Do you carry first aid items in your group?

If you ride with a regular group, or even by yourself, does someone in your party carry first aid items? The reason I ask is I was given a new space blanket today and it is so small and light, about the same size as my 'Jersey Bin' storage thing. The benefits of carrying one in your group outweigh the negatives.

My colleague who gave it to me had a member of his group have terrible accident on the weekend. I won't go into details but it was the cyclists own error and it took two ambulances and and hour and a half to move him. He is now stable but will take a lot of time for him to get back to normal.

What was noted by the ambos was the benefits of a space blanket to keep the patient warm when in shock, or dry if raining or just to keep a wound clean.

He went off today to a medical supplies place in Stepney and bought this stack of stuff. $25 gets you 10 space blankets. Other items he is going to carry is some small medi wipes, a non advesive patch, band-aids, and small bandage. All can be folded really small and is quite light.

He shopped at Adelaide Safety Supplies in Stepney and he said they offer discounts to groups. Perhaps I might see if I can get a discount for AC riding groups.

http://www.adelaidesafety.com.au/

Tags: accident, emergency, first-aid, medical, space blanket

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matt Brennan on December 13, 2011 at 22:05

I always carry a full first aid kit when mountain biking.

I should probably carry something small on the road too. 

Permalink Reply by Just another psycho-list on December 13, 2011 at 22:14

Brilliant idea Angus!  I would be interested in purchasing one of those blankets, plus a kit or whatever is needed.  I always carry too much stuff anyway, but this is a really important thing that can be overlooked.  All I carry at the moment is a small bottle of bettadine and two band-aids.

Your report is very disturbing.  I really hope that cyclist is OK.  Even if it is a mistake he made that put him where he is, it can happen to anyone.  Every time I turn around, it seems there is another accident involving a car and a cyclist and we all know who comes off worse.

Permalink Reply by Matthew (two dogs) Marshall on December 13, 2011 at 22:18

Hay Gus

Maby you could ask the company to organise a kit that would fit in a jersy pocket spacific to cyclists.

Permalink Reply by Gareth on December 13, 2011 at 22:30

Every ride leader for each of the BikeSA Cobwebs ride groups carries a small first aid kit in their jersey pocket. The usual stuff, gloves, bandages, sticking plaster and emergency contact procedures.

Permalink Reply by Ian Rawley on December 13, 2011 at 22:34

All I generally carry is a couple of band aids, a wound pad and a bandage. The space blanket sounds good hadn't considered that idea before.  Getting a kit made up using the recommendations of all the experienced riders on here sounds a ideal way to do it. A light weight minimalistic kit in a zip lock sandwich bag ought to do the job.

Anyone with paramedical experience on here? Maybe you could help advise on best bang for the buck items?

Permalink Reply by Andrew on December 14, 2011 at 5:54
I have carried a cut down version of a hikers kit. Including a sling and some dressings. The sling can be used for all sorts of injuries but given the number of collarbone breaks I've witnessed or heard of second hand.
Permalink Reply by RD6 on December 14, 2011 at 6:08

I think its a great idea about the 1st aid kit, but it would be nice knowing at least one person in the group has current 1st aid certificate, especially CPR, you never know when you will need to administer that

Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on December 14, 2011 at 8:47

Does this mean it is tough luck if they are the person that needs CPR?

Certainly the issue of a space blanket is interesting even a breakdown while you are waiting for someone to get you they would keep you more conformable if it is cool and windy.

How much stuff to carry if something goes wrong would be a personal thing but it seems the more remote you are the more you should carry.

How much redundancy there should be built into the system is also an interesting thought.

Permalink Reply by heather on December 14, 2011 at 9:08

RD6, you could enquire about a first aid course that cyclists could attend together.    my first aid certificate has expired -- current for about 3 years.     i bought a compact first aid book at the time but cannot find it now.

Permalink Reply by RD6 on December 14, 2011 at 11:34

St Johns has an excellent first aid app

http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/first-aid/id375699406?mt=8

Permalink Reply by Adam Williss on December 14, 2011 at 9:24

I don't carry any medical items...  Have never even thought about it.

Your post is a bit of a slap in the face.  I carry mini first aid kits everywhere else, seems obvious that I should at least have a basic item or two.

Thanks Angus.

Permalink Reply by Pete Roberts on December 14, 2011 at 13:30

Here is my first aid kit. I have had it for years( as yo can tell by the photo ), and fits nicely into my back pocket. I only tend to carry it when I am on my own though. 

I carry basic stuff including :

  • a space blanket
  • antiseptic wipes
  • band aids
  • splinter probes
  • scissors 
  • bandage
  • panadol
  • money
  • pencil and paper
  • sun cream

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