Sutures and needles

I was wondering if anyone has gone through this process yet. A large selection of needles and sutures are available in so many styles and sizes it overwhelming.
I want to be able to close internal wounds and major skin cuts. I need to know the needle style and size and then the best sutures for that wound. Wow what a deal it is when you go to order at a medical web site, so much information but no direction becuase they feel you of course already know what you are doing. I do not want to buy as I have done in the past generic survival sets.
I want to buy now and then learn by reading or pray someone around me will know what they are doing.

I have read all the info on many sites but I was just one would say use this for this and this for that.
Thanks to anyone for info they may have knowlage of.

Surgical knots and suturing techniques by F.D. Giddings should do you up just fine. It should be around 20 dollars on amazon.

About 40 pages long and most basic knowledge is covered including a short synopsis of needles, style, size, sutures,length and uses.

It's actually pretty fascinating.

[edit on 27-10-2009 by badgerprints]

reply to post by badgerprints


Thank you very much..

I have had extremely good luck with super glue, and the medical ppl are starting to use this method more often.
It is not good for internal stuff, but any and all external flesh wounds "not missing pieces of flesh" it is a great zipper, as I hear the medical students call it.."liquid stitch"
But it is a good idea to learn basic medical stitchs, if you have the nerve to be that deep inside a person to begin with..

reply to post by saralee


I had previously looked up some info on this. I do not know what the law says regarding this, and whether you plan to do it to yourself or someone else. There are First Aid classes available and a good First Aid manual should assist with some info.

Also, bleeding can be stopped and or slowed by other methods. You can review a "First Aid" manual for this.

There are "sports bandages" (self adhering) and butterfly closures available online and some First Aid kits contain them. This may assist but, neither is recommended for deep puncture wounds.

Also, you probably know, a good wound cleansing solution should be stocked.

Butterfly bandages look like doll-sized white paper bow ties. They are narrow in the middle, hence the name, and have a strong adhesive on the back. To use them properly, you first must staunch the flow of blood so you can see what you are doing, and ensure that they will stick. Pressure on or above the wound will usually to this. With a clean cloth or gauze, blot and dry the area as best you can. Do not use “Kleenex” or toilet paper, as these paper products will disintegrate when dampened and make a mess. Paper towels are OK. Remove the plastic adhesive-protecting strip from one side only of the bandage. This is easiest if you have an assistant help you. Then apply the bandage, like a bridge over troubled tissue, to hold the cut together. THE TRICK IS TO PUT A STRETCH INTO IT. To do so, you have to place the first side of the butterfly bandage further away from the cut than you’d think. When you pull it over, it will close the wound. Hold it, remove the adhesive-cover on the remaining side, and press it down to complete the maneuver. You can pre-remove the adhesive-covers from both sides in advance if it works better for you, but this is the way I do it.

www.doctoryourself.com...

You can get a suture kit here:

beprepared.com...


[edit on 27-10-2009 by Siren]

[edit on 27-10-2009 by Siren]

Sorry for all the edits.

[edit on 27-10-2009 by Siren]

Try the large animal vet supply websites for the supplys
.

If I'm not mistaken I thought sutures and suture needles could only be bought by licensed professionals?

Dermabond is what you mean by "liquid stitch". It's good for superficial skin lacerations but not so good for deeper lacerations or surgical incisions. Especially when the deeper dermis and adipose layers are involved.

A little more info:

See the following:

How to Control Bleeding

firstaid.about.com...

Superglue does work well for cuts about a 1/4 inch deep. I couldn't be sure on anything deeper than that.

Thank you everyone. I have books on vet medicine and many human med books. It was not clear what size suture or kind (style) it is also not clear what needle size or style of needle. Its like a dam doctor secret or somthing. The book that was posted to purchase above is no longer available.
I ended up calling a nurse who asked a surgeon for me and My research was pretty right on sutures for humans 2.0 to 3.0 for internal 4.0 to 5.0 for skin or facial wounds. I need to call her back and see if she asked what kind of suture as so many are available and internal will need dissolving sutures she also left no needle info in her message.
These sutures can be purchased by anyone. I have 3 trunks' of meds and have spent most of the time finding what I need to cure certain illness. The illness that would be present if say the grid went down for a long time or pandemics that put us back in the stone age. I have had much success documenting what is needed for what illness , you have to write it down and have the meds or herbs in hand. I don't want to die of malaria or cholera knowing I could have simply cured it. Its been a 2 year project.
I set my sights on the sutures this last week realizing how easy it would be to cut a foot or hand or get shot.(harsh). I have sutures I purchased years ago but they expire, did you know that? Sterile sutures and needles are extremely important. I don't want to have to use them but I am now starting to learn how just in case. I would hate to watch a child of mine die when I could have done something or tried. What if a nurse or doctor was available but was not prepared. If I have life saving items many could be helped.
I have many animals I try to treat myself so this has helped me learn and ask questions if a vet is called.
I am grateful to all the posts and links. I hope they keep coming. I will read them all.
Thank you
Sara lee

I did sign up for that free course and beprepared .com dosent mention sterile experation date or size of suture. I meant to call them.

[edit on 28-10-2009 by saralee]

[edit on 28-10-2009 by saralee]

reply to post by saralee


If you are looking for medical supplies, try searching ebay or just google for animal medical supplies. They are basically the same thing they are just rated different. Cannot legally use animal med supplies on humans but they are almost identical.

Last year I bought a bunch of sutures, debris removal kits, and that rubbery wound protecting fake skin stuff on ebay for a great price. Things like this will be in high demand if SHTF.

reply to post by iamcamouflage


Heck, I use animal meds all the time and I am alive. High demand definitly and amazon has plenty of medical supplies available.

Here is a list of books I found helpful.
SAS survial handbook by John lofty wiseman- latest edition
No such thing as doomsday by Phillip L. Hoag
Where there is no dentist Murray Dickson
Where there is no doctor
How to stay alive in the woods Bradford Angier
Survivalist medicine chest by Ragnar Benson ( pet meds)
Do it yourself medicine Ragner Benson
Dare to prepare by Holly Deyo

I cant write a post without adding more comments.



[edit on 28-10-2009 by saralee]

The problem with sutures is that like many things it is a skill. One I posses due to my ability to insert central lines and chest tubes. But like any skill there is a learning curve and if you dont know what you are doing you are just as apt to cause more problems than you cure IMHO

reply to post by saralee


If the book is no longer available, look through the website. There is information there also.

You may want to ask a doctor you know about the sutures. I plan to stock a kit and a few extra generic sutures, but, I myself, do not plan to use them. For the same reason as you, just in case supplies are limited, or if travel to a doctor becomes obstructed.

This may be a helpful video:

How to suture a wound

They mention the type of sutures used for skin.

www.medicalvideos.us...

Dermabond is an adhesive, but, they say only doctors can use it. This appears easier than sutures. I would truly rather use this.

www.dermabond.com...



[edit on 29-10-2009 by Siren]

reply to post by FredT

I agree some have it some dont but here is the thing. If the SHTF what do I have to loose? If I get shot and i know no help is coming that I will die if I dont let someone try to repair the damage who is not a doctor but has studied. I would let them try rather than die with a tampon stuck in my chest.
I can train and learn like I have with my horses. I can sew them up now so I feel its all a learning curve. Also surrounding myself with a group of people all with imput and abilities helps. Just like here on ATS look at the imput and links about this issue, I have learned already more than I knew.

reply to post by Siren

Great links thanks. Dermabond is available on amazon. I wonder if it expires.

reply to post by saralee


Thanks! I just added Dermabond to my Amazon.com wish list. I checked the package label briefly. The only thing one would have to be careful of is not getting it in the wound itself, or misapplying it. Evidently, once it is on, it is on.

I just found Doctor Yourself may be purchased as an ebook for $8.99

ebookstore.sony.com...

"The Herb Book" by John Lust is a well organized book that lists ailments as well as plants. You can look up what you need. I have had this for a serious long time.



[edit on 29-10-2009 by Siren]

reply to post by saralee


I don't mean to be rude it's just if you are stitching internal wounds in a scenario outside of a medical establishment then that person is most likely going to die from infection, that is unless you have a good dose of antibiotics at hand. Apart from that nervous shock could kill them without an anesthetic, not to mention blood loss.

I'd stick to the sutures used for skin, that alone is dangerous and can invite infection but it's more likely to suceed.

Note i'm not a doctor just someone interested in the subject

EDIT

A few years back i had a nice gash in my leg and was in a bit of a remote area. I flushed the wound with iodine (that hurt, not recommended either), stitched it up with fishing line i boiled, applied a dressing and got to hospital as soon as possible. I did a pretty good job according to the doctor, considering the circumstances. Still i had to be given a good dose of antibiotics and the dressing had to be changed a few times. They also took out the fishing line and stitched it with proper sutures lol.

[edit on 29-10-2009 by ImaginaryReality1984]

As said, I wouldn;t suggest trying internal sutures unless in a sterile/asceptic environment - but depending on the situation, you may have nothing to lose.

As a Paramedic, I use dermabond at it is fairly simple to use, but does have some potential complications.

For the uninitiated working on medium/fairly superficial wounds have you considered skin staples? That's what I have in my BOB medkit.

Caution to say - do read all you can about wound closure, as you don't have the luxury of practising under supervision that I had.

One other thing to remember to stock if you are going to be using sutures, is a pair of locking forceps.

If you are in the cold, and wet, trying to hold the needle can be quite difficult. A pair of forceps would be very handy in such an instance.