+powercatjeffy Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 I was caching near Beloit, KS this spring and I found a cache along US-24 Highway. One of the "prizes" in the cache was a tampon. It was still in the wrapper, of course. I had several thoughts about this: 1. Have any female geocachers ever been out to a cache and had a female emergency? Good thing someone put a tampon in that cache! 2. Why wouldn't you just sign the log rather than trade for something so silly? Maybe put a $1 bill in there instead? 3. What are people thinking when they put stupid trade items in a cache? Quote Link to comment
+dkwolf Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 I dunno, I've seen women get REALLY creative when an 'emergency' rears it's ugly head on a camping trip (why she wasn't fully prepared on a weeklong camping trip that close to her 'time' still baffles me, but that's another subject) All I remember is them asking for a few items from the med kit and the guys making the mistake of asking why--we regretted it...sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Quote Link to comment
+Sue Gremlin Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 It's a handy thing to put in a first aid kit, (we are often caught off guard), but in a cache? Hm. *shrug* I dunno. I wouldn't put one in a cache, but to each his own. Quote Link to comment
+webscouter. Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 maybe there was a small hole in the wrapper and it was being used as a dessicant? Quote Link to comment
+dorkfish Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 Have you seen that tampon commerical where they use a tampon to fix a hole in a leaky boat? Maybe it is for that. Quote Link to comment
+nfa Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 I wouldn't trade for one, but I can see how it might come in more handy than a bottle-cap or used lotto ticket. It seems that a tampon could be useful in much the same way that bandaids left in cache could be (and have been to me). Quote Link to comment
+QDman Posted November 5, 2005 Share Posted November 5, 2005 I'd like to know what they took from the cache, and if the tampon was considered trading up? Quote Link to comment
+darus67 Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 I did a cache this weekend and found an AOL cd. I can't think of many things less interesting than an AOL cd. They are of zero (or less) intrinsic value. If I really wanted one, they are free for the taking in much more accessable places. And, it still had the mailing label on it, complete with name and address. Quote Link to comment
+Dirty81007 Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 tampons can be used for nosebleeds, ear plugs, cleaning thin pipes, absorbing spills. Quote Link to comment
+canoe_goddess Posted November 6, 2005 Share Posted November 6, 2005 My brothers always seemed to enjoy putting them in water and watching them expand. SO I guess they could also be considered a toy. They should've left some airplanes "with wings" too. Quote Link to comment
+zoltig Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Tampons and Pads are NOT the method for stopping a wound from bleeding. In fact it will cause more bleeding than about anything else. The whole concept behind feminine protection is to absorb blood which requires the wicking away of the blood. To stop the bleeding of a wound, the best way is to use direct pressure. The blood needs to be able to "clot". Do not use tampons for nose bleeds as well. Same principle. Also toilet paper is not very good for packing wounds. Too absorbent as well as the TP will have a tendency to degrade into the wound. Then you have the problem of a bleeding AND a contaminated wound. If by chance you use the direct pressure with say a rag (not slang) and the wound keeps bleeding through, do NOT remove the rag. Add another to the top and keep the pressure on. Avoid the temptation to "peek" at the wound. You are just peeling away the clotting process and the blood has to start over. In a first aid kit is fine to have feminine protection for emergencies. But not for first aid! As for in a cache...? Quote Link to comment
+Shadow's Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 In case the cache gets wet? Quote Link to comment
+Ed_S Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 Tampons and Pads are NOT the method for stopping a wound from bleeding. In fact it will cause more bleeding than about anything else. The whole concept behind feminine protection is to absorb blood which requires the wicking away of the blood. To stop the bleeding of a wound, the best way is to use direct pressure. The blood needs to be able to "clot". Do not use tampons for nose bleeds as well. Same principle. Also toilet paper is not very good for packing wounds. Too absorbent as well as the TP will have a tendency to degrade into the wound. Then you have the problem of a bleeding AND a contaminated wound. If by chance you use the direct pressure with say a rag (not slang) and the wound keeps bleeding through, do NOT remove the rag. Add another to the top and keep the pressure on. Avoid the temptation to "peek" at the wound. You are just peeling away the clotting process and the blood has to start over. In a first aid kit is fine to have feminine protection for emergencies. But not for first aid! As for in a cache...? First of all, I believe the poster you were replying to was being facetious. But beyond that, a tampon could be used to control a nosebleed. My concern would be that it would swell up too much, making removal difficult. But one method of treatment of nosebleeds in the Emergency Department is insertion of a Mirasel Tampon. It looks similar to the device in question here, but is inserted into the nostril and inflated with an injection of saline solution, instead of allowing the blood and other fluids to do it gradually. What stops the bleeding is the pressure against the inside of the nostril or septum. The tampon provides direct pressure to stop the bleeding. There's no reason a feminine hygiene type tampon wouldn't also do this, if inserted properly. You're right on the money with your advice to not "peek" if a wound bleeds through the dressing, and to just add more dressings on top of the old. That's what we do in the field (except that we use 4x4s, 5x9s or other sterile dressings!) <G> Quote Link to comment
+TucsonThompsen Posted November 7, 2005 Share Posted November 7, 2005 The funniest (oddest) "prize" I found in a cache was a Home pregnancy test. It was still in the box of course. But what's funny about it, was the name of the cache I found it in: (GCKHGJ) Talk about things that make you go..."HUH?" --TT-- Quote Link to comment
+QDman Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 The funniest (oddest) "prize" I found in a cache was a Home pregnancy test. It was still in the box of course. But what's funny about it, was the name of the cache I found it in: (GCKHGJ) Talk about things that make you go..."HUH?" --TT-- That's as wrong as wrong can be. Quote Link to comment
+BoredKitty Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Could be worse. The tampon could've been used! I actually found a sanitary napkin in one cache. NOT WRAPPED! Quote Link to comment
+zoltig Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Tampons and Pads are NOT the method for stopping a wound from bleeding. In fact it will cause more bleeding than about anything else. The whole concept behind feminine protection is to absorb blood which requires the wicking away of the blood. To stop the bleeding of a wound, the best way is to use direct pressure. The blood needs to be able to "clot". Do not use tampons for nose bleeds as well. Same principle. Also toilet paper is not very good for packing wounds. Too absorbent as well as the TP will have a tendency to degrade into the wound. Then you have the problem of a bleeding AND a contaminated wound. If by chance you use the direct pressure with say a rag (not slang) and the wound keeps bleeding through, do NOT remove the rag. Add another to the top and keep the pressure on. Avoid the temptation to "peek" at the wound. You are just peeling away the clotting process and the blood has to start over. In a first aid kit is fine to have feminine protection for emergencies. But not for first aid! As for in a cache...? First of all, I believe the poster you were replying to was being facetious. But beyond that, a tampon could be used to control a nosebleed. My concern would be that it would swell up too much, making removal difficult. But one method of treatment of nosebleeds in the Emergency Department is insertion of a Mirasel Tampon. It looks similar to the device in question here, but is inserted into the nostril and inflated with an injection of saline solution, instead of allowing the blood and other fluids to do it gradually. What stops the bleeding is the pressure against the inside of the nostril or septum. The tampon provides direct pressure to stop the bleeding. There's no reason a feminine hygiene type tampon wouldn't also do this, if inserted properly. You're right on the money with your advice to not "peek" if a wound bleeds through the dressing, and to just add more dressings on top of the old. That's what we do in the field (except that we use 4x4s, 5x9s or other sterile dressings!) <G> Merocel nasal packing (aka "Tampon"). This is a packing and by no means to be confused with hygiene tampons. But hey, I wouldn't leave that in a cache either! Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 For the longest time I would find them in my caches during maint visits. I considered removing them. Then I thought hey, ya never know who might need one. Whomever had been leaving them either has gone through "the change", moved away or stopped geocaching because I don't see them anymore. Quote Link to comment
+Two Geeks and a GPS Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Tampons and Pads are NOT the method for stopping a wound from bleeding Wrong. My grandpa was a medic in WWII and he delights in telling us how they were almost the best things in the world for wounds. Whenever they were in a town, the medics would "appropriate" them from wherever they could. And to see the faces of hardened soldiers who were patched up with pads......yes they took some razzing! Quote Link to comment
+zoltig Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Tampons and Pads are NOT the method for stopping a wound from bleeding Wrong. My grandpa was a medic in WWII and he delights in telling us how they were almost the best things in the world for wounds. Whenever they were in a town, the medics would "appropriate" them from wherever they could. And to see the faces of hardened soldiers who were patched up with pads......yes they took some razzing! WRONG! This is a true statement! Back in your grandfathers day the items of the time were not of the same wicking material as the are now. WWII was how many years ago? Things have changed. As I mentioned before, the idea of stopping bleeding is to let the blood clot, or coagulate. Wicking or pulling the blood does not allow for that. It keeps fresh blood pumping in and past the wound. The blood that sits at the surface is starting the coagulating process. There is a difference between soaking and wicking. The items in your grandfathers day were large pads (my friend called them surfboards. Huh. I wonder why?) and were probably of a cotton batt. By all means, when you get a gashing wound, go ahead and place one of todays modern pads on your wound. I am sure after enough bleeding takes place and totally soaks the pad and then starts to pool at the wound, your bleeding will start to slow down and eventually stop. It will take longer than direct pressure with packing. Here is a good example that a geocacher should appreciate. The socks for an avid hiker these days are made of a material that is designed to pull moisture or sweat away from your skin. When you feet are dry, you are more comfortable. The same thought is put into a lot of products these days. Ranging from socks, diapers and yes, say it with me, feminine protection. I just realized this has gone on too long. Use a maxi pad for your wounds! I'll use my dirty jeans or shirt, thank you. Yes I said dirty jeans. Infection is something that can be dealt with later. Let's stop that bleeding first. Quote Link to comment
+Yellow Wingers Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Let's look on the bright side. At least it wasn't turned into a travel bug. Quote Link to comment
+Alibags Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 they make excellent tinder for starting campfires! (when dry!!) Quote Link to comment
+The red-haired witch Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Here is a good example that a geocacher should appreciate. The socks for an avid hiker these days are made of a material that is designed to pull moisture or sweat away from your skin. When you feet are dry, you are more comfortable. The same thought is put into a lot of products these days. Ranging from socks, diapers and yes, say it with me, feminine protection. You guys seem to know a lot about "feminine hygiene products", but as an experienced user I probably know a few more things... Actually, it is true that modern pads have a wicking layer and a superabsorbant core, to stay dry on the surface . This is not true for tampons though. Tampons have changed very little in the last 20 years at least (a few technological developments regarding the applicator, not the tampon itself). Slow absorbants are ok for tampons, and you certainly wouldn't want a wicking / dry feel surface. Because, well, the place where those things are used is not supposed to be dry. To go back to the original post, I'd say leaving a tampon in a cache is not weirder than toilet paper. Both can be handy, if left in a waterproof baggie. Pretty low value trade item, but better than a beer cap, and I've seen a few of those... So as long a it was a fair trade, why not? Quote Link to comment
+carouselcheesecakes Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 Ok I left a brand new box of thermometers. I had included a joke about how cold one gets while geocaching in Maine winters. They were some of the first things taken. There were about 10 of them in the box. They were the old fashioned mercury kind. I had no clue what to do with them so I thought it was funny to toss them in. Well I was going to go back later and recycle them but they had all been taken within the first two weeks. I looked at the box later and discovered they were all rectal thermometers. Well they were all brand new so what anyone on these geocachers wanted to do with them is none of my business. After my uncle passed away he had a brand new box of them in his condo. Well he did work in a hospital for 33 years. Sadly he passed away 30 days before he was due to retire. Quote Link to comment
hippyGeochick Posted November 13, 2005 Share Posted November 13, 2005 Let's look on the bright side. At least it wasn't turned into a travel bug. Quote Link to comment
+Moore9KSUcats Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 From a feminine point of view, excessive or unusual exercise can increase menstrual flow. So, it could come in handy if a female cacher found herself in dire straits during a hike, especially a long one. I would rather bring an extra along, though, than use one that has been in a cache. Some of the packaging is not all that waterproof, and I don't know if I would want to use one that has been sitting in box in the woods, handled by who knows whom! Quote Link to comment
+AnalogDog Posted November 14, 2005 Share Posted November 14, 2005 I recently found a single serving package of K-Y liquid in a cache. made me go humm.... Quote Link to comment
+Colorado Cacher Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 they make excellent tinder for starting campfires! (when dry!!) So do potato chips. Ever light one? Them suckers burn forever there is so much grease in them. Also if your in a third world country use can use Sugarite/Sugar for healing wounds also. Even works on gunshots. Quote Link to comment
+Colorado Cacher Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 And to think I was going to go eat dinner..................Think I'll go barf instead after reading this stuff. Quote Link to comment
+nfa Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 tough police alert it's not disgusting, it just is women menstruate...women cache...women cache while menstruating...women might need tampons while caching if they're menstruating...a tampon in a cache might be useful in this instance...if it's not, don't take it...if it offends you, trade it out jamie Quote Link to comment
justus2 Posted November 22, 2005 Share Posted November 22, 2005 Well, for what it's worth: A snowmobiling friend from Oregon told us that it is possible to use a tampon to start a fire with. Just dip it in the tank of your snowmobile and let it soak up some gas. Then put the tampon on what wood or fuel that you want to burn and strike your match. I guess they burn long enough to get your fire going pretty well. So I guess they are good for survival. Quote Link to comment
snowfoxrox Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 About wierd items left in a cache: how about the razor I saw a few months ago. This was a disposable plastic razor with cap left in a container of toys. This also happned to be the cache I dragged my sister an neice to for their first experience. Sigh... My sister was not amused, and wont go caching with me anymore. I did learn a lesson. When showing someone the sport for the first time, take them to a cache you know! Haha ~SFR~ Quote Link to comment
+ironman114 Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 To go back to the original post, I'd say leaving a tampon in a cache is not weirder than toilet paper. Both can be handy, if left in a waterproof baggie. Pretty low value trade item, but better than a beer cap, and I've seen a few of those... So as long a it was a fair trade, why not? Hey, I stocked an ammo can cache with small purse size rolls of tp,seat protectors, instant hand sanitizer packets and gloves that reach all the way to your armpits! There were coordinate written on the gloves that led you to an outhouse. Where you would find the final that was a micro. Quote Link to comment
+Ed_S Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Hey, I stocked an ammo can cache with small purse size rolls of tp,seat protectors, instant hand sanitizer packets and gloves that reach all the way to your armpits! There were coordinate written on the gloves that led you to an outhouse. Where you would find the final that was a micro. Eeewwwww!!! Quote Link to comment
+zoltig Posted December 25, 2005 Share Posted December 25, 2005 To go back to the original post, I'd say leaving a tampon in a cache is not weirder than toilet paper. Both can be handy, if left in a waterproof baggie. Pretty low value trade item, but better than a beer cap, and I've seen a few of those... So as long a it was a fair trade, why not? Hey, I stocked an ammo can cache with small purse size rolls of tp,seat protectors, instant hand sanitizer packets and gloves that reach all the way to your armpits! There were coordinate written on the gloves that led you to an outhouse. Where you would find the final that was a micro. You're a sick puppy ironman!! Quote Link to comment
+ironman114 Posted December 26, 2005 Share Posted December 26, 2005 The cache is on top of the roof of the concrete outhouse. Right above where the seat would be inside. Its also a spoof on another nearby cache that has an outhouse location and is part of a NRV (No Redeeming Value) cache series. Quote Link to comment
gusmurphy Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Maybe the tampon was a signature item...Did an Aunt Flo sign the log? Quote Link to comment
+chubby forest monkey Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Even though I am approaching menopause, I am still often surprised and caught unprepared when my period begins. This even happened to me recently when I was on a long remote hiking cache trip with a friend. It would have been great to find a tampon in the cachebox! Quote Link to comment
+mrking Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 I did a cache this weekend and found an AOL cd.I can't think of many things less interesting than an AOL cd. They are of zero (or less) intrinsic value. If I really wanted one, they are free for the taking in much more accessable places. And, it still had the mailing label on it, complete with name and address. I'll tell you what is worse... Finding a 3.5" floppy with AOL 2.5 on it. Now that is WORSE!!!!! I wish bad karma on those traders. Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 I'll tell you what is worse... Finding a 3.5" floppy with AOL 2.5 on it. Now that is WORSE!!!!! I donno. There's a AOL 2.5 disk that's up to $4 on eBay. And it's got a full day of trading ahead of it. Quote Link to comment
luckykoi Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 This could be a very useful item item to find in a remote cache. We found a cache with half a box of tampons in it, it was an ammo can in the backcountry. Quote Link to comment
+BigWhiteTruck Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 stuff about wounds and feminite products My brother-in-law who returned from active duty in Kuwait a year ago said that they always had tampons in their first-aid kits. For the obvious reason, and because they were great for bullet wounds. Quote Link to comment
+zoltig Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 stuff about wounds and feminite products My brother-in-law who returned from active duty in Kuwait a year ago said that they always had tampons in their first-aid kits. For the obvious reason, and because they were great for bullet wounds. Yeah! Let’s push a foreign object into a hole another foreign object just flailed open, pushing that objects shards deeper into the body. YEP! That makes perfect sense. Quote Link to comment
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