First Aid Kits and Medicine

[johnnysneds]

Apart from enjoying yourself, next on the list of importance has to be looking after yourself and others and being prepared for anything that might present itself along the way, so I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread to see what kind of first aid kits and general medicines riders take along with them.

Lately ive only taken the bare minimum, Neurofen for pain relief (usually hangovers) and Omeprazole for sorting out the old stomach, I know, not much thought for myself or others, time to be pro-active. I forgot to take them with me the other day on a ride, got a bit of a sore head ended up throwing up and feeling terrible. Luckily Alex had some 400mg Ibuprofen which sorted me out within 10 minutes and I felt like riding again. So ill definitely be adding these to my kit.

Im by no means a medical expert and only completed some basic medical training in the forces/offshore. I think its all in our own interests to have some basic knowledge of what to do in certain situations so we can hopefully administer the correct treatment to ourselves and others.

I found this kit after some research which gets good reviews and its contents seems to be comprehensive from http://cabintentsite.com/Adventure_medi ... st_aid_kit its also available from Amazon amongst other places for $48

It would be great to hear first hand from the more experienced trail riders the do's and dont's. Im learning the hard way of repairing my bike in the jungle, Id rather learn the easy way of how to repair myself and be prepared before the inevitable. Ive fallen off and crashed more times than I care to remember, astonishingly so far its only been bruises, road rash and the odd ego dent.

 

[AlexUSA]

I've got the smaller version of that kit though I've modified it pretty well since I bought it years ago. It's got some good trauma dressings but it's lacking in medication (as expected from a kit that ships over borders). You'll need to customize it for sure. Mine now carries a toothbrush, contact lenses, etc. so it's my toiletry kit as well. And obviously some basic medical training is necessary as well if you're going to bother to carry the gear.

 

[BobS]

The Sam Splint is another item that might be worth carrying. It is thin aluminum bonded to foam, and can be bent into any shape required.

http://www.sammedical.com/sam_splint.html

 

[KTMphil]

The Sam Splint is another item that might be worth carrying. It is thin aluminum bonded to foam, and can be bent into any shape required.

http://www.sammedical.com/sam_splint.html

that splint looks pretty useful, can be used in many different ways, thanks Bob.

 

[BobS]

Tell that to Justin :

 

[bigntall]

Tell that to Justin :

You guys are bad. Actually after my fall the last thing I was gonna do was pull my leg out of the boot in the jungle. It was not coming out of the boot until I got to the hospital, forget the splint its bloody broken and secured pretty well in the boot.

Here's what I carry in the Camelbak. its pretty tiny and I emptied the stock contents of the bag and replaced them with the following. A roll of electrical tape for a size reference.

Its contents.

Row 1

400 MG Ibuprofen (antipain), Immodium (anti diarrhea),Erfucide (anti diarrhea), antibiotic gel

 

[bigntall]

Row 2

Norfloxicin 400MG (antibacterial), two packs of Tramidol 100MG (great pain relief) one pack wrapped in medical tape, two antiseptic towels, two packs of Steri-Strips for closing wounds that need stitches.

Row 3

Two large patch bandaids, 3 smaller bandaids, two patches of Moleskin for blisters, Eye wash, Tiger Balm, lighter and tweezers for splinters.

Keep in mind I also have a decent amount of electrical and duct tape wrapped around my air pump and can use the duct tape and clothing to repair wounds until getting to civilization.


Curious to see what others have as these threads are great sources of info to get oneself outfitted.

 

[KTMphil]

Justin, top marks for your trail riding / getting stuck and hurt yourself medical kit. I'm now ashamed of what little i was carrying, looks like its going to be a bonanza day for the pharmacy on Moon Muang road tomorrow.

 

[Constantine Phaulkon]

Apart from enjoying yourself, next on the list of importance has to be looking after yourself and others ...
It would be great to hear first hand from the more experienced trail riders the do's and dont's. Im learning the hard way of repairing my bike in the jungle, Id rather learn the easy way of how to repair myself and be prepared before the inevitable. Ive fallen off and crashed more times than I care to remember, astonishingly so far its only been bruises, road rash and the odd ego dent.

I take it most people don't sleep in the jungle, as perhaps their off-road riding consists of day trips or they stay in motels, or if they do camp in the jungle it's suspended off the ground in one of those hammocks, or if they aren't suspended they're just lucky, since snakes such as kraits are known to snuggle in and around boots in the morning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krait - 15 times as deadly as cobras and the initial bite is not painful so people often shrug it off). Not to mention the odd scorpion or spider.

 

[Steve Canyon]

Marco is a pharmacist, he's in the vendors section...

Could he not come up with a first aid kit that would suit???

 

[johnnysneds]

Hey CP
I'm looking forward to doing alot more nights in the jungle in the future. I've tried a hammock a couple of times and it just doesn't suit me. I'm going to try a tent the next time. I have given some thought to beasties getting in, but if you look at how these modern tents are constructed there completely sealed apart from the vents, I don't see how they could get in unless there's a hole somewhere that's gone un-noticed, that's just unlucky.
It's a good point and worth looking into an area specific snake bite kit. :shock:

 

[Marco]

Marco is a pharmacist, he's in the vendors section...

Could he not come up with a first aid kit that would suit???

Good Morning Cris

Thank you for your nice wordings,, BUT lets put it in Correct and legal way...
I'm NOT a Pharmacist, MY WIFE is 100% FULLY license ex.ER nurse,,,and now since 1998 we run Pharmaceutical Business according Thai Pharmaceutical law and we are also International Maritime medical Law complied as i work time to time as Safety & Security side in maritime in many different vessels and point on the world.

There is always different way to have first Aid kit along with the bike, but so far when starting First Aid Kit it's always good to know and what can be expected and then How big groups it will be have how many Kits will be on the group.
Here is something what i carry time to time BUT HEY guys,, i run BUSS and i'm always very attendant for any serious injuries, So this version is WAY TOO BIG FOR YOU GUYS..

We can inform any of you guys and send those to you in small first aid kit BUT we only dealing with Original medicals and not Thai\Lao way in china\India copies what in so many cases do not conduct medical effect as Original do.
There is also way you to get first aid kit from your local Pharmacy store and will not take any responsibilities for any medicines they are selling to you even If you have correct name and what is for.

We are open every day for future discussion & advice.

 

[KTMphil]

Marco - could you make a list of what you carry and maybe your wife could recommend a jungle tour medical checklist?

Marco is a pharmacist, he's in the vendors section...

Could he not come up with a first aid kit that would suit???

Good Morning Cris

Thank you for your nice wordings,, BUT lets put it in Correct and legal way...
I'm NOT a Pharmacist, MY WIFE is 100% FULLY license ex.ER nurse,,,and now since 1998 we run Pharmaceutical Business according Thai Pharmaceutical law and we are also International Maritime medical Law complied as i work time to time as Safety & Security side in maritime in many different vessels and point on the world.

There is always different way to have first Aid kit along with the bike, but so far when starting First Aid Kit it's always good to know and what can be expected and then How big groups it will be have how many Kits will be on the group.
Here is something what i carry time to time BUT HEY guys,, i run BUSS and i'm always very attendant for any serious injuries, So this version is WAY TOO BIG FOR YOU GUYS..

We can inform any of you guys and send those to you in small first aid kit BUT we only dealing with Original medicals and not Thai\Lao way in china\India copies what in so many cases do not conduct medical effect as Original do.
There is also way you to get first aid kit from your local Pharmacy store and will not take any responsibilities for any medicines they are selling to you even If you have correct name and what is for.

We are open every day for future discussion & advice.

 

[Steve Canyon]

Morning Marco....Would be a great idea to put a pack together for the riders, with your wife's knowledge it would surely help...I would certainly buy one when I'm there, save me fetching it all the way from the UK.....worth thinking about

Business for your shop as well.....

8-)

 

[Marco]

Morning Marco....Would be a great idea to put a pack together for the riders, with your wife's knowledge it would surely help...I would certainly buy one when I'm there, save me fetching it all the way from the UK.....worth thinking about

Business for your shop as well.....

8-)

Gent& Ladies

We will start to work up with suitable First Aid Kit for Jungle riders and give me few days to come up with suitable sets and List IF one want to buy it from your local pharmacy store.

and i will look in to suitable kit packing bag what will be water proof.

BUT remember also that surtain medications do NOT tolerate HEAT AND TEMPERATURE what is over they individual toleration,, usually in Tropic's not over +30c temperature, So correct location in your bike and coverages from direct sunlight is very important.

"Roll start to rolling" back and fort....

 

[KTMphil]

marco

I'm sure if your wife puts together an interesting medical pack list, some of us will buy from her, no problem.

maybe 2 sizes (ie day pack --& extended trip in the middle of no-where you're screwed pack)

Morning Marco....Would be a great idea to put a pack together for the riders, with your wife's knowledge it would surely help...I would certainly buy one when I'm there, save me fetching it all the way from the UK.....worth thinking about

Business for your shop as well.....

8-)

Gent& Ladies

We will start to work up with suitable First Aid Kit for Jungle riders and give me few days to come up with suitable sets and List IF one want to buy it from your local pharmacy store.

and i will look in to suitable kit packing bag what will be water proof.

BUT remember also that surtain medications do NOT tolerate HEAT AND TEMPERATURE what is over they individual toleration,, usually in Tropic's not over +30c temperature, So correct location in your bike and coverages from direct sunlight is very important.

"Roll start to rolling" back and fort....

 

[johnnysneds]

I'd be willing to buy from you too Marco..

 

[AlexUSA]

Kind of OT - but where are you guys buying your mosquito-netted hammocks? I saw some at the army/police shops on the North of the moat but they didn't pack down very small. Not trying to spend a fortune.

 

[KTMphil]

TheProMoBro-

kind of getting off subject here, but ive replied to your question re cheap hammocks here:

post2541.html#p2541

 

[Steve Canyon]

Kind of OT

How's that???

 

[KTMphil]

Contacted Marco & the first aid kits are almost finished, he'll post something in vendors soon.

 

[Marco]

Contacted Marco & the first aid kits are almost finished, he'll post something in vendors soon.

Hi all

Yes its almost done BUT as my wife been busy re-writing all in English is most important and will be one hopefully very soon,,

Just for your info as far i know about it,, it's contain abt 35different medicines, what are valid up to 10yrs, contain only few or only 1 pill per tablet and VERY CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS how to use it and for what to us it,,,i hope maybe by tonight,,,Thai time..lol

 

[bigntall]

Marco - Can't wait to see with what your Mrs. comes up with regarding a small, compact kit that is well thought out. brilliant stuff.

 

[Constantine Phaulkon]

Yes a jungle med kit might be just the thing for "peace of mind" but just to get you all paranoid, keep in mind that krait bites (15x more deadly than a cobra bite) are 'painless' and according to Wikipedia " If death occurs it typically takes place approximately 6 to 12 hours after the krait bite, but can be significantly delayed." Mind you they mean 'delayed' as in having a mechanical respirator or team of people perform CPR on you. As a practical matter you don't have that long before you start going numb. For a harrowing account of how an experienced herpetoligist (snake scientist) lost his life in Burma from a snake bite check out this article: http://tinyurl.com/6fmze9d Here is the salient paragraph:

THAT MORNING I WOKE at dawn and crawled from my tent into the big unpainted schoolroom where the members of our biology expedition slept. We were in Rat Baw, a village in the far north of Myanmar. Outside, expedition leader and herpetologist Joe Slowinski and his best friend, photographer Dong Lin, stood wearing matching green T-shirts stenciled with one of Dong's photos of a cobra, poised to strike. I walked up as Joe's Burmese field assistant, U Htun Win, held out a snake bag. "I think it's a Dinodon," he was saying. Joe extended his right hand into the bag. When it reappeared, a pencil-thin, gray-banded snake swung from the base of his middle finger. "That's a fucking krait," Joe said. He pulled off the snake and kneaded the bitten area, seemingly unmarked, with a fingernail.

Other scientists have been known to cut off their finger at such a moment. Joe sat down to join the rest of us for breakfast at a long wooden school table, joking about his thick skin. It was 7 a.m. on September 11, 2001.

Keep in mind that the assistant U Htun Win had been bit by a similar looking snake the day before, and with no ill effects (apparently it was not a krait) and for whatever reason herpetologist Joe Slowinski, a world expert, did not seem too concerned (apparently he thought he could get medical treatment in time--but he could not).

Now before you get too paranoid, keep in mind that kraits, like sea snakes if you're into diving, are not aggressive. They may be curious but unless provoked will not attack you, unlike some cobras like I believe the spitting cobra, which Joe Slowinski had been attacked by before, as well as numerous other poisonous snakes.

Also there are numerous other dangers in the jungle--for example certain forms of malaria will kill you in 24 hours, but I don't think this form of malaria is found in Asia, just Africa.

No need to get too cautious but as a rule of thumb I would always try and bike with a group, and be no more than about 2 or 3 hours from civilization and/or a helicopter. Then again, if you read the above story about Slowinski, he was within helicopter range but the Myanmar government would not authorize a helicopter rescue (perhaps because it was September 11, or perhaps out of stinginess). Also Slowinski's group was 8 miles from a town with a radio, and Slowinski was bit at dawn (7:00 am) but started noticing paralysis at 8:15 am, about 1.25 hours later. That would be an optimum time I would be, riding distance, from civilization.

Then again in Burma you are far more likely to be bit by this snake, Russell's Viper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daboia) as it hangs around human settlements (where the mice and rats it preys on are found), and avoids the jungle.

Happy trails!

 

[Marco]

Marco - Can't wait to see with what your Mrs. comes up with regarding a small, compact kit that is well thought out. brilliant stuff.

LADS

ALL DONE AND CAN BE FOUND FROM VENDOR SITE OR JUST CLICK THE LINK HERE
http://rideasia.net/forum/first-aid-kit-now-available-t487.html

 

[bigntall]

Thanks Marco looking at the vendor thread now.

 

[Constantine Phaulkon]

Yes a jungle med kit might be just the thing for "peace of mind" but just to get you all paranoid, keep in mind that krait bites (15x more deadly than a cobra bite) are 'painless'

And this just in. An experienced snake handler dies from his own snakes. What chance would an amateur have? Moral: be very careful when handling king cobras maybe?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-13965282

29 June 2011 Last updated at 16:55 GMT

Snake sanctuary owner Luke Yeomans dies from cobra bite

The owner of a Nottinghamshire snake sanctuary has died after apparently being bitten by one of his own animals.

Luke Yeomans, 47, was due to open the King Cobra Sanctuary, in Eastwood, to the public this weekend.

Police confirmed they were called to a property in Brookhill Leys Road, near Eastwood, where Mr Yeomans had suffered a suspected heart attack.

Officers confirmed the snake had been contained and there was no danger to the public.
Depleted habitat

It was also confirmed the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The RSPCA, Health and Safety Executive and Broxtowe Borough Council have been informed of the incident.

Nottinghamshire Police said an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death was under way.

In an interview with the BBC earlier this year, Mr Yeomans said he had started the sanctuary in 2008, in reaction to the depletion of the snake's natural habitat in the forests of south-east Asia and India.

He said he had always been obsessed with snakes, catching his first adder at the age of seven and sharing his bedroom with a collection of gaboon vipers and Indian cobras in his teens.

At the age of 16 he opened his first pet shop, specialising in snakes and other reptiles and two years on he started to breed his own.

Mr Yeomans compared his passion for snakes with other people's obsessions with fast cars.

"People do say that I am mad but I say it's better than people saying you're bad. I think everything I am doing is good," he said.

 

[Marco]

HERE IS INFO regarding Everything what we need to know and how to be careful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Cobra

A bite from the king cobra can cause the death of a healthy adult human within 15 minutes, though the average death time recorded is between 30–45 minutes after envenomation. The mortality rate from a bite can be over 75%, depending upon treatment details. It is regarded as one of the deadliest snakes in the world.


Venom

The venom of the king cobra consists primarily of neurotoxins, but it also contains cardiotoxic compounds.[8] Toxic constituents are mainly proteins and polypeptides.

During a bite, venom is forced through the snake's half-inch (1.25 cm) fangs into the wound, and quickly attacks the victim's central nervous system, inducing severe pain, blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, and paralysis.[14] Envenomation progresses to cardiovascular collapse, and the victim falls into a coma. Death soon follows due to respiratory failure.

In the past, the LD50 of the king cobra's venom was treated as 1.6 mg/kg – 1.8 mg/kg (which was one of the least venomous elapids). However, in recent toxicology study the LD50 of Chinese king cobra venom was found to be 0.34 mg/kg[15]. The value is lower than that of many Naja species found in the same habitats (such as the Chinese cobra), showing that the king cobra can actually be more venomous than many other cobras.[15][16] The king cobra is also capable of delivering larger quantities of venom than most other snakes, injecting a 380-600 mg dose in a single bite on average. It was reported that a single bite from this species can kill an adult Asian elephant. A bite from the king cobra can cause the death of a healthy adult human within 15 minutes,[15] though the average death time recorded is between 30–45 minutes after envenomation.[14][16][17] The mortality rate from a bite can be over 75%,[8][18]depending upon treatment details. It is regarded as one of the deadliest snakes in the world.[16][19]

There are two types of antivenom made specifically to treat king cobra envenomations. The Red Cross in Thailand manufactures one, and the Central Research Institute in India manufactures the other; however, both are made in small quantities and are not widely available.[20] Ohanin, a protein component of the venom, causes hypolocomotion and hyperalgesia in mammals.[21] Other components have cardiotoxic,[22] cytotoxic and neurotoxic effects.[23] In Thailand, a concoction of alcohol and the ground root of turmeric is ingested, which has been clinically shown to create a strong resilience against the venom of the king cobra, and other snakes with neurotoxic venom.[24]

 

[Constantine Phaulkon]

HERE IS INFO regarding Everything what we need to know and how to be careful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Cobra

A bite from the king cobra can cause the death of a healthy adult human within 15 minutes, though the average death time recorded is between 30–45 minutes after envenomation.

Well best hope then is for a 'dry bite' which is 25% of all cobra bites.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_bite

Since envenomation is completely voluntary, all venomous snakes are capable of biting without injecting venom into their victim. Snakes may deliver such a "dry bite" rather than waste their venom on a creature too large for them to eat.[15] However, the percentage of dry bites varies between species: 50% of bites from the normally timid coral snake do not result in envenomation, whereas only 25% of pitviper bites are dry.[4] Furthermore, some snake genera, such as rattlesnakes, significantly increase the amount of venom injected in defensive bites compared to predatory strikes.[16]

Interestingly, bites caused by the Mojave rattlesnake, kraits, coral snake, and the speckled rattlesnake reportedly cause little or no pain despite being serious injuries.[4] Victims may also describe a "rubbery," "minty," or "metallic" taste if bitten by certain species of rattlesnake.[4] Spitting cobras and rinkhalses can spit venom in their victims' eyes. This results in immediate pain, ophthalmoparesis, and sometimes blindness.[12][13]

When in the wilderness, treading heavily creates ground vibrations and noise, which will often cause snakes to flee from the area. However, this generally only applies to North America as some larger and more aggressive snakes in other parts of the world, such as king cobras and black mambas, will protect their territory. When dealing with direct encounters it is best to remain silent and motionless. If the snake has not yet fled it is important to step away slowly and cautiously.

Pressure immobilization

In 1979, Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council formally adopted pressure immobilization as the preferred method of first aid treatment for snakebites in Australia.[28] As of 2009, clinical evidence for pressure immobilization remains limited, with current evidence based almost entirely on anecdotal case reports.[28] This has led most international authorities to question its efficacy.[28] Despite this, all reputable first aid organizations in Australia recommend pressure immobilization treatment; however, it is not widely adhered to, with one study showing that only a third of snakebite patients attempt pressure immobilization.[28]
Pressure immobilization is not appropriate for cytotoxic bites such as those inflicted by most vipers,[29][30][31] but may be effective against neurotoxic venoms such as those of most elapids.[32][33][34] Developed by medical researcher Struan Sutherland in 1978,[35] the object of pressure immobilization is to contain venom within a bitten limb and prevent it from moving through the lymphatic system to the vital organs. This therapy has two components: pressure to prevent lymphatic drainage, and immobilization of the bitten limb to prevent the pumping action of the skeletal muscles.
Pressure is preferably applied with an elastic bandage, but any cloth will do in an emergency. Bandaging begins two to four inches above the bite (i.e. between the bite and the heart), winding around in overlapping turns and moving up towards the heart, then back down over the bite and past it towards the hand or foot. Then the limb must be held immobile: not used, and if possible held with a splint or sling. The bandage should be about as tight as when strapping a sprained ankle. It must not cut off blood flow, or even be uncomfortable; if it is uncomfortable, the patient will unconsciously flex the limb, defeating the immobilization portion of the therapy. The location of the bite should be clearly marked on the outside of the bandages. Some peripheral edema is an expected consequence of this process.
Apply pressure immobilization as quickly as possible; if you wait until symptoms become noticeable you will have missed the best time for treatment. Once a pressure bandage has been applied, it should not be removed until the patient has reached a medical professional. The combination of pressure and immobilization may contain venom so effectively that no symptoms are visible for more than 24 hours, giving the illusion of a dry bite.[citation needed] But this is only a delay; removing the bandage releases that venom into the patient's system with rapid and possibly fatal consequences.