How to Build a Motorcycle First Aid Kit

In a car first aid and emergency kit, you can get away with packing in quite a lot, but in a motorcycle first aid kit and emergency kit, we have to downsize a bit. With Colorado weather as unpredictable as it is, everyone who drives or rides our roads should be prepared with some basics should they ever become injured or stranded, waiting for assistance, and this motorcycle first aid kit is just what you need before hitting the road.

Denver Motorcycle First Aid Kit Essentials

Riding is almost like camping: you have to plan for emergencies, but pack the absolute minimum to manage your risk. To help me prepare the list below, I sought some advice from RoadGuardians.org. They said that, in order to prepare a helpful emergency kit for motorcycles, riders need to think about the types of injuries they may face after an accident. They listed the following as the most common injuries riders face:

• Burns
• Eye injuries
• Cuts, abrasions and scrapes
• Factures
• Trauma to the head, neck, spine, chest and abdomen

Given that information, they suggest the following for a motorcycle emergency kit. I have embellished with a few of my own suggestions at the bottom, as well:

• Small first aid book
• Nitrile gloves (like a doctor’s gloves)
• Antimicrobial hand cleaner
• Sting relief/burn gel
• Band-Aids
• Antibiotic ointment
• Large (4”x4”) sterile gauze pads
• Emergency blanket (Look how small these can be!)
• Sterile saline (with a squirt tip for irrigating)
• Instant cold pack(s)
• Glow stick(s)
• Trauma shears
• 1 or 2 rolls of 2” or 3” roll gauze
• Medical tape
• Tweezers

To this list, I would add:

• Small flashlight
• A power bank like the one in the car emergency kit
• Cell phone adapter and cord
• Jacket or rain poncho (These also come in very compact packaging.)
• Water

I know that looks like a ton of gear, but think about each thing separately and look to minimize. For example, only add one set of medical gloves. Select 5-10 Band-Aids of different sizes. Find those tiny antibiotic ointment packets instead of a tube. In the end, I believe you can get all the gear you need into a gallon size Ziplock bag.

Now, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t also mention that motorcycle injuries after an accident can be pretty darned horrific. In many cases, you won’t have time to consult a first aid book. For example, if you’re helping a friend who’s just laid down his bike on his leg, you need to act fast.

I suggest that you take an emergency roadside first aid training course. Typically, Red Cross offers fantastic first aid courses, teaching skills that you can probably apply to just about any emergency situation.

BikerDown Offers Ready-Made Motorcycle Trauma Kit

If you are a motorcyclist and you haven’t heard about BikerDown, you need to check them out. They assist bikers and their loved ones after accidents, and they also provide benefits to people who join, such as reduced disability insurance rates, roadside assistance and more.

Additionally, BikerDown offers ready-made trauma kids for a donation of $25. These handy kits come in a small bag, similar to a fanny pack or small shave kit bag and include some basic first aid supplies:

• Bottle of saline to wash wounds
• Burn cream
• Cold compresses
• Neosporin
• Scissors (for cutting through chaps, jeans and other clothing)
• Bandages, wraps and tape
• Rubber gloves
• CPR mouth cover

BikerDown founder Laurie Montoya started offering the kids after taking an accident scene management class.

I believe it’s irresponsible for motorcycle riders not to have a trauma kit on their bike,” says Montoya. “We need to be prepared to help each other on the road, whether it’s a friend who was burned on a pipe, someone with road rash, or worse. These supplies and skills are extremely important to render aid until emergency services arrive at the scene.”

BikerDown has offered accident scene management classes in the past and is offering two more in 2018:

• Saturday, March 24, location TBD
• Sunday, March 25, Peak Honda
• Fee: $25 (these classes are normally $75)

The classes will cover everything from how to roll a body properly, how to remove a helmet from an unconscious rider, how to protect the scene, and more.

“Bikers need to be realistic,” says Montoya. “We all know the risks associated with motorcycle riding. We should all be prepared to help our friends in the event of an accident. You’d want them to be able to help you!”