Originally Posted by KD5CQT
I'll be glad to take a shot at this for you guys. First bit of advice I usually give when asked this question is never carry anything beyond your level of training and experience. That elminates a lot of stuff for many people. If anything I mention here is unknown to you as to what it is or for what it is used, then don't carry it.
First, consider where you want to carry your kit. I rode an '04 Ultra and I could either use a saddle bag, or if I was loaded for a long haul, the passenger seat served as a place for my old T-bag and jump bag which I could lash onto the loops on the top of the T-bag.
Inside of the kit, in no particular order of importance:
a pair of good bandage scissors, a pair of those cut everything scissors that medics like to carry (good for cutting straps and even boots if needed), one pocket flashlight, a good pair of tweezers. A stethoscope and cuff (if you have to ask why, leave this home), several pairs of good examination rubber gloves, some hand sterilizer, a cpr sterishield with one way valve, several rolls of surgical tape, 4x4 and 2x2 gauze pads, several rolls of gauze (kerlix if you can afford it), assorted bandaids, fingertip bandages (not everyone wears gloves while riding), about a pint of sterile saline, alcohol prep pads, a SAM splint (36" size will do), triangular bandage, ace bandage, a cervical spine collar (if you know how and when to use it), some topical antibial ointments like bacitracin.
Additional items I have found handy: digital thermometer with supply of probe covers, OB kit (never know when you'll have to deliver a baby), assorted airways, steri-strips, and a blood sugar test meter (the kind diabetics use).
Again, keep in mind that this will constitute a pretty big package, so adjust according to quantity and stuff you know you will not be able to use. I have a buddy in Oklahoma who is a para, and he pulls a trailer behind his Ultra...almost like an ambulance. The idea is to have what you need in an emergency and pray you never have to use it. For those of you who have stopped to assist at an accident, you already know the helpless feeling of not having what you need or not knowing what to do.
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