first aid ideas

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

I am currenty designing a first aid kit for use when mountain biking as part of my university studies - would appriciate any feedback on the following
What re-hydration system do you use? - need to find out if bottle cage mounted kit would be an option.

Any thoughts on what you would like to see included in a compact first aid kit - try and keep it sensible!
cheers chris

I reckon a bottle cage system would be good because most serious riders use back pack hydration systems these days leaving the cages free

also on a lot of new bikes like mine the cages are useless for bottles because they are under the down tube or crammed into a tiny frame triangle.

You should probably have

Triangular bandages x 2
roller bandages x 2
wound dressing
wound dressing plasters
antiseptic cream
gloves
disposable CPR mask (the little plastic sheet ones)
scissors
tweezers
Space blanket
strapping tape
swabs
safety pins
a little first aid guide

if two people were carrying that each then they could deal with most first aid situations i reckon.

thats also pretty much what i carry everytime i go out and also when i work as a trainer

Oh yeah and have some sugary lollies like jelly snakes and also a powerbar or two because people end up hypo glyceamic all the time and it can land them in hospital very fast

you wouldn't believe how often that one happens in group exercise classes!!!

This may seem like it's intended to be a smart-ass comment, but it is not, at all: "Duck tape" (Duct, obviously but Duckwah inspired me-that's a good thing Duck).

Seriously. I tend to keep 2" strips of duct tape I ripped off a full roll in my camleback. I roll it up on a small pencil and that way I have something to write with in case I have to pen my last will and testament or a love letter AND I have something that will (hopefully) bind splint material or provide pressure for a wound or hold something on to whatever...

Plus it's a good conversation starter when someone is broke down on the trail!

K.

Originally posted by ireman_1
This may seem like it's intended to be a smart-ass comment, but it is not, at all: "Duck tape" (Duct, obviously but Duckwah inspired me-that's a good thing Duck).

Seriously. I tend to keep 2" strips of duct tape I ripped off a full roll in my camleback. I roll it up on a small pencil and that way I have something to write with in case I have to pen my last will and testament or a love letter AND I have something that will (hopefully) bind splint material or provide pressure for a wound or hold something on to whatever...

Plus it's a good conversation starter when someone is broke down on the trail!

K.

I'm glad you're inspired cause its 0500 here in sydney and i've been up all night studying!!!:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Duckwah
I'm glad you're inspired cause its 0500 here in sydney and i've been up all night studying!!!:rolleyes:

I'll think good thoughts for you. I'm not that far removed from my days of grad school and would not repeat that period of time for anything, well a few million dollars would be tempting. Coca-Cola, bologna, and Pringles got my wife and I through grad school. Nice thought huh?

Good luck Duckwah!

K.:cool:

Originally posted by gsp
I am currenty designing a first aid kit for use when mountain biking as part of my university studies - would appriciate any feedback on the following
What re-hydration system do you use? - need to find out if bottle cage mounted kit would be an option.

Any thoughts on what you would like to see included in a compact first aid kit - try and keep it sensible!
cheers chris

I've had several Gashes in my legs that ended up requiring stitches after I got home. However, at the time they were packed with so much mud I didn't know how bad they were. Not sure a kit would really help, unless I broke something or needed something splinted, but then I wouldn't want the weight.

I plan on doing some epic off road rides next summer. I guess a kit that would fit in my CB hawg would be alright.

JR

Don't forget the Epi Pen...Epinephrine for anaphalaxis. A couple of tubes of glucose paste comes in handy for hypoglycemia.

Originally posted by Alnamvet
Don't forget the Epi Pen...Epinephrine for anaphalaxis. A couple of tubes of glucose paste comes in handy for hypoglycemia.

Why the hell would a normal first aid kit have an Epi pen in it? they cost a fortune and only a small percentage of people need them and THEY should carry them. Plus they expire after a year and become useless.

Originally posted by Duckwah
Why the hell would a normal first aid kit have an Epi pen in it? they cost a fortune and only a small percentage of people need them and THEY should carry them. Plus they expire after a year and become useless.

Why in the "hell" so furious? Over reacting friend...Epi pens can be had for $40, and I have used them more than once, and not on myself. As far as expiration, only in America do we throw out perfectly good meds....called liability/litigation. Usefull life better than three years. Small investment, and relax bud...It's only a suggestion:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Alnamvet
Why in the "hell" so furious? Over reacting friend...Epi pens can be had for $40, and I have used them more than once, and not on myself. As far as expiration, only in America do we throw out perfectly good meds....called liability/litigation. Usefull life better than three years. Small investment, and relax bud...It's only a suggestion:rolleyes:

In Australia Epi pens cost about $120 ($80US) and administering one to someone who doesn't already carry them would be a very dicey legal situation

Originally posted by Duckwah
Triangular bandages x 2
roller bandages x 2
wound dressing
wound dressing plasters
antiseptic cream
gloves
disposable CPR mask (the little plastic sheet ones)
scissors
tweezers
Space blanket
strapping tape
swabs
safety pins
a little first aid guide

What are "wound dressing plasters"?

Originally posted by heater
What are "wound dressing plasters"?

well a wound dressing is a big thick pad with a roller bandage attached to it (i'd normally call it a shell dressing but i figured no one would understand that)

the plasters are like a thin absorbent pad with with sticking plaster around the outside, useful for covering up grazes and smaller cuts that don't need pressure on them to stem the bleeding

Originally posted by Duckwah
In Australia Epi pens cost about $120 ($80US) and administering one to someone who doesn't already carry them would be a very dicey legal situation

I'll beat this dead koala one last time....nothing dicey about admistering an epi shot to someone in anaphalctic shock...here in the new world, it's called the good samaritan act, where good intentions do not lead to punishment. Anyway, to each his own...if you want simplicity, skip the kit, and borrow a cell phone and call 911 when you are in the middle of nowhere's land and tell them that you or your buddy has just gotten stung by an insect, their throat is closing up on them, they can't breathe, and if there is a helicopter available, since the only way to your location is by MTB or Huey...RIP.

Originally posted by Alnamvet
I'll beat this dead koala one last time....nothing dicey about admistering an epi shot to someone in anaphalctic shock...here in the new world, it's called the good samaritan act, where good intentions do not lead to punishment. Anyway, to each his own...if you want simplicity, skip the kit, and borrow a cell phone and call 911 when you are in the middle of nowhere's land and tell them that you or your buddy has just gotten stung by an insect, their throat is closing up on them, they can't breathe, and if there is a helicopter available, since the only way to your location is by MTB or Huey...RIP.

They have Blackhawks now AL, ;) .

Not that I am going to put one in my Hawg, but where would one buy an epi pen? My curiousity is going to get my head mashed one day, however until then...

K.

Originally posted by ireman_1
They have Blackhawks now AL, ;) .

Not that I am going to put one in my Hawg, but where would one buy an epi pen? My curiousity is going to get my head mashed one day, however until then...

K.

Any MD or NP can prescribe...tell them what you need it for, and no problem. I am dating myself, but I prefer my UH1D over the new stuff...I am rather impressed by the Apache, though.

1. Epinephrine is a prescription drug in Australia

2. In Australia by law a first aider can not administer drugs including non prescription drugs to anyone unless its an EpiPen that they are carrying themselves.

Therefore as a qualified first aider I can't even give you asthma medication if you are having an attack and i also happen to be an asthmatic.

I can't even give you an aspirin for a headache (but ironically if I wasn't qualified in first aid and gave you one as a friend then i would be safe)

I certainly can't pump just anyone full of adrenalin on the suspicion they are having an anaphalactic attack.

Ireman I agree with what you are saying in principle and i'd love to carry all sorts of cool drugs to deal with injuries etc but laws are different in different countries and what is legal in the US or Europe can land you in deep crap over here and vice versa

Originally posted by Duckwah
well a wound dressing is a big thick pad with a roller bandage attached to it (i'd normally call it a shell dressing but i figured no one would understand that)

the plasters are like a thin absorbent pad with with sticking plaster around the outside, useful for covering up grazes and smaller cuts that don't need pressure on them to stem the bleeding
ah, wound dressing with roller bandage = pressure bandage
wound dressing plaster = telfa pad
roller bandage = crepe bandage
now it all makes sense
:)