Duct Tape in your First Aid Kit

We all know that Duct tape can be used to repair many things, but did you know that you can use it to repair yourself? Consider putting duct tape in your first air kit the next time you go hiking. Read along and see how duct tape can remedy and prevent a variety of injuries. 

Step 1: Bandage

Materials
Duct Tape
Gauze
Scissors (optional)

You've wounded yourself. You tripped while hiking and skinned your knee or you cut your hand rock climbing. You need a bandage. 

Determine the size of the wound to be covered. Make sure the wound is clean of dirt. If possible use antiseptic. Cut a length of gauze and fold it to the size of the wound. Then tear a piece of duct tape and place the gauze on the sticky side of the duct tape. Place the bandage on the wound with the gauze covering the wounded area.  

Comments

[bajablue]

You get 5 stars for putting duct tape on your nose! ;-D

[sunshiine]

This is my fave! Voted.

[ehudwill]

Thank you.

[pyromonkey]

Duct tape never ceases to amaze

[lalexander]

duct tape works well for preventing blisters. apply it to the skin of your feet when hiking or hands when using tools like shovel or axe. apply at the first hint of a blister and you will save yourself grief later.

[dhaw]

It matches your eyes!

[dhaw]

I'm going to try that next time granny falls and breaks something.

[luebkeb]

we call these "man-daids"

[ehudwill]

Nice name. I saw where 3M sells duct tape bandages.

[Sabata]

Cool! I'll key my eyes open for those.

BTW, electrical tape also makes a very good expedient bandage, in some cases even better than duct tape.

BTW #2, duct tape is indeed great on blister-prone areas. I used to use it on my heel/Achilles area when my work boots would start to rub. A piece on that area under my sock would totally eliminate the friction.

[robertrwt]

it seems it also works as a painless varucia remover--takes about three or so weeks to kill off the virus

[ehudwill]

Yes, duct tape never ceases to amaze.

[rocketsurgery]

Very well done! Duct tape is a wondrous thing... your duct is even more wondrous - it matches the crayon that nobody uses... I wish I could get duct tape that colour :)... Thanks for sharing!

[ehudwill]

Thanks. My wife bought it for me. I really like the color also.

[tab.]

You should never ever use just duct tape to treat a wound.
The low-oxygen environment created thereby is a breeding ground for tetanus-bacteria(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetanus). I don't know if the added gauze retains enough air to prevent this effectively or if punching some holes in the tape above the gauze would help.
Maybe a professional finds his way here and can comment on this.
Even if you are vaccinated there is no reason to make make it any easier for the little buggers.

[ehudwill]

Okay thanks for the tip. We never want to give any nasty diseases an advantage.

[Nicola Tesla]

you beat me to it i was going to make the duct tape splinter remover!!!!

[cuvette]

Never thought trying that while struggling to remove a splinter or thorn... If it's really efficient, maybe you should write it to have people get te idea and remind of it in case of need. Anyway thanks for the trick!

[ehudwill]

Sorry Tesla. You still have your death ray idea right? That might have a chance if it uses duct tape. :-)

[Nicola Tesla]

hahaha i'll think of something!!

[optiblah]

But make sure you don't squeeze the tick or else it might regurgitate it's meal together with some ingredients like virusses that cause lyme disease back into the wound.
Splendid ideas though! Thank you!

[ehudwill]

Yes, good point. Nothing can ruin your day quite like being thrown up on by a tick.

[bajablue]

LOL! ;-D

[Alderin]

Worse, thrown up IN by a tick. :-(

(for that matter, thrown up IN by anything doesn't sound like a good day)

[ehudwill]

Blergh. Yeah you're right.

[abaneyone]

Excellent post! For sure I will use these suggestions! Thanks!

[cammers]

Has duct tape been tested for emergency bikini waxing?
You could add it to your list; all you need to do is find a willing guinea pig.

[aris00]

Guinea pig? How about a kitty? Kitties can do it.

[ehudwill]

Ouch!

[yosusie]

The basics I've got (bandages, spliters, splints) but kudos on the others! Never thought of making a sling completely out of duct tape. And as far as preventing blisters or calluses, I usually have to carry mechanics gloves, that's a pretty cool idea if I know I'm gonna work on something that'll cause it but I've got no gloves!

I worry about putting duct tape on my face though, my skin is pretty dry on my face sometimes and I'd be iffy on the taking off part. =\

[ehudwill]

Thanks for the comment. I didn't have any problem taking it off my face, but my skin is oily.

[puzka]

Hmmm, not 100% sure but I think rubbing oil of olives (or oil of babies) on the area around the duct tape and gradually massaging it under the edges will allow an easy 'lift off'

[tabi]

it would also work as a nice blackhead remover.. (and if your skin is dry and sentitive a full peeling)