So I got to be a good Samaritan today.

[tzvia]

Was on dirt Mulholland today, coming up from Canoga to where a branch trail goes into the Santa Monica mountains and goes all the way to the Pacific, when I saw another rider coming up from that branch. He was very dirty- back covered in dust and appeared to be in pain. He asked if I had bandages and replied I had some. He was shaking and clenching his fist as he got off the bike. I thought, oh man this is not good. As he sat down he mumbled that he thought it was broken. I just rummaged through my camelback and pulled out my crash kit. Pulled out some large bandaids, but he was asking for bandages. I gave him my kit- and as he looked in it another rider came by and stopped to help. I had no idea where he was injured at that point, but as we spoke to him he said his leg and began to pull down his sock. Compound fracture just above the ankle. It looked like his pedal had implanted itself in his leg. It was wide open with visible tendons and bone bits- he had me open my emergency tampons and we got them into the hole. The other cyclist then got one of my big bandaids over it and then we got the whole thing covered with the plastic bag that had held my supplies, to try and keep dirt out.

He was in pain but insisted on riding down to Kaiser- we wanted to call 911 but he stopped us. The other cyclist went with him back down the trail to his car which was closer than mine.

I finished my ride, the whole time thinking about that guy and the pain he was in. I'm gonna add a roll of bandage to my kit. Every time I think I will pare down my pack to save weight, I am reminded why I carry all that stuff.

[OakLeaf]

Oh lord. Good job.

I would've passed right out.

[Zen]

Good job indeed.
I have two maxi-pads in my first aid kit.
The plastic bag is a good idea.

[jessmarimba]

Wow. I'm thoroughly impressed by both of you. I wrecked once and cracked a rib and couldn't even ride out...walked the bike the whole way back. And ugh ugh ugh I cringed just reading your description of his injury. But this is one more reminder that I need a decent first aid kit in my bag.

[Trek420]

Wow. Just wow. You probably saved a life

[tzvia]

I had bought a little Johnson & Johnson kit that comes in a 4" square box. Bandaids, gauze pads, alcohol wipes. To it I put in some tampons, asprin (for stroke/heart attack), advil (pain), a few more wipes and 3 4"x2" giant band-aids. I then put the whole thing in a plastic bag with a few folded up paper towels. I will now add a roll of gauze bandage- I can use band-aids to hold it on a wound. I had found that little kit at the .99c store and bought 4 of them.

I wanted to pass out or chuck breakfast, but watching that poor guy shake in pain snapped me out of it.

[Aggie_Ama]

Good job! I can totally handle anyone BUT ME bleeding not sure though on that bad of an injury. I would be more freaked out that he was in shock or something when he was arguing to continue. I wouldn't have wanted to let him leave! And that has to be a pretty new use for tampons, I am not sure I would have thought of that but I do carry a couple of emergency ones in my camelbak.

[badgercat]

When I saw the thread title I assumed you helped someone change a tire or something... this is way more intense than I was imagining. That guy is so fortunate that you were well-prepared and able to keep a cool head!

[PamNY]

Wow, great that you were prepared and able to help. Hope he's okay.

[channlluv]

I am so proud of you and happy for him that he ran into you and the other rider, and I'm sure when you get over the shock, you'll be able to laugh at this a bit...can you imagine his visit to the emergency room when they unwrap his wound and find your tampons in there? I'm betting that's going to be some funny watercooler talk among the ER nurses.

I'm amazed he continued to ride down even though he had a compound fracture. Superman.

Roxy

[Irulan]

maxi pads are routinely listed as a good item for a first aid kit. I don't think ER personnel would be surprised one bit to see menstrual supplies used that way at all.

Never forget that the best item to have in your kit is TRAINING.

A roll of quality first aid tape or a cravat ( folded large triangular bandage) is good to have in a kit for wrapping arms/legs. Add in gloves for handling blood.

[Tri Girl]

Wow! Poor guy. So glad you were there to help him with that awful injury (makes me shiver thinking about it). Glad the other rider rode with him to his car- hopefully he followed him to the ER. I never thought of feminine hygiene products in the first aid kit, but that makes total sense. Will add those to the list.
Good for you- pat yourself on the back!

oh, and I'm heading to the dollar store right now to pick a kit up- thanks!

[redrhodie]

Good job. The world needs more people like you.

[Catrin]

Good job - and I suspect the ER staff have seem more exotic things than a tampon in such a wound.

[indigoiis]

Add a hairband (like the scuncii kind) or bandanna to that kit or wear one around your head under your helmet- can be used to wrap or tie a splint. I used mine when I broke my ankle in the woods and it helped me keep it stable while I walked and then biked out.