Slightly off topic but if you are carrying a bivy bag why would you also carry a survival bag (the orange variety). Surely the first would serve the same purpose as the second if required?

I really could have done with one of those bothy bags on the Braunton 150 last weekend. Would have killed for some shelter.

I suppose one advantage of carrying kit above your knowledge range is that maybe somebody else will know how to use it! Ideally you want a paramedic, EMT or A+E nurse on the scene. Most doctors need more kit than anyone will be carrying

That said I don't carry much more than has been listed. A medium field dressing, steri-strips, some 3" wide very sticky bandage, a few sizes of plasters, a blister management options kit (learnt a lot in the medical tent during the 2012 dragons back race!), aspirin, various assorted (properly obtained) medication for personal use - anti inflammatory, anti histamine, anti diarrhoea, various levels of pain meds, caffeine tablets.

The rest can be blagged out of a buff, gaffer or electrical tape, clothing, shelter etc. which you'll likely be carrying anyway.

My view is that there's a distinction to be made between ride ending injury and how you respond to that and managing niggles, aches and pains, and less major injuries that can be 'nursed' through the rest of your ride.

One thing that is worth carrying if you are, or are hanging out with, 'older' people is a a dispersible aspirin. In the event of unexplained chest pains one of these chewed or under the tongue will taste terrible but will likely thin blood to increase blood flow in the small blood vessels the heart needs to work properly.

Slightly off topic but if you are carrying a bivy bag why would you also carry a survival bag (the orange variety). Surely the first would serve the same purpose as the second if required?

No point in carrying both those items ... however, trying to stuff someone with a broken leg inside a bivvy bag isn't easy. A plastic bag can be cut open and placed over / round them. A bothy bag can just be thrown over them.

I had a look in my little kit last night. It's not really a FAK, more a bits and bobs pack to let fix stuff too. I had the basic cuts and grazes stuff (as I posted up earlier), but also have some dental floss (out of the plastic packaging), a couple of strong needles, some (cheap and not very good) duct tape, and a pair of tick removers (small and large)

It's pretty small, all fits inside one of these bags



Gets lobbed in a bag if I'm going for a walk with the kids sometimes too

I really must remember to check myself for ticks. I never do, and that's not smart.

Scattamah wrote:This was covered last year... http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... st+aid+kit ...my medkit pic is on the first page. I need to get some new bits in there after eating some of the stuff.

Greetz

S.

Think I'm more in line with Scott. My pack also includes similar meds for minor ailments (Ibuprofen, antihistamines, Immodium, Cold & Flu tablets) in addition to the usual plasters etc

Like others have pointed out anything needed for a serious issue can mostly come from what is always along for the ride and handy--tape, tools, clothing items, packing straps etc….

The typical ‘small’ bikepacking first aid kits are at best a luxury item, good for ‘comfort’ only—ie: bandage a scratch or something similar. Nice to have along for minor issues-- irritating cuts, sting, burn or scratches but not for real issues.

I use to carry a small light ‘backpacking’ first aid kit thinking I ‘prepared’. But during the CRT race I gave up on the entire concept of a first aid kit as anything but a luxury item. I gave up on them right when I had my little ol kit in my hand while sitting at the bottom of a scree field with an 8 inch gash to the bone on my lower left leg. I looked at the gash, then at the kit, then at the gash then back at the totally inadequate kit—you get the idea. Didn’t quite know whether to laugh or cry……

Next I gave up on duct tape wrapped around my seat post as a mainline first aid item as I could not seem to unwind it with one hand while holding my leg together with the other --all the while fighting off panic and trying to stay calm

What worked to perfection, once I calmed down, was arm warmers wrapped around the wound to hold things in place. The warmer was eventually held snugly in place with two velcro straps form my bikepacking bicycle.

Now when bikepacking or racing I carry one extra/true first aid kit item, it consists of only one item-- a 2” wide self-adhering elastic bandage.


With this single item I might bind a large wound, splint a broken whatever etc. I could even use it for non-first aid problems—a light, small truly functional item to have along when it all goes in the crapper


On a side note my SPOT worked to perfection and got SAR on their way to me and off the mountain………

Thanks all for the comments and the link to the earlier thread that I'd failed to find.

Useful food for thought. I've got basic first aid skills and have done a variety of basic courses over the years but nothing outdoor activity specific . I've always thought of first aid as just that- the first bit of aid until proper help arrives; but actually thinking it through some of what we need when on a ride is just patching up, stopping bleefing/ mess and preventing infection i.e. cleaning and covering...

I will assume a basic selection of stuffs and report back....

A good outdoor first aid course will teach how to handle a lot more than cleaning and covering, including diagnosis and treatment of shock etc. Certainly enough to save someones life. Even in UK the skills you learn and equipment you carry could save someone's life. We're not always just a short time walk/ride from proper help.

For situations such as Trail717 mentions, Vetrap is about the best stuff I've found / used ... especially useful for 'patch-up' in situations where you need to carry on riding / walking / hobbling as it's highly flexible and unaffected by water.

http://www.hadrianequine.co.uk/vetrap-b ... oCRJTw_wcB

Something else I occasionally carry when guiding, is a Sam Splint. You can usually find somewhere to stash one and they make dealing with breaks, sprains, etc much easier ... and way more comfortable for the 'patient' than taping a knobbly stick to them

http://www.sammedical.com/products/sam-splint/

Dr Nick wrote: is just patching up, stopping bleefing/ mess and preventing infection i.e. cleaning and covering...

This is my only real priority with first aid and is quite realistic and easy to prepare for. Preventing infection is top concern given my apparent lack of immune system and poor clotting ability, cleaning and covering should be within most peoples skill. Slap it and wrap it

Sam splints are fantastic products, though cant justify bringing one (untill I need one that is) but would be essential for group rides or mountain leader types. I've got two beefed up SAMs in camouflage laying around somewhere