[pct-l] Stitches

[Cosmic Cat]

I will carry superglue (and duct tape) as long as I am a backpacker. It has
saved my ass many times although I have never used it for wound treatment.
Highlights:

I broke my lexan spoon while stirring the cookpot. Used superglue to glue
the shovel part of the spoon to a stick so I could continue cooking and
eating for the rest of the section.

While rafting the Missouri Breaks in MT in a cheapo $45 raft, I put a two
inch hole in the raft whereupon I discovered that we had left the patch kit
in the car. Using duct tape, superglue, and a plastic bag, I managed to
create a patch that allowed us to get to the next road crossing.

During bad weather in the WA Enchantments, my Golite umbrella failed. I was
able to make a field repair in horizontal rain. Without that repair, I would
have turned around and walked back to Snoqualmie pass. Five years later and
I am still using the umbrella with no further repair.

Seriously: carry duct tape and superglue. They are the 11th and 12th
essentials. Unless they are already part of the ten essentials (I can never
remember them anyway). HYOH YMMV etc.

Goodness

On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 4:26 PM, Scott Williams <baidarker at gmail.com> wrote:

> I have carried super glue for many years, and actually went thru 2 tubes of
> it last summer on the PCT, as I used it so much, and it was in such demand
> by other hikers who did not have it.  I've used it on paper cuts and
> serious
> hand slices for many years and never found it hard to remove if it had to
> be.  Soaking the area loosens the edges and it can be worked off.  Usually
> it comes off every day or so like a scab anyway, and I just glue down the
> edges again, and it's good for a few more days.  Pinching the skin closed
> after the bleeding has been controlled and then holding it until the glue
> has set is all that is needed.
>
> The best part of Superglue on a wound however is that it forms a hard shell
> and stops it from moving about as the area moves, and if you bump
> something,
> it's really protected.  A soft bandage just doesn't protect from bumps as
> well, unless the bandage is huge.  In many cases it helps the wound be pain
> free.
>
> After hearing this discussion, I'll watch it for infection a bit more
> closely, but will always carry it on trail.  How else to keep your Dirty
> Girl Gaiter Velcro on the back of your dirty shoe!
>
> Great thread, no pun intended.
>
> Shroomer
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