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Make Your Own Motorcycle First Aid Kit

By Gregg Geerbaux

Don't Leave Home Without It

First Aid Kits are something many riders overlook. Most won't give a thought about one until the time comes when they need it. Space is precious on a bike so you don't need to pack a lot. The challenge is figuring out what to carry, it isn't the same for every rider. My kit isn't meant to be a life saving package, but rather items that will give me relief from minor injuries or provide comfort until emergency help arrives.

There are many pre-packaged kits but they usually have items you don't need. It's easy to construct your own. You don't need to pack a pharmacy's worth of stuff either. Small quantities will do just fine.

Waterproof Container – this can be hard plastic such as food storage containers, or a vinyl pouch that closes tight. It needs to keep your supplies dry.

Pain Relievers – over the counter aspirin or ibuprofen, along with some antacid tablets, breath mints, cough drops, etc. You can repackage all of these in one small bottle or container to save space. Just remember which pill is which.

Extra Prescription Medications – an extra days supply of medication if you get stuck away from home overnight.

Band Aids – Remember, a small bandage is useless on a large cut but you can cover a small cut with a large one. Liquid bandage can be a good substitute.

Medical Gauze and First Aid Tape – a good temporary bandage for just about any cut or wound.

Scissors – for cutting tape and bandages. Your knife will work too.

Burn/Sting Relief – eventually someone touches the hot exhaust.

Antibiotic Ointment – helps keep out infection as wounds heal.

Antimicrobial Hand Cleaner – as good as antibacterial and kills even more bad stuff.

Disposable Instant Cold Packs – for pain relief, swelling and inflammation.

Gloves – disposable non-latex will do the trick. As with band aids, you can put a large size glove on a smaller hand but not the other way around.

Glow Sticks – you want to make yourself as visible as possible at night. They're inexpensive and have a long shelf life.

Bottled Water – used to wash the wounds or provide hydration.

Cell Phone – it can be a good source for medical information and you can use it to call for additional help. And there's an app to turn your phone into a flashlight.

The best first aid kit is one you never need to use but there's a good chance that you, or one of your riding buddies, will be thankful you've got one when needed. Ride safe.