What do you have in your kit bag?

[Bloke]

A post on another thread got me thinking about what each of us considers necessary kit for a trip to the dojo? or a tournament? either as a competitor or official.

My kit bag contains for the dojo.

Dogi and Obi
Shin instep pads and hand pads
Wraps (actually inner gloves made by Title - one size fits all elastic mitts)
A pair of Focus pads for the hands
Bottle of water
Skipping Rope
Antiseptic wipes
Scissors
Plasters
Baseball Cap (if we are training outdoors in the sun - wishful thinking)

Any one have anything I may have missed or anything unusaul to add?

[Shokei Marcsui]

Dogi and Obi. (White, Blue, Yellow)
Shin Pads
Gloves
H2O
Towel
Nut Cup (Unusual? Maybe.. necessary... oh yeah!)
Slippers
Mouth Piece (never used)
T-Shirt

[Bloke]

Nut Cup? I never hear it called that before - sounds a Reeses confectionery.

[Bruce]

Dogi & Obi, Shin pads (2 pairs), hand pads (2 pairs), bag mitts (2 pairs), wraps (2 pairs), skipping rope, box, plasters, licence, syllabus, mobile phone, cash, tissues, drink, undiscovered tribe of pygamies and Elvis Presley....well everyone thought he'd been hiding so now you know where he is - In my karate bag!

[seienchin]

I have always been impressed by the (apparently) standard judo practice of every student having a first-aid kit in their kit-bag. For karate this should include sports strapping tape, and 2 compression bandages (one arm-size one leg-size). Some antispetic for cuts is a good idea too. I also recommend keeping nail-clippers in your kit bag, so that if you get to training and realise your nails hav had a growths spurt, your partner won't end up lookin like they had a run-in with a feral cat!

[Bloke]

A mobile Phone is a good one particularly for instructors. We had a tournament one saturday and I discovered that one of our students had gone missing. I called his mum and it turns out he lived very near and walked home once he was out.

But in case of a real emergency it can be invaluable.

[Lucy]

Originally Posted by Bloke

We had a tournament one saturday and I discovered that one of our students had gone missing. I called his mum and it turns out he lived very near and walked home once he was out.

Ooh err thats a worrying situation!

Well in my kit bag i have

Dogi & 2 Obi's
Bag gloves
2 sets of wraps
Groin guard
Breast protector
Licence & syllabus book
Ooh found a gum shield lurking in there!
Plasters, scissors & micropore tape (which i bound my feet in if i get blisters)
Shin protectors & hand mitts
Ankle supports
Note pad & pencil (for jotting down all the awesome session plans!)
And of course all the girl things a girl needs

[Shokei Marcsui]

Note pad & pencil (for jotting down all the awesome session plans!)

Consider this added to my kit bag.

[ksan]

Originally Posted by Bloke

saturday and I discovered that one of our students had gone missing. I called his mum and it turns out he lived very near and walked home once he was out.

What went through your head when you were ringing his home....i would have been horrified having to have to make that call....

[ksan]

Ow... i ussually bring arnica gel, works best wehn you apply it as soon as possible after the injury...

[Lucy]

Originally Posted by ksan

Ow... i ussually bring arnica gel, works best wehn you apply it as soon as possible after the injury...

I second that! Very good stuff!

[Shokei Marcsui]

I didn't know what arnica gel was so I looked it up.

Does it really help with bruises and swelling? I assume it would work topical gel and wrap with a bandage.

[Lucy]

Shokei its greats for knocks and bruising! Like Ksan said most effective when used straight after injury. Example: After a tournament i used this arnica and my bruises cleared up in 10 days completely, whereas without they take 3 weeks to go!

You just rub it into wherever the injury is 3/4 times a day if its bad bruising. No need to put a bandage on (useless you need support for the injury obviously!)

[Bruce]

Arnica is superb - Being a lanky bean pole I get a lot bruises on bony bits so I use it all the time. I use the cream to rub in a couple of times a day and take it orally in little itsy bitty tablets thingys (can't remember the technical term) and it works a treat. I also combine it with tiger balm if the bruising is really painful and that seems to help it even more. Don't keep any of that in my bag though - might now though!

[Bloke]

Originally Posted by ksan

What went through your head when you were ringing his home....i would have been horrified having to have to make that call....

It was no fun I can assure you - thankfully once I asked was he there she said yes and was more angry with him (rather him than me )

I also use arnica (both Gel and Tablets) and it works a treat.

Must add pencil and notepad to Kitbag.

[Shokei Marcsui]

I also use arnica (both Gel and Tablets) and it works a treat.

May I request a specific brand name to purchase?

[Bloke]

The tablets are from a company called Weleda - the .com site has little info and the .co.uk only ship to the UK.

Im not sure who makes the Gel - ill check when I get home and post later.

[Lucy]

I use arnica cream, its pretty much the same as the gel, just cheaper! The company name is Nelsons arnicare. They do the cream, the gel and the tablets!

Home (Website link)

[ksan]

Arnika Gel

Arnica gel, 1 liter. Euro 19,25. They have a dealer in the UK aswell but i bet if you order in NL it will be cheaper.

[Shokei Marcsui]

Now I understand that arnica cream/gel reduces the amount of swelling and healing of the bruised area. I wonder what the difference would be taking it orally versus applying directly to the area. Does the cream/tablet take away the sensitivity as well?