accessories » First aid kit

Have just received these kits bespoke built by my nephew. He’s not in medicine but seems to have taken up a hobby level interest in putting these things together. He took the view of biker needs. Included some nice dry sacks. Probably one of the best Xmas pressies I’ve had! I thought it useful to post info on the contents - any suggested additions welcome. Hoping we never have to use it…

I did a Biker Down course a few years ago, run by the local Fire and Rescue Service, and one extra item which they recommended carrying was an "Israeli bandage" - a very versatile bit of kit which combines a pressure bandage and tourniquet amongst other things, originally developed by the Israeli military.

Looked really good to me so I bought one for my own first-aid kit. I have to say though that having seen it demo'ed a few years back I'm not sure I'd remember exactly how it works and what to do with it faced with an emergency situation. Mine's probably time-expired now, so what I should do is buy a new one then I can keep the old one just to familiarise myself with it again, as needed.

(He actually has an "Israeli bandage" - AKA Persys Medical Emergency Bandage)

All looks good - but I agree with Wessie and Freddie. Much of our personal first aid kit is already on our person and in our brain. Taking a course is always a good idea to get the brain to recognize every resource that can be used in a medical emergency.

Like Freddy - I also like the Persys bandage, because motorcyclists tend to get a lot of limb injuries. (On the other hand, I haven't made room for one, as I carry other forms of compression, including a large tourniquet, RocStraps, ski straps, and of course, duct tape. In a pinch, a bandana with a pen or stick to twist and tighten it works great.

And I have to mention, as every farmer, mechanic, and shooter knows, 3M's Coban elastic, self-adherent tape has a gazillion uses for cuts, scrapes, hot spots, and holding stuff on the handlebars.... The roll(s) in my luggage almost never makes it into the first aid kit, I use it so often.

Compressing arteries and using tourniquets is good for arterial bleeding from the limbs, but in case of penetrating trauma of chest or abdomen with profuse bleeding, I also carry some inexpensive "quick clot" kaolin powder to throw on/into the site of bleeding. as I slam as much gauze, t-shirts (or whatever) as I can, and then apply as much pressure as possible until the cavalry arrives....

I'm not familiar with all the brands of bandages that you received in your kit from a caring son, but if none are impregnated with hemostatic powder (usually kaolin) to induce clotting, you might replace one of your rolls with a commercially available "hemostatic" kaolin-containing dressing such as those from QuickClot - a big provider to first responders and military - and take a course on how to use it safely.

If you are superstitious, now that you have a first aid kit, you will never need one. Stay safe.