Everyone will get hurt somehow during the course of their lives, it’s just a matter of time.\u00c2\u00a0 When this happen there is a large variety of products out there to patch up the minor incidents.\u00c2\u00a0 These products are good, certainly, when they are well made, sterile, and can be applied correctly.\u00c2\u00a0 Oh yeah, they’re also great WHEN YOU HAVE THEM.\u00c2\u00a0 That’s right, you can prepare as crazy as you like, but once in a while you just aren’t near a first aid kit that has what you need.\u00c2\u00a0 No reason to bleed out or suffer while leaking blood, however, because there are less perfect, but still efficient ways to approximate MOST First Aid supplies.\u00c2\u00a0 They may not be as sterile or as suited to the purpose, so use the real stuff when you can, and only try these makeshift versions at your own risk.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Duct tape.\u00c2\u00a0 Better than a band -aid in many situations, being more waterproof.\u00c2\u00a0 If you have an especially juicy or bleeding wound, some paper towel, TP, or tissue underneath is good as a pad.\u00c2\u00a0 Use any kind of antibiotic you have on hand because this is NOT STERILE AT ALL.\u00c2\u00a0 It WILL keep you from bleeding everywhere until you can get real medical supplies or help though.\u00c2\u00a0 It is also terrific to apply to abrasions or blisters.\u00c2\u00a0 When you can get the abraded area clean and dry before applying, it’ll act like a second skin for a good few hours (MOST useful when hiking).\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Super Glue:\u00c2\u00a0 It’s the base of all \u00e2\u20ac\u0153liquid bandage\u00e2\u20ac\u009d products.\u00c2\u00a0 If you have it, mix in some clove oil to act as an antiseptic, and you’ve just made your own!\u00c2\u00a0 (The author has also heard of soldiers using it to seal bullet wounds, and agrees with the logic behind it, but does not recommend trying.\u00c2\u00a0 Hell, the author does not recommend getting shot either.)\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Grease:\u00c2\u00a0 An automotive enthusiast once told the author how you could smear heavy grease into small or medium cuts to stop the bleeding.\u00c2\u00a0 The author, doing his own auto work and skinning a knuckle, tried this and will say it works.\u00c2\u00a0 The cleaning after, and exposure to carcinogens can’t lead him to recommend this, however.<\/p>\n
Ash:\u00c2\u00a0 Ash comes from fire.\u00c2\u00a0 Fire sterilizes most things.\u00c2\u00a0 Hence, if you need to staunch a little bleeding, ash can work.\u00c2\u00a0 It will also promote a HUGE keltoid scar, so don’t do this where cosmetic appearances are a concern.<\/p>\n
Booze:\u00c2\u00a0 Need to clean a wound?\u00c2\u00a0 Wash it with red wine or stronger booze.\u00c2\u00a0 Again, especially with a heavy red, you may color the resulting scar, so be aware.<\/p>\n
Clove oil:\u00c2\u00a0 Found sold most often for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153aroma therapy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.\u00c2\u00a0 It is also a natural antiseptic (so only buy it pure, no additive \/ preservatives if you want to use it as such).\u00c2\u00a0 Since oil isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t water soluble, it is harder to clean from a wound, so if you douse a BIG cut or burn in it you’ll have to get it scrubbed out when you reach a hospital.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s also included with some toothache temporary treatment kits to deaden cavity pain (by killing the nerve.\u00c2\u00a0 Again, be aware what you’re doing to yourself.)<\/p>\n
Dental floss (waxed only) \/ monofilament fishing line:\u00c2\u00a0 Yes, with a needle these CAN be used to suture wounds.\u00c2\u00a0 Since they’re not sold sterile though, they have a greater chance of infection.\u00c2\u00a0 The dental floss, not being solid (multiple strands, even with wax), can get grown into healing flesh, or let infection in more easily than the monofilament.\u00c2\u00a0 (Author’s opinion, REAL sutures are worth the hospital co-pay if you have the choice.)<\/p>\n
Sea water:\u00c2\u00a0 Saline, aka salt water, is often used to rinse wounds in medical setting.\u00c2\u00a0 Guess what the ocean is full of (with higher salt content and other stuff).\u00c2\u00a0 Be aware of pollution in harbors or near land, but by and large, a quick sluice is never a bad thing to wash out a wound with.<\/p>\n
Urine:\u00c2\u00a0 When it leaves the body, urine is sterile.\u00c2\u00a0 Yes, it is gross, and gets even grosser as bacteria and yeasts from the air settle and propagate in it.\u00c2\u00a0 It MIGHT be better than whatever other gunk or dirt is in or on the wound.\u00c2\u00a0 Needless to say, only use fresh.\u00c2\u00a0 (NOTE:\u00c2\u00a0 Pissing on jellyfish stings is NOT a good idea.\u00c2\u00a0 Any unfired stinging cells WILL be fired by contact with the urine, causing even more pain \/ poisoning.)<\/p>\n
It should be reiterated in closing that while these ARE somewhat viable first aid techniques, they are imperfect ones.\u00c2\u00a0 Basic first aid training defers to professional medical care because IT WORKS WELL.\u00c2\u00a0 The author however, has been outside range or feasibility of quick professional help, and used these ideas (except for the toothache one), and has lived to tell about it.\u00c2\u00a0 This may, and likely IS dumb luck, so take care, and\u00c2\u00a0save the trouble by not getting\u00c2\u00a0hurt in the first place!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Everyone will get hurt somehow during the course of their lives, it’s just a matter of time.\u00c2\u00a0 When this happen there is a large variety of products out there to patch up the minor incidents.\u00c2\u00a0 These products are good, certainly, when they are well made, sterile, and can be applied correctly.\u00c2\u00a0 Oh yeah, they’re also … Continue reading First Aid?<\/span>