Motorbike riders do not set out on a ride to meet with an accident. However, if and when this happens you should be prepared to handle the situation. It is so important to have a first aid kit to save you from worsening injury. We would recommend carrying at least a basic first aid kit as part of our motorcycle safety guide. In this article, I am going to share all the details of a first aid kit that is comprehensive on its own and inspiration for everybody. So if you want to know the types of first aid kits that exist and their components in detail you should continue reading.
Types of first aid kits
First Aid kits can be categorized into
- Comfort-based first aid kits and
- Life-saver first aid kits.
Comfort- based first aid kits
These first aid kits are found in the aisle in any supermarket and with almost all motorcyclists. These may not contain all the important components that can be life-saving. However, your sanity can be saved. If you do not have time to purchase a full first aid kit, then one of these lightweight safety kits will do the job.
Lifesaving first aid kits
Life-saver first aid kits are also referred to as Emergency Injury Kit, Trauma Kit, or Tactical first aid. Motorcyclists don’t need to use them often, sometimes not even once in their lifetime. However, when you are in a situation that needs a first aid kit like this, it literally is the best thing that can happen to you. It is highly recommended that everybody who heads out on the road to drive carries it, especially motorcyclists as motorcycling is inherently a very risky affair. However, the riders believe it is worth the thrill and excitement. Nonetheless having a life-saving first kit around is the best thing for you.
A motorcycle first aid kit that is a combo of both is ideal.
First aid kits from supermarkets are not the most ideal first aid kits out there. They are either a basic kit or a life-saving one. You may find a combo of both too however they are huge or overpriced. The idea is to build a first aid kit that will have all the comfort-oriented components as well as some life-saving first aid kit components that you have the skills to use. This should not be too heavy for you to carry all the time. It defeats the purpose if you think it is not practical to be carried around every day.
Striking a balance between both will help you create an ideal first aid kit. After all, a tourniquet is not what we need to be carrying around neither do we want to carry a kit that has band-aids and wipes in the kit.
The goal of creating a first aid kit
The answer to this question will help you immensely in building a kit that will suit your needs and requirements. This depends on your riding style and environment mostly. You may be confident that you don’t need to use it but what about a friend or coworker who may need it. It always feels good to be a hero for someone, doesn’t it?
If you can clean a wound adequately and prep it to apply some benzoyl tincture and steri straps and wrap it up. You are as good as any clinic treating deep cuts and wounds. However, if a simple band-aid is what you carry in your first aid kit, it is better left at home and not be carried around. Sometimes going that extra mile, to justify the miles you have already taken is what is needed.
Having said that, let’s move on to the meatier subject of the article. The list of first aid components is what a motorcyclist may need most of the time. However, you may want to add anything you think that suits your requirement and not forget your skills.
An ideal first aid kit components
The most crucial step in creating a first aid kit is choosing a container. What you carry in your first aid kit is dictated by the kind of container you have chosen. An ideal container is supposed to be lightweight, waterproof, and most importantly compact.
Bandage Material
A staple in any first aid kit is a band-aid. Having a few of them in your kit will definitely come in handy. There are a variety of band-aids though, that you need at different times.
- The typical band-aids
- The extra-long band-aids for fingers
- Adhesive bandages for knuckles
- Gauze bandage
- Sterile dressing (for both small and larger wounds)
- Sterile dressing that is non-adherent
- Steri strip closures
- Triangular bandage and
- Stretch bandage to wrap
For blisters and burns
- Burn gel packages and
- Moleskin
Medication
- Afterbite wipes
- Diphenhydramine 25mg (antihistamine)
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Ammonia inhalant and
- Diotame and Diamode tablets
Wound care
- Antiseptic wipes
- Alcohol wipes
- Adhesive tape mini roll
- Benzoin tincture
- Triple antibiotic ointment packets
- Pvp iodine wipes
- Woundseal hemostatic powder and
- A quikclot
Training and Learning
Anything you have in your kit that you do not know how and when to use is a waste of space in your kit. However, having all the above components does you no good if you don’t have the knowledge to use them. Consider taking basic first aid and emergency training. It gives you both theoretical knowledge and hands-on training experience. It is most likely a day or two’s training.
Putting a first aid kit together and learning how to use it is easier than ever. So get some motivation and check this task out of your to-do list. There is really no excuse to not carry a first aid kit wherever you go and if you already have a kit like this, great. Enjoy happy and safe riding!
Motorcycle Safety Guide 