First Aid

I wouldn't suture in the field unless absolutely nothing else works. Skin will heal quickly (1-2 days) after being approximated - then you run the risk of developing deeper infections.
Steristrips w/ benzoin work very well, and will generally allow drainage.
If you must suture, practice first. You don't necessarily need a needle driver. You can acquire sutures on straight needles (Keith needle/KS needle, etc.) with which you can sew tissue like you sew cloth.
You should clean the wound well, copiously irrigate to remove any debris (I like a solution of 1 part betadine to 5 parts normal saline for the first couple of irrigations, then follow w/ straight normal saline for a total of about a liter of irrigation.
Close w/ well spaced simple interrupted sutures (preferably of 3-0 or 4-0 nylon in most places, 5-0/6-0 for facial wounds), tied just tight enough to bring the skin edges together.

Dermabond is a different form of cyanoacrylate - regular crazy glue will break down into byproducts that are tissue toxic - Dermabond does not - this is the reason we use dermabond & not super/krazy glue.

Pigs feet work well for learning. You should get someone to show you the ropes though. Those students don't suture humans until they have had lots of instruction & have been directly observed for proper technique.

Staples are probable the easiest/fastest way to close a wound, but they also have a certain technique for proper placement.

BTDT

Sam
 
I've been using Compeed band aids. They are for blisters and cuts and are type of second skin. They are fairly water resistant, last several days and being padded give some protection. They breath. The nack is to have the area of shin around the wound dry so that they adhere well.

Don't know what they are called in the US. I try to carry the big patches (11/2" - 2") as well as the small stip ones. Better than any plaster/band aid, but well expensive especially when you have to hand them out to those to forgot to carry anything.
 
Re: Pine pitch, I just found this tidbit in the archives of the Primitive Skills Group.

http://pages.infinit.net/afb/priskar1.htm

"Balsam Fir is probably one of my all time favorite natural remedies,
which is great because it grows all over the place near me. The primary
section of the tree I use is the pitch which has a natural antiseptic
and can be used on cuts. It works better and heals faster than any store
bought medicine I have ever found. The biggest use, though, is on burns
and blisters. I have seen it heal the nastiest hand-drill blisters
sometimes overnight and I've proved this over and over to people. I
first learned about the burn properties of Balsam pitch from a synopsis
of a doctoral thesis put out by a woman who, in addition to being and
M.D. was apprenticed to an Ojibwa medicine woman in Michigan. I've since
tried it under numerous circumstances from bad blistering to severe
first and mild second degree burns and have found it soothing (which is
important for a burn remedy) and a quick aid to healing. If anyone is
interested I can post an address where this M.D.s piece can be purchased."
 
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