First Aid Kit

[DarkCloud]

What should a good motorcycle first aid kit have in it?

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by Dark Cloud
What should a good motorcycle first aid kit have in it?

Well that depends a lot on what and where you ride. Also I am assuming that by first aid, you mean for the person not the bike.

I have purchased the premade kits from Aerostich/RiderWearhouse (http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.filereader?404d44db08de9e1e271dd1f0 ec07068b+EN/catalogs/1056). I have only had to open it once but it had everything I needed and then some.

I have the Touringrider's Kit and the Kit Upgrade: Road Rash

Hope you never need it. I also believe in carrying a cell phone with the GPS/911 option engaged just in case.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by BradfordBenn
Well that depends a lot on what and where you ride. Also I am assuming that by first aid, you mean for the person not the bike.

I have purchased the premade kits from Aerostich/RiderWearhouse (http://www.aerostich.com/riderwearhouse.filereader?404d44db08de9e1e271dd1f0 ec07068b+EN/catalogs/1056). I have only had to open it once but it had everything I needed and then some.

I have the Touringrider's Kit and the Kit Upgrade: Road Rash

Hope you never need it. I also believe in carrying a cell phone with the GPS/911 option engaged just in case.

We usually travel with a BMW first aid kit. They used to sell one for motorcycles that fits in the tail cone of most bikes. It's got some bandages, some scissors and some things like a splint.

I can tell you that few things beat a cell phone and an understanding of basic first aid skills.

[ian408]

I have an Adventure Medical Kit.

It has a butt load of supplies. Bandages, band-aids,
antiseptic, etc. It also has a sam splint which can be
formed to fit a wrist or ankle.

The current thinking, as explained to me, is that you
don't want to splint unless you're moving the patient.
Better to wait for experienced help.

And it helps to have and maintain basic first aid and
CPR. So much is changing that an annual refresher is
well worth the effort.

Ian

P.S. www.adventuremedicalkits.com

[Rad]

I carry the standard minor first aid stuff, gauze, bandages, tape etc

The two most important items I keep right at hand in my tank bag are a pocket face mask and latex gloves.

I got the mask and gloves in a little Red Cross kit

[sgborgstrom]

I pay the bills being a firefighter/EMT so this perspective is from someone who "does" first aid for a living....

I carry a small fishing tackle box with some rolled gauze, 4x4 gauze pads, band aids, short splints, adhesive tape, gloves, pocket mask, BP cuff and stethescope. One of these days I'll get around to throwing in a C-collar for neck immobilizatin purposes (my regular backwoods riding buddy works with me and always has one so I just never put one in my kit). I can't remember the last time I rode anywhere without my Givi boxes on the bike so space isn't too much of an issue. Carry the equipment you know how to use (more importantly, what you are WILLLING to use).

The Red Cross First-Aid/CPR class is a good start, I'd recommend anybody who regularly is involved in group rides take the "First Responder" course. It is a mulitple week class of one or two nights a week but covers everything from band aids to vehicle extrication.

Cell phones are great but.....they work best in urban areas. I live on an island 8 miles from downtown Seattle, my cell works in the immediate vicinity of the ferry dock and gets increasingly spotty coverage everywhere else, none at home another 4 miles from the dock. I have no illusions about being able to call for help if I'm stuck on NFR25 in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. (That's a big hint for those of you thinking of getting to Spokane via western Washington/Oregon this summer).

Steve

[fish]

Lots and lots of info in the Advrider First Aid Kit thread. (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5562&highlight=aid+kit)

[1flyer]

There really is a lot of good info on Fish's link. Anyone doing some thinking about first aid kits or what to do if/when you have to do something needs to take a look.

[crvalley]

I travel with my REI Backpacker's First Aid Kit. It has everything one will need for a temporary fix to something serious (It's just a flesh wound!), and it has simple bandages and so forth for long-term fixes to less serious ailments...

Plus, it allows more room for my Teddy Bear.

[BradfordBenn]

After reading this thread and also a few other books and stuff, something hit me that might be obvious but is still important.

Don't lock your first aid kit up while you are riding. If you need to use the kit, but the saddlebag is locked, it would be hard to get to quickly.

[CanadaDan]

On top of a flashlight, phone, flares etc I picked up this kit from http://www.mec.ca :

3x3 sterile dressings (8).
2x2 sterile dressings (4).
3x4 non-adherent sterile dressing (2).
Conforming gauze bandage (1).
1x3 adhesive bandage (5).
Knuckle adhesive bandage (4).
Tape, 2.5cm x 10m (1).
Swift wrap elastic bandage (1).
Stockinette bandage (2).
Cotton tipped applicators (2).
After Bite® sting relief (2).
Moleskin (2).
After Cuts & Scrapes® towelettes (6).
Antibiotic ointment (4).
Tincture of Benzoin (1).
Wound closure strips (1).
Povidone iodine 1oz. (1).
Nitrile gloves (2).
Splinter picker tweezers (1).
Safety pins (3).
Duct tape (1).
Aloksak® (2).
Dimensions are 9 x 6 x 2 in. (23x15x5cm)


Of course what I prefer is to have a fine looking nurse hanging on ;)

[Alanz]

I bought a commercial first aid kit, and added several items (thank goodness for eyedrops and Immodium!!)

The link below shows an (unfinished) web page about the kit I carry.

First Aid Kit web page (http://www.zenreich.com/ZenWeb/motorcycle/firstaidkit.htm)