First aid when cycling: With these 8 first aid kits, it doesn't hurt so much any more

First aid when cycling is an important topic, but one that is often neglected. However, accidents can happen quickly on a bike, whether due to falls, collisions or other unforeseen events. Cyclists like to lug all kinds of luggage with them on tours - unfortunately, a first aid kit is usually not included. Not yet! Here we present 8 current emergency kits that don't weigh much, but have a lot to offer. Two of them are even waterproof, which makes them suitable for all kinds of indoor and outdoor sports.

However, not everyone brings tick tweezers - but these can be bought separately for little money and added to the first aid kit. And in the event of an emergency involving a person who is no longer breathing: respirator blankets or masks are no longer standard, although many people would be less afraid of performing life-saving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

By the way: When was your last first aid course? Tip: brush up again! Because in an emergency, the biggest mistake is to do nothing.

As many cyclists' last first aid course was a long time ago, we recommend the following for support on the road First aid apps. These are available to download free of charge from the Red Cross and the White Cross, among others. The "ASB First Aid in an Emergency" app is also helpful for refreshing your knowledge and for when you're out and about. Our Swiss neighbours also know what to do with their highly recommended "SRC First Aid" app with good interactive instructions and valuable tips on prevention and precautions.

The right moves are essential when treating accident victims. But small aids are just as important - from the rescue blanket to the staple plaster to the SAM splint for broken bones.

For this reason, we asked Dr Katharina Klein, cyclist and general practitioner, to compile the most important items for an individual emergency kit. This is her list:

What is essential in a first aid kit for a bike tour?

• 2 dressing packs (sterile) with non-adherent wound dressing
• 1 rescue blanket
• 1 pair of disposable gloves
• 1 pair of scissors with one pointed and one blunt end
• 1 pair of splinter tweezers
• 1 small roll of Leukoplast
• 2 larger, sterile plasters with non-adhesive (aluminium) wound dressing
• 5 plaster strips (e.g. Leukoplast or Cutiplast)
• 1 sheet of steristrips (sticking plasters)

You can add this

• Liquid disinfectant (e.g. Octenisept)
• SAM splint + elastic, self-adhesive central tension bandage (very helpful for bone fractures)
• Blister plasters
• Triangular scarf
• Signal whistle

You can find these 8 first aid kits for mountain bikers here

• Tatonka First Aid Basic
• Vaude First Aid Kit S
• Ortovox First Aid Waterproof
• Deuter Active first aid kit
• Pyramid First Aid Kit
• Forclaz first aid kit
• Cyclite First Aid Kit / 01
• Mammut First Aid Kit Pro

(click to go to the individual products)

Tatonka First Aid Basic

The Tatonka First Aid Basic is designed for day trips and for one person. Thanks to the loops on the back, the first aid kit can be attached to your belt or rucksack so that you or others can find and use it quickly.

The first aid bag from Tatonka is made of robust nylon and was developed in collaboration with Outdoorschule Süd e.V., the largest provider of outdoor emergency management in the German-speaking world, according to the manufacturer. Tatonka's first aid bags are packed by people with disabilities at the Ulrichswerkstätten Schwabmünchen (Caritas Augsburg).

Scissors and disinfectant (alcohol swabs) are not included in the Tatonka First Aid Basic.

Contents of the Tatonka First Aid Basic first aid kit

• 2 x wound dressings 10 x 6 cm, sterile
• 1 x medium dressing pack, non-adherent compress
• 5 x plaster strip 7.2 x 2.5 cm
• 1 x Leukoplast roll plaster 5 m x 1.25 cm
• 1 pair of vinyl gloves
• 1 x rescue blanket 160 x 210 cm
• 1 x first aid outdoor cheat sheet
• 1 x emergency checklist

Dimension: 18 x 12.5 x 5.5 cm // Weight: 230 g

The Tatonka First Aid Basic is currently available here on Amazon for 34 euros.

Vaude First Aid Kit S

The Vaude First Aid Kit S is suitable for treating minor injuries. In addition to the basic emergency equipment, it also includes first aid instructions. The bag also has enough space for other items that are not included in the scope of delivery (e.g. tick tweezers, Zap-it) or medication. The Vaude First Aid Kit S bag is made from 100% recycled material and, like all Vaude products, is carbon neutral.

Contents of the first aid kit Vaude First Aid Kit S

• 2 x WS fixation bandage (4 m x 6 cm)
• 2 x wound dressing, sterile (6 x 8 cm)
• 1 x wound dressing, sterile
• 1 x triangular scarf
• 4 x plasters (25 x 72 mm)
• 2 x plasters (19 x 72 mm)
• 2 x alcohol swabs
• 1 x adhesive plaster (5 m x 1.25 cm)
• 1 pair of disposable gloves

Dimension: 14 x 11 cm // Weight: 140 g

The Vaude First Aid Kit Bergzeit, for example, is currently offering them for just under 20 euros.

>> We have tips for wound care here: Treacherous scratches - first aid for an abrasion

Ortovox First Aid Waterproof

The First Aid Waterproof from Ortovox is above all - as the name suggests - waterproof and not just water-repellent like most. The practical roll-top fastener can be opened quickly in an emergency, even with wet/cold fingers. The comparatively extensive contents (including resuscitation film and tweezers) are clearly organised and the bag offers space for additional items. The price of 55 euros is the highest in comparison, but you can buy replacement material individually at the pharmacy at low cost and continue to use the high-quality bag.

Contents of the Ortovox First Aid Waterproof first aid kit

• 1 x rescue blanket
• 1 x disposable gloves
• 1 x pair of scissors
• 1 x adhesive plaster roll
• 1 x dressing pack
• 1 x non-woven wound dressing 10 x 10 cm sterile
• Plaster strips in various sizes, joint plasters, blister plasters, adhesive plasters
• Finger bandages
• Ventilation film
• Elastic fixation bandage
• Tweezers 8 cm
• Triangular scarf

Dimension15 x 10 x 6 cm // Weight: 230 g

The Ortovox First Aid Waterproof is currently available from Bergfreunde for 55 euros.

Deuter First Aid Kit Active First aid kit

The First Aid Kit Active from Deuter is a first aid kit with a very small pack size. The versatile first aid equipment is nevertheless very good. The first aid kit is also made from recycled material and has a water-repellent, PFC-free surface treatment that repels splash water.

Contents of the first aid kit Deuter First Aid Kit Active

• 1 x dressing pack size M (sterile)
• 1 x dressing pack size G (sterile)
• 1 x fleece triangular scarf
• 1 x gauze elastic
• 1 x non-woven wound dressing (sterile)
• 20-piece Leinaplast WSV plaster set
• 1 x Mediplast tape (rigid) with protection
• 1 x small metal scissors
• 1 x pair of latex gloves
• SOS label with emergency numbers, whistle and emergency instructions

Dimension: 9 x 12 x 5 cm // Weightapprox. 160 g

The Deuter Active first aid kit Rose Bikes, for example, is currently offering bikes for just under 50 euros.

Pyramid First Aid Kit

The Pyramid First Aid Kit is a first aid kit that contains all the essential items for minor injuries in the open air. It contains material for treating a single person. This includes a selection of plasters and bandages. It also contains high-quality bandages to reduce the risk of infection.

Contents of the Pyramid First Aid Kit

• First aid leaflet
• 6 x safety pins
• Scissors
• Plastic tweezers
• 2 x disposable gloves
• 1 x gauze bandage (open weave bandage) 7.5 cm x 5 m
• 1 x crepe bandage 5 cm x 4 m
• 10 x gauze swabs
• 1 roll of micropore adhesive tape, width: 1.25 cm, length: 9 m
• 2 x non-adherent wound dressing (5 x 5 cm)
• 2 x non-adherent wound dressing (10 x 10 cm)
• 1 m fabric plaster strips to cut to size
• 3 x wound closure strips
• 5 x alcohol-free cleaning cloths

Dimension: 17.5 x 5 x 10 cm // Weight: 180 g

For example, Bergzeit offers the Pyramid First Aid Kit currently available for just under 40 euros.

>> First aid when cycling: Courageous action saves lives

Forclaz first aid kit 100 (Decathlon)

The Forclaz first aid kit is very well equipped, and at the lowest price in our comparison. For the current price of 12.95 euros, it offers 6 disinfectant wipes as well as soap. You just have to see where you can get water at the scene of an accident. Just as important for outdoor sports: tick tweezers, which are also included in the Decathlon First Aid Kit 100.

Contents of the first aid kit Forclaz first aid kit 100 (Decathlon)

• 8 large plasters
• 8 medium-sized plasters
• 8 small plasters
• 1 crepe bandage
• 6 disinfectant wipes
• 4 gauze compresses
• 1 wound suture strip
• 1 fixing plaster
• 1 pair of gloves
• Scissors
• Tick tweezers
• Soap

Dimension: 17 x 15 x 4 cm // Weight: 160 g

The Forclaz first aid kit 100 is available from Decathlon for 12.95 euros.

Cyclite First Aid Kit / 01

Cyclite has put together this first aid kit together with emergency paramedics specifically for bicycles. It also includes a respiratory mask and disinfectant. The First Aid Kit / 01 fits into all Cyclite bags and can be stowed away in a space-saving manner using the Velcro fastener. A corresponding sticker for the outside of the bag is included so that the kit can be found by helpers in an emergency.

Contents of the Cyclite First Aid Kit / 01

• 1 x rescue blanket
• 1 x large wound dressing
• 1 x small wound dressing
• 1 x gauze bandage
• 1 x ointment wound dressing
• 2 x pair of disposable gloves
• 4 x plasters
• 1 x respiratory mask
• 1 x disinfectant

Dimension: 13 x 6x 6 cm // Weight: 230 g

The Cyclite First Aid Kit / 01 can be bought at Bergzeit for just under 45 euros.

Mammut First Aid Kit Pro

The Mammut First Aid Kit Pro is also a waterproof first aid kit (Ortovox offers the other), which is clearly organised with two compartments and also has a viewing window. The roll-top fastener and the material make the kit waterproof with a water column of up to 10,000 mm. Instructions for first aid in the event of an accident are included as well as a comprehensive plaster set and various common bandages. The shelf life of the sterile contents is stated as 5 years.

Contents of the Mammut First Aid Kit Pro

• 1 x adhesive plaster coil
• 14-piece plaster set
• 2 x first aid packs
• 1 x dressing cloth
• 1 x fleece knitted scarf
• 1 x rescue blanket
• 1 x small scissors
• 4 x vinyl gloves
• 2 x wet wipes, alcohol swabs each
• 1 x first aid guide for accidents

Dimension: 9 x 16 x 16 cm // Weight: 255 g

Currently there is the Mammut First Aid Kit Pro for just under 50 euros at Bergzeit.