Thread: First aid kit pics

One item I've recently become a BIG fan of is the "COMPEED" blister plasters. These are obviously designed to help heal or prevent blisters but I've found an additional use for them - burns.

On a trip to Stewart Island a few months back my son was pouring a brew when the POS billy-holder slipped off, tipping boiling water over his hand. Normally I take paraffin gauze with me but I'd run out and nothing in the First Aid Kit was going to do the job. I needed something that would cover and seal the burn. I reasoned that the COMPEED plasters were designed for blisters and my son's hand had blistered up over a large area so I figured the COMPEED would act in the same way on his burn as they would on a blister. I applied the largest plaster in the pack and crossed my fingers. Five days later the dressing fell off and the affected area was tender, but remarkably well healed. The results were outstanding.

I'm no doctor or medical scientist but further research online indicated these plasters (and there are different brands using the same technology) react with the fluids in the wound. The fluids cause a gel to be released which effectively seals off the wound to external air/dirt/germs and further aggravation. The plaster is designed to remain on the wound for several days, after which it naturally falls off. For burns, this seems to be an ideal solution. The fluids are taken care of by the plaster so you don't get that weeping which normally sticks to your dressings. The wound is sealed and healing promoted. It was interesting to note that others on the internet had also used these on burns with good results.

Anyhow, I now carry a COMPEED Blister Pack in my first aid kit and have them on hand around the house etc. I haven't tested them on blisters yet, but can attest to their value on burns.