Survival Kit and First Aid Kit

[JTWY]

Do any of you guys carry a small survival kit and First Aid Kit ?

Because my wife and I will be using our YST on dirt roads in the mountains and far out in the country , I will be putting together a good First Aid kit as well as a few survival items in case we get stranded or have an emergency.
I was just wondering how many folks here do the same and what they put in their Survival & First Aid kits?

JT

This summer while riding with some folks from Sheridan , Wyoming's CMA chapter ( we aren't CMA members , but we do ride with them ) my wife and I ( along with some of the CMA members ) came around a curve in the road only to find it had sand and gravel all over it. The Goldwing started to slide and my wife and I can as close to hitting the guardrail as you can come without actually crashing. After that we all stopped at the Branding Iron in Dayton , WY for coffee and pie and the topic of first aid kits came up. None of us had a good first aid kit with us and wouldn't have been able to help one another in the event of a crash until emergency personal arrived. So this got me thinking that my wife and I should have a first aid kit geared toward motorcycle injuries with us.

 

[JTWY]

I did a quick Google search on Motorcycle First Aid kits and found this one to be pretty good.

http://www.ncrider.com/Motorcycle%20First%20Aid%20Kit.htm

JT

 

[Siseneg]

That's a wide open field. There are a lot of base kits readily available. I carry one from West Marine that was geared for boaters that are a long way from help. Camping World has them as do many other places.
A lot of things you might really need if you are totally remote would have to come from your doctor. We have spoken with our doctor and he would prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics and even morphine (with training) to carry where help is many hours or days away.
On the motorcycle, I would think trauma would be your first concern (over some exotic food-borne bacteria .. well .. hmmm .. some rodaside cafes are questionable). Shock, bleeding, splinting, then pain management and temperature control.
On the boat (I do not carry one on the S10, because I don't venture that remotely (yet) I carry a standard boater's (about $125) medical kit which handles cuts and bumps along with a rigging knife (you can cut a boot away with it) and a pair of wire cutters (which I could see setting you free from the errant barbed wire fence).
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=396632&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50469&subdeptNum=50505&classNum=50506
Best investment is in CPR training. Hands-down the best. Doesn't matter what's in the kit sometimes, but matters what's in your head.

That is officially, 2 cents worth. And probably about what it's worth ::017::

 

[JTWY]

That's a wide open field. There are a lot of base kits readily available. I carry one from West Marine that was geared for boaters that are a long way from help. Camping World has them as do many other places.
A lot of things you might really need if you are totally remote would have to come from your doctor. We have spoken with our doctor and he would prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics and even morphine (with training) to carry where help is many hours or days away.
On the motorcycle, I would think trauma would be your first concern (over some exotic food-borne bacteria .. well .. hmmm .. some rodaside cafes are questionable). Shock, bleeding, splinting, then pain management and temperature control.
On the boat (I do not carry one on the S10, because I don't venture that remotely (yet) I carry a standard boater's (about $125) medical kit which handles cuts and bumps along with a rigging knife (you can cut a boot away with it) and a pair of wire cutters (which I could see setting you free from the errant barbed wire fence).
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=396632&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50469&subdeptNum=50505&classNum=50506
Best investment is in CPR training. Hands-down the best. Doesn't matter what's in the kit sometimes, but matters what's in your head.

That is officially, 2 cents worth. And probably about what it's worth ::017::

Good advice for .02 cents.
I've had First Aid Training , CPR training as well as training in Bloodborne pathogens . ( It was required at a Drug and Alcohol treatment center I worked for as the maintenance man ). The link I provided was just a suggestion as a guide and widely depends where you will be traveling.
Thanks for the suggestions ClassNum.

JT

 

[viewdvb]

I have to admit, a bit of first aid training is worth a lot of first aid kit. The problem with bikes is that storage is at such a premium that it is hard to carry a comprehensive first aid kit and it would need training anyway to utilise anything other than basics. Even though I never go off road, some asphalt roads can be pretty remote and I do go on them. Basics is what I carry. A small kit containing sticking plasters, small bandage, antibacterial gel, scissors etc. and a couple of survival blankets. These became an essential after we got caught in an unexpected heavy Spring snowstorm at 5000ft on an Oregon forest road 40 miles from the nearest civilisation. If we had got stopped by the snow (it was a close run thing) we would have been stuck overnight as there was no other traffic whatever. Those blankets might have helped save our lives. If you have a serious accident (someone mentioned steel barriers) I don't think anything you could carry on a bike would be much help other than a cellphone to call emergency.

 

[JTWY]

I have to admit, a bit of first aid training is worth a lot of first aid kit. The problem with bikes is that storage is at such a premium that it is hard to carry a comprehensive first aid kit and it would need training anyway to utilise anything other than basics. Even though I never go off road, some asphalt roads can be pretty remote and I do go on them. Basics is what I carry. A small kit containing sticking plasters, small bandage, antibacterial gel, scissors etc. and a couple of survival blankets. These became an essential after we got caught in an unexpected heavy Spring snowstorm at 5000ft on an Oregon forest road 40 miles from the nearest civilisation. If we had got stopped by the snow (it was a close run thing) we would have been stuck overnight as there was no other traffic whatever. Those blankets might have helped save our lives. If you have a serious accident (someone mentioned steel barriers) I don't think anything you could carry on a bike would be much help other than a cellphone to call emergency.

::008:: ::008::

We were only going about 35 to 40 mph when we almost hit that guardrail and we were with friends , although we would have gotten hurt , I believe it would have been survivable. Should an accident have happened they could have helped stop bleeding from cuts with a First Aid Kit until EMS arrived.

I did see a TV show where a guy over turned on his 4 wheel atv once and was trapped under it. Strange things can happen when you least expect it.

3 things I never leave home without is my multi function pocket knife , a zippo lighter with a small vial of spare lighter fluid w/extra flint , and my handgun with spare ammo.
Going to add a small first aid kit to.

JT

 

[MikeBear]

I would like to share my survival skills with you, but I need little more info. Where are you going? How much weight can you dedicate to your survival kit? Bare minimum is a good 3-4 inch knife and fire steel. I have ESEE 3 and fire steel with me at all times.

 

[Checkswrecks]

::026::
Well put. I always have a bottle or two of water.
Most times I've needed my 1st aid kit has been for somebody else. Telling a victim to simply have a sip helps them come back to reality. Obviously not for heavy accidents and trauma!

That's a wide open field. There are a lot of base kits readily available. I carry one from West Marine that was geared for boaters that are a long way from help. Camping World has them as do many other places.
A lot of things you might really need if you are totally remote would have to come from your doctor. We have spoken with our doctor and he would prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics and even morphine (with training) to carry where help is many hours or days away.
On the motorcycle, I would think trauma would be your first concern (over some exotic food-borne bacteria .. well .. hmmm .. some rodaside cafes are questionable). Shock, bleeding, splinting, then pain management and temperature control.
On the boat (I do not carry one on the S10, because I don't venture that remotely (yet) I carry a standard boater's (about $125) medical kit which handles cuts and bumps along with a rigging knife (you can cut a boot away with it) and a pair of wire cutters (which I could see setting you free from the errant barbed wire fence).
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=396632&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50469&subdeptNum=50505&classNum=50506
Best investment is in CPR training. Hands-down the best. Doesn't matter what's in the kit sometimes, but matters what's in your head.

That is officially, 2 cents worth. And probably about what it's worth ::017::

 

[EricV]

A good topic. Most well trained individuals/first responders will tell you to only carry what you know how to use.

Keeping that in mind, build up a first aid kit that fits your needs. Some basics like pressure dressings, a sling (triangle bandage), burn gel and the minor stuff like tweezers and bandaids, antiseptic, etc. are all good.

Things like extra water, 50' of shroud cord/parachute cord, space blanket(s), and flat repair kit w/compressor are also pretty good to have. I add an emergency shelter to that, quite simply because shade is often a life saver as well as shelter. Knife of some kind is crucial. If I'm doing a lot of off pavement route, a wire cutter is part of my kit. Think about it, how often have you been separated from a paved road by a wire fence? How much faster would rescue be if you could cut the fence and hit the pavement quickly?

Flares or battery powered strobes, tools to do basic maintenance/ tire removal, some energy bars, prescription drugs, (be careful with these, border crossings can be 'interesting' if not in original bottles), duct tape, zip ties, etc.

More than a few times I have helped to piece back together a crashed bike with duct tape and zip ties. None of that $0.99 a roll stuff either, spring for a roll of the good contractor grade HVAC stuff. It sticks better and lasts longer. Gorilla tape can remove skin though, so use it where appropriate! I have a roll of $14 duct tape on the bike. Used a lot of it, still have a lot left.

Take what you use, but take care not to try and provide for every possible event.

 

[JTWY]

A good topic. Most well trained individuals/first responders will tell you to only carry what you know how to use.

Keeping that in mind, build up a first aid kit that fits your needs. Some basics like pressure dressings, a sling (triangle bandage), burn gel and the minor stuff like tweezers and bandaids, antiseptic, etc. are all good.

Things like extra water, 50' of shroud cord/parachute cord, space blanket(s), and flat repair kit w/compressor are also pretty good to have. I add an emergency shelter to that, quite simply because shade is often a life saver as well as shelter. Knife of some kind is crucial. If I'm doing a lot of off pavement route, a wire cutter is part of my kit. Think about it, how often have you been separated from a paved road by a wire fence? How much faster would rescue be if you could cut the fence and hit the pavement quickly?

Flares or battery powered strobes, tools to do basic maintenance/ tire removal, some energy bars, prescription drugs, (be careful with these, border crossings can be 'interesting' if not in original bottles), duct tape, zip ties, etc.

More than a few times I have helped to piece back together a crashed bike with duct tape and zip ties. None of that $0.99 a roll stuff either, spring for a roll of the good contractor grade HVAC stuff. It sticks better and lasts longer. Gorilla tape can remove skin though, so use it where appropriate! I have a roll of $14 duct tape on the bike. Used a lot of it, still have a lot left.

Take what you use, but take care not to try and provide for every possible event.

Very well said Eric ,
I have a nice Multi tool that has a wire cutter built in , along with pliers , knife , screw drivers ect. I am going to put it under my seat next to my waterproof container with my bikes Registration and proof of insurance. A good multi tool can be very useful. We once had a friends gas petcock come loose and he was dripping gas everywhere , no one had any tools but I did have my multi tool and we fixed the petcock with it.
Like you stated , you can not prepare for every situation out there and if you try , you'll have so much stuff on your bike you won't be able to ride. I think what I will do is buy a very good small first aid kit and then add a few items to it to suit my needs. When it comes to first aid kits , having something is better than having nothing.
Love some of the ideas I've been reading here. It really gets you thinking. Those who prepare will be better off in an emergency than those who don't.
Keep sending the ideas , I've gotten some great ideas just by reading these post. Thanks guys.

JT

 

[viewdvb]

We seem to have moved on a bit from first aid to toolkits. When it comes to toolkit, I carry a lot more than a multi-tool, some of which tools would help in emergency first aid situations. For example, I once witnessed a couple of zip ties used as a very effective tourniquet and duct tape as a bandage. My toolkit is why I don't have room for exotic first aid equipment. The S10 doesn't exactly abound with storage space.

 

[JTWY]

We seem to have moved on a bit from first aid to toolkits. When it comes to toolkit, I carry a lot more than a multi-tool, some of which tools would help in emergency first aid situations. For example, I once witnessed a couple of zip ties used as a very effective tourniquet and duct tape as a bandage. My toolkit is why I don't have room for exotic first aid equipment. The S10 doesn't exactly abound with storage space.

The topic was Survival kit and emergency first aid kit . I think a multi tool is a great "Survival tool" and doesn't take up much room. Zip ties are a good suggestion though. A little bailing wire would also be good as it can be used on hot or cold surfaces , I keep a little in my truck tool box in case a hanger of something on my exhaust system breaks , I can tie it up until I get home or a garage. I like the suggestion of good duct tape to. You can make a tourniquet from a lot of different things if you need to. You can use your belt , a sock and a stick , cut the sleeve off a shirt and use that .....

JT

JT

 

[JTWY]

After reading some of these post I though it would be a great idea to put my multi took under my seat for emergencies .

I never leave home without my trusty 1968 Military issue Camillus pocket knife . I keep it on a Key Clip hanging from my belt ( that’s an old belt in the picture ) so it’s handy even if I’m sitting down. I’ve been carrying this knife with me for over 16 years and I can’t count the number of times it’s come in handy on the road , at camp , while hunting and even at home. It’s been a great knife.

JT

 

[JTWY]

What do you guys think of this kit ? I like it , but would add a couple things to it.

Adventure Medical Kits World Travel First-Aid Kit at Motorcycle-Superstore.com

JT

Like this one to.

Adventure Medical Kits Weekender First-Aid Kit at Motorcycle-Superstore.com

 

[MikeBear]

1) Those kits are ok if you are driving. Not riding.
2) Everything in them is generic quality
3) you can find "double duty" in many things you already have on the bike.
Just put it together yourself.

 

[JTWY]

1) Those kits are ok if you are driving. Not riding.
2) Everything in them is generic quality
3) you can find "double duty" in many things you already have on the bike.
Just put it together yourself.

When I found these 2 kits I had typed in Motorcycle First Aid Kits in google and they are 2 of several that came up. The YST is a Big Bore Adventure Bike made for going on adventures with. So I really can't see why either of those 2 kits wouldn't work well for motorcycling ? I also love the fact that it does come with instructions since people tend to get rattled a bit in an emergency.
I have a separate kit for my tire plugging supplie , spare fuses etc. that I can expand on and put a few handy survival items in , Duct tape will be in here for sure.

JT

 

[MikeBear]

These things are big. And most of it is packaging.
Repack in smaller container and you might be ok with that setup.
I would do things differently: research contents and get everything brand name. You really do get, what you paid for.
Or just take survival training course and emt course and decide, what you think you should take.
But that's just me. Stay safe