A silly OTB. A protruding dropper lever. A >1.0 cm deep, approx.10 cm long gash. Full cut through the skin layers into the fatty layer beneath but fortunately not into the muscle of the upper, inner thigh. Lots of blood but oozing only, not spurting, so easily controlled with non adherent dressing, gauze pad and elasticated bandage. Self-evacuated to safety then A&E at local hospital approx. 40 mins away.
Mrs Ambrose sliced her leg open yesterday when she crashed bikepacking from Machynlleth to Nant y Arian. Very close to the river crossing. Quite a bit of blood involved, plus bits of human tissue all over the dropper lever.
Treated as above plus 1x Paracetamol.
So far so good. She's had seven external stitches and feels just fine.
I need to unpack this though.
On the plus side I had a first aid kit, as she did also.
Both of us are lifelong first aiders.
Everything ended just fine.
Had the situation been worse there was limited mobile coverage.
There was a farmer with a 4x4 pickup about a couple of km back at Hyddgen.
We know the area very well indeed, 40 yes of experience.
But.Â
We only had silly little FAKs. Only a couple of non adherent dressings, only one (5 cm wide) elasticated bandage. Just two gauze dressings. My FAK is supposedly for arborists. Hmm.
Steristrips that didn't work.
Possibly a potential fatality? Femoral artery really rather close?
I've had to manage a number of nasty accidents previously including spinal fractures, big bleeds, burns, chemical injuries and general knocks and bashes resultant from falls, some from height. However this has really got me thinking. Up until now there has always been someone else close by. Yesterday if it had been worse and there was no mobile coverage it could have been a whole lot worse.
I'm after advice.
Firstly about what kind of FAK to carry.
Secondly, what First Aid course to do. I've been a first aider at work for a long time. Mountaineering first aid perhaps beckons?
Thirdly, what else?
It's been a bit sobering to be honest. The last time Mrs A smashed herself up and I asked for advice someone suggested that she should improve her skills. Please, no victim blaming/ shaming this time round.
