New item for the first aid kit?

Rugged made
Advertise with us
Shop deals on ebay
Wesspur
Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
What was used in the past has been proving problematic today... Everyone talks about washing out wounds left and right. Using Iodine and running water, whereas since some people only have access to really bad water, it has been proven that sometimes washing does more harm then good.

In the woods, I wouldn't use any water from a stream or a pond to wash a wound. Quite frankly I wouldn't use water from a tap to do it either. If it's not full of junk (dirt/grease/etc) close it up with a dry bandage, pressure and transport yourself to the hospital right away. Sterile water or saline is the only way to rinse these things out, and then you can close them. MANY wounds are no longer closed at all.

The theory of the maxi pad/ tampon/ super duper absorbant bandage is great, along with pressure. I have done a few chainsaw accidents, they are usually to the lower extremities, and missing a lot of fat and skin, easily stuffed with bandage, and covered. The quick clot stuff is nice, but if you don't have it, just cover, pressure and move...

Just my $.02...

Jason
 
adding to my earlier post:
I didn't mean to sound denigrating the stapler kit itself, and appreciate the poster bringing it up. Didn't know there were kits available to us non medical people. I had ankle surgery and she used staples. Said less tissue damage, more stable, less scarring (in case I ever get called for modeling or something.....), and sure quick to remove.

Long back, I used to take kids and adults on Boundary Water canoe trips. The stapler would have been a great addition to the med kit. Never had to use the suture materials, but stapler would be way easier in field conditions. In that situation, a couple days from help, the stapler might be just the ticket. Stronger than butterflies. Kids and hatchets always made me nervous. Or for home med kit in case of civil emergency or power outage, etc.

Just that for trauma care, where the intent is stop the bleeding now, then move to, or wait for, help that is minutes away, then I don't think it is the right tool. Low tech and fast response is the more effective approach.


k
 
Hemostatic compounds like Celox or Quikclot work well. However, use sparingly, they are known to cause moderate to severe burns due to their chemical reaction with water (sweaty skin). I wouldn't recommend stitching or stapling anything in the field. I have stitched at home, with proper cleaning and rinsing and a sanitary environment.
 
logbutcher said:
:agree2: :agree2:
Search and ye shall find: it was I ( begging for rep ). BUTT, then, as usual, the thread went downhill with the cognoscenti here elaborating on "sanitary napkins", and "tampons" and the difference thereof.

The combo of Kotex ( Super ) and duct tape is all you need, all you could really do for yourself to stop bleeding out. One problem I had before using PPE after CPL and GOL training: the duct tape over a deep cut say on your left thigh, is difficult to remove in the ER. Your wife and nurses seem to get a kick out of the man pain: "would you like it pulled off fast or slow ? " :(
Unless, like some here, you shave your legs.
Click to expand...

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=39655&highlight=huggies+loggies;)
 
I'm considering adding a roll of cling wrap and a couple of coconuts to my first aid kit. These can be triple purpose items for CS use.

I heard cling wrap is very effective in holding bits hanging out of or off your body. You know, kind of like a meat pack?

Also coconut milk direct from a coconut and is very sterile and can be used as a wound wash.

if you get hungry and thirsty you can drink the coconut milk and eat the flesh and wrap the leftovers in cling wrap.

Then you can wear the coconut husks as knee guards!
 
BobL said:
I'm considering adding a roll of cling wrap and a couple of coconuts to my first aid kit. These can be triple purpose items for CS use.
I heard cling wrap is very effective in holding bits hanging out of or off your body. You know, kind of like a meat pack?
Also coconut milk direct from a coconut and is very sterile and can be used as a wound wash.
if you get hungry and thirsty you can drink the coconut milk and eat the flesh and wrap the leftovers in cling wrap.
Then you can wear the coconut husks as knee guards!
Click to expand...

What the F have you been smoking Down Under ? :monkey: ...and Bob's your uncle !!!:confused:
Where in the world H do you think we are ? The last time I sipped coconut milk or even saw a coconut tree was &%#@*&@ :censored: :censored: . Hey, this is snow country, we don have no stinkin coconut trees. " Wound wash" , give us a break. ....I'd rather use M² ( Mother's Milk )....now, that we got. :cheers:
 
BobL said:
I'm considering adding a roll of cling wrap and a couple of coconuts to my first aid kit. These can be triple purpose items for CS use.

I heard cling wrap is very effective in holding bits hanging out of or off your body. You know, kind of like a meat pack?

Also coconut milk direct from a coconut and is very sterile and can be used as a wound wash.

if you get hungry and thirsty you can drink the coconut milk and eat the flesh and wrap the leftovers in cling wrap.

Then you can wear the coconut husks as knee guards!
Click to expand...
Washing a wound with coconut milk is insane. If it was sterile it would rot inside the coconut over time. Clean water is the only thing you should wash out a wound with. My best friend is a wound care specialist and he freaks out about peroxide or iodine. Says they do more damage to good tissue than good.

Look, if you get a serious cut, pack it and put pressure on it, then get to the hospital. There is so much toxic crap on the surface of a chain that it is important that you get to a professional. Plus, if you've cut through muscle or anything else important, you gotta get help. I know no one has suggested being a field doc themselves, but I just want to stress the importance of clean packing, pressure, and getting to the emergency room.
 
When I was visiting a hand surgeon a couple years back (not chainsaw related) we were talking about what to do when digits were severed completely. He said two things I found interesting.

One, if using ice to pack the digits make sure you don't damage them from freezing. Secondly, find and bring the missing digits with the patient to the ER regardless of how bad they seem. He says since they are mostly muscle and bone sometimes they can be reattached even quite a bit after the fact.

Gives me the whillies just thinking about such stuff, but sometimes it is best to have thought about it before hand. Best to get to a pro ASAP so they can stitch. If you wait too long stitching won't work well.
 
Last edited:
.


I like this:


attachment.php



And this:


attachment.php



.
 
I always carry 2 pressure bandage on my self while cutting. One I carry in a pouch hanging off the back of my tree climber saddle and one duct taped inside my hard hat. Either way I always have one ready if needed.
 
Last edited:
Nice one

Brages, I have to hand it to you for that one!!!

There is also this for an option
http://www.ps-med.com/bandage/description_fcp01.html

It is known as an Israeli trauma bandage. They are supposed to be reall great, and not that expensive, about 7 bucks, depending on where you get it from. This site has a training video showing the various uses, but it is so huge that I'll let you guys watch it on your own.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top