Re: [Philmont]: Suture Kit

RE: [Philmont]: Suture KitIn my three trips to Phimont I have only seen a suture kit used once. I had to restain myself as I watched a resident sew up a cut after some very rudimentary irrigation. Don't know how it turned out. On a very personal note, three years ago on a work day at our local camp I experienced a rather bad puncture wound from a stick just below the kneecap. DESPITE copious and "thorough" irrigation and leaving it open (though covered) in twelve hours I was in need of surgical irrigation and drainage to keep it out of the joint. Wilderness injuries can be very much more serious than the initial picture suggests.
Lastly, despite the fact that many of us love Philmont as a wilderness experience, im reality you are always close to help. USE IT.
John Sucher, SM and MD (WMS member)
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Feurtado, Walter (Contractor)
  To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
  Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 12:22 PM
  Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Suture Kit

  I have enjoyed reading all of the responses to the suture Kit. All of the answers have been great but somewhat directed to the lay person. However I do chuckle a bit because the original question was raised by someone representing a PHYSICIAN who wanted to know if a suture kit would be wise in the back country.

  I would hope that the PHYSICIAN would understand all of the implications of infections and how to properly close a wound whether in the backcountry or in his office.

  I teach American Red Cross First Aid and Adult CPR and the objective provide care until the professionals arrive. I am a lay person but if a PHYSICIAN wanted to take a suture kit and did not mind the additional weight, I fail to see the problem.

  In my 11 trips to the backcountry, I have never had even a cut in any of my crews but it is not to say that it can not happen.

  PLEASE, PLEASE take no offense to this response. Again, every response was accurate and I appreciated reading them. However in this case, we might have lost sight of the original question.

  Off to Philmont in 2 days!!

  Wally Feurtado
  Philmont Training Coordinator
  National Capital Area Council

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Jason A. Cotting [mailto:p2ranger@anvilgear.com]
  Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 11:47 AM
  To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
  Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Suture Kit

  I totally agree about the risk of infection. When I took my wilderness
  first responder class, we were given a piece of meat (pork if I remember
  right) that had been cut, rubbed in the dirt, and had some dye in it. The
  dye only showed up under a black light and was used to represent bacteria.
  After much scrubbing and irrigating we took it under the black light and
  the dye (bacteria) was still there in places. You got to be careful with
  a deep wound to make sure it is clean before closing it up. Unless you
  really know what you are doing, your job is to stop/slow the bleading and
  keep the person alive so that someone else can take it from there.

  Jason
><>
  Retired Ranger

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Tue Jun 24 20:48:36 2003