I saw this suture kit at REI today and bought it. I think it will be a nice addition to my first aid kit. About 15 years ago on Seagull lake I was cut on the foot by some sharp rocks and could have used some stitches. It was our last day so I had to tape it up tight and limped out the next day. I also remember people's stories about fish hooks, knife cuts, nasty cuts and everyone remembers the axe to the foot last year. The farthest away we are from professional medical help not more than two days so time is a factor when cut. You only have 12 hours to close a cut with sutures, then it is too late. I just think this is a nice insurance for accidents. Has anyone used this or needed this? What do you all think?

Suture kit

I have always brought steri-strips along. Used them last year when my son tore his knockle open sawing a branch. Can also use duct tape as a steri-strip in a pinch.

I take a suture kit that I assembled at work. I also take a skin stapler, surgical super glue and steri-strips. Slipped on the shore of Knife Lake once and cut the palm of my hand on the namesake rocks. Glued and steri-stipped. Another trip a guy "sawed" the back of his hand. Sutured that. One of those things not used much, but comes in handy when needed.

This thread got me thinking and wondering if this "avaible gear" would work in a DIRE emergency:

Braided fishing line
Small barbless hook with the eyelet squeezed to a narrow oval
Small neeldle nose pliers
Tweezer from a Swiss Army knife

Boil it all up and go to work?

ok, ive had stitches with a local before. how painful are they without?

quote kanoes: "ok, ive had stitches with a local before. how painful are they without?"

Everclear is your friend. Cleaning the wound and for drinking/killing the pain.

quote Savage Voyageur: "

quote kanoes: "ok, ive had stitches with a local before. how painful are they without?"

Everclear is your friend. Cleaning the wound and for drinking/killing the pain.





"

true, but id like the Dr. to be sober. :)

steri-strips for me. slipped on a wet, mossy covered rock on a SAR mission and used em on my elbow.

quote kanoes: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "

quote kanoes: "ok, ive had stitches with a local before. how painful are they without?"

Everclear is your friend. Cleaning the wound and for drinking/killing the pain.





"

true, but id like the Dr. to be sober. :)"

Reminds me of a western movie where the doc would take a pull from the bottle before he worked on the patient. LOL

The kit contains syringes, but does it come with any of the meds for them such as Lidocaine?

I have seen wounds sutured by MD's and suture nurses and I think I'd prefer to have any wound requiring sutures to be properly irrigated (cleaned) and maybe x rayed to determine if any debris are still in the wound.

I think I'd opt for a pressure dressing to get me to proper medical care. Or a something like a Spot locator beacon if it was more severe.

I'd be afraid of infection, you'd probably be fine doing it on your own, but in the off chance infection were to occur, you could lose a finger or even a hand.

I'm sticking with my Steri-Strips, thanks.

quote kanoes: "ok, ive had stitches with a local before. how painful are they without?"

My first thought as well...without a local, it'd hurt like heck...and as for everclear, man you pour that on my wound and you can then worry about getting me out of that 30-foot high branch I just leaped into...might as well just shoot me first...

Like many others, I bring basic first-aid kit--some sterile gauze, bacitracin, steri-strips, bandaids, tweezers, needle, motrin, etc for 99 percent of the cuts I may face. I also carry a Z-Medica Quik Clot Sport in case of a more serious/larger cut.


The suture kit might come in handy, but not sure how useful it is without being certified in its use...

In earlier years on NE rivers with class 2&3 rapids, accidents occurred (certaintly not due to poor decisions, LOL), we have chose to self stitch twice. Gbusk has it right, irrigate with a vengence to cleanse, iodine, and a lidocaine injection allows stitching with only a fair amount of discomfort. This part of our first-aid kit weights in at 4.5 OZ. Cover and bandage with tape. We have added surgical super glue to our kit, have had to use it once in BW, the stuff is amazing. Also carry a three day supply of antibiotic, never have used.
Boppa

Yes, I have gone through training.

putting them in is a real art,it's just not a matter of sewing up a gash.i would skip it and just close with Quick Clot,and heavy gauze pad held in place with a elastic bandage.many years ago i took a big kit with a staple gun style suture kit.at some point i could see that if i had to use it i would be in big trouble to begin with and trying to use it while in shock and pain would make things worse so i went to the Clot and military wound bandage system...some things are sold for the drama involved---

I have heard some bad things about the Quick Clot-type stuff. I would like to hear a doctor's opinion of it before adding it to a first aid kit.

people are worried about 'quik-clot'? I'm afraid to say my solution: super glue.

haha

that will hold it back together until somebody can check it out for REAL. and yes, of course, you want to irrigate/clean it out first!

If you read the REI website, it says to give the kit to a medical professional. I'll do it on myself in a wilderness emergency, but liability scares me away from doing much on another. Sutures are outside my WFR training. That's why I answered, "Steri-strips for me".

FYI
I added a 1 oz Nalgene of Hydrogen Peroxide to my first aid kit.
It seems to work well to irrigate cuts and fizzes all the nasty's out.
SunCatcher

I have wondered about it. It seems it would be hurt like hell without anesthetic. It also seems like it would be hard to do on a solo. Could I sew up my dominant hand with my non-dominant hand without anesthesia while also probably being in shock?

quote boonie: "I have wondered about it. It seems it would be hurt like hell without anesthetic. It also seems like it would be hard to do on a solo. Could I sew up my dominant hand with my non-dominant hand without anesthesia while also probably being in shock? "

My answer initially? No. but possibly? Yes. because I really don't know which hand is dominant, lol. (Yes, let THAT bit of information roll around in your noggin' a bit!)

I'd probably end up by saying "NO!" because I can't stand blood. My own blood, to be mroe precise. I'd end up holding it shut somehow, after cleaning it out/wrapping it up... no sutures!

quote SunCatcher: "FYI
I added a 1 oz Nalgene of Hydrogen Peroxide to my first aid kit.
It seems to work well to irrigate cuts and fizzes all the nasty's out.
SunCatcher
"

Good call suncatcher, I will too, along with a bottle of saline. The experts long ago said not to use alcohol to clean out cuts, they say it does more harm to the cut area than helps.

I have debated the need for sutures in a wilderness medical kit with Emergency Department personel (anyone want to chime in?). Since I am a medical professional capable of sewing someone back up- I used to think it made sense to have some silk and lidocaine in my pack. I have had my opinion changed

Everyone who works in an ED that I talk to says it's unrealistic. The reasons I was given-

Anything big enough to REALLY require sutures- should be compression bandaged to stop the bleeding- then the person should be evacuated ASAP to an ER to be assessed.

Anything else is usually small enough that the wound should be fine with a good cleaning- hydrogen peroxide is OK, then butterfly bandages or even the tissue super glue. There are almost no other wounds that would fall in between

I seem to recall the hydro peroxide is ok for surface cuts, but not deep wounds???? Sterile water best or the saline solution.

Any other word on that?

quote rlhedlund: "I seem to recall the hydro peroxide is ok for surface cuts, but not deep wounds???? Sterile water best or the saline solution.


Any other word on that?"

The problem with irrigation in the woods is the volume of fluid you need to properly irrigate- some times a liter for a big dirty wound. Hydrogen peroxide is just easier to carry as a small amount will do.

Here are my thoughts as a surgeon. I carry Quik Clot never had to use reported to be able to stop major bleeding as large as femoral artery- leg. I also carry suture supplies and stapler-but I am comfortable using them. I agree most wounds should be washed out very well with the best thing you have. Then steristrp or I am big fan of the adhesives. You could even do both.

I agree that anything that REQUIRES sutures is cause for evac. As a WFR, I don't carry sutures. I am not a medic.

quote Unas10: "I have heard some bad things about the Quick Clot-type stuff. I would like to hear a doctor's opinion of it before adding it to a first aid kit."

What are the bad things you have heard about Quick-Clot? other than the price?

I did sign-cutting training with a SAR guy who is ex-military medic involved with wilderness medical standards and worked with development of the military version of quick-clot.

quote rlhedlund: "

quote Unas10: "I have heard some bad things about the Quick Clot-type stuff. I would like to hear a doctor's opinion of it before adding it to a first aid kit."

What are the bad things you have heard about Quick-Clot? other than the price?


I did sign-cutting training with a SAR guy who is ex-military medic involved with wilderness medical standards and worked with development of the military version of quick-clot."

I heard that it is a method of last resort in a combat situation. It basically cauterizes the wound. It will stop the bleeding but will also do a lot of permanent tissue and nerve damage.

It is just what you said IMO. It ain't for something a dressing and pressure will stop.

If you have to pull out the quick-clot you ain't gonna be doing sutures. ie. gunshot wound, severe laceration, immediate (as possible) evac.

In answer to Kanoes question about pain.
In 1968 (Vietnam), I had some surface wounds that required stitches. They said the pain putting in the pain killer was equal to putting in the stitches. I survived.

quote Savage Voyageur: "I saw this suture kit at REI today and bought it. I think it will be a nice addition to my first aid kit. About 15 years ago on Seagull lake I was cut on the foot by some sharp rocks and could have used some stitches. It was our last day so I had to tape it up tight and limped out the next day. I also remember people's stories about fish hooks, knife cuts, nasty cuts and everyone remembers the axe to the foot last year. The farthest away we are from professional medical help not more than two days so time is a factor when cut. You only have 12 hours to close a cut with sutures, then it is too late. I just think this is a nice insurance for accidents. Has anyone used this or needed this? What do you all think?


Suture kit "

Sorry to say, but I don't like the kit much. It has a fair assortment of needles...but nothing to inject. You will be able to use the needles to extract splinters and possibly fish hooks, so it is definitely not useless. I like nitrile gloves.

But what in the heck are you going to use an angiocath for? Going to start an IV without any sterile fluid? I suppose you can use it to get some pressure behind some irrigation, but then again you only have a 1 cc and a 3 cc syringe. 5-0 suture is fairly thin and wouldn't really want to put it in a place that was seeing much stress. What are you going to put the stitches in with? You might have a needle nose pliers that would work. Hope you know your anatomy well enough that you don't strangulate an artery or a nerve with that stitch you just put in (admittedly unlikely, but still possible).

I have tried to put in a stitch for a friend who just wanted something done quickly...he didn't tolerate the suture material being pulled through his skin very well. Good thing he was lying down!

I am not saying that suturing is a complicated art. But there are situations in which you can cause more harm than good.

As far as quick clot, I have never used the stuff. Have heard that the biggest risk is the heat it causes.

Hydrogen peroxide- fine to use initially, but using on subsequent days can kill the cells trying to heal the wound and may delay healing (although many a wound have healed just fine with it being used repeatedly)

Best thing to remember if you are going to suture: "The solution to pollution is dilution".....irrigate the crap out of there!!!!

true, but id like the Dr. to be sober. :)

Love it.

I think a key to remember is that this kit is not designed for use in the wilderness but in developing countries where being able to hand a doctor a set of sterile supplies, including an IV line, can be very useful. It is definitely thought-provoking about injuries in the wilderness but can't be fairly judged on that basis.

Why didn't anyone mention butterfly Band-Aid, they do good closing wound as stitches.

I could, and would, stitch up a member of my family if such was needed but I would not do the same for a member of the general public.
If you are applying Steri Strips out in the wild, be sure you the clean edges of the wound where the Steri Strips will be applied with an Alcohol prep pad, then, if you have some, apply Compound Benzoin Tincture (Friars Balsam). Be sure you do a good job aligning the edges of the wound because that stuff is not coming loose in the near future. My multi person trip kit has a suture kit, Steri Strips, and Super Glue. No it's not medical grade. That stuff is way too expensive.
I have had sutures put in without the benefit of anesthetic. It was no fun at all.
Just my 2 cents and worth the full price.

Been on two trips where sutures were admistered. Once on the Grand Canyon and once on the Bio Bio. Both times by a Dr. and with injectable lidocaine. Wounds were irrigated with saline solution and on the leg wound some kind of "Drain" was sewed in place. On the head wound, just a gauze and some tape over the stitches for a day or two. Both times the wounds could have been a major issue but a Dr. was along and the problem was solved. I do not think I would want to try it.

quote Crooked_Paddle: "Why didn't anyone mention butterfly Band-Aid, they do good closing wound as stitches."

Yep. Have those as well.

quote drnatus: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "I saw this suture kit at REI today and bought it. I think it will be a nice addition to my first aid kit. About 15 years ago on Seagull lake I was cut on the foot by some sharp rocks and could have used some stitches. It was our last day so I had to tape it up tight and limped out the next day. I also remember people's stories about fish hooks, knife cuts, nasty cuts and everyone remembers the axe to the foot last year. The farthest away we are from professional medical help not more than two days so time is a factor when cut. You only have 12 hours to close a cut with sutures, then it is too late. I just think this is a nice insurance for accidents. Has anyone used this or needed this? What do you all think?



Suture kit "

Sorry to say, but I don't like the kit much. It has a fair assortment of needles...but nothing to inject. You will be able to use the needles to extract splinters and possibly fish hooks, so it is definitely not useless. I like nitrile gloves.


But what in the heck are you going to use an angiocath for? Going to start an IV without any sterile fluid? I suppose you can use it to get some pressure behind some irrigation, but then again you only have a 1 cc and a 3 cc syringe. 5-0 suture is fairly thin and wouldn't really want to put it in a place that was seeing much stress. What are you going to put the stitches in with? You might have a needle nose pliers that would work. Hope you know your anatomy well enough that you don't strangulate an artery or a nerve with that stitch you just put in (admittedly unlikely, but still possible).


I have tried to put in a stitch for a friend who just wanted something done quickly...he didn't tolerate the suture material being pulled through his skin very well. Good thing he was lying down!


I am not saying that suturing is a complicated art. But there are situations in which you can cause more harm than good.


As far as quick clot, I have never used the stuff. Have heard that the biggest risk is the heat it causes.


Hydrogen peroxide- fine to use initially, but using on subsequent days can kill the cells trying to heal the wound and may delay healing (although many a wound have healed just fine with it being used repeatedly)


Best thing to remember if you are going to suture: "The solution to pollution is dilution".....irrigate the crap out of there!!!! "

I'm seeing a new thread here- "do you pump, boil, chemically treat or just draw water out of the lake for your IV solutions?"

Steri strips for me, 20cc luer tip syringe (boiled H20) for irrigation and shur cleans.

quote Savage Voyageur: "I saw this suture kit at REI today and bought it. I think it will be a nice addition to my first aid kit. About 15 years ago on Seagull lake I was cut on the foot by some sharp rocks and could have used some stitches. It was our last day so I had to tape it up tight and limped out the next day. I also remember people's stories about fish hooks, knife cuts, nasty cuts and everyone remembers the axe to the foot last year. The farthest away we are from professional medical help not more than two days so time is a factor when cut. You only have 12 hours to close a cut with sutures, then it is too late. I just think this is a nice insurance for accidents. Has anyone used this or needed this? What do you all think?


Suture kit "

If you are gonna have the suture kit along, you may as well have your Tetanus shot updated, if it is not current. You'd hate to get a case of lockjaw out there.

quote gbusk: "

quote Savage Voyageur: "I saw this suture kit at REI today and bought it. I think it will be a nice addition to my first aid kit. About 15 years ago on Seagull lake I was cut on the foot by some sharp rocks and could have used some stitches. It was our last day so I had to tape it up tight and limped out the next day. I also remember people's stories about fish hooks, knife cuts, nasty cuts and everyone remembers the axe to the foot last year. The farthest away we are from professional medical help not more than two days so time is a factor when cut. You only have 12 hours to close a cut with sutures, then it is too late. I just think this is a nice insurance for accidents. Has anyone used this or needed this? What do you all think?



Suture kit "

If you are gonna have the suture kit along, you may as well have your Tetanus shot updated, if it is not current. You'd hate to get a case of lockjaw out there."

Good point Greg, I get one about every five years, lots of cuts from work.