For many riders across the country, the time has come to store the bike and dream about the spring, but it is also a good time to restock your first aid kit and check your other emergency motorcycle items like your tools and tire repair kit.
The most common motorcycle injuries are burns, abrasions, and eye injuries. All three should be addressed in a good first aid kit as well as other emergency items. The most difficult part is assembling a kit and keeping it small enough to always carry on your bike, but most of us have some room under our seats or in our tail bags to always keep a kit handy. Here is a good link to assemble your own kit or you can order a fairly well stocked kit for motorcycling here.
A few tips that I have found handy:
I have not needed to use my first aid kit, (knock on wood) but have found a couple of items invaluable when on the road, especially the antihistamine and the sting pads. I have a slight bee allergy, and have discovered that I am not alone in this vein. There are several people out there that have a terrible reaction to bug stings in general so it is good to always carry antihistamine pills like benadryl or any over the counter non-drowsy antihistamine and an antihistamine or corticosteroid cream. Another small item to aid in stifling the itch is a tea bag. Yep soak it in water then apply it to the sting and it helps with the itch and pain. Also for pain, ibuprofen is good. These are all items that should be in your first aid kit.
Another item that is handy is a 2 ft. length of heavy duty vinyl tubing that will work as a tourniquet and also as a gas syphon for a trapped fellow rider.
Always have good heavy duty trauma shears. The cheap ones will NOT cut through leather or cordura.
Carry a small emergency blanket. These come in handy for emergency use as well as ground cover if you have some roadside bike repairs to be done.
Try to take an emergency first aid course as offered by many local organizations.
Doc Wong in the Bay Area
Accident Scene Management Best ever full accident scene management directed toward the assessment and treatment of the injured as well as how to safely administer care.
Take a course and keep a GOOD first aid kit on your motorcycle and ride vigilantly!