How to choose your first aid kit?

A first aid kit can be useful for any cyclist and mountain biker, to treat their injuries after a fall, for example. It is particularly useful for tourers, MTB riders and enthusiasts of extreme expeditions and bicycle touring, who are used to finding themselves on somewhat remote trails, far from any assistance.

WHY USE A FIRST AID KIT FOR CYCLING/MTB?

The usefulness of a first aid kit for cycling or MTB is obvious! By carrying disinfectants and accessories useful for treating injuries, such as plasters or dressings, the rider can easily clean, soothe and protect wounds and abrasions on their skin caused by a fall.

They are recommended above all for cycling adventurers who do not hesitate to take on wild, remote, hard-to-reach routes far from towns and any form of assistance. However, it can be useful in all circumstances, such as during a simple family ride.

A first aid kit can obviously be used for yourself as well as for injured people you may encounter.

WHAT CRITERIA SHOULD YOU CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR FIRST AID KIT?

A first aid kit must be easy to carry in a backpack or in a bag. However, those who are able to are encouraged to make it as visible as possible, by attaching it to the outside of a bag or pannier, so that it can be directly accessible to people assisting an injured cyclist who may have lost consciousness, for example.

These first aid kits are very often packaged in more or less compact pouches, which benefit above all from a waterproof construction that prevents the contents from deteriorating inside.

The choice of your first aid kit will depend above all on its contents. You should opt for a more complete kit the more wild and extreme the rides you are planning, such as cycling trips abroad. Otherwise, for more ordinary cycling/MTB rides, you may prefer a more compact kit with the essentials to deal with minor injuries and wounds after a fall, or to better manage the wait before emergency services arrive.

Here are the essential items that should be found inside any first aid kit:

• Dressings
• Plasters in various sizes
• A velcro strap
• A disinfectant product (wipes, alcohol swabs…)
• A gauze bandage
• A pair of scissors
• Gloves

More comprehensive kits, suited for longer cycling/MTB outings, may include the following items:

• Tweezers
• A whistle
• Blister plasters
• Cooling wipes
• A survival blanket
• A thermometer
• A tick remover
• A burn gel
• Saline solution
• Eye drops

For long journeys, you can also consider supplementing the contents of your kit with essentials from your personal medicine cabinet (anti-inflammatory, Biafine…).