Suture Kit - Where to buy in Austin?

[horn4life]

I have a pretty extensive emergency kit for when we travel or head off to the coast etc. However the one thing I do not have that I would like is a suture kit. Mainly to stictch myself (or someone else up) if we got ripped open in a far back bay or down near big shell.

Any ideas on where to look? FOund some on the internet for $40.00 or so...

 

[lnghrninlubbock]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I work in the medical field and we don't have "kits" per say. But really all you need is a needle driver, scissors, a tweezer to grasp the tissue and the suture. Of course ideally this should all be sterile. Then you also have to figure out what type of suture to use. There are literally hundreds of choices of materials, sizes, types of needles, etc, all with different uses. I guess if you are concerned about skin lacerations, you could use a 2-0 vicryl or silk. I'll tell you what would make the most sense is a sterile skin stapling device, then you don't have to get as many things and you can staple most lacerations on the skin.

 

[NickDanger]

I have heard that some people use either Krazy or Super Glue. One is supposedly OK and the othr is not. Probably a bunch of bull, but that's what I heard.

 

[lnghrninlubbock]

yeah, glue is not a bad idea- the medical stuff is "dermabond", you can even get a form of it over the counter. I have not been overly impressed with using it on large lacerations or those where the wound will be subjected to movement, e.g. the knee or elbow

 

[next2naus]

keep a pail of dirt on hand.

 

[horn4life]

Here is what I am finding on the internet-
#565 Suture Kit
Hospital-quality field surgical kit for closing wounds for Third World Travel.

Suggested Uses Bag Description
- Traveling - Third World
- International Trekkers Zipper bag.
Suture/Syringe Items Wound Management Items
1 3-0 Nylon Suture with Cutting Needle
1 5-0 Nylon Suture with Cutting Needle
1 Scalpel
2 3 cc Syringe
1 10 CC. Syringe with Catheter
2 25g. x 5/8" Needle
1 Sterile Drape
1 Mayo-Hager Needle HOlder 5"
1 Scissors S/S 5"
1 Thumb Tissue Forceps 4.5" (mouse tooth) 1 1 Povidone Iodine (1oz.)
4 Double Antibiotic Ointment
Infection Control Items-
4 Surgeons Sterile Gloves

I am mainly concerned with just being able to stictch up any sort of small gash that might happen ina remote area. I guess a bigger gash too but hopefully I won't use either. But better than bleeding profusely for an hour and a half boat ride....

 

[lnghrninlubbock]

that kit sounds good. if pain is an issue try to pick up some lidocaine.

 

[12thStudStan]

"Pain don't hurt" - Patrick Swayze in Road House

Cheaperthandirt.com used to sell some military surplus medical field kits. They might have what you are looking for.

 

[Boozehound]

Duct tape & Electrical tape work in a pinch too. We had our captain nearly cut two fingers off when the wife and I went fishing in Alaska this summer. We tried to dry it off the best we could, applied pressure with a bandage, and e-taped his fingers shut. It was down to the bone on the inside of both fingers about half way up - ouch.

 

[horn4life]

I am sure that removing the duct tape for proper stitching was also rather enjoyable.

Interestingly I found a guy here in Austin that puts kits together and sells them on E-Bay.

tHANKS FOR THE INPUT... save the dirt...