sterile syringes and anesthetic ?

[ukiceman]

Hello people

I’ve looked at a lot of peoples first aid trip preparation lists online and in books, A LOT have 2 x sterile syringes. Now, I’m not completely stupid so I’m assuming they are to hold anesthetic to inject if you need to stitch your leg or some other part.

I’m sure if I went to my doctor and asked for 2 x sterile syringes with anesthetic he’d say "bugger off son, don’t be silly". So I guess you take some kind of advance first aid course and get a certificate which says your trained and then your doctor says the magic words “yes, I can help with that”

Can anybody help with input on this question ?

Regards
Shaun

[MotoEdde]

Pick up a couple mini-bottles of vodka...and stuff in your bag...good way to say thank you for road side assistance/advice and can also be used as anti-septic/anesthetic or hand/face cleaner.

The airplane size...

[ukiceman]

Originally Posted by MotoEdde

Pick up a couple mini-bottles of vodka...and stuff in your bag...good way to say thank you for road side assistance/advice and can also be used as anti-septic/anesthetic or hand/face cleaner.

The airplane size...

lol I was thinking more like whiskey

[Stretcher Monkey]

There is no "first-aid" course that is going to qualify you to administer anaesthetics by injection.

Although not a controlled drug as such, I'm not aware that you are able to purchase injectable Lidocaine Hydrochloride, (local anaesthetic) over the counter, anywhere. Your GP is not going to give you any either. Now syringe & needle is another matter. You want these if you are unfortunate enough to be in a region where re-use is likely, and you need an intra-muscular/venous or subcutaneous injection.

[ukiceman]

After some searching, looks like Medical/Surgical adhesive bandages/dressing is the way to go, or super glue with micropor tape. Also, clean the wound very well first! Don't try this at home kids ask a grown-up to help

[Stretcher Monkey]

Originally Posted by ukiceman

After some searching, looks like Medical/Surgical adhesive bandages/dressing is the way to go, or super glue with micropor tape. Also, clean the wound very well first! Don't try this at home kids ask a grown-up to help

I don't think you should be getting into wound closure at all. Even if a wound is slightly dirty, it's preferable to leave it open. If a closed wound develops infection, you really are in trouble.

[mattcbf600]

Best thing to do on this front is go see the chaps at Nomad Travel & Outdoor - they have quite a few clinics and they can help out out with this kind of thing - they're real experts.... in fact we spoke to them about this very point at the Travel and Adventure Show.

They can help with prescription drugs and other restricted items for your trip - they'll advise based on your experience and knowledge and prescribe what they feel is appropriate after a detailed conversation with you about your journey.

Go here - Journey To Russia on blip.tv (you'll need to let it download in the flash player - watch the grey strip at the bottom).

and then move the video to 02:11 where you'll see me talking to one of their nurses and Jason Gibbs - their pharmacist.

You can email them direct on medical@nomadtravel.co.uk

[ukiceman]

Originally Posted by Stretcher Monkey

If a closed wound develops infection, you really are in trouble.

TRUE

So, your miles from anywhere, have a bad off and gash your leg open ! then what.... i've taken lots of courses at work on advance first-aid so i could deal with the first aid...but, leave it open its going to get an infection, don't do the proper prep and close it, its going to get an infection.. you are your own medic on the road ? how would you deal with an open wound miles from a 1st world doctor ?

this might be an interesting thread

thanks for replying so fast dude

shaun

[ukiceman]

Originally Posted by mattcbf600

Best thing to do on this front is go see the chaps at Nomad Travel & Outdoor - they have quite a few clinics and they can help out out with this kind of thing - they're real experts.... in fact we spoke to them about this very point at the Travel and Adventure Show.

They can help with prescription drugs and other restricted items for your trip - they'll advise based on your experience and knowledge and prescribe what they feel is appropriate after a detailed conversation with you about your journey.

Go here - Journey To Russia on blip.tv (you'll need to let it download in the flash player - watch the grey strip at the bottom).

and then move the video to 02:11 where you'll see me talking to one of their nurses and Jason Gibbs - their pharmacist.

You can email them direct on medical@nomadtravel.co.uk

Thank You - Very Good Tip...... i will get intouch

[DougieB]

didn't watch the vid, so this may have been answered. But I think people take syringes to give to qualified medics so they can be sure they have something sterile being inserted into them. I don't think it's for Rambo style self-surgery.

the Nomad guys are very good (and quick), but expensive. You can get (are entitled to) a lot of things on the UK NHS, but you have to wait.

[Sime66]

Originally Posted by DougieB

didn't watch the vid, so this may have been answered. But I think people take syringes to give to qualified medics so they can be sure they have something sterile being inserted into them. I don't think it's for Rambo style self-surgery.

the Nomad guys are very good (and quick), but expensive. You can get (are entitled to) a lot of things on the UK NHS, but you have to wait.

Yup. Nomad gave me a couple of syringes from their shop in London N15 - you're supposed to give them to doctors etc who are about to inject you in hygienically dubious regions. England for example. I forgot 'em when I had 3 operations in Mauritania but it all turned out alright in the end. *turns purple and expires*

[Stretcher Monkey]

Originally Posted by ukiceman

TRUE

So, your miles from anywhere, have a bad off and gash your leg open ! then what.... i've taken lots of courses at work on advance first-aid so i could deal with the first aid...but, leave it open its going to get an infection, don't do the proper prep and close it, its going to get an infection.. you are your own medic on the road ? how would you deal with an open wound miles from a 1st world doctor ?

this might be an interesting thread

thanks for replying so fast dude

shaun

Hello Shaun,

I do get your point, although many 3rd world doctors are better than 1st world doctors...and some barefoot doctors are better than that!

Where are you planning on going? If you did have a bad off, and you did injure yourself so badly that you had a gaping hole in ya, and providing that didn't inhibit your mobility enough to get back on your bike/start walking, then...

1. Wound might be clean enough - stick some antibiotic/anaesthetic cream in it, wrap it up, seek medical attention.

2. Clean detritus from wound with water, preferably salty or with some drops of iodine in it. Stick some antibiotic/anaesthetic cream in it, wrap it up, seek medical attention.

Jobs a goodun!

I don't know about darkest Africa, far-flung Asia, but in Latin America, the locals will be all over you in minutes if you give the road a proper scraping.

Chao

[ukiceman]

Originally Posted by Stretcher Monkey

Hello Shaun,

I do get your point, although many 3rd world doctors are better than 1st world doctors...and some barefoot doctors are better than that!

Where are you planning on going? If you did have a bad off, and you did injure yourself so badly that you had a gaping hole in ya, and providing that didn't inhibit your mobility enough to get back on your bike/start walking, then...

1. Wound might be clean enough - stick some antibiotic/anaesthetic cream in it, wrap it up, seek medical attention.

2. Clean detritus from wound with water, preferably salty or with some drops of iodine in it. Stick some antibiotic/anaesthetic cream in it, wrap it up, seek medical attention.

Jobs a goodun!

I don't know about darkest Africa, far-flung Asia, but in Latin America, the locals will be all over you in minutes if you give the road a proper scraping.

Chao

Hi Chao

I’m starting to plan a six month ride, leaving in 2 years time when I’ve saved the cash.

8-week run from the UK down to Dakar then back up to spain. I’m never likely to do the Dakar rally I’m not that crazy but i would like to ride to dakar. After spain 4 months will be spent going to Mongolia via Caspian Sea through Turkey, Georgia & Azerbaijan into Kazak then my target Mongolia. After that, back to the UK.

total bout 24 weeks ish.... so, need a good fix myself kit

thanks for replys m8
shaun

[mattcbf600]

Advice on temporary measures for an open wound from an ex-nurse (if you take this advice and expire it's not my fault - use due diligence!)

Wound, open to the air and bleeding.

If you're not immediately able to get to a doctor/nurse then you need to get the wound in such a state that you can - you're route isn't that arduous or far from civilization so you shouldn't have too much of a problem.

So for a temp' (1/2 day at most) fix.

Clean the would with sterile water - take a few of these - Eyewash Sterile Sodium Chloride 10ml x 100 - Eyewash - Eye Care from First Aid Warehouse UK - and 'flush' the wound of any visible dirt. Do not under any circumstances use any antiseptic cream on an open wound.

Wipe the surrounding area with a wipe - Trigene Wipes Pack 10 Individual Sachets - Biohazard Products - Biohazard Disposal from First Aid Warehouse UK - alternatively you can take some antiseptic liquid - Savlon liquid 250ml - Antiseptic - First Aid / First Aid Essentials from First Aid Warehouse UK - but this is more difficult to administer yourself. In an emergency you can use the Savlon to clean the wound directly - be aware this will hurt - alot - dilute.

If the wound is bleeding heavily you'll need to apply direct pressure - and may not be able to clean as above - make sure you have something can use with a bandage to apply that pressure - Cederroth Large Bloodstopper Bandage - Ambulance Dressings - First Aid / First Aid Essentials from First Aid Warehouse UK

But if the wound is not that big, then just use a normal bandage and wound dressing - do NOT attempt to close the wound yourself on the road - get to a doctor ASAP - these are temporary measures to stop the bleeding and get you to help.

To cover your wound directly use - Melolin Non Adherent Dressing 5 x 5cm - Advanced Wound Care - First Aid / First Aid Essentials from First Aid Warehouse UK - then cover with a suitable bandage - ensure there is pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. Ambulance Dressings - First Aid / First Aid Essentials from First Aid Warehouse UK

Some people prefer these - Field Dressing 20x19cm - Ambulance Dressings - First Aid / First Aid Essentials from First Aid Warehouse UK - which will stop the bleeding and get you near enough to help - easier than the above as it's all combined.

Hope that helps.

m

[cookey]

The NOMAD TRAVEL info is spot on you can't beet those guys for both advise and supplies. 2 years ago i went on a 4 day course in Hereford got the lowdown on what drugs to take on a remote trip, how to sew "myself" up (be aware of liabity issues on others) and tretment of infections etc. The following week i walked in to Nomad store and purchaced a full kit including local anestheic, a range of antibiotics and adreniline. Luckily not had to use any of it other than antibiotics.Will attend another course this year and recomend such a course to anyone traveling on ther own to remote places.
Steve..