I’m NOT a DOCTOR…DON’T LISTEN TO ME!!
Sling/Splint Wrap/Bandage Cover/Tourniquet*(WARNING!)- I carry at least one spare tube in my Camelbak on local rides and 2-3 when I’m riding long or unfamiliar trails. While their primary purpose is to keep me rolling…If you get hurt out on the trail, tubes can be an invaluable first aid implement!

Sling- Drape tube over neck shoulder and immobilize arm in standard sling fashion…once you’ve ‘sized’ it, either tie the excess in a knot to take up slack or cut the tube in half and tie it in a granny knot to size. You can also laterally cut the(side facing the rim) to flatten and widen the tube to provide more support under your forearm.

Splint Wrap- Immobilize a broken limb. Find 2 straight sticks(1″+ diam.), cut the tube to make it like a length of rope. Wrap the tube around the sticks on the broken limb and tie off – be sure not to go too tight as to cut off circulation. The tube is great because it flexes and stays tight as you are moving. If you cannot find two straight sticks, this is also a great reason why you brought your tire pump and shock pump…use them in place of the sticks.

Bandage Cover- Similar to splint…after you bandage your wound, if you need additional protection/pressure on the wound – cut the tube laterally and flatten…cut a rectangular section out(about 12-16″ long). Now make 2 ‘ties’ on each end(4 total)…by cutting rectangles out of each end, should look like this: ]u[ Place the 'panel' that you created(the "u" part in the ]u[ ) over the bandaged area…use the 4 ties to tie around arm, leg, etc behind bandaged area to hold it in place.

Tourniquet- LAST RESORT FOR GUSHING WOUND… put tube on heart side of gushing wound, use a stick/pump to wind the tube to tighten the tourniquet and stop the flow of blood. Remember this is very temporary just to keep from bleeding out in a life threatening situation – don’t forget to release the tourniquet gradually over time.

*Make sure to consult proper first aid instructions and don’t count on these SUGGESTIONS to save life or limb.

Also…most all of this first aid above will require a knife or scissors, so don’t forget to bring them(Swiss Army Knife is perfect and cheap) too.

On another note, slices of old tubes make wicked strong rubber bands. (too bad they’re so limited in length, but even that is flexible if you get creative with the angle you cut the tube.)

What really makes me mad however is the discarded tubes on the trails that people leave after they repair their tire. WHY don’t they take them with them as dispose of them responsibly. WHY dirty the environment.