Viewing 34 posts - 1 through 34 (of 34 total)
  • Riding packless – what small/compact first aid kit?
  • dirkpitt74
    Full Member

    As above really, local rides I’m going packless so don’t have anywhere for my usual first aid kit.
    Looking for something that’ll stash in my bib pockets.

    timba
    Free Member

    Make your own up. What are you most likely to need?
    I keep the St Johns First Aid app on my phone, a quick flick through that will give you some ideas. Failing that you can forage for plant fibres to suture, a gel packet and some electrical tape will seal a sucking chest wound… 🙂

    continuity
    Free Member

    Honestly – if it doesn’t need an ambulance just ride home and fix it then. If it does need an ambulance nothing you can fit in a bumbag except maybe a torniquet some celox and a chest seal are going to save your life.

    cookeaa
    Full Member

    Superglue and gaffa tape.

    phil5556
    Full Member

    Israeli Bandage Battle Dressing First Aid Compression Bandage, 6 Inch https://amzn.eu/akr7kqZ

    One of these and some paracetamol/ibuprofen?

    The only thing I use out of my first aid kit is tablets (so far) and I keep meaning to order one – it could be all you ever need.

    Greybeard
    Free Member

    Asprin for heart attack?

    paladin
    Full Member

    Id second the aspirin.
    Teeny tiny item which could make a massive difference to you (or someone you find).

    nickc
    Full Member

    Nothing. if it’s mild enough so that a small collection of odds and sods you could fit in a wee pack will help, than it can wait until you get home, and if it’s serious enough so that a small collection of odds and sods you could fit in a wee pack isn’t helping, then it’s a waste of time.

    Better to learn what needs doing and how to use random things that might help you. (your tee-shirt can be a sling or temp bandage etc etc)

    tjagain
    Full Member

    There is a small subset of injuries where a first aid kit can alter a ride ending injury to being able to continue

    For day rides i rarely take anything tho and even for my corrent trip its only a few bits and pieces

    Aspirin is a good call. Could save a life

    Occlusive film dressings and sterstrips can turn a ride ending wound into being able to continue

    Knowledge is the main thing you need tho

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    I’ve got:

    Resuscitation mask / aid.
    Aspirin.
    Duck tape folded on itself.
    One big dressing, folded.
    Foil blanket.

    leffeboy
    Full Member

    Steristrips, bandage long enough to double as a sling and some wound coverings that you could hold in place with the bandage if you need it.

    MoreCashThanDash
    Full Member

    Agree with the comments about not needing much – I’ve only actually used a small dressing on a ride.

    What I do get through are foil blankets – one or two a year, always with people I come across on road rides who have crashed and are waiting for an ambulance or someone to pick them up. They fit in a jersey pocket.

    We also have a couple in the car

    iainc
    Full Member

    Foil blanket and some duck tape is all I’d take.

    lunge
    Full Member

    I got one of these in a bundle I bought a while ago. I’ve added some aspirin and some paracetamol along with a foil blanket.
    In truth, I’ve never used it, but if you want to buy a pack it’s be a bad option. https://harrierrunfree.co.uk/products/mini-runner-first-aid-kit

    flannol
    Free Member

    I carry

    -a small 10ml of antiseptic spray (after spraying some water over a cut to clean the crap out, I’d spray it with that) just to potentially save infection / needing ABX

    -chlorphenamine and anthisan for stings / bites

    -tick picker. never needed hopefully never will, decided to start carrying though due to reading about people having ticks – despite never seeing any in 30 years

    -small rolled bandage

    northernsoul
    Full Member

    Tick picker is a good shout – I have a credit card sized one that fits nicely in a saddle pack. I also carry a foil blanket, some microfibre tape, a whistle, aspirin and paracetamol.

    dyna-ti
    Full Member

    Asprin for heart attack?

    Less need for it if you ride an Ebike 😉

    leffeboy
    Full Member

    tick picker

    Ah, forgot to list that but it’s always in my pack.  Little ****

    continuity
    Free Member

    You can sort ticks at home.

    Disagree about the ‘small subset of injuries’ – stuff will clot quick enough that you can always just sack up and carry on or go home. The only subset of injuries you need to deal with on a one day short ride is the kind that could kill you before an ambulance or medical pro gets there. So a very bad bleed or hypothermia. Foil blankets easy to take you can bodge a torniquet so maybe just a compression bandage. More important is taking some bits to fix problems on your bike that will have you walking home rather than riding – a fibre spoke, tape, some zip ties etc.

    tjagain
    Full Member

    If you have steristips and an occlusive dressing you can repair quite big cuts to the point you can continue. Same with occcusive dressings on gravel rash. Its only a small subset of injuries tho for sure. Done it a couple of times.

    igm
    Full Member

    For a bike park or a trail centre?

    Germoline – smear it on and wash when you get home

    Tissues

    Phone and a rider strong enough to get to where there is reception

    Knowledge of where there is reception

    I have a (slightly lapsed) first aid qualification and what that taught me was that there are grazes that could do with a bit of antiseptic before riding on and lots of other injuries where I need a professional. Know the difference, don’t make things worse.

    I am mainly dealing with children though.

    mini
    Free Member

    I run a first aid training company, yet my personal daily carry while riding is tiny

    i carry.

    1 triangular bandage
    some steristrips
    a Kilt/nappy pin
    gaffa tape is wrapped around my frame.

    thats it.

    the kilt pin, consider supporting a broken limb, with a kilt pin its quite simple to turn most items of clothing into a support with a kilt pin.

    TiRed
    Full Member

    Duct tape and a big dressing. And some gloves, all wrapped in cling film inside a tool bottle with multi tool and CO2. If it can’t be fixed with duct tape and a dressing then I’ll be surprised. If you really need it, you won’t be going further anyway.

    A serious bleed will be an emergency and then It could just be pressure. Either way you’ll need 999 and your ride is over.

    tjagain
    Full Member

    Mini
    Why do you carry a triangular bandage what would you use it for

    mini
    Free Member

    Hi,

    i carry the triangular because it can be used as a support (limb if needed) a dressing (its clean) and in worst case for packing if there is a deep enough hole in anyone.

    Modern Calico triangulars weight only a couple of grams and it takes up so little space i cant talk myself round into disguarding it (yet)

    tjagain
    Full Member

    Ta

    boriselbrus
    Free Member

    Duct tape and eye wash pods.

    UrbanHiker
    Free Member

    Knowledge is by far and away the most important thing to take. The fact that mini and TJ, who are pro’s and know what they are doing, carry hardly anything speaks volumes.

    I recommend everyone does a fist aid course or similar. Get the understanding of what needs to be done in particular situations, then most kit can be improvised.

    Mini, why not run a STWers course?

    mini
    Free Member

    I would happily run a certified 2 day outdoor first aid course for everyone, indeed i run such a course monthly but i cant post up a link to the courses on STW as it contravenes the no commercial posts rules for the forum.

    Mini

    jimmy
    Full Member

    Honestly – if it doesn’t need an ambulance just ride home and fix it then.

    This is apt timing. I’ve just smashed my chin up on an early ride this morning, top of the hill (Burma road), blood pissing out. Maybe the first time I’ve used my first aid kit in anger, and I’m incredibly glad I had it. So right now, I very much disagree with this statement and will carry one with me every time from now on.

    mini
    Free Member

    slightly off topic, but if you are riding packless, look at getting a Sawyer Mini Filter.

    i carry one, fresh cold water from streams.

    and far far lighter than bottled water.

    benp1
    Full Member

    My emergency kit for everything – on bike or on foot, solo or with company (incl my kids), short ones, day trips and over nighters

    Find it easier to have one small bag to just drop into what I’m using. I do a fair bit of bikepacking and this is used for that too


    telex vietnamese

    steve_b77
    Free Member

    dyna-ti
    Free Member
    Asprin for heart attack?

    Less need for it if you ride an Ebike 😉

    Probably the complete opposite given the demographic 😉

    dirkpitt74
    Full Member

    Thanks all – replies appreciated.
    Just to clarify I am first aid qualified (have been for over 10 years).
    Just interested to see what others carry.
    I’ve only used my kit on myself once, every other time has been for someone else – not necessarily another rider either.

Viewing 34 posts - 1 through 34 (of 34 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.