[pct-l] Stitches

[Eric]

Paul, I definitely agree with you. I recently completed a WFA course and our
professor repeatedly told us to just clean with water.  Also, as far as
super glue goes, I hope everyone would NOT use it as if you close a wound
with this, the glue will need to be surgically removed.  The better solution
would be to stop the bleeding, wrap the wound, and get out of the
backcountry ASAP.

Regards,
Eric

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 11:17 AM, Paul Robison <paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com>wrote:

> Sorry to chime in like this but it is VERY VERY important you don't clean
> with alcohol if medical attention is not near...
> ...Secondary infections like gangrene and other worse options are caused by
> alcohol cured wounds.  Alcohol destroys simple bacteria but t also destroys
> your body's antibodies in the area, leaving your wound as basically a Petrie
> dish for whatever the strongest thing there happens to be
>
> Unless broad spectrum Antibiotics are available within a day, DO NOT clean
> with alcohol.  Irrigate with water and leave he bacteria alone until medical
> help is around...
>
> About superglue... Try make a non toxic glue made from
> polyacrimides<(spelling?). That are inert, but it's like 60$ a tube at
> amazon.
>
> I'll take a little blood poisoning on the far outside chance that could
> happen.  Superglue is mildly carcinogenic in the blood stream, but so are
> thousands of other polymer based products we put on our skin.
>
>
> ... Btw, this is much more important in bush situations,  but assess your
> own safety... Most likely if you get hurt you'll be found in an hour or two,
> but in some places it could be a while.  First aid is a seriously important
> skill and I recommend everyone study what he us marines do for medical
> attention... Their field medics (navy medics I believe? Unsure) are the
> best.
> Sent from my iPod
>
> On 2011-02-22, at 12:24 PM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Mr Bulk is right, use super glue. Some alcohol can be used to disinfect,
> > then close the wound with super glue. The medical industry won't openly
> > endorse this, but it's a pretty common practice. There are 2 concerns
> with
> > this though. First, it creates a very well sealed closure to the wound.
> > While this is good for keeping things out, it also keeps anything in.
> > Irrigate and clean the wound well before closing! Second, the medical
> folks
> > are concerned about the glue being absorbed into the body. While I
> haven't
> > heard anyone say it's bad, it's reasonable for them to err on the side of
> > caution. My theory is, we're exposed to so many toxins in modern society,
> > the risk associated with using super glue to close a wound is probably
> > smaller than the risk of not dealing with the wound.
> >
> > I carry a tiny bottle of super glue in my first aid kit. Actually, thanks
> > for reminding me of this, I should probably get a new one. Mine is
> several
> > years old. It's unopened, but for $2, I think I'll replace it ;)
> >
> > On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 9:09 AM, Nitnoid1 <nitnoid1 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Super glue may work but you would have to look it up. I've heard it
> being
> >> used in emergency situations far from an ER.
> >>
> >> The Incredible Bulk
> >>
> >> On Feb 22, 2011, at 8:03 AM, Amanda L Silvestri <aslive at sbcglobal.net>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I have always been careful while out hiking/backpacking and so have
> never
> >> yet been cut much worse that a scape or scratch, never the less, it
> seems to
> >> me that the possibility of tripping or falling (off a slick log or loose
> >> rock cliff or whatever) or impaling oneself with a branch, is a
> possibility.
> >> Even so, I have yet to see in the content list for a First Aid kit, a
> >> curved needle for stitching up lacerations.  I would not enjoy having to
> do
> >> this, but I can imagine a situation where a butterfly bandage might not
> be
> >> enough.  It is likewise not hard to imagine this happening some days
> away
> >> from a road crossing/trail head.  Does anyone carry anything for
> stitches in
> >> their First Aid kit or do most people just use regular needle and thread
> (or
> >> dental floss) hoping that will do the trick?
> >>>
> >>> Shepherd
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