Assuming one's not going to perform any internal surgery (I hope), what is a good standard size suture and thread material to include in my 72 hour kits (I already have butterfly bandage/sutures). I see there are many available on ebay with sizes ranging from tiny to large and threads form silk to monofilament. Any suggestions from someone in the medical field?

This might be an easier alliterative Cabelas Stapler

20

Like you said, I'm assuming you don't intend to perform major surgery, but close wounds. The finer the gauge, the more easily it pulls out. For external sutures you really want monofilament. 16 -20 gauge monofilament, in my opinion is, is perfect for basic suturing. They're big enough to hold most non-life threatening wounds and small enough for most people to endure without local anestetic. Keep in mind that closing a dirty wound will be worse than just covering with clean gauze and anti bacterial ointment. I carry a very complete medical kit with a surgical kit, but will always question myself as to whether or not to close a wound or just scrub thoroughly and cover.

Duct tape.

If you can't fix it with duct tape, you are in over your head. That is going to go on my personal (not the family) coat of arms one, when I finally have a need for one.

You can also carry a small amount of Krazy glue and just glue the skin flaps together. (Don't get it into the wound itself)

I would say that if you have to ask what size/type sutures to use, you shouldn't be suturing in the fist place. No offense intended.

Besides, why would you want to suture a wound in the field? Your risk of infection goes way up. Leave it open. Keep it clean.

I want to be a paramedic, so I already collected a huge medical kit,devided into 2 trauma-backpacks. In this kit I use 3-0 Ethilon suture kits.
The trauma-backpacks aren't for survival use, it's just a hobby. I wouldn't reccomend suturing in a survival situation, because of the infection-risk, so I would use super-glue and lots of antibiotic ointment and betadine.
I believe that if you use duct-tape on a wound for a time, it can cause a allergic reaction(???).

Just stick to your Band-Aids <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Disclaimer, I don't have the level of medical knowledge that some of you have on this site. My WFA certification is not anywhere near the level of the paramedics we have here.

That said, in most of the wilderness texts and training I have had, they strongly caution against closing wounds in the field, because of the difficulty in really cleaning/irrigating properly, disinfecting, etc in the field. It seems like after you get any profuse bleeding stopped, the general course in the field is to keep the wound covered, with frequent changes of the dressing to absorb all the goop that's going to ooze out until you can reach more capable medical care. (I think that's one reason why you see 4x4's in high numbers in most decent kits, they are the universal slimy ooze absorber.) Letting things bleed and ooze is ugly, but, it's the body's way of getting all of the little nasty things out of the wound.

Ok, wasn't that a nice thought for Mother's Day! (My house is still all asleep, have to wake up the boy to make mom breakfast in bed soon)

I'd be interested in hearing a response from some of our paramedics about the concept of whether you close a wound in the field, and some of the considerations.

You're jumping to conclusions; I've already sutered in the field using monofilament and a sewing needle. Neither suturing or disinfecting are dificult tasks, in fact, if you take care of your own wounds you've learned over the years how to properly clean and disinfect. With Betadine and sterile water (iodine) a wound can be cleansed. I just though I should hear from a few who know the many forms and sizes of needles, what might be the best for mu SPK SAK, instead of having to use a sewing needle....again.

bona fides: 10 yrs. as a paramedic and ER RN, then 20 yrs. as a physcian including some ER.

#1) appropriate training (don't need to be a doc, just trained). If you have to ask what size of suture, you probably need more training. (If you're planning ahead : 3-0 monofliament would probably be the best).

I carry a pack or 2 of 3-0 mono, but have never used it in 30 yrs. (safety blankie?)(yes. I rotate.), including some travel, days from standard medical care.