I was looking to add a few items to my First Aid supplies and decided to look into getting some sutures. I couldn't find to much online, but did find some items on Amazon.com. In particular, I found these suture/needle combinations sold by a vet supply vendor. I was wondering if they would be safe for human use if necessary.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=Braunamid+Synthetic+Suture+%2F+Needle+Combinations&x=0&y=0

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If it's in your pack, but you don't know how to use it...it's useless. So, always test your skills as a form of preparation...Don't wait until your life depends on it. That's a lesson you don't want to learn the hard way.

Personally if the need was there I would use it. The only thing I could see as being a problem is if the wound was not cleaned properly.
I like it.

I think they would be fine since they are sold as "sterile". My only question would be what size to use as they seem to seel a few different thicknesses. I think the thinnest would be the least painful.

Thanks! I've added this to my Amazon Wish List.

I spoke to a veterinarian friend of mine recently about sutures. She said that the sutures they used for animals are manufactured by, and are the exact same product, the same companies who supply human sutures. The only difference are the gauges of the sutures and needles used, depending on the application (e.g. a horse suture for a large wound would obviously be the wrong suture for a small laceration on a human). So, if you were going to get Suture A for human usage, and you purchase the same size/spec suture from a veterinary supply house, you're getting the exact same suture.

Although I recommend anyone consult their doctor about this for the final word, I'm comfortable with veterinary sutures for human usage. Also, one should receive the proper training on using sutures. Besides the risk of infection from closing an improperly cleaned wound, and not having the antibiotics to back-up post-operative treatment, simply closing a wound improperly can lead to all sorts of problems.

Thanks for the update Kain. Good info there. Does anybody know what gauge suture to use for say minor lacerations - say something maybe an inch or two long on an arm of leg? Just trying to think of the most likely scenario.