How to stop bleeding:
1 check that the scene is safe
2 approach the victim, tell them who you are, ask if you can help.

1. apply direct pressure to the wound, gauze works best, you are trying to stop the flow of blood so platelets can form. Never remove gauze, add another layer if they are bleeding through. Removing gauze removes the platelets that have formed.
   
2. Elevate the wound above the heart. the extremity should start going numb this is normal, you are trying to reduce blood flow. Keep the pressure.
   
3. if bleeding is still out of control apply a pressure point to the Artery. again you are cutting off blood flow. you are still applying pressure and keeping the extremity raised. If the casualty is bleeding badly enough to require this call 999.
   
4. This is an extreme measure, only to be used when the choice is between life and limb and you are qualified to make that choice. doing this unessacarily or incorectly will leave lasting damage, even a correctly applied tourniquet leaves lasting damage. Apply a tourniquet, this is done on the extremity closer to the heart then the wound. If there is still blood flow to the wound your tourniquet is too lose. I will not explain how to apply one, as this should not be done with out proper training. Again, applying a tourniquet can lead to the loss of the limb, and should only be used as a measure of last resort by some one who knows exactly what they are doing.
   
   
   

nothing is more useful in these situations then a clear head, rational thinking, and knowledge of what your doing. If your not sure how to treat something, don't try call 999 and wait for the abulance or have the operator walk you through it. And if its bad enough for you to stop its probably bad enough to call an ambulance.

again IF YOU DON"T KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING, DO NOTHING. no action is better the the wrong action, if the best you can do is call 999 and be comforting do so.

I find I get served quicker if I don't stem the flow of blood...

I have this one
http://www.lifesystems.co.uk/psec/first_aid_kits/waterproof_first_aid_kit.htm

Waterproof bag for whilst kayaking and a smaller one for my camel back whilst out and about on the MTB. I also carry a kit in a small peli case when out with the family which contains emergency essentials for my wife (diabetic).

Always make sure you know how to use what you have with you.

Its important that you know exactly how to use anything in your kit, I would also recomend CPR, and "First Responder" courses to any member of the public, the first is free from the redcross and should be taken yearly to stay up to date, the seccond is the first course of any EMT/ Paramedic training program can be found for free and probably only needs to be taken once. Its better to know this and not need it, then need it and not know it.

in a small bag in my bag i have:
1 Ace bandage
4 packets of Gauze
Mdical tape
2 verity packs of plasters
4 pairs of plastic gloves (don't want to touch some ones blood with out them)
2 Breath blockers (for mouth to mouth recessataion with out sharing germs)
2 packs of seccond skin (for treating burns, and road rash)
a small bottle of iodine
4 packs of neosporin anti-biotic ointment
2 packs of "anti-bite"
4 packs of disinfecting hand wipes
tweezeers
A sharp pair of scissors
a 12in piece of cloth
4 safety pins
a packaged sterile survival blanket

I have never had to use a bunch of the stuff in there, but its all usefull and bundles up quite small in a water proof bag, inside I keep everything in clear ziplocks with like things (i.e all the plasters in one, gloves in another, neosporin in another, ect)

Things to remember:
Never approach a casualty unless the situation is safe to do so.
NEVER under any circumstances remove some ones helmet.
Never move any one if they may have hit their head, neck or back.
Never move any one who cannot move them selves.
People in shock do not know how bad they are hurt, make them sit down and rest.
Check for breathing, if not check if airways are obstructed.
Check for a pulse.
Check for bleeding.

How to stop bleeding:
1 check that the scene is safe
2 approach the victim, tell them who you are, ask if you can help.

1. apply direct pressure to the wound, gauze works best, you are trying to stop the flow of blood so platelets can form. Never remove gauze, add another layer if they are bleeding through. Removing gauze removes the platelets that have formed.
   
2. Elevate the wound above the heart. the extremity should start going numb this is normal, you are trying to reduce blood flow. Keep the pressure.
   
3. if bleeding is still out of control apply a pressure point to the Artery. again you are cutting off blood flow. you are still applying pressure and keeping the extremity raised. If the casualty is bleeding badly enough to require this call 999.
   
4. This is an extreme measure, only to be used when the choice is between life and limb and you are qualified to make that choice. doing this unessacarily or incorectly will leave lasting damage, even a correctly applied tourniquet leaves lasting damage. Apply a tourniquet, this is done on the extremity closer to the heart then the wound. If there is still blood flow to the wound your tourniquet is too lose. I will not explain how to apply one, as this should not be done with out proper training. Again, applying a tourniquet can lead to the loss of the limb, and should only be used as a measure of last resort by some one who knows exactly what they are doing.
   
   
   

nothing is more useful in these situations then a clear head, rational thinking, and knowledge of what your doing. If your not sure how to treat something, don't try call 999 and wait for the abulance or have the operator walk you through it. And if its bad enough for you to stop its probably bad enough to call an ambulance.

again IF YOU DON"T KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING, DO NOTHING. no action is better the the wrong action, if the best you can do is call 999 and be comforting do so.

Useful info, cheers man.

also when to call an ambulance:
If the casualty loses consciousness. even if they regain it, they need to go to hospital
If the casualty is not breathing, even if they start again, hospital time
If the casualty has no pulse even if their heart starts again, hospital time
If there is an injury to the head, or neck
If there is server bleeding
If CPR is necessary
If the casualty is very young or very old
If there are broken bones.
If you are not sure weather to call an ambulance or not, call one.

tramdol!

Motorcyclists can get helmet stickers that read 'Don't remove my helmet' or versions thereof.

If there is server bleeding

That's an issue only Velocio should deal with.

Rescue remedy, liquid spray-on plasters and sterile wipes stay in my bag alongside the tyre levers and spare tube. Come in handy more than once, only once on myself thankfully.

Just so everyone knows I found this amazing feature on my phone the other day, if you dial 999 and ask for an ambulance one will be despatched and arrive with you shortly to treat wounds and such.

My phone is a Nokia 6300.

I just have one of these following me at all times.

Dov. I will make a note of your number from the phone number thread and call you should the need arise. That is a really great feature to have on a phone and thank you for making it available to us all.

If, however, I come off and don't need an ambulance, I will clean myself up with a sterile wipe and then patch myself up with a plaster.

Ah, I see this is for minor cuts and bruises. For those I just take a small cup of HTFU and carry on, HTFU in liquid form can be bought from Hippy's Emporium - www.hippysemporium.cum

I prefer not to bleed on my lycra ;o)

I prefer not to bleed on a first date

Sometimes this in unavoidable

I prefer not to eat dates and if I have to, certainly only ever eat one. There is never a second date.

i have one of these on my work harness. It's about 4". Has loads of velcro for belt/bag attaching. Made by blokes in the woods in england.

I really don't see the point in a basic first aid kit - most of them can only treat things up to a minor cut or graze which might as well just be disinfected at home and then left to heal on its own.

Anthing more serious than that and you start getting into the need for proper training and carrying >2 kilos of kit - might as well call the pros.

I see the point with things like climbing and more remote activities but with cycling in London you'll either just have a few scrapes or you'll have been hit by a car and thus will need the blues and twos (see what to do in an accident thread)

I don't think thats true really, a basic first aid kit can be very useful as first aid until an ambulance arrives but probably more important is being trained in first aid and know how to use the kit and what to do. I have a friend who is a paramedic and he has said arriving at an accident where people have done some simple first aid makes a huge difference especially with stuff like CPR.

I've also been unfortunate enough to be at an accident and if it wasn't for the fast action of people around who knew first aid the guy would probably of died, he's now made an almost full recovery and is very glad to be alive.