Forceps or tweezers: For removing splinters, ticks, and removing debris from wounds.A scalpel and blade are also useful for first aid. Multi-use tool or knife: Should include knife, scissors.Small roll of 1-inch adhesive tape: Holds dressings in place.
Non-adherent sterile dressing (2 inch by 2 inch): Use these or Second Skin to cover blisters, burns or lacerations.4 inch by 4 inch sterile dressing pads (5 to 10): To apply pressure to a wound and stop bleeding.4-inch strips are more effective than butterfly. 4-inch closure strips or butterfly closures: For closing large wounds.Bandages: Assorted sizes for small cuts, blisters, etc.Here is a list of some items that you should have in your medical kit: Is there a “flight for life” in the area? Where are the hospitals, Medical clinics, etc? Another good practice is to do a little research of where medical facilities are along your planned route. Then we put that on a master sheet for each person, so if something does happen we have that information handy incase that person can’t speak. One other thing that we do for every multi-day trip, is to gather important information about each rider: allergies, medications, medical issues, emergency contacts, etc. They usually don’t have a SAM splint, so pick one of those up along with a couple ace bandages. These kits usually have the basics for a motorcycle trip. Get one that is an Extended Day Backpacker or 3-4 person kit. You can buy a good first aid kit at one of the outdoor stores online or Touratech-USA. We carry items for wound management, breaks, basic meds and dental.
This advice comes from Rob Watt, BDR Board and Expeditions Member, and Wilderness EMT. Don’t make it your first adventure motorcycle outing on a full-sized twin-cyclinder bike. In summary, take baby steps and work up to doing a BDR. Lastly, always ride with a group so that you have a team to help overcome any obstacles whether it’s terrain, mechanicals, navigation, medical emergency, etc… Also remember that riding with a fully-loaded bike should be practiced prior to tackling a BDR. Regardless of its description on the map or in the film, no section of a BDR should be underestimated.ĭo some shorter overnight trips as practice and ride increasingly difficult terrain to build up your skills and confidence. This is part of what makes it an adventure. Even taking this approach there may be difficult stretches depending on changes in road conditions, weather, construction and the unknown. We suggest looking at the Butler Map and take the optional easier routes to avoid the difficult sections. A BDR is something a person should build up to and it shouldn’t be their first overnight trip on their ADV bike.Īlthough, WA and CO are less difficult than UT and AZ, they all contain difficult sections.
If a person’s skills are not advanced level, they may consider taking a smaller bike or choosing the easier options when possible. If a person is on a large bike twin-cylinder bike like an R1200GS Adventure or Yamaha Super Tenere, the routes can be very difficult. Here are some key things to consider as you put together your plan.Īll of the BDR routes include intermediate to advanced terrain. Flash floods are frequent during summer storms. Depending on time of year and weather, there may be a few small shallow water crossings, but none worth worrying about. There are alternate “easier” routes around a few of the most challenging sections. You may also encounter sections that have trees or branches over the road. When you see signs that read, “Roads maybe impassable when wet”, use caution, roads become very slick and can be impassable. Road conditions change from week to week based on the recent weather. There are also sections that have deep sand for extended periods of time. You can expect to cover sections of road with deep ruts, loose rocks, sand and other challenges. Many of the roads are in remote areas and reach high elevation areas where road maintenance is minimal or non-existent. There are no single-track style trails on this route. The UTBDR route is designed to be ridden on adventure and dual-sport motorcycles, as well as driven in 4×4 vehicles.