Suturing

[Kelly Alwood]

This is a skill up picked up a few years ago with the instruction from a good friend of mine and trauma surgeon JJ.
I have since used this skill set several times as needs arise. You should have structured instruction on how to do this propperly before trying, but this can be a great skill set to have. I have sewn up friends, family, and pets when other resources were not available. It can mean saving a life through the stop of bleeding, or saving them from infection of an open wound until you can get it treated. I will try to post a video of this soon from the practicing doctor that trained me. Here are some pics of some of mine.

[AZ Prepper]

Where do you get a good suturing kit?

[Kelly Alwood]

I pick the suture kits up at gun shows....They usually run $1.00 each for the cord alone..Usually $2.00 each complete with needle...I have several that I carry in my kit...Silk, Gut, Mono, etc...as well as all of these in different gauge needles...It is not uncommon to use more than one pack on a single wound...Depending on the size obviously...Some are made for internal use, some for external...Different size needles for different size wounds and gaps....Remember, other tools are needed as well. Hemostats, gloves, scissors, Lidocain (or another appropriate local antistetic).
Sutures are a cheap and effective way to close wounds..Other options can be glue, staples, or Steri-strips....

[seaniffd]

+1 on the staples. I take them on every trip and was able to put my leg back together after an ill fated step while hunting this fall. Cleaning is of the utmost importance and I was in the ER the day I made it back to town.