..how many of you have put together their kit and NEVER used it?
I'm pretty sure Becca has a reason she carries a suture kit and it's a good idea, I have done some sutures but don't think I am proficient enough to warrant taking that.
I actually don't carry a suture kit. We do have a dermabond pen (that's surgical glue you could use to close a cut), but I would have to think long and hard before using It. It is really difficult to clean a wound properly in the field (the irrigation syringe would help, but it wouldn't be sterile) and closing a dirty wound with sutures or glue drastically increases the risk of infection.
I am glad Im not the only one! Too many variables in the rocks and sticks for full wound closure. I will leave that to the ones with the lydocaine and sterile everything
Ya duct tape will close a cut, band aides are just a little cleaner. But in all honusty everyone should make there own first aid kit with what they feel comfortable with, and what they feel they can actually use.
Plus a 16g for that decompression. .
granted i dont know the situation, but this is very hard for me to believe. this is coming from a guy whos gotten stitches in camp, glued his own wounds many times, taped his face back together in a compass mirror, etcAlso my dad was in the backcountry scouting per say and fell. He didn't have a suture kit so he had to use a regular needle and thread (not fun). he wouldn't have been able to stop the bleeding had he not sewn himself up.
granted i dont know the situation, but this is very hard for me to believe. this is coming from a guy whos gotten stitches in camp, glued his own wounds many times, taped his face back together in a compass mirror, etc