Let me tell you about a little gear hack that I found out about a few years back that has since saved me in multiple semi-emergency situations. This product is called superglue. You may have used it in the past for binding two materials together or fixing a broken house hold item. However, what many people don’t know is how beneficial it can be as a medical tool. Let me provide an example.
The Story
One day while backpacking through the great Gunnison Gorge there were three overly confident fisherman who may have been in a bit over their head. As the river rushed high these three men were determined to continue moving up river even when the land may have depleted. Left with only two options of scaling a jagged rock cliff or crossing the rushing river, these men decided to split the difference and hit the cliffs edge while continuing forward through the water. I ran anchor of the pack and my partner Phil led. As Phil began to take his first few steps into the river I could see he lost his footing and slipped. Next thing I noticed there was a pool of red colored water flowing toward me. I immediately stepped back out to only see Phil’s knee has been split clean open by the edge of a jagged rock.
Immediately we go into survival mood, pulling out our first aid kits only to see what? A few band aids, Neosporin and some gauze. Yes these items are great for small wounds but a gash like this needed to be sealed. Luckily, I remembered I threw in a tube of super glue just because my father told me about a time he used it to seal a cut he got while working on his motorcycle back home. As I pulled it out both Evan and Phil gave me a funny look, which I responded with, “it’s all we got.”
We cleaned the cut with the Neosporin, pitched it closed and lathered on the glue. To keep it tight we wrapped the gauze around his entire knee until it was held shut. We proceeded to spend two more full days down in the canyon after that incident and the super glue held firm. Phil didn’t even end up needing stitched by the time we got out because the skin had already began to heal closed.
Bring it
Who would have known that such a small light weight tool would prove itself to be so useful in an emergency like situation. Now, I practically bring a tube with me everywhere. They are inexpensive and compact, whether for your car, purse, or pocket I would highly recommend this item to be an essential for your adventure and travel needs.
Itís nearly impossible to find educated people in this particular subject, however, you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks