ITEM: CVS Butterfly Closure Bandaids
COST: $3.29/Box
QUANTITY: 12 Per Box
PURPOSE: Closing wounds that would otherwise need stitches, but cannot because then your spouse would find out.
AVAILABILITY: Available over the counter at any CVS, most easily found with the help of a pharmacist if you spare hand is tied up with the application of direct pressure to the bleeding wound.
The box is small (4"x2"x.75") and would easily fit into a BOB, but with only 12 closures in it, there is a temptation to buy more and cram them in until the box is "full". It is worth noting that the box is just small enough that it can be hard to gain proper target identification of said box in the CVS itself. This is especially true if you are either in (A) a slight case of shock, or (B) feeling a little silly needing to close a wound only 3 minutes after opening the box from UPS with your new knife in it.
If you need help, especially if your spare hand is busy with a bloody wad of toilet paper in direct pressure on the effected arm, then consider getting the assistance of the pharmacist or pharmacist assistant who should be able to direct you to the necessary box. Do not feel bad about distracting them as they are paid extra to help you by funds originating form either big pharma or Obamacare (choose either to fulfill your particular political meme of upset).
I would also advise using the self-care checkout as they are usually unused and that speed with help you get to the use of the closures faster. Remember, bleeding out in a CVS parking lot is not "internet icon epic", it is more "homeless smelly guy sad".
The closures come in strips and are easily brought out of the box with violent shaking of it up and down with your spare hand. Smashing the box with your boots in rage when they do not come out is not proper procedure and is also not an effective technique. Additionally, you will find that if you crammed the box full of closures past the 32 mark they do not want to deploy from their cardboard enclosure with any sense of urgency.
These strips are individually separable and in the case of the test wound, only one was originally expected to be needed. Originally.
The closures have tape on either end and you use them to pull the wound closed and tight for proper sealing of the breach in the dermal layer (read: stop bloody hole from bleeding).
Once pulled together and covered with a normal bandaid, the entire operation looked pretty well done and the mission of said closures - accomplished.
While the instructions on the back of the box are clear, they are also spartan (i.e. a dark, deep hole of nothingness). So as an effort appropriate to any prepper, the internet and google await with manuals on closing wounds. This one was very helpful - Deep Cuts, Lacerations, and Slivers (Oh My!)
Why read up via Google versus call your doctor's office or go in to have it looked at? Well, it could be because of some deep resentment or suspicion you have about the modern medical machine (either far left or far right in origin), or because you do not have medical coverage (well until you get mandated to), or because you just can't risk your wife finding out, yet again, that your thing for sharp steel objects has both emptied your wallet and opened your skin. Again.
In any event, the above article advises the use of two closures at once for a small cut. The sample cut being ~1.25", it was decided to remove the outer bandaid and place a second closure on at a slight angle as advised.
The immediate result was far less bleeding happening when the arm effected is in use. This can be identified by the amount of staining in the outer bandaid.
The unit's availability, small size, inexpensive price point, and simple operation make it a very important component to any BOB, office medical kit and "new knife" party you might have on your schedule.
If you do not have one on hand, the proximity to a local CVS, or if need be - an alternate vendor like Krogers, make a mad dash to healing a viable option not to be ignored or forgotten. This is especially true if you need to keep out of the hospital or doctor's office due to a marital situation that could end up with you in the morgue.
All in all, a great product, and one that gets a big thumb's up from this user!
COST: $3.29/Box
QUANTITY: 12 Per Box
PURPOSE: Closing wounds that would otherwise need stitches, but cannot because then your spouse would find out.
AVAILABILITY: Available over the counter at any CVS, most easily found with the help of a pharmacist if you spare hand is tied up with the application of direct pressure to the bleeding wound.
First Impressions:
The box is small (4"x2"x.75") and would easily fit into a BOB, but with only 12 closures in it, there is a temptation to buy more and cram them in until the box is "full". It is worth noting that the box is just small enough that it can be hard to gain proper target identification of said box in the CVS itself. This is especially true if you are either in (A) a slight case of shock, or (B) feeling a little silly needing to close a wound only 3 minutes after opening the box from UPS with your new knife in it.
If you need help, especially if your spare hand is busy with a bloody wad of toilet paper in direct pressure on the effected arm, then consider getting the assistance of the pharmacist or pharmacist assistant who should be able to direct you to the necessary box. Do not feel bad about distracting them as they are paid extra to help you by funds originating form either big pharma or Obamacare (choose either to fulfill your particular political meme of upset).
I would also advise using the self-care checkout as they are usually unused and that speed with help you get to the use of the closures faster. Remember, bleeding out in a CVS parking lot is not "internet icon epic", it is more "homeless smelly guy sad".
Stage One - First Use:
The closures come in strips and are easily brought out of the box with violent shaking of it up and down with your spare hand. Smashing the box with your boots in rage when they do not come out is not proper procedure and is also not an effective technique. Additionally, you will find that if you crammed the box full of closures past the 32 mark they do not want to deploy from their cardboard enclosure with any sense of urgency.
These strips are individually separable and in the case of the test wound, only one was originally expected to be needed. Originally.
The closures have tape on either end and you use them to pull the wound closed and tight for proper sealing of the breach in the dermal layer (read: stop bloody hole from bleeding).
Once pulled together and covered with a normal bandaid, the entire operation looked pretty well done and the mission of said closures - accomplished.
Stage Two - RTFM:
While the instructions on the back of the box are clear, they are also spartan (i.e. a dark, deep hole of nothingness). So as an effort appropriate to any prepper, the internet and google await with manuals on closing wounds. This one was very helpful - Deep Cuts, Lacerations, and Slivers (Oh My!)
Why read up via Google versus call your doctor's office or go in to have it looked at? Well, it could be because of some deep resentment or suspicion you have about the modern medical machine (either far left or far right in origin), or because you do not have medical coverage (well until you get mandated to), or because you just can't risk your wife finding out, yet again, that your thing for sharp steel objects has both emptied your wallet and opened your skin. Again.
In any event, the above article advises the use of two closures at once for a small cut. The sample cut being ~1.25", it was decided to remove the outer bandaid and place a second closure on at a slight angle as advised.
The immediate result was far less bleeding happening when the arm effected is in use. This can be identified by the amount of staining in the outer bandaid.
Final Notes:
The unit's availability, small size, inexpensive price point, and simple operation make it a very important component to any BOB, office medical kit and "new knife" party you might have on your schedule.
If you do not have one on hand, the proximity to a local CVS, or if need be - an alternate vendor like Krogers, make a mad dash to healing a viable option not to be ignored or forgotten. This is especially true if you need to keep out of the hospital or doctor's office due to a marital situation that could end up with you in the morgue.
All in all, a great product, and one that gets a big thumb's up from this user!
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