NAT
stranger
Reged: 09/05/2008
Posts: 1
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Hi
I recently read in the last issue of MBR a letter regarding what to carry in you pack. I was amazed that you didn’t include a basic first aid kit to deal with the usual bike injuries. I can not emphasise enough that it is critical you carry one, especially if you are going to remoter locations where immediate help may not be at hand.
I talk from experience having broken my arm whilst riding in the Alps last year. If it wasn’t for my first aid kit the situation could have been a lost worse. With a couple of bandages and a bit of gaffer tape I managed with help to support my arm enough. It still took over 3 hours to get to civilization but I was able to walk and free wheel / towed back to medical help.
A first aid kit is as important repair kit and it could save your life!
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Dingbatbell
stranger
Reged: 18/05/2008
Posts: 19
Loc: North East
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Agreed, I always carry a Gregson Lifesaver when I'm out and about. Only had to use it once on some guy that fell on a downhill in Keilder and cut it arms and legs to ribbons.
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www.dingbatbell.com
The Aimless Wanderings Of A Dingbat
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midlifecrisis
newbie
Reged: 05/05/2008
Posts: 28
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And its not just having the first aid kit - but knowing how to use it, I went on a mountain first aid course, really recommended if you know nothing about first aid (like me before the course)!
Had to stop a nose bleed the other week!, and cure a hangover on Sunday :-)
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Sir_Queuesalot
veteran
Reged: 05/12/2007
Posts: 1354
Loc: Cheshire Congleton ain't posh!
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Here's a thing,
I carry a small first aid kit, I've had training with diving so fairly comfortable delivering FA, but the antiseptic wipes I've been using to great effect have been small iodine patches. Really great for cleaning the wound out before dressing. God knows how I've managed to get hold of them but I can't seem to find anywhere in the UK that sells them to replenish my supplies.
They're called Povidone-Iodine U.S.P Prep Pads.
Any ideas?
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My LBS couldn't fix my brakes so they made my bell louder..... 
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!!
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greeneye
old hand
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 884
Loc: sunderland
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i was out with a freind round my local run when we came round a bend on a gravely path a lady heading towards us paniced and fell off her bike cutting her elbow.
there was a lot of blood and embarasment when she asked if we had and plasters.
there we were wll kitted out looking all pro and we had to say no, we had nothing to help her. she looked rather supprised to say the least.
now i carry a small kit and i know i will need it sooner or later.
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I. falloffalot
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Sir_Queuesalot
veteran
Reged: 05/12/2007
Posts: 1354
Loc: Cheshire Congleton ain't posh!
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Know what you mean mate. You never know when you'll be called upon to step up!
Best claim to helping the afflicted was on our local route, we came across a couple of horse riders, both dismounted. One of the horses had gotten a 6" nail through it's frog in it's rear off side leg and wouldn't put its foot back on the ground, they where stranded. Now usually I have a leatherman type tool with me (£5 from Aldi) but I'd been using it at home so had left it behind.
Typhoo and I got off to offer the assistance but I was embarrased to find I'd not got my pliers! Rider held the horses head, typhoo it's foot and I just about managed to pull it out with my fingers, it was in over 4"!! Ouch.
Anyway, all was well and horse could put its weight on its foot again, we do a little where we can to improve our biker image!
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My LBS couldn't fix my brakes so they made my bell louder.....
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!!
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stevewiz
member
Reged: 20/05/2008
Posts: 190
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Know that one - was riding through a local park to get out in to the fields and found an older lady on the deck with a lot of blood. She had come off after riding over a seam in the tarmac. I only had a bottle of water and an unused gym towel. It did reveal that it was only a minor cut to the head when she got cleaned up a bit - head wounds bleed a lot. She was a bit wobbly so I made sure she did not get up and fall over again. The important thing was she had her mobile - she had called her daughter, who I found driving the field tracks looking for her mum a bit later on, so was able to re-direct her. Lesson - carry your mobile as well as a kit.
The stupid thing was she said she had bought helmets for all her grandchildren, but she did not have one for herself. When will these older people learn - they are just as likely, if not more, to have an accident?
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When you nod your head, I'll hit it!!
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Sir_Queuesalot
veteran
Reged: 05/12/2007
Posts: 1354
Loc: Cheshire Congleton ain't posh!
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Yeah,
When will the old folks learn?
My old man had a similar event riding along the tow path to work one morning, didn't have his lid on as he was 'only going to work'. Fortunately a nice young lady found him and called an ambulance due to the amount of blood gushing from his head, 4 stitches up through his eyebrow later, a day off work and lots of embarrasment saw him buying a better helmet which he now wears all the time.
Oh yeah, he's 62!
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My LBS couldn't fix my brakes so they made my bell louder.....
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!!
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Bromski
stranger
Reged: 26/06/2008
Posts: 10
Loc: Glossop, Derbyshire
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The iodine gauze pads that you refer to are called 'Inodine' in the UK. I prescribe them for the nurses at my practice to use on many wounds. They are classed as a POM (Prescription only Medication)in this country. Do not use on folks with iodine allergy or thyroid problem.
Most OTC (over-the-counter) first aid kits are rubbish. They tend to be full of cotton wool and wadding. You need saline and a syringe to irrigate wounds, gloves, gauze swabs,N/A Ultra Pads, K-lite bandage, mepore tape, steristrips, paracetomol and/or ibuprofen. Do not use cotton wool on open wounds, use gauze swabs.
The best advice i have for all mtbers is to make sure that you are up to date on your tetanus boosters. Despite being rare its deadly and farmland is a high risk area for exposure.
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Bromski
stranger
Reged: 26/06/2008
Posts: 10
Loc: Glossop, Derbyshire
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Scissors are useful too. 
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Sir_Queuesalot
veteran
Reged: 05/12/2007
Posts: 1354
Loc: Cheshire Congleton ain't posh!
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Thanks Bromski, I can stop searching.
I may have come across the pads in a BMW standard first aid kit, would you know if they are available over the counter in Europe?
Brilliant advice on the tetnus, mine's out of date so I'm off to the doc's ASAP!
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My LBS couldn't fix my brakes so they made my bell louder.....
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!!
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Bromski
stranger
Reged: 26/06/2008
Posts: 10
Loc: Glossop, Derbyshire
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You would be amazed how many fairly innocuous dressings etc can only be obtained on prescription in this country. If you have a holiday in Greece or somewhere like that, take the opportunity to stock up. You probably need to befriend a local district nurse for their advise as they are the experts when it comes to wound care.
With regard to tetanus boosters, most folks who have been through the school system in the last 15 or 20 years should be covered although current guidelines suggest that anyone who has a high risk wound, ie contact with soil, faeces, farmland, ie. any nasty mtb wound of significant tissue loss, should receive a booster. a&e departments unfortunately arent always aware of this and don't give it.
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Sir_Queuesalot
veteran
Reged: 05/12/2007
Posts: 1354
Loc: Cheshire Congleton ain't posh!
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Thanks for this Bromski,
My last booster ran out a few years ago hence my eagreness to get down the quacks.
This tells me 2 things:-
1 I should pay more attention to my long term health care
or
2 I'm too old to be MTB'ing if I'm on my 2nd or 3rd booster!
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My LBS couldn't fix my brakes so they made my bell louder.....
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!!
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Bromski
stranger
Reged: 26/06/2008
Posts: 10
Loc: Glossop, Derbyshire
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You are never too old to mtb!!! I hope.
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Sir_Queuesalot
veteran
Reged: 05/12/2007
Posts: 1354
Loc: Cheshire Congleton ain't posh!
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Tell that to my cardiovascular system!! 
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My LBS couldn't fix my brakes so they made my bell louder.....
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!!
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