Hello, I’m Eri, in charge of photography for the Circles web shop.
It’s gotten completely warm—no, hot—and the ski season that I enjoyed to the fullest this winter has come to an end. It seems like a stretch of great weather for riding lies ahead.
Whether it’s skiing or cycling, I’m the type who enjoys things in moderation; I’m not exactly blessed with great athletic reflexes, so I’m a very cautious person.
But, I do have people around me who are aggressive, full of energy, and the type who say they aren’t afraid of speed or injury! Having watched several major crashes happen right in front of me over this past year, while it’s terrifying, it has also made me keenly aware of the importance of first aid for myself and those around me.
What is first aid?
Injuries and mechanical troubles are an inherent part of sports like cycling. First aid consists of initial actions taken to prevent a condition from worsening until you can hand the situation over to medical professionals or mechanics. For the body, this refers to basic actions like stopping bleeding, preventing infection, and stabilizing injuries; for bicycles, it means things like fixing a flat or a broken chain.
A few times a year, Circles holds first aid training for both the body and the bicycle, led by our instructors Nobu-san (a critical care nurse who enjoys various outdoor activities like snow sports, cycling, and hiking) and Daisaku-kun from Culture Club . The next first aid workshop is actually coming up this weekend on Saturday, June 7th, and Sunday, June 8th, so if you’re interested, check out the blog below!
Now, I’ve witnessed all sorts of injuries and troubles: pedal bites on mountain trails, fractures on snowy mountains and in the city, and endos while riding. Although I had taken the training, I hadn’t gotten around to putting together my own first aid kit until now.
However, seeing so many injuries made me realize, "A first aid kit is absolutely necessary when going out to play!" I decided to build my own kit using items that can be sourced from a drugstore and Circles.
Triangular Bandage
Used for immobilizing fractures and dislocations, stopping bleeding, bandaging, and even serving as sun protection or a mask, the versatile triangular bandage is an essential companion for outdoor activities! It’s an item I definitely want to have on me.
By the way, it’s surprisingly hard to recall the correct way to wrap one on the spot. Make sure to check that beforehand!
Water Filter
I’m sure you carry drinking water during rides, hikes, and outdoor activities, but using water you’ve already sipped from to wash a wound is something you want to avoid due to the risk of infection. With the PLATYPUS QuickDraw Micro Filter and a Platy Bottle, any remaining drinking water or water from a stream can be quickly turned into purified water.
Painkillers
Painkillers are especially important to carry when traveling abroad. Since some might not agree with your body, be too strong, or use confusing terminology, it’s best to keep a supply of the ones that work for you.
Rubber Gloves
These are rubber gloves I got from the Circles mechanic pit. Whether for cleanliness or to prevent bloodborne infections, you should always wear them when treating someone else’s wounds.
Plastic Bag
Useful to have for bringing back items that are covered in blood or dirt.
Sterile Cleansing Cotton
I found these pre-sterilized wet cotton pads in the baby section of the drugstore. They seem useful for wiping away blood or dirt after thoroughly cleaning the wound.
Gauze
Protect cleaned wounds from drying out with gauze and petroleum jelly! A mainstream approach in modern first aid is based on "moist wound healing," which suggests it's better not to let wounds dry out.
Taping
This is a frequently used item for first aid for sprains, or for securing gauze or splints. A type that can be torn by hand seems more convenient for outdoor activities.
Splint
When a fracture occurs, it’s crucial to keep the area completely still. The SAM SPLINT is a splint made of a thin sheet of aluminum alloy sandwiched between two layers of closed-cell foam. It is a patented, portable product that can be molded to fit any part of the body while remaining sufficiently rigid.
Tick Removal Tool
Poison Remover
These are extras, but as we head into the season where bugs become more active, it’s wise to include them in your first aid kit. I remembered a time years ago when a horsefly landed right on my lip and it swelled up rapidly; I was saved by someone using a poison remover to draw out the toxin, so I have a feeling these are essential.
For a container, the PATAGONIA Black Hole 6L is perfect! With a design that opens flat like a book, it’s easy to get things in and out, and it’s highly water-resistant and durable, so I highly recommend it as a bag for a first aid kit.
Now that my kit is steadily coming together, the next thing I want to learn is the right mindset—how to support and wait with an injured person. You shouldn't panic, but you can't just leave them, and worrying too much isn't good either... it makes you wonder what to do. Nobu-san, please teach me at the next workshop!
It goes without saying that it’s better not to have to use a first aid kit, but I plan to keep building mine bit by bit for that moment when I can feel glad I was prepared.
