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.
Tags: accident, emergency, first-aid, medical, space blanket
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on -
Hey Lorraine first rule of CPR is remove the lipstick though I'm sure there would be no shortage of crash test dummies if you want to practise.
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Permalink Reply by Pete Roberts on -
LOL
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Permalink Reply by Lorraine C on -
Ha Ha...so we'll need to add some listick remover to the kit then?
They say, practise makes perfect....
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Permalink Reply by Hannah Cursaro on -
Hmm I probably should start taking some items in my back jersey pockets but I'm generally riding around the Adelaide CBD... help would be readily available.. I always make sure I carry my ID.
Maybe it's something cycling shops should start looking into... selling a small first aid pack for cyclists which is either small enough to fit in a jersey pocket or come in a pouch you can fasten to your seat post.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on -
You could pack a first aid kit into a tool bottle
http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Rider-Tool-Bottle?sc=34&catego...
or there are these
http://www.cagerocket.com/product_info.htm
Michael
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Permalink Reply by Andrew on -
It seems that a bike specific first aid kit can be imported. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/first-aid-kits/
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Permalink Reply by Frank on
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You are actually very right, we should all look into something like that, only problem is who is going to carry it and what to take.
I witnessed a rider down on my scuzzi ride but kept going due to so many folks there and not having anything to help with me anyhow.
You have a very good point. I might just chuck a few bits in my bib on future rides.
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by maldux on -
I wouldn't leave home without a spare tube and a pump and a bike tool so I can get the bike home if I have a breakdown - same goes for a first aid kit to get the old broken body home, or hospital - alive if possible. How much to carry if the big question. I carry a simple first aid kit in a sandwich type bag that goes in my back pocket along with my phone and house key. Check 1, 2 3, leave. I have just done up 20 of these first aid kits for my group for just under $100 - less then $5 each. Each one has an emergency blanket (12 packs of emergency blankets cost $24). A small satchet of anticeptic cream, a non stick dressing pad, a roll of 50 mm gauze dressing, a printed list of ICE numbers with a CPR emergency info card photocopied on the other side. And that's basically it - enough to stabilies the patient until help arrives. I'll let people add their own bandaids, asprins etc - but the other stuff I think is essential minimum in an emergency - particularly the blanket which I have needed to use twice.
When someone goes down, it is often unwise to move them until the ambo's come (unless you have to get them to safety). It could be cold, wet, and the patient may be in shock. You need to keep them warm and dry - that is where an emergency blanket essential. They are small light and extremely cheap - they're a couple of bucks well spent.
Also when calling emergency services if you can't get through on 000 try 112. This number is recommended for use in the country and I think it diverts to the nearest and strongest tower, so even if you are with optus you'll get a testra connection if their reception is better and visa versa. Calls to both numbers are free on mobiles.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on
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112 is the GSM international standard emergency number which can only be dialled on digital mobile phones. 112 can be dialled anywhere in the world with GSM coverage and is automatically translated to that country's emergency number.
From here.
I didn't know that. Thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Peter Jenkin on -
Have a small kit in my sadlle bag. Antiseptic wipes, bandaids, dressing for abrasions, disposable resuscitation shield, small space blanket, paper and pencil.
Takes up no space but invaluable for minor injuries or that big one we never want to imagine will happen.
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Permalink Reply by maldux on
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Sounds good Peter.
Where did you get the disposable resuscitation shield from?
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Permalink Reply by Noel McPharline on
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Yes I carry a 1st Aid kit.
Most people will say "I have my mobile phone". ??
A compression/ stretchy bandage is very usefull & triangular bandage for ye ole collar bone.
With kids, a band aid with a colourfull character will often stop tears (works for adults too).
Just as important is a course on how to use it. The other week a 10 yo child tied the reef knot on a fractured arm. (plug for Scouts).
Happy trails, Noel..
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