I was wondering if anyone has gone through this process yet. A large selection of needles and sutures are available in so many styles and sizes it overwhelming.
I want to be able to close internal wounds and major skin cuts. I need to know the needle style and size and then the best sutures for that wound. Wow what a deal it is when you go to order at a medical web site, so much information but no direction becuase they feel you of course already know what you are doing. I do not want to buy as I have done in the past generic survival sets.
I want to buy now and then learn by reading or pray someone around me will know what they are doing.

I have read all the info on many sites but I was just one would say use this for this and this for that.
Thanks to anyone for info they may have knowlage of.

Surgical knots and suturing techniques by F.D. Giddings should do you up just fine. It should be around 20 dollars on amazon.

About 40 pages long and most basic knowledge is covered including a short synopsis of needles, style, size, sutures,length and uses.

It's actually pretty fascinating.

[edit on 27-10-2009 by badgerprints]

I have had extremely good luck with super glue, and the medical ppl are starting to use this method more often.
It is not good for internal stuff, but any and all external flesh wounds "not missing pieces of flesh" it is a great zipper, as I hear the medical students call it.."liquid stitch"
But it is a good idea to learn basic medical stitchs, if you have the nerve to be that deep inside a person to begin with..

Try the large animal vet supply websites for the supplys
.

If I'm not mistaken I thought sutures and suture needles could only be bought by licensed professionals?

Dermabond is what you mean by "liquid stitch". It's good for superficial skin lacerations but not so good for deeper lacerations or surgical incisions. Especially when the deeper dermis and adipose layers are involved.

Superglue does work well for cuts about a 1/4 inch deep. I couldn't be sure on anything deeper than that.

Thank you everyone. I have books on vet medicine and many human med books. It was not clear what size suture or kind (style) it is also not clear what needle size or style of needle. Its like a dam doctor secret or somthing. The book that was posted to purchase above is no longer available.
I ended up calling a nurse who asked a surgeon for me and My research was pretty right on sutures for humans 2.0 to 3.0 for internal 4.0 to 5.0 for skin or facial wounds. I need to call her back and see if she asked what kind of suture as so many are available and internal will need dissolving sutures she also left no needle info in her message.
These sutures can be purchased by anyone. I have 3 trunks' of meds and have spent most of the time finding what I need to cure certain illness. The illness that would be present if say the grid went down for a long time or pandemics that put us back in the stone age. I have had much success documenting what is needed for what illness , you have to write it down and have the meds or herbs in hand. I don't want to die of malaria or cholera knowing I could have simply cured it. Its been a 2 year project.
I set my sights on the sutures this last week realizing how easy it would be to cut a foot or hand or get shot.(harsh). I have sutures I purchased years ago but they expire, did you know that? Sterile sutures and needles are extremely important. I don't want to have to use them but I am now starting to learn how just in case. I would hate to watch a child of mine die when I could have done something or tried. What if a nurse or doctor was available but was not prepared. If I have life saving items many could be helped.
I have many animals I try to treat myself so this has helped me learn and ask questions if a vet is called.
I am grateful to all the posts and links. I hope they keep coming. I will read them all.
Thank you
Sara lee

I did sign up for that free course and beprepared .com dosent mention sterile experation date or size of suture. I meant to call them.

[edit on 28-10-2009 by saralee]

[edit on 28-10-2009 by saralee]

The problem with sutures is that like many things it is a skill. One I posses due to my ability to insert central lines and chest tubes. But like any skill there is a learning curve and if you dont know what you are doing you are just as apt to cause more problems than you cure IMHO

As said, I wouldn;t suggest trying internal sutures unless in a sterile/asceptic environment - but depending on the situation, you may have nothing to lose.

As a Paramedic, I use dermabond at it is fairly simple to use, but does have some potential complications.

For the uninitiated working on medium/fairly superficial wounds have you considered skin staples? That's what I have in my BOB medkit.

Caution to say - do read all you can about wound closure, as you don't have the luxury of practising under supervision that I had.

One other thing to remember to stock if you are going to be using sutures, is a pair of locking forceps.

If you are in the cold, and wet, trying to hold the needle can be quite difficult. A pair of forceps would be very handy in such an instance.