Maybe the title for this should be "MY Motorcycle First Aid Kit", since I'm certain there have to be kits labeled for motorcycles and setups created by other riders. The problem I had is how to make the things I need accessible to me after a crash, and I believe I've solved it.
Zip Ties!
The old joke about fixing everything with duct tape or bailing wire needs to be amended to add zip ties since there are so many places tie wire won't allow for a tight twist to finish and tape isn't right.
I'm attaching a zip tie mount to the interior of my saddle bag door as the final (for now, at least) place to keep everything secure and handy. I've had them loose in the saddlebag where they were flopping around when there wasn't anything in there, and I tried sticking them to the back. Neither was good: if I was carrying stuff no one could see the first aid gear on the back wall, and if I kept it loose I was worried about damage to the packaging and ruining any sterile seals. In March I posted the first attempt of carrying a first aid kit on my motorbike where you can get links to what I currently have.
The zip tie holding the two bags together is threaded normally, and the zip tie attaching the bag to the mount is backwards, meaning it won't ratchet down tight but still hold things together by a small amount of friction, allowing the first aid supplies to be removed from the saddle bag door easily when needed. There's no way that I could find to show that small zip tie in a picture, but if you try it you'll see that it'll slide out with very little effort.
This project has been a struggle for me, as I had to stop adding bits and pieces of first aid gear to my motorcycle such like a very small kit with Band-Aids of various sizes, triple antibiotic and such. I've convinced myself that in the case of an actual accident, it's unlikely that Band-Aids are going to be much help, and if they are then many other people will probably have them. My only concession to this 'pack ratting' is a Pocket Pack of Kleenex and a small bottle of Advil in my riding jackets. The Advil gets refilled with fresh pills from a big bottle purchased from a warehouse store.
The end result, as of today. |
I'll have to run this for a while to see if it really is safe and secure, but I'm optimistic.
Recap and Takeaway
- I try to have first aid gear close to me wherever I am, and on the motorcycle is one of the more important places where I never want to need it.
- I really like what is in the Adventure Medical pack, which you can buy from Amazon and use our BCP link. The North American Rescue kit needs to be purchased directly from them. Seriously, go right to their site and shop there.
- Be safe and expect better, but plan for problems; those around you will appreciate it.
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NOTE: All items tested were purchased by me. No products have been loaned in exchange for a favorable review. Any items sent to me for T&E will be listed as such. Suck it Feds.
Clean T shirt, couple of Do-rags (bandannas) and some 550 Cord. Small multi tool, Superglue and bottle of tylenol/ aspirin/ whatever.
ReplyDeleteCouple ziplock bags and you have a lot of first aid / Multiple use things with you.