Comments on: Commuting 101: First Aid Kits

By: John

John — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:29:29 +0000

My wife and I use and carry the Utah Mountain Bike Association Biking BooBoo First Aid kit… check it out here…http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/firstaid/UMB-Kit.htm

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:48:47 +0000

Dan, I would go see an Allergist and they can do a test or a series of tests to determine whether or not you still need an epi pen or not. I used to carry one around with me at all times but was tested in high school and found out I will just swell badly wherever I get stung. I was then stung 3 days later twice to do just that, but didn’t have any other issues than that. So that is my suggestion from personal experience.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:03:26 +0000

How do they check if you need an epi pen or not? I was stung in my hand when I was a child and my hand swelled up pretty good and every since I have carried an epi pen around when doing outdoor activities. I am unsure how allegeric I am since it didn’t affect my breathing too much.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 03:05:31 +0000

I want to second what Brent said, you should definitely have a talk with your kids doctor and talk about epinephrine (epi pens). They are amazingly effective against allergic reactions. If your kid is highly allergic, he should have one with him at all times. At 14, he should be responsible enough to carry it and know his friends shouldn’t mess around with it.

As for bees, I don’t know whether it’s just my bad luck or what, but I’ve now caught four bees in my helmet. I’ve often wondered what someone must think when they see this cyclist, who was cruising along, suddenly pull off to the side of the road and rip his helmet off. Unfortunately, I’ve lost the race and been stung all four times. Fortunately, I’m not allergic and it’s just induces a headache.

By: squeakycyclist

squeakycyclist — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:08:15 +0000

I originally put together my first aid kit from an article in Bicycling around 20 years ago. I don’t take it with me commuting, it’s in the trunk bag on my touring bike for longer rides. It looks like I need to replace some of the stuff in it!!

Contents of Bicycle First Aid Box (now a bag)

Swiss Army Knife (Tinker model)
Two quarters
Two dollar bills
One roll adhesive tape, 1/2 inch. waterproof.

Plastic bag containing:

Bike To Work Day First Aid kit contents

One blank identification card
Two Band Aids, 1/2 inch
Three Di Gel tablets
One package of Two Tylenol Extra Strength Geltabs, expired 2/96
One package alcohol prep wipe

Plastic bag containing:

One 4 in. x 4 in. Sterile Pad
Three 3 in. x 3 in. Sterile Gauze Pads
Two 2 in. x 3 in. Sterile Non-Stick Pads
Six 2 in. x 2 in. Sterile Pads
One package Betadine Swab Aid pad, expired 1/92
One roll Dermalinte II tape, 3/4 inch
Four Band Aids, 1/2 inch
One package of Two Tylenol Extra Strength Geltabs, expired 2/98
Two Bendryl capsules, expired 6/99
Four Butterfly Closures
One Chapstick
Two Moist Towelettes
Two Di Gel tablets, loose and dirty.
One Film Can containing:
One pair Folding Scissors
One Needle
One First Aid Kit Inventory card, laminated

Missing Items:
Bacitracin
Moleskin
Matches
Insect Sting kit
Pills that are unexpired!

By: Noah

Noah — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:51:31 +0000

I use the zipper pouch that came with my Omron HRM. It’s about 4″ x 5″ x 1″.

Inside:
2x Neosporin Neo-To-Go
2x Alcohol Wipes (like what they use before giving you a shot)
2x Benzocaine/Lidocaine Bite/Sting swabs
A few gauze pads and medical tape
Several band-aids, various sizes
A few Tegaderm dressings
Some Tylenol
A few brown paper napkins from some restaurant
Some old expired photographer’s sodium thiosulfate (usually called hypo or fixer) double-bagged in sealed baggies.
2x of those goofy air-activated foot warmer things

If you mix a little bit of water with the hypo, the mixture gets quite cool — Cold enough that you can wrap it up in napkins or gauze and have a cold pack that will relieve minor pain and swelling long enough for an NSAID (such as Tylenol) to kick in or help to arrive.

It all fits in a nice, tiny pouch that I can keep in the panniers, backpack, or a jersey pocket.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:15:43 +0000

I’m allergic to fire ant bites, and here in Texas they are everywhere.

My kit is as follows, to cover all bases;

Benadryl
Advil
Gauze
Vet Wrap (that flexy wrap stuff that only sticks to itself. I’m allergic to band-aid adhesive so that with the gauze does the trick)
Baby wipes

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:08:39 +0000

Well, it depends on how allergic your kid is to bees. If he or she goes into anaphylactic shock from a bee sting you better have an epinephrine shot around at all times (it is an adrenaline shot). I used to have to carry this around before they (doctors) found I wouldn’t react so severely anymore to bee stings anymore. But if he or she does go into anaphylactic shock, you only have a few minuets before they are dead so I would get the severity of the allergy checked out.

Brent

By: Val

Val — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:32:26 +0000

For me, the gateway item was an “Ouch Pouch” given away free at Bike to Work Day several years ago. It had some disinfectant wipes, antibiotic salve, and several bandages. I never used any of it on myself, but it came in so handy on several occasions that it wasn’t long before it was used up. I then graduated to a $2.00 pocket sized first aid kit from the local drugstore, augmented with several large bandages, antihistamine (I am also allergic to bee stings), tweezers and scissors. Once I recieved CPR training, I realized that I also needed a CPR mask and latex gloves, or the training was superfluous. The resulting kit is a plastic box, about 3″ X 4″ X 5″. Not the sort of thing to put into a jersey pocket, but not bad in the bottom of a pannier. It has been used and replenished several times, and I have never regretted having it.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:03:03 +0000

Carrying some diphenhydramine for bug bites isn’t a bad idea.

For commuting I don’t carry anything extra or special except my albuterol rescue inhaler. Anything requiring just first aid I can live with until I get to my destination or at least a bathroom.

It’s been a few years since it’s happened, but typical first-aid for me is road rash from washing out on wet or sandy road while taking a corner too fast. I find a public restroom or hose and wash out my wound. I’ve even used Gatorade from my drink bottle — squiirt. Once I reach civilization I’ll clean it better and bandage myself up.