Savlon vs Germolene vs Neosporin vs Chloramphenicol
- Thread starter johnnytheboy
- Start date
Prevention is better than cure
Covering a wound prevents dirt getting in - but it is important to clean it first
I don't like putting creams or stuff like vaseline on a wound because it prevents dressings and tape like micropore from sticking. It is useful to be able to seal over (not seal) a wound to block dirt from entering. That's one reason why I think the 'drying' antiseptics like betadine (or just alcohol) are better than savalon.
Also, alcohol or betadine are good to put on blisters, they help dry up the skin and harden it.
Covering a wound prevents dirt getting in - but it is important to clean it first
I don't like putting creams or stuff like vaseline on a wound because it prevents dressings and tape like micropore from sticking. It is useful to be able to seal over (not seal) a wound to block dirt from entering. That's one reason why I think the 'drying' antiseptics like betadine (or just alcohol) are better than savalon.
Also, alcohol or betadine are good to put on blisters, they help dry up the skin and harden it.
Funnily enough soap does not generaly killthe baddies unless left for along time like chlorine. Soap generally encapsulates the nasties and removes the area that they breed on ( dirty stuff) dry anything and the baddies get killed, washing up gets rid of theirbreeding site.
I would have thought the clorine tabs would have done a good job in disinfection, with out burning.
I would not put iodine on a blister to dry it, iodine on a blister is painful I tend to find.
I would have thought the clorine tabs would have done a good job in disinfection, with out burning.
I would not put iodine on a blister to dry it, iodine on a blister is painful I tend to find.
Always used Savlon never had any problems.
I always put the tube to something sterile, not direct to the wound.
Wash wound with clean water, make sure nothing is left on/in.
Dab dry with something sterile. Clean hanky/tissue.
Apply Savlon to sterile hanky/tissue.
Rub into wound.
Leave it if possible, otherwise cover with a little gauze and tape up.
Just remember a little goes a long way.
I always put the tube to something sterile, not direct to the wound.
Wash wound with clean water, make sure nothing is left on/in.
Dab dry with something sterile. Clean hanky/tissue.
Apply Savlon to sterile hanky/tissue.
Rub into wound.
Leave it if possible, otherwise cover with a little gauze and tape up.
Just remember a little goes a long way.
Some folk might just be curious how you keep a hanky or tissue sterile befor you use.
Unfortunately, if you did that to a wound in the work place you would leave yourself open to litigation. There are no creams or ointments in the First Aid at Work course, no "hankies or tissues" and no "rubbing into wound".
On yourself and yours of course you can do what you like.
No need for sterility, only for clean. I think that is what KenThis was meaning.
Clean.
To be sterile it has to be packed in a special ‘pouch’ and sterilized.
Hospital grade ‘pouches’ are no good in the field, they break after being carried and worn for a few hours. This because they are made from a special paper and plastic. Mil grade wearable stuff is packed in tough plastic.
I mean the parts in the personal FA kit you carry on you.
Mil grade is the only way if you want to go sterile.
Clean.
To be sterile it has to be packed in a special ‘pouch’ and sterilized.
Hospital grade ‘pouches’ are no good in the field, they break after being carried and worn for a few hours. This because they are made from a special paper and plastic. Mil grade wearable stuff is packed in tough plastic.
I mean the parts in the personal FA kit you carry on you.
Mil grade is the only way if you want to go sterile.
You are of course right. The tissues and hankies are not absolutely sterile.
However I keep a packet of tissues on me at all times plus several laundered handkerchiefs.
I tend to only use tissues to blow my nose and handkerchiefs for nose bleeds etc.
I'm a healthy adult in a temperate climate, they might not be perfectly sterile but they're as 'sterile' as I need them.
Besides I'm talking about minor cuts and abrasions.
When out I carry two first aid kits. One for me (personal with medicines) and a general one (with an unopened packet of tissues) Both have sterile wipes and sterile gauze to use if necessary.
Hope this helps.
I've only ever administered first aid to myself. However I do carry I general first aid kit that anyone who needs it can use for themselves. I know I don't know enough to be able to see to others plus the thought of actually helping in an emergency fills me with anxiety. I realised when I was a kid that I'd never be able to be a physician, the responsibility terrified me.
Adding to the previous list is Dettol.
I don't carry it with me, but I will often soak nasty cuts/scratches/blisters in diluted Dettol on my return home.
I think I have the same feeling for Dettol that others have mentioned for germolene.
When I was a kid it's what my mum used to clean my many scrapes. Smells like healing!
I don't carry it with me, but I will often soak nasty cuts/scratches/blisters in diluted Dettol on my return home.
I think I have the same feeling for Dettol that others have mentioned for germolene.
When I was a kid it's what my mum used to clean my many scrapes. Smells like healing!
Oh yes!! Dettol is a smell of memories! I had forgotten it but just the mention of the name and I can smell it again - my kids are getting to an age where I think they'll start having more scrapes that need soaking (rugby, etc) so I think I should get some in the cupboard! 
But to put that into perspective folks: There has still not been ANY successful crown or civil prosecution of a First Aider under SARaHa legislation
.
The real dillema of a First Aid at Work courses suitability for the remoter outdoor bushcraft activities lies in the FAW protocals themselves. FAW is designed around the assumption that professional or higher echelon aid will arrive (if summoned) within 8-10 minutes and definitive care is "readily accesable".
Wishful thinking for many bushcrafters solo or otherwise.
Outdoor First Aid courses, FRAC and FPOS train utilising different protocals and equipment dependant on varying timescales for higher echelon medical assistance if required.
Get the best most suitable training for your environment.
Knowledge is still the lightest most useful item in any bushcrafter IFAK
Yep, and there's still no mention of applying 'ointments' on any of the courses I've been on (actually, that's not true, they've all said don't).
Agree with both Ken and Janne here.
Clean is good
Sterility is difficult to achieve in the outdoor environment anywhere.
Probably why we dont have "Al Fresco" hospitals!
The cleaner something (injury or dressing) is to begin with obviously helps with longer term care and outcomes.
Military grade medical consumables are robustly packaged to maintain item sterility in austere and challenging environments
Whilst still maintaining their accessibility. Definitely the way to go for items that spend their time rammed in a pack subject to
varying abuse, temperature and weather swings. More expensive, sure, but your Milspec dressing will be ready to apply if you
are unfortunate enough to need it. Whilst your "Cheapshitshop" equivalent will be a sodden mouldy gum or crispy firelighter!
Dsmedic, are the Mil grade packaging still made out of textured, thick and tough plastic?
The plastic outer layer could be used to cover chest suckers. Inside of the plastic of course.
I have a box of them, I nicked them in 1982. Sure, out of date, but still airtight.
The plastic outer layer could be used to cover chest suckers. Inside of the plastic of course.
I have a box of them, I nicked them in 1982. Sure, out of date, but still airtight.
Sorry Broch, there is absolutely no criticism here from me.
I have not disagreed with you ref "ointments" and First Aid at Work courses.
The point I was making was If for example you are going bushcrafting in 5-layer canopy Philippine jungle
A "no ointment" FAW course will not cut it (sorry)
Hence I wrote
Quote: "Get the best training suitable for your environment"
Advanced courses usually include basic drug/consumable/ointment awareness.
Apologies if that was not clear. Cheers
Janne, There are lots of milspec items packaged in lots of ways. Some in hard-case "coffins" or "pelicans" but yes, generally they are still vacuum packed to reduce bulk. in tough plastic with bright tear-points for easy access. Unlike "cheapshitshop" or even hospital equivalents.
Robust in the field.
Personally I would use a v chest-seal for a "sucker" but (with no recommendation) the wrapper could be used as an improvisation. 360 360
Airtight bt not sterile! Hope your 1982 alibi is airtight too janne! Haha!
I was thinking of the personal (First Aid?) small pack you carry in the battledress.
My alibi is airtight.
The box just fell into my backpack one day when I flew to see my parents.
If we lost, or 'lost' something of value, we had to pay for it. Mil grade quality for very little money.
I was a Lt, so had access to a higher grade uniforms and stuff.
The skis I "lost' and paid for were with me until 11 years ago. Straight grained birch. Super quality.
I wish I took them with me, to have on the wall.
Most other equipment including the Swedish made H&K G4 I had to have at home, ready.
My alibi is airtight.
The box just fell into my backpack one day when I flew to see my parents.
If we lost, or 'lost' something of value, we had to pay for it. Mil grade quality for very little money.
I was a Lt, so had access to a higher grade uniforms and stuff.
The skis I "lost' and paid for were with me until 11 years ago. Straight grained birch. Super quality.
I wish I took them with me, to have on the wall.
Most other equipment including the Swedish made H&K G4 I had to have at home, ready.
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