First Aid
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 10:21 am
Yesterday I slipped on the stairs getting into the plane. Hammered my shin into the thin aluminium around the door edge. Hurt like hell. But I didn't think much of it till I got home. Still slowly bleeding. Probably 6mm across and 3mm deep from what I could tell. So painful.
So I washed it off, shaved the skin around the area, pulled the skin together with a steri strip, cut some gauze with my new Raptor shears in my flight bag and taped it in place. Feels a lot better this morning.
I could have gone to the hospital for stitches like my dad was freaking out about. But I hate waiting 12 hrs in an emergency room. ("Free" Canadian hallway medicine) Or as my visiting uncle from LA commented, I saved a $100.
I recently got The Leatherman Raptor shears to add to my EDC/flight bag. (In addition to a 4Sevens tac light and Leatherman wave.) The Raptor is an amazing tool that includes a very strong pair of sheers to cut clothing, boots, med supplies etc, a seat belt cutter, a ring cutter, O2 wrench, and glass breaker all in a small fold-able package. Some of the medics at work have it as well and use it everyday. I don't use it that often, but the peace of mind knowing I can help if needed is great.
Steristrips are indispensable. They are sometimes hard to find, but totally worth it. Beats getting stitches. So I have them in my EDC bag cause I find most FA kits (none) don't have them.
If you know first aid, it can be a great DHV. And it saves you money and time. If you don't, find a course on wilderness medicine and take it. You won't regret it, and if someone has an accident (or yourself) You can help.
So I washed it off, shaved the skin around the area, pulled the skin together with a steri strip, cut some gauze with my new Raptor shears in my flight bag and taped it in place. Feels a lot better this morning.
I could have gone to the hospital for stitches like my dad was freaking out about. But I hate waiting 12 hrs in an emergency room. ("Free" Canadian hallway medicine) Or as my visiting uncle from LA commented, I saved a $100.
I recently got The Leatherman Raptor shears to add to my EDC/flight bag. (In addition to a 4Sevens tac light and Leatherman wave.) The Raptor is an amazing tool that includes a very strong pair of sheers to cut clothing, boots, med supplies etc, a seat belt cutter, a ring cutter, O2 wrench, and glass breaker all in a small fold-able package. Some of the medics at work have it as well and use it everyday. I don't use it that often, but the peace of mind knowing I can help if needed is great.
Steristrips are indispensable. They are sometimes hard to find, but totally worth it. Beats getting stitches. So I have them in my EDC bag cause I find most FA kits (none) don't have them.
If you know first aid, it can be a great DHV. And it saves you money and time. If you don't, find a course on wilderness medicine and take it. You won't regret it, and if someone has an accident (or yourself) You can help.
