NCBusa2001
Registered
Just something I’m curious about. How many of us carry some sort of first aid kit with them on the bike. Let me start by saying that I believe in being prepared, or as much as possible at all times. Yes, you can’t fully prepare for all contingencies but there are some reasonable steps that one can take. However, most people go about daily life as if THEIR safety is someone else’s responsibility. That in my book is a recipe for disaster. Most people don’t even carry basic supplies in the trunk of their car (i.e. food, H2O, jumper cables, or even duct tape).
Ok, enough of a rant.
Consider the obvious. We all ride the ultimate in speed and beauty. We enjoy, in fact need, to ride in remote curvy fun places. Hopefully devoid of other motorists, our own little road. In some instances, unfortunately, some of us have little mishaps. So all of a sudden, out of nowhere WERE OWN OUR OWN. What about 911? Do you trust your well being to a phone network? Are you kidding!
For those of you who are invincible and will never fall or injury yourself, this need not apply. I bow before your glory, Oh great one!
For the rest of us, there are many things that you have little control over. If you are knocked unconscious for extended period or are killed instantly, there’s not much you can do. When I hit that car at 80 last summer all I remember is a few faces looking over me and then the lights in the ED (ER). My kit did me absolutely no good that day. In fact, it stayed in the hump the entire time. For the times that doesn’t happen what are the possibilities. Well, … pretty much endless. I would not have ever predicted an incident that happened to a friend of mine. Riding 4 wheelers, long straight dirt road, with fields and tree lines, 50-60 mph, DEER. Well my friend nailed it head on. Flipped and rolled several times. All I saw looking back was, Headlight….headlight….headlight. Scary stuff. However an onboard kit helped in that incident. ABD pad and Kerlix wrap only costs a few dollars and came in handy that day. Do you know how much a PINT of blood costs…damm too expensive to let just waste on the ground like that.
I’m not saying that you have to backpack around a trauma kit all the time. Think about carrying a few indispensable items.
Gauze pads, for applying pressure.
ABD pad, for bulk pressure over wound.
Tape, well you figure it out.
Roll gauze, for applying tourniquet pressure (yes, I know they told you not to) and to cover abraded areas (see road rash).
If your concerned about being impaled, object (clutch lever, street sign, etc) passing into muscle or lung, you may consider carrying other items. These may include a tampon, as it forms a tamponade (expands and creates pressure on all sides of a puncture). And a wide piece of airtight material (plastic wrap, duoderm, vasoline gauze) to keep you lung from deflating.
Very short list of items and they take up a very small space. I know how sensitive some of you are about the weight of your bike, but, Please.
If you have no clue what I’m talking about, please take a basic first aid class.
Remember, Maximize fun but try and minimize the danger. Comments welcome.
Ride smart, Chris
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Ok, enough of a rant.
Consider the obvious. We all ride the ultimate in speed and beauty. We enjoy, in fact need, to ride in remote curvy fun places. Hopefully devoid of other motorists, our own little road. In some instances, unfortunately, some of us have little mishaps. So all of a sudden, out of nowhere WERE OWN OUR OWN. What about 911? Do you trust your well being to a phone network? Are you kidding!
For those of you who are invincible and will never fall or injury yourself, this need not apply. I bow before your glory, Oh great one!
For the rest of us, there are many things that you have little control over. If you are knocked unconscious for extended period or are killed instantly, there’s not much you can do. When I hit that car at 80 last summer all I remember is a few faces looking over me and then the lights in the ED (ER). My kit did me absolutely no good that day. In fact, it stayed in the hump the entire time. For the times that doesn’t happen what are the possibilities. Well, … pretty much endless. I would not have ever predicted an incident that happened to a friend of mine. Riding 4 wheelers, long straight dirt road, with fields and tree lines, 50-60 mph, DEER. Well my friend nailed it head on. Flipped and rolled several times. All I saw looking back was, Headlight….headlight….headlight. Scary stuff. However an onboard kit helped in that incident. ABD pad and Kerlix wrap only costs a few dollars and came in handy that day. Do you know how much a PINT of blood costs…damm too expensive to let just waste on the ground like that.
I’m not saying that you have to backpack around a trauma kit all the time. Think about carrying a few indispensable items.
Gauze pads, for applying pressure.
ABD pad, for bulk pressure over wound.
Tape, well you figure it out.
Roll gauze, for applying tourniquet pressure (yes, I know they told you not to) and to cover abraded areas (see road rash).
If your concerned about being impaled, object (clutch lever, street sign, etc) passing into muscle or lung, you may consider carrying other items. These may include a tampon, as it forms a tamponade (expands and creates pressure on all sides of a puncture). And a wide piece of airtight material (plastic wrap, duoderm, vasoline gauze) to keep you lung from deflating.
Very short list of items and they take up a very small space. I know how sensitive some of you are about the weight of your bike, but, Please.
If you have no clue what I’m talking about, please take a basic first aid class.
Remember, Maximize fun but try and minimize the danger. Comments welcome.
Ride smart, Chris
<!--EDIT|NCBusa2001
Reason for Edit: None given...|1080360873 -->
