Preparing for riding trails on your dirt bike extends further than wearing the right gear and marking the boxes on the pre-ride checklist.
Hitting the trails takes you far from camp and in many respects civilization so bringing along tools for unexpected repair needs, some replacement parts and food and water comes with the territory. But, one of the most important items to bring you hope to never use, and may never use, includes a first aid kit.
And, not just any first aid kit.
Basic first aid kits come with bandages, gauze and anti-septic wipes for minor scrapes and bruises. These types of injuries often come standard when riding dirt bikes but any type of get-off can result in serious trauma requiring a bit more provision to stable the affected rider. Therefore, when heading off to the trails having the correct first aid kit belongs on your checklist of things to take - and don't necessarily limit yourself to just one.
We find it best to have a smaller transportable kit that fits in a backpack you take on the ride and a separate, larger kit you can leave at camp. The smaller kit would help manage any injuries incurred on the ride and the larger kit could help stabilize the patient, if necessary, until medical help arrives or you can get to a hospital. Your first aid kit should contain at least some, if not all, of the following to handle common minor injuries associated with riding dirt bikes:
- Sterile dressings
- Bandages - variety
- Gauze
- Moleskins for blisters
- Tape
- Pain relievers
- Latex or nitrile gloves
- Antibiotic ointment
- Scissors
A good first aid kit includes bandages, ointments and dressings to address minor injuries associated with dirt bike riding
A traditional first aid kit fits inside a small pouch that takes little room in a backpack or other trail bag. You can find kits featuring a wide range of these items to administer first aid to just one person or a group of people. Easily portable first aid kits from Klim and Adventure Ready handle minor injuries incurred from a crash.
Major injuries need more than bandages and topical cream therefore a medical kit kept at camp contains the necessary instruments to handle broken bones, bad sprains, excessive bleeding and open wounds. Do understand, this type of kit serves as a bridge to stabilize the injured before seeking professional medical help and not intended to fully treat serious wounds.
A medical kit contains supplies to help stabilize a patient prior to professional care
As an extra safeguard, consider bringing along with the smaller kit on your ride or add as part of the larger kit, if not already included, clotting gauze. This type of specially treated gauze quickly stops bleeding fast to prevent an excess loss of blood prior to reaching a medical facility.
In addition to a first aid kit, locate the nearby hospital or emergency room and the quickest route there from your location in the event you have a significant accident requiring immediate medical attention.
