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

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Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
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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

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

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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..

Sounds like a good course. Did Nomad supply you with injectable Lidocaine? I presume the adrenaline was issued in case allergic reaction, snakebite etc?

__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda

Yep Lidocane was injectable for sewing up wounds and the adreniline was for snake bites etc.This day and age it's easy to get most things but anyone thinking of making such additions to ther kits will need to take training in the use of such drugs incase of adverce reactions ie heart atack with adreniline.

QuikClot® adsorbent hemostatic agent speeds coagulation & rapidly stops blood loss .: Z-Medica Corporation

I've used them (not on me) and will testify how great they are for severe wound injuries

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this stuff looks good as well....

this looks like just the ticket, will look into this a bit more. a 4 day course will cost a few bucks i recon. still, once its learned! handy for other situations in life, not just crashing